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Suspension, steering, brakes and wheels

Problems with brake calipers and discs: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 94 faults with brake calipers and discs in 94 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: rear brake discs poorly seated on the hub (early 2025 batch) (Citroën Jumpy III), G 63 AMG rear brake caliper brackets that may crack, reducing braking (December 2017 to April 2018) (Mercedes-Benz Clase G W463) and front brake caliper bracket not stable enough, with reduced braking capacity (February and March 2021) (Mercedes-Benz Clase V W447).

Documented faults
94
35 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
94
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
94
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

1 sourceHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Brake calipers, discs and pads

Calipers squeeze the pads against the discs (or the shoes against the drums) to brake. On cars that are little used or in damp climates, the rear calipers seize and the discs rust; on other models, the discs warp or wear more than usual.

What to do

If the car pulls to one side when braking, a wheel smells of burning or is much hotter than the others, or you feel vibration in the pedal, have the brakes checked. Use the car regularly and brake firmly now and then to clear rust from the discs.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with brake calipers and discs. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with brake calipers and discs by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Jumpy IIIRear brake discs poorly seated on the hub (early 2025 batch)A batch of Jumpy and Spacetourer built in late January and early February 2025 is covered by campaign GN5 because the rear brake discs do not sit firmly enough on the hub: the disc can crack, the wheel bolts can loosen and, in the worst case, the wheel can come off. The repair is free.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase G W463G 63 AMG rear brake caliper brackets that may crack, reducing braking (December 2017 to April 2018)Yes, but only on the G 63 AMG: Safety Gate alert A12/1158/18 covers type 463 units built between December 2017 and April 2018 because the rear axle brake caliper brackets may crack and break, which would reduce braking capacity.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase V W447Front brake caliper bracket not stable enough, with reduced braking capacity (February and March 2021)Yes: Safety Gate alert A12/00821/21 covers 2,248 V-Class and Vito models built between 6 February and 10 March 2021 because the front axle caliper bracket is not stable enough and can reduce braking. The DVSA lists 15 British V-Class cars from those same dates.
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Vito W447Unstable front axle brake caliper bracket with reduced braking performance (February and March 2021)Yes: between 6 February and 10 March 2021, Vito and V-Class vehicles (2,248 units worldwide) were built with an unstable front brake caliper bracket, which can reduce service brake performance. Safety Gate records it as an accident risk.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi ASX ICorrosion of the parking brake shaft and failure of the rear caliper automatic adjustmentMitsubishi recalled the ASX because the anti-rust coating on the parking brake shaft can flake off, let water in and rust the shaft and the rear caliper, and because the automatic pad adjustment might not work. In the worst case, the handbrake does not hold the parked car.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi Outlander IIICorrosion of the parking brake shaft and failure of the rear calipers' automatic adjustmentMitsubishi recalled the Outlander and Outlander PHEV because the anti-rust coating on the parking brake shaft can come off, let water in and rust the shaft and the rear caliper, and because the automatic pad adjustment might not work. In the worst case, the handbrake does not hold the parked car.
  7. 7Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira Tourer CRecall over insufficient contact between the rear disc and the hubAccording to the fiches-auto.fr profile, recall KU9 deals with insufficient contact between the rear brake disc and the hub, with a risk of the wheel coming off. We have not been able to confirm it with another source.
  8. 8Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota ProAce CityDefective front brake discs that may crack (Proace City Verso)A batch of ProAce City Verso built between 8 January and 3 February 2024 (136 units worldwide) may have defective front brake discs that crack and may even break; Toyota opened campaign CI24-037.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota ProAce IIRear brake discs with insufficient contact with the hubToyota opened campaign CI25-036 for ProAce and ProAce Verso built between 24 January and 1 February 2025: the rear discs do not sit firmly enough on the hub and can crack, with a risk of the bolts loosening and the wheel coming off.
