Honda may be known for making vehicles that last a long time, but every vehicle needs service at some point for a component or part that eventually fails. When it happens to be your brakes, then it's time to start thinking to yourself, “I need good Honda service near me that can repair or replace these brakes,” and that's where the team here at Klein Honda comes in. We can inspect, service, repair, and replace your brake system to ensure you have functional brakes for your Honda and can get the most out of your car.

However, before you get to the point of repairing or servicing your brakes, you first need to know the signs that signal it is time to bring your Honda to our service center. What are these signs, and what should you be looking and listening for when it comes to your brakes? Well, we are going to break down six important signs indicating that it's time to get new brakes for your Honda or replace the components that are giving you trouble.

#1 - Brake Warning Light Turns On

Apart from a potential faulty module or sensor, the brake warning light basically tells you that there is some sort of issue with a number of potential components with your brakes, including but not limited to the brake fluid, wheel speed sensors, and control system. If the light being on is due to an electronic issue related to a sensor or fuse, then it has less to do with your brakes and more to do with the electronics that control the brake system. However, if the light is on due to an issue with the brake fluid, then it means you will need brake service.

If the brake fluid reservoir is low or there are issues with a leak, then this could be one of the reasons why the brake warning light is on. In this case, it is imperative to get the brakes checked because not having the appropriate amount of brake fluid in your Honda or having a potential brake fluid leak could turn out to be catastrophic, especially when trying to slow down at higher speeds. Fixing the issue may boil down to replacing a faulty electronic component, or it could be down to the brake fluid needing to be addressed.

#2 - Brake Noises

If your brake pads are worn down, then it could cause a plethora of issues when it comes to the stopping power of your vehicle. Fortunately, this type of wear can actually be easily identified as it commonly results in shrieking noises when braking. This is because most brakes include a wear indicator that grinds against the rotor when the pads are worn out. The noises of the brakes not operating as intended are unmistakable, and you will notice the issue every time you apply the brakes.

This can happen over time due to consistent wear on the brake pads, resulting in the braking power slowly waning, which means it is definitely time to replace the brake pads. The pads must be replaced before the friction material on the pads wears down to the point where the backing plate begins making contact with the rotors. Once that happens, you can expect significant damage to your brakes, which will be far more expensive to repair.

#3 - Brake Vibrations

Typically, hearing the noises of the brake pads making a shrill sound is enough of a warning sign that the brakes need to be replaced quickly. However, another obvious sign is vibrations when you are braking. This may not be due to the pads being worn down but possibly due to the rotors being worn down. Cracked rotors, rusted rotors, thin rotors, or damaged rotors can also affect brake performance, resulting in uneven brake application.

Vibrations can be felt in the steering wheel or the seat, and either indicates that it's time to get the rotors replaced. It's important to ensure you also have the brakes checked. Sometimes, damaged rotors can impact the brake pads as well, which is why it's important to have your Honda serviced as quickly as possible if you experience harsh vibrations from the vehicle as you're attempting to apply the brakes.

#4 - Slow Braking

Alerts, lights, and noises are typically the obvious signs that your brake components need to be replaced, but there is another important aspect to recognizing the failing brakes: performance. If you notice that your Honda has extremely slow braking, where maybe it takes longer than usual for your car to come to a complete stop, then it's likely that it's time to replace your brakes. This can sometimes be obvious, and sometimes it occurs so slowly that you don't really notice.

The reason your vehicle may have slow braking could be due to the brake pads being worn down, requiring more pressure on the brake pedal to come to a complete stop. It could also be due to thinning rotors, low brake fluid, or the caliper pistons wearing out. Slow braking, however, is a very obvious sign that your brakes need service, and it’s usually best to address the issue quickly before it becomes something more serious.

#5 - Soft Brake Pedal

If you're experiencing a spongy or soft brake pedal in your Honda, then it means there could be a number of issues plaguing your hydraulic system, ranging from the brake hoses to the brake fluid. In either case, there are definitely serious issues afoot. The most obvious problem associated with soft brakes is the brake fluid. Either old brake fluid or a brake fluid leak could result in your brakes feeling extremely soft. You will need to have your brake fluid replaced or have an inspection done to make sure you're not suffering from a brake fluid leak.

Other causes of soft or spongy brakes in your Honda could be a faulty master cylinder, air bubbles in the brake lines, or overheating the brake system. All of these issues cause problems that can result in soft or spongy brakes. If you experience a situation where you feel the brakes are soft, then you need to start seriously looking into Honda service near you that can address the brake situation and the components that may be at fault.

#6 - Sticking Brakes

Another big sign that your brakes need to be replaced that you might encounter is a sticking brake caliper. This is different from the other issues in that rather than the brakes not working, they won't stop working. This is a serious issue that usually indicates that your brake caliper pistons are seizing, which could either be due to caliper piston failure, a malfunction with the brake pedal hydraulic system, or the brake pads themselves being coated with gunk or grime and sticking to the rotors.

Another potential cause of the brakes sticking is a faulty brake line, where you are able to depress the brake pedal, but the pressure in the hose is not being relieved, resulting in the caliper getting stuck. Obviously, this means that you should take your Honda to our service center as soon as possible because sticking brakes can result in potentially serious issues on the road. Any of these signs are evidence that your brake components need to be inspected or replaced, and it's important to take steps to get the most out of your Honda at your earliest convenience.