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Brakes Cost

How Much Do Brakes Cost?

low costMedium: $100-$250

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Brakes may need to be replaced when wheels make a high pitched screeching or grinding noise, if brakes fail to slow or stop the car normally, if brake pedal slowly drops to the floor after brakes are engaged, if vehicle pulls to one side while braking, or if vibrations can be felt from the pedal while brakes are applied.
 
Typical costs:
  • $90 to $250, per axle. Many low cost advertised specials include only basic inspection and brake pad replacement.
  • Costs vary from one make and model to another, but cars with higher initial purchase prices tend to be more expensive to repair as the parts also tend to cost more than their more economical counterparts and sometimes involve more complex systems that require more labor.
  • Some examples of typical prices for front brake pads: 2005 Audi A6, $215. 2005 Toyota Camry, $150. 2005 Dodge Caravan, $185.
  • Prices also vary depending on prevailing labor costs. If workers tend to be paid less than average in your area, you may find lower prices.
What should be included:
  • Road test to check for problems and current operating condition.
  • Removal of wheels and inspection of brake pads, rotors, bearings and calipers.
  • Inspecting and/or replacing brake hoses, mounting clips, anti-rattle shims, brake pads.
  • Cleaning components, inspecting and possibly resurfacing or replacing the brake rotors, cleaning and repacking bearings. (Most front wheel drive cars have hub bearings, which are typically inspected and replaced if necessary, rather than being serviced).
  • Some, but not all, vehicles also require a hydraulic brake system flush.
Additional costs:
  • Condition of additional brake parts, beyond pads, that need to be replaced, will increase costs.
  • If rotors need to be replaced, expect repairs to increase to $300-$650.
Discounts:
  • Some repair shops offer discounts for AAA members.
Shopping for brakes:
  • Find a mechanic before you need one. Do your research and locate a mechanic you trust before you actually need servicing, so you aren't stuck with the first mechanic you find during a time of need.
  • If you don't already have a mechanic, look for mechanics who are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Search for ASE certified Blue Seal repair facilities.
  • Check with your state consumer affairs department or The Better Business Bureau to see if the shop has generated a lot of consumer complaints.
Article updated February 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $700.00 Brakes and rotors
Posted by: Fann in Glendale, CA.Purchased: April, 2007
Car Make: ChryslerCar Model: Sebring
Auto Shop: Chrysler Dealer
Way overcharging
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Amount: $845.00 Brakes and Rotors
Posted by: QueenC in Woodinville, WA.Purchased: May, 2008
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Odyssey
Auto Shop: Firestone
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Amount: $615.00 Front & Rear brakes
Posted by: a user in Warminster, PA.Purchased: September, 2008
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Liberty
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Amount: $932.00 breaks rotors front and rear
Posted by: Daniel Nelson in greenfield, MA.Purchased: September, 2008
Car Make: FordCar Model: Mustang
Auto Shop: Ford of Greenfield MA
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Amount: $139.99 Brakes and Rotors
Posted by: a user in Jacksonville, FL.Purchased: September, 2008
Car Make: FordCar Model: Thunderbird
Auto Shop: Firestone
WOW I can't believe people are paying 600+ for brakes and rotors, that's insane!
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Amount: $500.00 brakes and rotors/grease seals
Posted by: a user in santee, CA.Purchased: 2008
Car Make: fordCar Model: exploroer
Auto Shop: firestone
fyi...i found out later..but they take competeters coupons
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Amount: $388.00 Brakes and Rotors
Posted by: Matt in Rochester, MN.Purchased: June, 2003
Car Make: DodgeCar Model: Caravan SXT
Auto Shop: Adamson Motors
Thought it was high, guess I should be thankful it wasn't 500+.
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Amount: $290.00 rear brakes and rotors/pads
Posted by: Fran in kenvil, NJ.Purchased: October, 2008
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Liberty
Auto Shop: Kenvil Automotive
just researchign online, and i guess this is an ok price overall
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Amount: $695.00 ripped off
Posted by: A reader from New York in Valley Stream, NY.Purchased: 2008
Front and Rear Pads, front rotors. After the fact Mavis Auto quoted same for $315.
