Brake Failure Symptoms – When to Replace Brake Pads and Rotors

Recognizing the common signs of a compromised brake system is essential for your safety. If you experience any of the symptoms below, a thorough brake inspection is highly recommended. Whether you’re looking for brake repairs near you or need expert advice on your brakes and brake pad replacement, we can help you find the parts you need to stay safe on the road. If you’re not comfortable diagnosing or repairing the brakes on your vehicle, we can also refer you to a trusted professional technician in your area.

Brake pads are a critical safety component on your vehicle, and their condition directly impacts your stopping power. Over time, the friction material on the pads wears down due to repeated use. Failing to replace worn brake pads can damage other, more expensive brake system components, such as the rotors and calipers, and—most importantly—compromise your safety.

Because brake pad wear occurs gradually, it’s essential to know the warning signs so you can address the issue promptly.

Squealing When Braking

High-pitched squealing brakes are often the first warning sign that your brake pads are significantly worn down and should be replaced. Most brake pads are equipped with a metal wear indicator, or "squealer," designed to make contact with the brake rotor once the friction material is worn down to about one-sixteenth of an inch. This noise signals that it's time for new brake pads.

While many pads can last 40,000 miles or more, and some ceramic formulations may last up to 75,000 miles, it’s crucial to inspect your brakes and brake pads regularly, as not all vehicles have a wear indicator. Look for signs of abnormal wear, check the thickness of the pad material, and inspect the rotor’s friction surface for excessive grooving, hot spots, and other defects. If your inspection determines that your brake pads are nearing the end of their life, find the best brake pads for your repair at O’Reilly Auto Parts to complete your repair and restore your safety.

Grinding When Braking

If you hear a persistent brake grinding noise when you step on the brake pedal, it usually means you’ve waited too long to replace your brake pads. This severe brake grinding sound often indicates metal-on-metal contact, where the friction material has completely worn away, exposing the metal backing plate. This condition can rapidly cause severe and irreparable damage to your brake pads and rotors, requiring more extensive brake repairs.

• Minor Grinding Note: A temporary, light grinding can sometimes occur due to rust buildup on the rotors after the vehicle has been sitting, especially in damp conditions. This should quickly disappear after a few stops. If the brake grinding sound is persistent, seek immediate inspection.

Though it’s recommended that you always replace brake pads and rotors at the same time, budget-conscious customers may instead choose to resurface their brake rotors. If you’ve noticed that your brakes are grinding, it is unlikely that the rotor can be resurfaced, or “turned”, due to excessive metal-on-metal wear. Most O’Reilly Auto Parts locations offer brake rotor and drum resurfacing, and can evaluate and measure your rotors to see if it is possible to resurface them safely. If they are too thin, our parts professionals are also happy to help you find the best brake rotors and pads for your repair.

Steering Wheel Vibrates When Braking

A noticeable vibration or shudder in the steering wheel when you apply the brakes typically signals a problem with your brake rotor. This is often incorrectly referred to as warped brake rotors. While modern rotors rarely "warp" in the traditional sense, uneven buildup of friction material or abnormal wear on the friction surface can create high and low spots.

• Rotor Service: Most O’Reilly Auto Parts stores offer to measure and resurface, or “turn” your rotors or drums, provided they fall within safe specifications. This brake rotor resurfacing service or general brake resurfacing is also a great idea when replacing brakes and brake pads to ensure a smooth mating surface for the new pads and helps maximize their lifespan.

Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal

A soft pedal, or one that offers little resistance or falls close to the floor when used, often indicates low brake fluid (due to a leak) or significant amounts of air trapped in the brake lines. Air in the lines can give the pedal a spongy feel and usually means the system needs to be bled. If you haven't had recent brake work completed, check the master cylinder reservoir and look for leaks at the lines, hoses, or calipers, as well as the overall brake fluid level. You may require urgent brake repair, as any leak from the braking system can cause complete brake failure and an accident.

Hard Brake Pedal

A brake pedal that requires excessive pressure to slow the vehicle is typically a sign of an issue with the power brake system, such as the vacuum-assisted power brake booster. Common causes of brake booster failure include a hole in the vacuum diaphragm or a blocked vacuum line. Symptoms may include harder braking and, in the case of a damaged diaphragm, a whooshing sound or abnormal engine idle when braking.

Steering Pulls to One Side When Braking

Your vehicle should stop in a straight line without requiring steering correction. If your steering pulls to one side during braking, it suggests that the braking system on one side is working much harder than the other. This imbalance could be caused by a sticking brake caliper, frozen hardware, or a failing brake hose. Understanding sticking brake caliper symptoms is vital, as this issue is not only dangerous but can also cause accelerated and uneven wear on your brake pads and rotor.

• Pro Tip for Repair: If a component like a caliper or brake hose needs to be replaced due to sticking, it is generally recommended to replace the corresponding part on the opposite side as well. This practice helps ensure balanced braking performance and prevents a pull in the opposite direction.

Brake warning lights (yellow or red) on your dashboard demand immediate attention.

• Yellow Light: Yellow brake lights, depending on the manufacturer, usually signal an issue with the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and may require specialized diagnostics. Anti-lock braking issues can cause brakes to lock when pressed hard, and may extend stopping distance or make stopping in slippery conditions less safe.
• Red Light: Red lights that say “Brake” or have an image of a brake pad can indicate low brake fluid, a problem with the parking brake, or can be triggered by an electronic brake pad wear sensor. It’s best to refer to your owners manual to determine the cause of any dashboard lights so that the issue can be addressed promptly.

If your ABS warning light or other brake warning lights are illuminated, it’s best to get a professional diagnosis quickly. O’Reilly Auto Parts offers the free O’Reilly VeriScan service, which can read Check Engine light codes and ABS codes and provide a detailed recommendation of the code found as well as recommended replacement parts. If the issue is not related to the ABS system, diagnosing serious brake repair issues should be completed quickly and thoroughly. If you’re not comfortable diagnosing brake system issues yourself, we’d be happy to help you find a brake repair shop near you to help get your vehicle back in safe driving condition.

For reliable diagnosis and the right parts for your brake pads and rotors service, visit your local O’Reilly Auto Parts. Our parts professionals can help you find the best brake pads and rotors for your repair, as well as replacement brake master cylinders, calipers, hardware, and more to ensure you continue to drive safely. You can also visit our How-To Hub for brake repair resources and to learn more about how to complete your own brake services to save money and restore your peace of mind on the road.