Brake Failure

Off the Record

December 13, 2019 (Updated November 23, 2022)

Few things in life are more terrifying than brake failure. And it is more than terrifying. It’s dangerous. Not only does brake failure put you and your passengers at risk of injury or death, it can also cause a serious accident that hurts or kills someone else and could cause your vehicle to be totaled. Statistics show that issues with the braking system causes around 22% of car accidents in the US each year. The best possible solution to brake failure is to avoid it by understanding the causes as well as the signs.

Causes of Brake Failure

There are several issues that could result in brake failure. This list of common causes of brake failure can serve as a mental checklist of things to monitor regularly to prevent brake failure.

Moisture in the brake system. Brake failure can be caused by water droplets in the brake fluid. As the fluid gets hot, the water droplets become steam. The steam can be transmitted through the brake lines and cause your brakes to fail. To prevent moisture in the brake system, make sure to change your brake fluid every two years or every 24,000 miles.
Bad brake hoses. Brake hoses run from your brake lines to the calipers and then to the wheel cylinders. They can become cracked or brittle if they are exposed to dirt, salt, and other corrosive elements. If the brake hoses crack or break, your brakes will fail. Try to change brake hoses every six years. If you drive a lot, you may need to change them more often.
Rusted master brake cylinder. A master brake cylinder is made up of a reservoir that holds brake fluid and steel tubing attached to the reservoir. If the cylinder or its tubing rusts, it may begin to leak. The leaking could cause your brakes to fail. Change the master brake cylinder every 70,000 to 100,000 miles.
Overheated brake pads. Overheated brake pads, sometimes referred to as brake fade, is one of the most common reasons your brakes could fail. It usually happens when the brake pads on your vehicle aren’t good quality. As the brake pads cool off from being overheated, a glazed surface forms on both the pad and the rotor. When this happens, there is little to no way the brake pads and rotors can “grip” to bring your vehicle to a stop. You should replace your brake pads every 50,000 to 70,000 miles unless you notice certain signs. The owner’s manual for your vehicle may also recommend when you should change your brake pads.
Leaking brake fluid. If your car leaks brake fluid, your brakes could fail. The leak could start practically anywhere in your braking system. The most common leaks are found in the master brake cylinder and in the brake lines. You should ask your mechanic to look at your brake system every time you get your oil changed.
Bad quality parts. You buy poorly made brake parts. Unfortunately, buying bad quality parts can happen without you knowing it. If bad quality brake system parts do not work as they should, it can cause brake failure. Make sure that you or your mechanic buys parts from reputable manufacturers. Also have mechanic check your brake system checked regularly for unexpected issues.

Master Brake Cylinder Failure Symptoms

The master brake cylinder is one of the most important parts of a braking system on newer vehicles. It holds the brake fluid and moves it through the brake lines to power the calipers to press the brake pads against the rotors. Master brake cylinder failure symptoms include:

Your vehicle begins to brake differently. You know what your brakes should feel like. If the master brake cylinder is failing, you could notice that braking feels like you’re stepping down on a sponge or that your brake pedal goes all the way to the floor.
You or your mechanic notice dark brown or black brake fluid. If your brake fluid looks dark brown or black, it could be contaminated. This happens when the rubber seals used in the master brake cylinder begin to deteriorate. You may also notice that it takes more time to push your brake pedal to the floor or that braking feels like you’re pushing on a sponge.
Your check engine light is on. If your check engine light comes on, you should have a mechanic use a code reader to determine the problem. If the code reader indicates that there is a problem with the level of brake fluid, your master brake cylinder could be failing.
Your vehicle misfires or stalls out when you brake. When the master brake cylinder wears out, the engine doesn’t get proper compression to use the brakes. This lack of compression could even cause your vehicle to misfire or stall when you use your brakes.
Your warning light for your braking system is on. Some newer vehicles have a braking system indicator. Much like a check engine light, it alerts you to a problem. If your vehicle has this system and you see this light, get your vehicle’s braking system checked out right away.

Brake Booster Failure Symptoms

A brake booster is part of an enhanced master brake cylinder. When it is working as it should, it reduces the amount of pressure you need to stop your vehicle. Brake boosters create a vacuum with the help of the engine to allow gas powered vehicles (as opposed to vehicles that rely on diesel) to stop without you applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal. For diesel powered vehicles, the vacuum isn’t created by the engine. There is a separate vacuum system. However, the concept of how the brake booster works is still the same. Brake booster failure symptoms include:

Your brake pedal is really hard to push. You may notice that your brake pedal gets harder to push over time or it may happen all at once. If your brake pedal becomes really hard to push, get the brake booster checked right away.
Your brake pedal doesn’t return to the right spot after braking. When you take your foot off the brake, your brake pedal should return to a certain spot. If it does not, the brake booster could be failing.
Your vehicle stalls out or begins to misfire when you brake. If your brake booster fails, it’s possible that braking will cause your vehicle to stall out or misfire. As you learned earlier, this is also a symptom of your master brake cylinder failing.
It takes longer than usual for your vehicle to stop. Because your vehicle isn’t getting help from the brake boost, you’ll notice that it takes longer than usual for your vehicle to come to a stop. This is particularly dangerous if you’re driving in the rain, snow, or ice.

Brake Failure Indicator

A brake failure indicator is a sign that your brakes are beginning to fail or that they are actively failing. Common brake failure indicators include:

Your vehicle takes longer to stop than usual. This could be defined as taking more time or a further distance to stop.
Your brakes squeal when you use them. This is sometimes referred to as a tattler. It’s a sign that’s time to have your brakes changed.
You feel your brakes grinding or rubbing against the rotor. When this happens, your brake pads are completely worn out. It is possible that you’ll need to change your brakes and your rotors.
You notice your car strongly pulls to one side when you brake. This is referred to as grabbing. Get your brakes inspected as soon as possible.
Your brake system indicator light is on. If your car comes equipped with a brake system indicator light, it will display on the dashboard. A code reader or a mechanic can tell you more about this brake failure indicator.
You have a brake fluid leak. If your vehicle leaks brake fluid, you may also notice that braking feels spongy. Take your car to a mechanic who can examine the master brake cylinder and the hoses to find the leak.
You smell something burning while you’re driving. This smell could be caused by your brake pads overheating. Pull over and give your brakes time to cool before driving. If you see smoke, your brake caliper may be stuck.

This information on this site is provided solely for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. Off The Record is not a law firm, does not provide legal services, and is not a lawyer referral service. The attorney listings on the site are paid attorney advertisements. Off the Record has not evaluated this content for accuracy, completeness, or changes in law. No representation is made here about your specific rights. Off The Record is not a substitute for an attorney or a law firm. Legal advice can only be provided by a licensed lawyer.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal help, please contact a qualified attorney.