DETROIT — U.S. car buyers tapped the brakes in March, a sign of a long-expected slowdown in the blistering pace of sales.

March sales were up less than 1 percent compared with the same month a year ago. U.S. consumers bought 1.5 million new cars and trucks in March, according to Autodata Corp.

Some automakers reported larger gains. Hyundai’s U.S. sales jumped 12 percent over last March after a big boost in incentives. Subaru’s sales were up 10 percent. Toyota’s sales were up 5 percent, and FCA — the parent of Chrysler and Fiat — said its sales rose 2 percent.

But those gains were nearly offset by lower sales at other major automakers. General Motors’ sales fell 2 percent and Ford and Nissan both saw 3 percent declines. Honda’s sales were down 5 percent. Volkswagen’s sales plummeted 18 percent.

Alec Gutierrez, a senior market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said he expects sales to increase by around 2.5 percent this year, or 400,000 cars and trucks. Gutierrez says March is usually one of the strongest months of the year, as buyers spend tax returns.