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Amarok IFront brake caliper bolts with insufficient tightening torqueYes: in 2015 Volkswagen recalled Amaroks built in 2014 and 2015 because the front brake caliper bolts might not have been tightened to the correct torque. The caliper could work loose and lock the wheel; in the UK the bolts were replaced on 1,032 cars.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo StelvioRear brake discs with a material defect on the 2020 StelvioYes: a 2021 campaign (Alfa Romeo code 6310) covers Giulia and Stelvio built between 4 March and 20 August 2020, whose rear brake discs may have material defects and brake less effectively. The UK's DVSA lists it for 7 Stelvio Quadrifoglio, with micro-cracks and replacement of the discs.
  12. 12High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G22Brake discs made out of specification in early 2021 unitsIn March 2021 BMW launched a recall in the United Kingdom for brake discs that had not been manufactured to specification; it included the 4 Series built between late January and early February 2021. The discs are checked and replaced if necessary.
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X4 G02Rear brake calipers that reduce braking effectiveness (2018 recall)According to the fiches-auto.fr fiche, there was a recall of X4s produced between April and June 2018 because of a problem with the rear brake calipers that reduces braking effectiveness.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat TalentoParking brake cable and its connection to the rear caliperFiat has two recalls in the EU over the Talento's handbrake: in 2019 over the cable and adjustment ring on the 2018 Talento, and in September 2019 over the connection of the cable to the rear brake caliper, which could fail.
  15. 15High severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IVCampaign over brake discs of the wrong sizeAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, in February 2014 there was a campaign over brake discs of the wrong size (16 inch on 17 inch wheels) that affected 8,300 vehicles; the entry does not specify the scope in Spain.
  16. 16High severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai VelosterHandbrake that does not fully release because of water in the rear caliperYes: a 2013 Safety Gate alert records that, on Velosters built up to February 2012, water getting into the rear brake caliper can stop the handbrake from fully releasing, with a risk of an accident. The remedy is inspection and repair at an official Hyundai service centre.
  17. 17High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase B W247Recall for incorrect tightening torque on the brake caliper mountingAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, Mercedes issued a recall for an incorrect tightening torque on the brake caliper mounting in units built between May 2019 and November 2021. It is corrected at the official service; there is no cost data for Spain.
  18. 18High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLB X247Campaign over incorrect tightening torque on the brake caliper mountingAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, Mercedes issued a recall over an incorrect tightening torque on the brake caliper mounting in cars built between May 2019 and November 2021. It is corrected at the official service centre; there is no cost data for Spain.
  19. 19High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan NV400Right rear handbrake caliper incorrectly fitted on the NV400 (February 2021)Yes: campaign PN1C2 covers NV400s built between 10 and 26 February 2021 because the right rear brake caliper may be incorrectly fitted and a component may fail when the handbrake is applied, with a risk of the van moving on its own.
  20. 20High severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Movano BFaulty rear right parking brake caliper on the Movano B (February to May 2021)Yes: recall 21-C-103 covers Movano B vans built from February to May 2021 because the rear right brake caliper may not have been built to specification and the parking brake may not work properly, with a risk of the van moving on its own.
  21. 21High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Master IIParking brake failure due to the lever or cable of the rear calipersYes: Master IIs built between October 2005 and January 2006 had campaigns in the UK (R/2006/083 and R/2006/123) and in Germany (October 2006) because the lever or cable of the parking brake rear calipers could fail. The caliper is inspected and replaced if necessary.
  22. 22High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Master IIIFaulty rear right parking brake caliper (campaigns 0DM1 and C0173)In 2021 there were two campaigns over the rear right parking brake caliper on the Master III: one for an incorrect caliper on vehicles built in February (0DM1) and another because an internal part could break when the brake was applied on vehicles built from May to July (C0173). Both are limited to specific production windows.
  23. 23High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault TalismanBrake recalls on early units: brake hose, caliper-disc and ABS/ESC unitEarly Talisman units (2015-2016) had three brake recalls: a front brake hose fitted incorrectly, an unsuitable caliper-disc combination and contamination of the ABS/ESC hydraulic unit. They are preventive campaigns, not a widespread fault.
