Brake Defects Under Indiana Lemon Law

Brake defects are safety-critical and routinely qualify under Indiana’s Lemon Law (§ 24-5-13) due to their direct safety implications.

Common brake failure modes

• ABS module failure — warning lights, system shutoff.
• Soft pedal — air in lines, master cylinder failure.
• Pulsation / shudder — warped rotors at low mileage.
• Premature pad wear — disc/pad mismatch.
• Brake-by-wire failures — EV / hybrid regenerative-system errors.
• Dragging caliper — uneven pad wear, pulling.
• Parking brake (electronic) — won’t release or engage.

Brand-specific patterns

• Tesla Model Y / Model 3 — regenerative brake / friction brake handoff issues, Autopilot phantom braking.
• Honda CR-V / Pilot / Acura MDX — brake judder, rotor warping.
• Toyota Highlander / RAV4 Hybrid — brake actuator recall.
• Ford F-150 — brake master cylinder recall (2014-2018).
• GM Silverado / Sierra (Fort Wayne HD) — vacuum pump failure.
• Subaru Outback / Forester (Lafayette) — eyesight braking sensor calibration.

Why brake defects qualify

1. Safety-critical — direct accident risk.
2. Substantially impair safety — meets § 24-5-13-5 test on safety alone.
3. Manufacturer recalls — many brake issues subject to NHTSA recall.

Indiana terrain considerations

• Flat terrain — generally easier on brakes than mountain states.
• Stop-and-go I-69, I-65, I-70 corridors — Indianapolis traffic creates brake stress.
• Cold winter braking — northern Indiana lake-effect snow.

Documentation specifics

• Brake performance complaints — describe pedal feel, stopping distance, pulsation.
• Recall documentation — request copies of recall notices and remedy performed.
• Pad / rotor measurements — manufacturer’s dimensional spec vs. actual.
• DTC codes — ABS / brake control codes.

Bottom line

Brake defects are among the strongest qualifying nonconformities because they’re inherently safety-critical. With Indiana’s 4-attempt threshold within 18 months / 18,000 miles, brake defects qualify readily.

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