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Amount: $60.00 Brakes & Rotors
Posted by: BlightedJosh in Fall River, MA.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: PontiacCar Model: Grand Am
Replaced front brakes and rotors in under a half an hour for $60. I recommend learning how to do it yourself. It\'s very easy. Taking it to a mechanic would have cost me $300. Thats $60 for parts and $240 for a half hour of labor? Lol
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Amount: $471.93 Front and rear brake pads +fluid flush
Posted by: Felipe Guacache in New Port Richey, FL.Purchased: April, 2009
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Liberty 2006
Auto Shop: Tuffy
I think this was not cheap but a dealer would have probably charged more.
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Amount: $750.00 Front & Rear Brake Pads, 1 bearing
Posted by: Karyn in Livonia, MI.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: Venture
Auto Shop: All Night Auto
I am not sure if this is a fair price or not, but we really like the service we have gotten regading other repairs.
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Amount: $230.00 New pads and they turned the rotors.
Posted by: DonutLord in Indianapolis, IN.Purchased: October, 2001
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Tacoma
Auto Shop: Midas
2000 Tacoma with about 85K miles on it.
New pads and they turned the rotors.
Had $50 off coupon.
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Amount: $700.00 Ripped off?
Posted by: thechemist in Gurnee, IL.Purchased: August, 2008
Car Make: 2006 MercuryCar Model: Montego
Auto Shop: Gurnee Tire & Brake
My wife went to get an oil change and came home with a $700 brake job I think we didn\'t need. And they only did one wheel! Supposedly they replaced one rear caliper and one set of pads, then refaced both rear rotors. What\'s up with that? For that price, I would have expected new rotors and new pads on both wheels, if we had needed them.
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Amount: $800.00 front & rear brakes
Posted by: Hilda in Maywood, NJ.Purchased: February, 2001
Car Make: 2001 AcuraCar Model: 3.2 TL
Auto Shop: Cilento's Service Station
brake service ~ front and rear ~ 120K miles
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Amount: $475.00 Rear Brakes
Posted by: KCandtheSunshine in Valencia, CA.Purchased: January, 2006
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Commander
Auto Shop: Power Chysler
Too high
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Amount: $103.00 Front Pads & New Rotors
Posted by: Jarhead in Lexington, KY.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: KIACar Model: Rio
Auto Shop: Driveway
Pads and rotors are so easy.....ask any U.S. Postal Rural Route Carrier! I replaced front brake pads (ceramic) and new rotors in less than 2 hours. YouTube has many DIY videos on disc brakes.
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Amount: $285.00 Front Pads
Posted by: Hal in Hollister, CA.Purchased: July, 2009
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: Impala
Auto Shop: Greenwood Chevrolet
Parts were about $110, the rest was labor. Goodwrench service at dealership. They provided a courtesy van to take me to work and it was done by early afternoon.
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Amount: $300.00 Front breaks
Posted by: T.Shrad in Columbia, MD.Purchased: May, 2009
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Maxima
Auto Shop: Mr. Tire
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Amount: $700.00 Front & Read Pads
Posted by: M. Roberts in Gaithersburg, MD.Purchased: August, 2004
Car Make: MercedesCar Model: E320
Auto Shop: Midas
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Amount: $240.00 Front Brakes & Front Rotors Refinished
Posted by: Smart Woman in Houston, TX.Purchased: June, 2007
Car Make: LexusCar Model: IS 250
Auto Shop: Brake Check
The quote started off at about $550. I continually took off all the services that they \"recommend\" doing.
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Amount: $199.99 Front Brake Pads and Brake Fluid Flush
Posted by: a user in San Gabriel, CA.Purchased: July, 2007
Car Make: HondaCar Model: CRV
Auto Shop: Purrfect Auto
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Amount: $895.00 front and rear pads and rotors.
Posted by: babalou50 in Bronx, NY.Purchased: November, 2004
Car Make: chryslerCar Model: concorde
Auto Shop: firestone
I almost had a heart attack with that price.
