How to Know if Your Brakes Are Going Bad

Article overview

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• 7 signs your vehicle brakes may be failing
• Why brake health is essential for safety, cost savings and peace of mind
• What to do if you notice symptoms of brake problems
• Preventive tips to extend the life of your brakes
• How much do typical brake maintenance and repairs cost

Picture yourself driving down the interstate at 70 mph with your exit just ahead. As you glide onto the off-ramp and ease off the accelerator, your car begins to slow on its own. But then you spot a longer-than-expected line of vehicles at the red light. You need to stop—fast. You hit the brake pedal. The car suddenly pulls hard to one side, and a harsh grinding noise fills the cabin. Eyes clenched, heart racing, you keep your foot down.

By some stroke of luck, your vehicle comes to a complete stop—no crash, no injuries. But had your brakes been in a worse condition, the result could’ve been much more serious. Situations like this are a powerful reminder: Dependable brakes aren’t just helpful, they’re essential to your safety.

Understanding how your braking system works, recognizing warning signs and maintaining your brakes properly can help you stay in control when the unexpected happens.

Why car brake health matters

Knowing that your brakes are in the best working condition is important for safety, for protecting yourself, your passengers and other drivers; it reduces the risk of expensive repairs; it is a legal and inspection compliance issue in some states; and it offers peace of mind while on the road.

• Overall safety while driving: Your brakes are your first line of defense in avoiding collisions. Poor braking increases your stopping distance, which in turn puts you at a higher risk for crashes.

• Protection for yourself, passengers and others outside of your vehicle: Malfunctioning brakes put you, your passengers and everyone else at risk. Safe braking prevents rear-end collisions and pedestrian accidents.

• Reduces risk of expensive repairs: Worn brake pads can lead to expensive damage to rotors, calipers and brake lines. Addressing minor issues prevents more costly full brake system repairs.

• Compliance with laws: In many states, your car must pass brake checks for registration and inspection compliance. Unsafe brakes can result in inspections and possibly fines.

• Peace of mind: Knowing that your brakes are in good working order lets you drive with confidence, whether on a family road trip, in stop-and-go traffic, or during bad weather.

Common signs your brakes may be failing

There will be signs if your brakes are failing. Knowing what they are could help you avoid a serious accident. If you notice any of the following on your drive, it’s important to get your brakes checked ASAP.

1. Grinding or high-pitched noise—If you hear this type of noise, your brakes are likely worn thin. The sound is generated by a built-in wear indicator connected to the brake pad. This means your brake pads are almost gone, which could damage other components in your braking system, resulting in expensive repairs.
2. Longer stopping time—Slow stopping time can be caused by mechanical issues, leaking brake fluid, low friction between pads and rotors or worn pads. Bottom line: Something is wrong and needs to be resolved for your safety and the well-being of others.
3. Car pulls to one side—If your car pulls to one side while in motion, it could be caused by uneven wear, which is a result of a sticking caliper or restriction in the brake hose/line, which could cause a pull to one side due to uneven pressure being applied to the brakes.
4. Soft or spongy brakes—If your brake pedal suddenly requires more pressure than normal to slow, the pedal itself feels low or something just feels off when you press it, then there could be something wrong with your brake system.
5. Brake pads have visible wear—If your pads are less than an eighth of an inch thick, they should be replaced. You can also check for cracks or grooves in the rotor.
6. Leaking fluid—If you notice a clear, yellow fluid with an oily texture puddling under your vehicle, you likely have a brake fluid leak. Check the lines, master cylinder and calipers for potential leak points.
7. ABS dash indicator is illuminated—Your anti-lock braking systems prevent your wheels from locking up during a hard stop. If the indicator is on, there is a chance this system is malfunctioning and should be looked at immediately.

What to do if you notice these failing brake symptoms

If you recognize any of the warning signs of brake trouble—whether it’s strange noises, a spongy pedal or a car that pulls to one side, don’t ignore them. Brake problems rarely fix themselves and tend to get worse (and more expensive) over time.

Act fast: Addressing brake issues as soon as possible helps prevent further damage and ensures your safety on the road. Even if your car still stops, degraded brake performance can fail when you need it most during sudden stops or slippery conditions.

Find a trusted technician: Schedule an inspection with an expert mechanic or visit your nearest AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. These shops meet high standards for customer service, pricing and technical expertise, so you can feel confident your vehicle is in good hands.

Stay ahead with regular maintenance: Don’t wait for signs of trouble to appear. Regular brake inspections, especially during oil changes or tire rotations, can catch problems early. Following your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance plan helps extend the life of your brake components and ensures everything is working as it should.

Preventive tips to maintain car brakes

There are many ways that you can maintain your car brakes to be sure that you are always safe on the road and to prevent expensive brake system repairs. Here are a few of our tips to help you maintain your brakes.

Don’t ride the brakes: Avoid keeping your foot on the brake pedals unnecessarily. This applies even on downhill stretches of roads. This type of driving generates excess heat and wears down pads and rotors.

Maintain a regular inspection schedule: Have your brakes inspected during every oil change or at least every 12,000 miles. Mechanics can spot early signs of wear and uneven pad use before it becomes a serious issue.

Replace brake pads before they’re too worn: Most pads last between 25,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on driving habits. Worn pads can damage rotors and other brake parts.

Check brake fluid regularly: Brake fluid is essential for good brake function. Low or dirty fluid can cause a soft brake pedal or complete brake failure. Replace fluid as recommended by your owner’s manual—typically every 2 to 3 years.

Avoid aggressive driving: Hard and frequent braking, especially at high speeds, wears out brake components faster. Maintain a safe following distance to brake gradually when possible.

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned: Misaligned or underinflated tires can cause uneven brake wear and eventually reduce braking efficiency.

How much does brake maintenance cost?

If you start to notice your brakes are failing, the best thing you can do is take them to get serviced. A quick search for “Car Brake Repair Near Me” should provide you with several local options. Be sure to check reviews or even consider taking your vehicle to a nearby AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, where members receive discounts, and work is guaranteed for two years or 24,000 miles. This isn’t cheap, so make sure the work is high quality, under warranty and fairly priced.

A typical brake pad replacement costs $300-$500 per axle and $1,000-$1,500 for the entire vehicle for pads, calipers and rotors.

When you’re driving, don’t let broken brakes break you! Without a fully functioning brake system, you are endangering yourself and others. By taking the time to learn about your brakes, how to maintain them and how your driving habits can preserve them, you will set yourself and others up for success.