Brake Safety Results: More Than 2,000 Trucks Taken OOS

Brake Safety Week 2025 Results Show 15.1% Out-of-Service Rate

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has released the results of Brake Safety Week 2025, showing that 15.1% of inspected trucks were placed out of service for brake-related violations. The annual campaign focuses on brake safety to reduce crashes caused by faulty braking systems and components.

Inspections Across North America

Between August 24 and 30, 2025, inspectors across 52 jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico conducted 15,175 inspections focused on brake safety and maintenance. Of all vehicles inspected, 84.9% passed without any brake-related out-of-service (OOS) violations. However, 2,296 trucks were taken off the road for issues found during the checks.

Country Breakdown of Brake Safety Results

In the United States, inspectors performed 13,700 brake safety inspections. They placed 2,035 vehicles—about 14.9%—out of service. Canadian inspectors conducted 1,459 inspections and placed 260 vehicles, or 17.8%, out of service. In Mexico, 16 inspections took place, and one vehicle—6.3%—was placed out of service.

Combined, these numbers reflect the overall 15.1% OOS rate reported by the CVSA.

Most Common Brake Safety Violations

The most frequent issue found was having 20% or more of the service brakes in an out-of-service condition. Inspectors recorded 1,199 such cases, representing about 52% of all brake-related violations.
Other common brake safety issues included:

• Other brake component violations: 375
• Brake hose or tube defects: 306
• Steering-axle brake problems: 199
• Air-loss rate failures: 100

These findings highlight the importance of consistent brake inspections and proper maintenance before hitting the road.

Brake Drums and Rotors Also Under Review

This year’s inspections included a close look at drums and rotors. Inspectors documented 113 total violations related to these parts. Of those, 39 vehicles were placed out of service for broken or rusted drums or rotors. Specific findings included:

• Broken rotors: 22 (air-disc), 0 (S-Cam), 3 (hydraulic)
• Rusted rotors: 50 (air-disc), 0 (S-Cam), 4 (hydraulic)
• Broken drums: 0 (air-disc), 32 (S-Cam), 2 (hydraulic)

Safety Tests Using Performance-Based Brake Testers

Fifteen U.S. states used performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) during Brake Safety Week 2025. These devices measure a vehicle’s braking performance. In total, inspectors conducted 528 PBBT inspections. Twenty-five vehicles—4.7%—did not meet the minimum required braking efficiency of 43.5% and were placed out of service. The other 503 vehicles passed.

Why Brake Safety Matters for Truck Drivers

Brake-related issues remain one of the leading causes of vehicle out-of-service orders and crash risks. The results of Brake Safety Week 2025 serve as a reminder of how essential proper brake maintenance is for drivers, fleets, and inspectors alike.

Regular checks of hoses, drums, rotors, and air-loss systems help prevent violations, reduce downtime, and keep roads safer for everyone.

Next Year’s Brake Safety Week

The CVSA announced that the next Brake Safety Week will take place August 23–29, 2026. The focus will continue to be on improving safety and encouraging proactive maintenance across the trucking industry.

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