  24. 24High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S40 IFront brake calipers on the 2000 Volvo S40 made of the wrong material that may crack and leak fluidSome front brake calipers on S40 and V40 models from 2000 were made of the wrong material and may crack and leak fluid under heavy stress. The British campaign R/1999/100 replaces all front calipers in the suspect range; it affected 1,178 vehicles in the UK.
  25. 25Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Mondeo IIISeized rear brake calipersThe rear brake calipers on the Mondeo III commonly seize with age, causing constant drag, uneven pad wear and, at times, the car pulling to one side under braking. It is the most frequently cited non-engine fault on this generation.
  26. 26Medium severityFrequency: CommonToyota Auris IThe rear brake discs wear and rust prematurelyPremature wear of the rear brake discs is, according to Spanish Wikipedia, the reason for most complaints about the first-generation Auris; Toyota replaced them free of charge at dealers in the affected cases. Fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de document the same pattern, with replacements at around 100,000-135,000 km.Appears at around 100,000 km
  27. 27Medium severityFrequency: CommonVolkswagen T-CrossPremature wear and vibration in the brake discsYes: according to German inspection (TÜV) workshops, the brakes are the T-Cross's weakest point, and fiches-auto.fr records a case of a disc replaced at 11,000 km and again at 25,000 km because of vibration when braking.
  28. 28Critical severityFrequency: RareCitroën C4 IIRear brake caliper mounting bolts not tightened correctly (October 2012 production)A 2013 recall (ref. r2013014) covers vehicles built on 3 October 2012 in which the rear brake caliper mounting bolts might not be tightened to the correct torque, with a risk of the caliper working loose.
  29. 29Critical severityFrequency: RareFord PumaRear brake drum bolts without the correct tightening torqueA Safety Gate alert from January 2026 warns that the rear brake drum bolts on certain Pumas (and also the Tourneo Courier and Transit Courier) built between January and September 2025 were not tightened to the specified torque, which can cause brake fluid leakage and locking of the wheel or the brake.
  30. 30Critical severityFrequency: RareMazda CX-30Front brake caliper bolts can be loose or missingOn cars built between December 2019 and March 2020, the bolts that secure the front brake caliper can be loose or even missing, which reduces braking capacity and can interfere with the wheel turning. Mazda inspects it free of charge at an authorised dealer.
  31. 31Critical severityFrequency: RareOpel Corsa DManufacturing defect in the front brake caliper bracketIn 2015 Opel recalled Corsa D cars from the 2014 production year because a deviation in the moulding of the front brake caliper bracket could lead to it breaking, with a risk of a road accident.
  32. 32Critical severityFrequency: RarePeugeot Partner IIICampaign over brake discs with a manufacturing defect and a risk of breakingThe Rifter entry on fiches-auto.fr lists a 2024 campaign over brake discs with a manufacturing defect that could break. That is the only information: we have found no official source or scope, so it is worth checking the chassis number (VIN).
  33. 33Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A1 IIBrake discs wear faster than averageYes: in the German technical inspection (TÜV) comparison published by Auto Bild, the A1 GB reaches the second inspection (4-5 years, around 51,000 km on average) with 13.5% serious defects against the 10% average for its category, and brake disc wear is the point it flags most often.
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IIBrakes: worn discs, handbrake and brake hoses fail the inspectionAccording to Gebrauchtwagenberater, the braking system is the main reason the C1 fails the German inspection: worn discs, a faulty parking brake and damaged brake lines.
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 IScored and rusted brake discsAccording to CarWiki, TÜV inspectors often find grooved and rusted brake discs on the first-generation C4, although the source says the braking system is generally reliable.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C5 ISeized brake calipers on the Citroën C5, especially the rear onesAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 24 of 447 C5 (2001-2008) reports cite seized brake calipers, which cause uneven wear and noise; the rear ones are the most problematic.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord B-MaxABS failure caused by the hydraulic unit and premature wear of the brake discsfiches-auto.fr documents 7 cases of ABS failure among 127 Ford B-Max owner testimonials, caused by a hydraulic unit that no longer modulates braking pressure properly, along with complaints of brake discs wearing out sooner than expected.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Fiesta VRear brake drums that seizeThe Fiesta V has drums on the rear axle which, when little used, tend to seize; fiches-auto.fr also documents ABS module and wheel sensor faults on the same generation.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Accord VIISeized brake calipers on the Honda Accord VIISeven testimonies (out of 154) mention seized brake calipers, including the rear ones, and in one case a brake overhaul that had to be redone completely at 110,000 km. All the cases cited are on the 2.2 CTDi diesel.
