Q: Brake pedal not working properly.

asked by on December 18, 2015

Brake pedal goes to the floor, taking a lot of pressure and time to stop.

The brake master cylinder on your car has two internal chambers and it sounds like you have one of them failing or you have a major fluid leak. The first thing to look at is if the fluid is low or not. If it is low then you have a leak somewhere in the system. If the fluid is full then you have a master cylinder failure. I would recommend you have a brake certified technician check the system completely for any and all problems.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

If I ask a question here, will my question, answer, and my full name be published online and viewable to the public?
Hi Lina, thanks for your question. Your first name and last initial are displayed publicly, along with your question and the mechanic answer(s).
Rain water trapped underneath car
Hi, first off is there any more information about the water you can give us? The car has drainage areas for water to flow through which can get clogged up with debris and leaves. Water will build up and can...
Car wont start after replacing timing belt but I know timing is spot on. What could it be?
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Well if the car ran before you did the timing belt, but now doesn't run after, I am or course going to say that the likely scenario is that the timing is off. Make...
I replaced my battery but car still dying
In many cases, when the battery light comes on when you stop but goes away when you drive, it's caused by a loose sensor or connector that may have been removed during the installation of the new battery. On newer...
New Fuel Pump in June. Gas Gauge didn't work after. November to present will not kick over, sounds like will but won't.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The battery being 4-5 years old is at an age where it may start to fail. When it comes to a no-start situation, this is the first place you want to start. Have the...
Car won't crank after an engine swap project
The problem with swapping engines is that these type of fitting issues tend to happen more often than not. In most cases, the flywheel is not properly aligned with the starter or transmission; causing the starter to not engage correctly....
having trouble getting the tension belt back on using the proper tool. Is there a secret or a clue on getting it back on?
Hello. I would definitely first make sure that the belt is routed correctly. If it is then typically the belt should be installed and the last pulley it should be put around would be one of the ones without a...
Can the tie rods on a 2011 Nissan Juke be replaced without replacing the entire power steering system?
The tie rod ends for your vehicle, both the inner and the outer ends, are available for separate purchase. If you bought these tie rod ends yourself from an auto parts store, they're "roughly" $50 each or $200 in total...
I'm replacing a water pump in a Subaru Legacy. Do I need to use gasket sealant when replacing it? 1992 Subaru Legacy
Hi there - no, gasket sealer should not be required. the thermostat should come with an o-ring, and the water pump should come with a paper-like gasket. Neither should require gasket sealant as long as the o-ring and gasket are...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Brake Caliper
Common signs include brake fluid leaks, abnormal sounds, and vehicle pulling to the left or right.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Brake Line
Common signs include leaking brake fluid, corrosion, and the Brake Warning Light turning on.
How Long Does an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) Last?
Technology Technology has come a long way where cars are concerned, and the braking system is one area that has really benefitted from advances. There are now all kinds of safety features that are built into the braking system that...