Brakes are the most basic safety systems on an automobile; any defects in a vehicle's braking system can create conditions for a serious accident, possibly resulting in injury or death. Accidents caused by defective brakes were common a few decades ago, but have decreased in frequency due to an increased focus on safety in braking systems and more precise inspection and testing standards on the part of automobile manufacturers. Even so, dozens of people are killed or injured every year in accidents attributed to defective brakes.

Types of Brake Defects

Common brake defects include:

• Brake fluid leaks.
• Brake line defects.
• Failure of anti-lock braking system.
• Parking brake failure due to design and manufacturing defects.
• Brake shift interlock and brake light defects.
• Hydraulics failure.
• Rotors and/or drum failure.
• Air brake defects including defects in the reversing plate and rod, slide valve, and air valves.

In many cases, brake defects can be attributed to the design of the braking system, while in others, defects occur during the manufacturing process. Defective brake lawsuits have revealed that either: automobile companies are unaware of defects until it is brought to their attention after an inordinate number of accidents or the manufacturer is aware of the defects, but proceeds with marketing and sales of vehicles containing the defective brakes anyway.

Defective Brake Recalls and Lawsuits

Defective brakes have been the focus of numerous recalls and lawsuits. Class action lawsuits have been filed against some of the biggest automobile companies in the country including the Daimler Chrysler Corporation, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick, and Oldsmobile as a result of defective brakes.  In 2004, Hyundai Motor Company was forced to recall its minivan due to defective parking brake cables.  Class action lawsuits have also been filed against Kia Motors America due to defective brakes in certain models of its Sephia car. The problem, in this case, was premature wear and tear of the front brake rotors, which resulted in vibrations and constant replacement of the rotors.