  40. 40Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic VIISeized rear brake caliperOwner testimonials collected by a French reliability aggregator describe a seized rear brake caliper as a typical fault of this Civic, causing uneven braking and uneven wear of the pads and disc on that wheel.
  41. 41Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Jazz IIRear brakes seizing and corroded discsAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the Jazz II's rear brakes tend to seize; in the Dutch APK inspections reported by Autozine.nl, between 3% and 5% of cars in most model years show heavily corroded brake discs.
  42. 42Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i20 IFront brake calipers that seize and overheat the wheelfiches-auto.fr documents front brake calipers seized on their slides that leave the wheel hot after only a few kilometres, with the front brakes tending to stick on; isolated brake servo cases are also cited.
  43. 43Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i20 IIRear brake calipers seizing through lack of useThe German technical inspection keeps finding significant defects in the rear brakes of the Hyundai i20 II: because they are used little in typical urban traffic, the calipers tend to seize, so it is worth removing and cleaning them at every service.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i20 IIIRear brake calipers that seize through lack of useThe specialist German press finds the same defect in the i20 III that the previous generation already had: the rear brake calipers, little used in normal city driving, tend to seize, so they should be checked at every service.
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Santa Fe IIPremature warping of the brake discsSeveral reports on the Santa Fe II describe warped brake discs at around 30,000 km, with vibration when braking. It comes from owner reports, with no known campaign.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Ceed IIWear of pads, discs and the parking brake systemThe same German periodic inspection analysis points to recurring problems with brake pads and discs, as well as with the service and parking brake systems, as another weak point of this generation.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Ceed IIIBrake discs wearing out sooner than expectedTwo German sources agree that the brake discs of the third-generation Ceed are criticised early at the technical inspection: at 4-5 years according to Auto Bild, and from the second inspection according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de.
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Rio IIIPremature rear pad wear and seizing calipersFiches-auto.fr describes prematurely worn rear pads and the occasional seized rear brake caliper on the Kia Rio III, with a rubbing noise when braking; gebrauchtwagenberater.de places the discs and the foot brake among the usual reasons for failure in the German roadworthiness inspection.
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 5 IBrake pad and disc wear and braking power that could be betterThe 2015 DEKRA report, as reported by Autofácil, cites wear problems with brake pads and discs, together with braking power that could be better, among the notable faults of the Mazda5 (2005-2015) after 100,000 km. The source does not separate generations or give a cost.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 5 IIBrake pad and disc wear and reduced braking powerThe DEKRA 2015 report, covered by Autofácil, cites brake pad and disc wear and reduced braking power among the notable faults of the Mazda 5 (2005-2015) after 100,000 km. The source does not separate generations and gives no cost.
  51. 51Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IBrake calipers and handbrake that seizeAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the brake calipers on the first-generation Mazda 6 appear with 8 mentions out of 206 reports, with cases of calipers seizing several times and of a stuck handbrake (one case at 156,000 km).
  52. 52Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-5 IIPremature wear and warping of the brake discsOn some second-generation CX-5s, the brake discs wear or warp sooner than expected and cause vibration through the steering wheel or pedal when braking. The German technical inspection (TÜV) report, as reported by a used-car guide, places the brake discs among the most frequently flagged items on this model.
  53. 53Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-7Premature wear of the brake discs and padsThe 2015 DEKRA report, covered by Autofácil, points to discs and pads with premature wear and poor braking power as problems of the Mazda CX-7 (2007-2011) after 100,000 km, within a 13.4% rate of serious faults compared with the 10.3% SUV average.
  54. 54Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IIISeized calipers and worn discs and brake padsAutofácil, using DEKRA data, identifies the brakes as the MX-5 (2005-2015) problem: discs and pads worn excessively and calipers locked. A British breaker's yard notes that seized calipers are a known fault across all generations of the MX-5.