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Amount: $230.00 Replaced front pads and rotor
Posted by: A user in NJ in East Windsor, NJ.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: HyundaiCar Model: Sonata
Auto Shop: Midas
Had a $20 coupon. He said that the changing/grinding the rotor was mandatory if I wanted the warranty. I could not see any problem with the rotor!!! Is this true
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Amount: $668.86 Replace front rotors & pads;Replace rear pads & machine rear rotors.
Posted by: User in New Hartford, Ct in Torrington, CT.Purchased: January, 2001
Car Make: BuickCar Model: LeSabre-Custom
Auto Shop: Northwest Hills Dealerships
Replace front rotors=$252.72;front pads=$74.89: Lube & clean caliper slides kit=$105.06; Replace rear pads=$74.89;Lube & clean rear Caliper slides=$105.06; Machine rear rotors & Shop supplies=$18.38. Sales tax=$37.86
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Amount: $300.00 front and rear pads and rotors
Posted by: a user in Muscle Shoals, AL.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry '97
Auto Shop: Bob's Tire
Thought this may be high, but pleasently surprised when I saw what people are paying in the Northeast.
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Amount: $400.00 Rear pads and rotors
Posted by: a user in Norwood, MA.Purchased: September, 2007
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima 2000
Auto Shop: BOCH
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Amount: $403.00 Pads replaced and rotors resufacred
Posted by: SikkOne in Fremont, CA.Purchased: September, 2009
Car Make: DodgeCar Model: Charger
Auto Shop: Fremont Wheel and Brake
Call around and find a better deal. Dealer wanted 370 for just front brakes. Les Schwab wanted 270. Got front and rear brake done for 403 from Fremont Wheel and brake.
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Amount: $200.00 Rear break rotors and pads
Posted by: Ravi in Pittsburgh, PA.Purchased: June, 2001
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima
Auto Shop: Pep Boys
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Amount: $310.00 Replace front brakes and rotors
Posted by: Bubba in Campbell, CA.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: 2001Car Model: Camry
Auto Shop: Campbell Motor Center
Brakes were metal screeching. Quote for about $180 just for front brake pads then told rotors were bad. Drove this weekend and seems to be ok.
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Amount: $480.00 Replaced front brakes
Posted by: Walder from Akron OH in Marysville, OH.Purchased: November, 2006
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Odyssey
Auto Shop: Mike Pruitt Honda, Akron OH
Had rear brakes replaced last time. This time brakes caused car to lock up and VSA to come on in the rain on 2 successive intersections trying to get the car rolling.They found deep grooves etched into them,so replaced.I thought cost high, but now I'm not sure.They seem to cost a lot on a minivan.
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Amount: $225.00 Brake pads, turn rotors PTC
Posted by: Beth H in Smyrna, GA.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: ChryslerCar Model: PTC
Auto Shop: Kaufmann Tires, Smyrna, GA
Had brake pads replaced, rotors machined, not replaced.
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Amount: $932.00 Brakes and Rotors--Then Calipers
Posted by: Patrick in Boston in Stoneham, MA.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Accord
Auto Shop: Monro
I was quoted $932 for front and rear breaks and rotors. It was steep, but I needed it done and didn\'t want to shop it around. When I drove out, my breaks were squeeking worse than when I went in. I brought it back two weeks later, and they told me I needed calipers (they forgot to mention that before) and it would be another $750. DO NOT GO THERE.
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Amount: $275.00 Replaced front and real brake pads
Posted by: Heejae in Santa Clara, CA.Purchased: April, 2001
Car Make: MitsubishiCar Model: Eclipse
Auto Shop: G&H Auto
$105 for brake pads (front and rear) and $170 for labor
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Amount: $640.00 Front and rear pads and rotors.
Posted by: SPARKY in Brockton, MA.Purchased: February, 2004
Car Make: SAABCar Model: 9-3
Auto Shop: Spark Street Brockton
I think I got bent over.
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Amount: $340.00 rear brakes and rotors and timing belt
Posted by: Daphne in phoenix, AZ.Purchased: November, 2009
Car Make: honda accordCar Model: accord
Auto Shop: mazvo phoenix
I also did my timing belt for $320. Initial price $420 but took off $100 since I was doing rear brakes. Total paid $360 plus tax not included.
Phoenix az
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