During CVSA’s 2026 Brake Safety Week, inspectors placed nearly 2,400 commercial vehicles out of service for brake violations, including problems with defective brakes, hoses, drums and rotors.
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November 9, 2026
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More than one in seven commercial motor vehicles inspected in the U.S. during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 2026 Brake Safety Week had brake problems serious enough to take them off the road.
Inspectors placed 2,134 vehicles out of service for brake-related violations during the Aug. 23-29 enforcement campaign. That’s 15.1% of the 14,165 vehicles inspected in the U.S.
The results were little changed from 2025 Brake Safety Week, when nearly 15% of commercial vehicles inspected in the U.S. were placed out of service for brake violations.
The seven-day campaign focused on identifying brake-system violations and educating drivers and motor carriers about the importance of properly functioning brakes.
Defective Brakes a Major Problem
Across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, nearly half of the vehicles placed out of service for brake violations — 1,176, or 49.6% — failed to meet the 20% defective-brake criterion.
Under that standard, a vehicle or combination is placed out of service when 20% or more of its service brakes have an out-of-service condition.
The findings echo the results of 2026 International Roadcheck, when brake problems again topped the list of vehicle out-of-service violations.
Inspectors also reported a range of other brake problems across North America, including:
- 600 out-of-service violations involving brake hoses or tubing.
- 145 violations involving excessive air loss.
- 119 violations for steering axle brake conditions other than linings.
- 92 violations involving steering axle brake linings.
- 759 other brake-related out-of-service violations, including problems with air tanks, tractor protection systems, parking brakes, and low-air warning devices.
Vehicles could have more than one violation.
Brake Drums and Rotors Under Scrutiny
As announced ahead of the campaign, inspectors paid special attention to brake drums and rotors during this year’s Brake Safety Week.
Across North America, inspectors reported 141 drum and rotor violations, resulting in 64 vehicles being placed out of service.
The most frequently reported problem was rusted rotors, with 48 violations, followed by broken drums with 36, broken rotors with 33, and metal-to-metal contact with 24.
Most of the rotor violations involved air disc brakes, while all 36 broken-drum violations involved S-cam brakes.
Testing Brake Performance
Inspectors in 12 U.S. jurisdictions also used performance-based brake testers to measure how effectively vehicles could stop.
Of the 657 vehicles tested using this equipment, 29 failed to meet the required minimum braking efficiency of 43.5% and were placed out of service. That’s a 4.4% failure rate.
Unlike a visual inspection of individual brake components, performance-based brake testers evaluate a vehicle’s overall braking performance.
Brake Safety Beyond Inspection Week
Most of the inspections conducted across North America during Brake Safety Week — 91% — were North American Standard Level I Inspections.
These 37-step inspections examine both driver qualifications and vehicle mechanical condition. Brake checks include adjustment, linings, pads, air systems, hoses, chambers, and other components.
CVSA emphasizes that brake safety requires attention beyond the annual enforcement campaign. Regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and prompt repairs can help fleets identify problems before they lead to roadside violations or equipment being placed out of service.
Brake Safety Week is part of CVSA’s Operation Airbrake program, which combines enforcement and education to improve commercial vehicle brake safety.
Next year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for April 18-24, 2027.
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