  55. 55Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper F55Rear brake caliper that seizes and wears out the discs prematurely on the Mini F55According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, some owners of this Mini have suffered rear calipers that seize and wear the discs ahead of time, with bills of over €1,400 cited in one case. Others get the rear pad wear warning at around 15,000 km.
  56. 56Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R56Seized rear brake calipers and damaged rear discs on the Mini Cooper R56Parkers warns that on poorly maintained R56s the rear calipers can seize and drag, and the German TÜV frequently flags the handbrake and footbrake on this model.
  57. 57Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Almera IISeized brake calipers on the Nissan Almera N16According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, brakes account for 12 mentions out of 90 on the 2000-2005 Almera, with seized calipers (rear ones too), worn discs and the odd fluid leak; one case cites replacing the calipers at 86,000 km.
  58. 58Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail ISeized brake calipers and warped discs on the Nissan X-TrailAccording to the fiches-auto.fr testimonies, brake calipers (especially the rear ones) seize on the X-Trail (12 cases) and the discs warp or wear out early (15 cases).
  59. 59Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IISeized brake calipers and warped discs on the Nissan X-TrailAccording to reports on fiches-auto.fr, the brake calipers (especially the rear ones) seize on the X-Trail (12 cases) and the discs warp or wear out early (15 cases).
  60. 60Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Astra HIncorrect rear brake backing plates on 2005-2006 carsOn Astra Hs built in 2005 and 2006, incorrect brake backing plates may have been fitted at the factory on the rear axle. Opel recalled these cars to check the part and replace it where appropriate; there is no sign that it affects other build years.
  61. 61Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Insignia APremature wear of the front brake discsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, Insignia A owners frequently cite brake discs that wear out early, sometimes between 10,000 and 40,000 km, and the page attributes it to a possibly undersized braking system.
  62. 62Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Mokka ARear brakes that seize and discs that warp on the Mokka AGebrauchtwagenberater reports that the Mokka's rear brakes tend to seize, and fiches-auto.fr cites warped discs that transmit vibration to the pedal and steering wheel.
  63. 63Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 308 IPremature wear of brake discs and padsThe brake discs and pads can warp or wear out sooner than expected, with vibration under braking; fiches-auto.fr also notes that the rear calipers can seize and overheat.Appears at around 28,000 km
  64. 64Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne IIIBrake pad wear indicator not warning properly (instrument cluster software)Porsche corrected the brake pad wear warning on Cayenne cars built from August 2017 with an instrument cluster software update: the warning light was not working correctly. The DVSA records two recalls (R/2019/083 and R/2019/391), and CarWiki lists another for the same defect.
  65. 65Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Clio IISeizing of the rear drum brakes and leaking wheel cylindersOn the Clio II the rear drum brakes can seize or the shoes can come unstuck, and the wheel cylinders leak, leaving a wheel permanently braking, with overheating and higher fuel consumption.
  66. 66Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Clio IVAbnormal front brake wear and seized rear drumsFiches-auto.fr documents front discs and pads wearing abnormally on a Clio IV 1.5 dCi 90 with 42,000 km, and Caradisiac records rear brake drums that seize up after a short time in use on a 2017 1.5 dCi 110.
  67. 67Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Laguna ISeized rear brake calipers and wheel cylindersAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the rear calipers and wheel cylinders seize, with uneven wear, accelerated pad consumption and early dragging. No official recall is on record.
  68. 68Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat Ibiza IIIThe rear brakes can seize and wear the discs out earlyA German summary of technical inspections notes that the Ibiza III's rear brakes tend to seize and that the discs wear faster than normal, with inspections detecting insufficient braking efficiency.
  69. 69Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Corolla IXThe rear brake calipers seize and wear out the disc and padSeveral owners describe rear brake calipers that seize on the Corolla E120, which causes uneven wear of the pads and disc, overheating and, in some cases, a burning smell; fiches-auto.fr documents discs and pads replaced at around 98,000-100,000 km.Appears at around 98,000 km
  70. 70Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Prius IIIRear brake calipers seizing because of the guidesAccording to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, the rear brake calipers on the Prius III tend to seize and need regular greasing; some owners put it down to a design defect in the guides.
