Q: Brakes get locked briefly

asked by on July 27, 2016

I have an issue with the braking system in my car. When I'm driving and apply the brakes, it seems as if they get stuck for a couple of seconds and then work. This was fixed for a while after the flexible brake lines had been replaced. What can cause brakes to get locked like this? I'm concerned about safety while driving the car.

Hi there. Thanks for writing in about your 2003 Lexus SC430. Another brake component that may cause the brakes to stick are the front and rear calipers. The calipers are what presses the brake pads against the rotors. If the calipers fail, they will cause the brakes to lock up/stick. Calipers are the most common cause of brakes locking up.

If the master cylinder is faulty, this may cause the brakes to lock up/stick also. This happens when the valves of the master cylinder itself gets stuck or when it is worn out due to the passing of time. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect your brakes, steering and suspension in order to properly diagnose your problem and recommend necessary repairs.

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

Problem with fuel lines.
I would ask for help from one of the mechanics at YourMechanic. They can come to your location and check what the problem with your fuel lines is (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injection-lines-replacement) and recommend a solution for you.
Oil on spark plug
There can only be two ways the oil is getting on the spark plug. The piston oil control rings are stuck or broken and letting excess oil into the cylinder. The intake valves seals for the cylinder in question are...
2007 Mustang Low-Beam headlight on only one side only comes on for 10 seconds then go outs, however high beams work fine!?!?
Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2007 Mustang. The low beam circuit is monitored by the the Smart Junction Box. It's the fuse box in the right kick panel. Basically what this means is if the resistance, or...
Killed the truck and now it will turn over, but it will not start
Hi, thanks for writing in. It sounds like the fuel pressure regulator is bad and leaking fuel into the engine. This can make the engine stall, smell of fuel, not start, or even crank if engine is flooded of fuel....
The cigarette lighter is not working. What should I do?
You will need to get the fuse replaced if it was blown. If you use a phone charger, it may have blown the fuse if it was shorted. Check to see if that may be the case. If not, check...
Over revving and no power going up hill. .
Hi there. The problem lies within the gas pedal. The pedal position sensor has lost its counts and is telling the computer to rev up the engine to a higher count, but the sensor will not deactivate until the brakes...
The leak is coming from the left side if the engine if u r standing in front of the car.As soon as the engine is shut iff the leak
Using a small, articulated (flexible) inspection mirror (just an inch or so of mirror is all you need), and adequate bright lighting, attempt to view the weep hole (about 1/8 inch diameter hole) on the bottom of the water pump...
What would cause oil to blow everywhere in my truck.
Hello. I would need to know what kind of vehicle this is to be able to give you some specific information. Typically if a serious oil leak occurs all of a sudden, and if nothing was hit, then you may...
Horn won’t work
If you have the airbag light on then you may have a bad clockspring or airbag itself. Have the air bag system computer tested to see if this is the case and have a professional mechanic do any repairs since...

Related articles

How to Handle a Car With Total Brake Failure
Brake Brake failure is terrifying and most motorists consider it to be a worst-case scenario. Here are a few things to keep in mind in case you find yourself in such a situation. Awareness of your surroundings is key. Relax...
How to Buy a Good Quality Emergency/Parking Brake Cable
The The emergency brake is one of those car parts we often overlook and forget to use. Technically, you should engage the parking brake any time you leave your car sitting – especially on a hill. The problem with neglecting...
Understanding the IIHS Ratings For Automatic Braking Technology
In In March 2016 the automotive industry received exciting news concerning vehicle safety. While this announcement has actually been a feature available in the United States since 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, also known as the NHTSA, and...