Brake Fluid and Pressure Diagnosis

Stop Driving

Hub for brake fluid leaks, pedal sinking, brake fade, loss of pressure, and hydraulic brake problems.

Stop driving — this can cause serious damage or be unsafe.

Check These First

Before diving into diagnosis, quickly verify these:

1Check brake fluid level.
2Look behind each wheel for wet fluid.
3Press the pedal and feel whether it sinks.
4Check whether the red brake warning light is on.

What exactly is it doing?

Pick the description that fits best.

Brake Pedal Goes to the Floor

Stop Driving

A brake pedal that goes to the floor is one of the most serious brake symptoms. Common causes include low brake fluid, a hydraulic leak, air in the brake lines, or a failing brake master cylinder. The vehicle may not stop normally, so this should be treated as a stop-driving problem until proven otherwise.

See causes →

Related Symptoms in Brakes

Other problems to check if this isn't your issue.

Brake Noise and Squealing

Fix Soon

Brake Noise and Squealing needs a focused diagnosis because the same symptom can come from several different parts. Start with the checks that match when it happens, then verify the likely cause before replacing parts.

Brake Pedal Feel Diagnosis

Fix Soon

A hub for soft, spongy, sinking, hard, or low brake pedal symptoms.

Brake Pulling or Uneven Stopping

Fix Soon

Brake Pulling or Uneven Stopping needs a focused diagnosis because the same symptom can come from several different parts. Start with the checks that match when it happens, then verify the likely cause before replacing parts.

Brake Pulling or Uneven Stopping

Fix Soon

Use this hub for brake pull, uneven brake application, veering during braking, dragging brakes, and left/right brake imbalance.

Brake Vibration and Pulsation

Fix Soon

A hub for steering-wheel shimmy, brake pedal pulsation, and shake that shows up when braking.