  71. 71Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 IIIFront brake discs warp and corrode prematurelyFiches-auto.fr documents more than 30 cases of warped or corroded front brake discs on this RAV4, with vibration when braking and replacements reported between 35,000 and 80,000 km.Appears at around 35,000 km
  72. 72Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoWorn brake discs and a poor handbrake on the Verso in the German technical inspectionAccording to the TÜV report summarised by Gebrauchtwagenberater, the Verso stands out for worn brake discs and a deficient parking brake, as well as rust on the exhaust.
  73. 73Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Polo IVRear drum brakes can seize and the ABS can fault intermittentlyAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the Polo IV's rear drum brakes can seize over time; fiches-auto.fr also documents intermittent ABS faults in a minority of cars. We have found no mileage or repair cost figures for either.
  74. 74Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC90 IPremature brake wear and calipers that do not act evenlyAccording to the 2015 DEKRA reliability report covered by Autofácil, the previous XC90 (2002-2015) was among the worst in its segment (14.0% serious faults against the 10.3% SUV average), mainly because of brakes with premature wear and calipers that do not act evenly, as well as ball joints and suspension arms.
  75. 75High severityFrequency: RareBMW X3 G01Rear brake caliper defect on 2018 carsGebrauchtwagenberater.de documents a defect in the rear brake caliper ('hinterer Bremssattel') affecting X3 G01 cars built in 2018; the source does not give a campaign number, the technical cause or any prior symptoms.
  76. 76High severityFrequency: RareFiat Panda IIFaulty brake caliper mounting (official campaign, date not specified)Fiches-auto.fr lists, among the official campaigns for the Fiat Panda II, a check for a problem with the brake caliper mounting on certain cars, without specifying the date, engine or number of cars affected.
  77. 77High severityFrequency: RareRenault Clio VRear brake calipers that seize, especially after washingSome owners describe a rear wheel that locks or drags just after washing the car, or for no apparent reason, which points to a seized rear brake caliper; there are no official campaigns or specialist press to confirm it for the Clio V.
  78. 78High severityFrequency: RareRenault Scénic IVElectric parking brake and rear calipers that seizeOwner testimonies describe electric parking brake faults and motorised rear calipers that seize, along with the odd case of braking that was less effective than expected; there are no official campaigns or specialist press to confirm it for the Scenic IV.
  79. 79High severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen ArteonFront brake discs too weak on Arteon models built in January and February 2018A European alert from March 2018 covered Arteons built between 19/01/2018 and 14/02/2018 for front discs that lacked strength, which could crack or break under extreme braking.
  80. 80High severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen Tiguan IIBrake discs that can crackThe specialist British press reports that Volkswagen has recalled second-generation Tiguans over brake discs that can crack, as part of a list of 16 campaigns registered for this model in the UK; we have not found details of specific dates or the number of cars.Repair: €0
  81. 81Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi TT IIIWarped front brake discs on the TT RSAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr (only 25 for this model), two owners of the 400 hp TT RS 2.5 TSI report warped front discs, one at 38,000 km and the other three times since purchase.
  82. 82Medium severityFrequency: RareHyundai ix20Rear brake calipers seizingTwo testimonials on fiches-auto.fr describe rear calipers that seize and make noise on the ix20; there is no known campaign.
  83. 83Medium severityFrequency: RareKia VengaSeized rear brake calipersFour reports at fiches-auto.fr mention seized rear calipers, rubbing noise and premature brake pad wear on the Venga.
  84. 84Medium severityFrequency: RareLancia VoyagerBrakes that do not release properly and wear on mechanical brake partsIn the Dutch APK inspections of the 2012 Lancia Voyager, 3% of the failures had a disc or drum that did not release and another 3% had worn mechanical brake parts, both serious defects. They do not appear in 2013 to 2015.
  85. 85Medium severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 108Warped brake discs causing pedal vibrationsAccording to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, some 108s have warped brake discs at just 15,000 km and pedal vibrations when braking, plus an occasional brake lock-up.
  86. 86Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault Espace VIBroken brake caliper spring on the Espace VIThe fiches-auto.fr entry lists one testimony of a broken brake caliper spring that left the car immobilised, and another of a high-pitched brake squeal with the Auto Hold function. These are isolated cases, with no campaign or figures.
  87. 87Medium severityFrequency: RareSuzuki Swift IVBrake caliper failureAccording to the owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, there are four cases of defective brake calipers on this Swift. It is a minority, with no official campaign.
  88. 88Low severityFrequency: OccasionalChrysler 300CWarped brake discs and undersized brakes that wear quicklyAUTO BILD maintains that the 300C's braking system is too small for the car and wears very quickly, and that many drivers complain of warped discs (verzogene Bremsscheiben). It is a complaint from the press, with no figures or costs.
  89. 89Low severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 406Warped brake discsTwo sources from different countries say the 406's brake discs tend to warp, causing vibration when braking and forcing replacement sooner than expected.
  90. 90Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Sharan IIPremature wear of the brake discsAuto Bild points out that the Sharan II's brake discs wear out sooner than normal because of the car's weight and the high mileage it usually racks up; on fiches-auto.fr there is a testimony of vibration when braking with the rear discs replaced at 90,000 km.
  91. 91Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S80 IIMarked brake wear (pads and discs) on the Volvo S80 after 100,000 kmDEKRA's 2015 reliability report, reported by Autofácil, points to marked brake wear as a weak point of the S80/V70 in inspections of cars with 100,000 km. It is the only source we have found for the S80 and no campaign is on record.
  92. 92Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIIHigh brake pad wear on the Volvo V70Two sources agree that brake wear is a weak point of the V70 and S80: gebrauchtwagenberater.de cites high pad wear on the V70, and DEKRA's 2015 report, reported by Autofácil, marked brake wear after 100,000 km. No campaign is on record.
  93. 93Low severityFrequency: RareLancia Ypsilon IIFactory-fitted brake pads knocking against the caliper bracket and causing noise at the front axle of the Lancia YpsilonHella reports noise and vibration from the front end of the Ypsilon (843, any engine, 2003-2011), noticeable mainly on poor road surfaces: the pads fitted when the car leaves the factory can knock against the caliper bracket. If the noise disappears when braking gently, the pads are checked and replaced if necessary.
  94. 94Low severityFrequency: RareMG ZS IPremature brake pad wear on the heavier versionsAn Autopista.es feature on the MG ZS's most common faults points to premature brake pad wear on the heaviest versions in the range, with no further detail on mileage or cost.

Problems with brake calipers and discs by make

How much it costs to repair a fault with brake calipers and discs

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with brake calipers and discs?

Among those we have analysed: Citroën Jumpy III (rear brake discs poorly seated on the hub (early 2025 batch)), Mercedes-Benz Clase G W463 (G 63 AMG rear brake caliper brackets that may crack, reducing braking (December 2017 to April 2018)), Mercedes-Benz Clase V W447 (front brake caliper bracket not stable enough, with reduced braking capacity (February and March 2021)), Mercedes-Benz Vito W447 (unstable front axle brake caliper bracket with reduced braking performance (February and March 2021)), Mitsubishi ASX I (corrosion of the parking brake shaft and failure of the rear caliper automatic adjustment), Mitsubishi Outlander III (corrosion of the parking brake shaft and failure of the rear calipers' automatic adjustment), Opel Zafira Tourer C (recall over insufficient contact between the rear disc and the hub) and Toyota ProAce City (defective front brake discs that may crack (Proace City Verso)). In total, 94 cars with documented faults with brake calipers and discs.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with brake calipers and discs?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 1 fault with a documented cost. The most expensive is brake discs that can crack (Volkswagen Tiguan II).

What symptoms does a fault with brake calipers and discs cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: squealing or metallic grinding when braking, vibration in the steering wheel or pedal when braking, car pulls to one side or steering wheel is not straight, abs or esp warning light on, electric parking brake warning and hard brake pedal or loss of brake assistance.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Used Volkswagen Tiguan (Mk2, 2016-2024) buyer's guide: big-selling SUV's second generationAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026