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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: $342.14 Front pads, Rear shoes, Rear Rotors, & Brake Flush
Posted by: Delpie in Palm Bay, FL.Purchased: May, 2010
Car Make: MazdaCar Model: Protege 1999
Auto Shop: Firestone
I had a customer experience survey discount & a 50 dollar brake rebate to reduce the cost to what you see above. I don't feel comfortable changing something important like brakes myself.. So, this price isn't that bad to me.
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Amount: $72.00 Front Pads, Pass. Side Caliper
Posted by: Gerald Y. in Gander, NL, Other.Purchased: May, 2010
Car Make: DodgeCar Model: Shadow
Auto Shop: Auto Hobby Club
$40.00 for pads, cleaned up the rotors.
Found out the passenger side caliper was beat up and seized, replaced with new for $57.00 - $25.00 rebate for the old one.
Only labour costs were my own time!
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Amount: $279.00 Front Pads and New Rotors
Posted by: a user in Cleveland, OH.Purchased: June, 2010
Car Make: 2009 SaturnCar Model: Aura
Auto Shop: Conrad's
Thought this was a good price. The lowest I have ever paid for brakes and rotors. Usually paid over $400.
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Amount: $965.00 Front brake pads and rotors plus back brakes pads
Posted by: a user in Newark, NJ.Purchased: 2005
Car Make: mecerdesCar Model:
I think I got ripped off. They charged $360 just for labor. Front pads and rotors replaced. Just rear rotors replaced.
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Amount: $232.00 Front Pads and Rotors
Posted by: Jon P in Warsaw, IN.Purchased: June, 2010
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: 2000 Malibu
Auto Shop: Smith Tire
Car was shaky when braking. Turns out rotors were warped, and pads were down to 30%.
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Amount: $370.00 pad, rotors, and front calipers
Posted by: stevey b in Detroit, MI.Purchased: June, 2010
Car Make: HondaCar Model: 2000 Accord EX
In the front I replaced pads, rotors, and calipers. In the rear I replaced pads and rotors. Did it myself and saved hundreds.
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Amount: $307.00 front and rear brake pads
Posted by: vn in ephrata, PA.Purchased: June, 2010
Car Make: acuraCar Model: tl
Auto Shop: mr tire
Came in b/c of their $109 per brake axle SPECIAL.
Told Acura needs ceramic brake pads and thus, cost more than $109.00. $109.00 is reasonable.
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Amount: $450.00 Brakes and Rotors on Front and back
Posted by: a user in , NA.Purchased: 2010
Car Make: 2004 Jeep Grand CherokeeCar Model: Laredo
Auto Shop: Andy's Auto
Reasonable price.
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Amount: $675.00 Ripped off
Posted by: a user in Lindenhurst, NY.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: SaturnCar Model: Ion
Auto Shop: Firestone
RIP OFF!! After looking on this site I shopped around and I found the same service (Front and rear brakes, front rotors, and brake fluid flush, plus labor) for $300.00!! Wow do I feel stupid. I learned my lesson.
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Amount: $933.00 4 pads, 4 rotors, front calipers
Posted by: Pat from Michigan in State College, PA.Purchased: June, 2010
Car Make: ChevroletCar Model: Impala
Auto Shop: Firestone
On vacation in PA. Brakes started grinding awful. 104,000 miles on vehicle, brakes never done before. One caliper broke and ruined front rotor. As I plan to keep this vehicle I choose to replace all 4 rotors and 2 front calipers along with pads. Also did brake line flush, they recommended but do not know the purpose of this. Happy with brake job, but maybe not the price. LOL
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Amount: $605.00 Brakes & Rotor
Posted by: HENRY1 in Hopkins Rd,Richmond, VA.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Xterra SE
Auto Shop: Firestone,
My brakes had began grinding a day or two before. I went in for a quote. They warned they didnt think they had enough time to do it immediately; Id haveto come back Monday after 4th July holiday.
ON inspection the mechanic said I needed new rotors we can't turn composite rotors", it would be 2.5 hrs labor $605...I said 'hell no' Ill have to come back when I have the money. Why does it cost at least $500 every time I go to garage? The manager replied "you must be tough on your cars" On starting to replace the brakes the mechanic came back in and said they'd have to put a waiver on the reciept because the brakes were not legally safe. At that point I agreed to go ahead with the job...?? Not happy...They were all very pleasant but the price is crazy and they led me to believe it was dangerous to drive as they were. they completed the job in 2 hrs Went in about 3:20 and was ready and 5:30
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Amount: $580.00 Brake Pads & Rotors Front & Rear
Posted by: RWG in Olathe, KS.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: Silverado
Auto Shop: Baileys
Think it was a little steep, but just had all 4 rotors replaced on a 44000 mile chevy pickup as well as the front and rear brake pads.
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Amount: $390.00 Front and Rear Brake Pads, Resurfacing Rotors
Posted by: a user in Naperville, IL.Purchased: 2004
Car Make: VolkswagenCar Model: Jetta
Auto Shop: Tuffy
The Bill Jacobs Dealership wanted $950! I decided to shop around instead and Tuffy charged a much more reasonable price.
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Amount: $50.00 brakes and rotors
Posted by: Richey in wilmington, DE.Purchased: 2010
Auto Shop: my drive way
i charge 50-100 dollars it's not that difficult so i don't beat people in the head and yes i clean the car out 2
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Amount: $560.00 Brakes and Rotors
Posted by: KI in Waipahu, HI.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: PontiacCar Model: G6-GT
Auto Shop: Pontiac Dealer
Way too expensive for only the rear, but my wife couldn't leave work to drive it to Firestone. This is Hawaii, so I don't know if it would be that much cheaper. Co-workers say it's not that unreasonable.
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Amount: $799.00 Calipers, rotors, and ceramic pads
Posted by: n0ah_fense in Tewksbury, MA.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: AcuraCar Model: RSX type S
Auto Shop: Meineke Tewksbury
New front braking system due to an old sticky caliper.

200$ per caliper
100$ per rotor
100$ bucks labor
100$ for fluids & misc

Prices were all about 40% higher than if i bought the parts myself.

They flushed the entire system and bled the brakes,test drove to condition the pads, and provided transportation to an from office.
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Amount: $250.00 Rear breaks and resurfacing rear rotors
Posted by: TQ in Irvine, CA.Purchased: January, 2006
Car Make: AcuraCar Model: MDX
Auto Shop: Dealership
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Amount: $445.00 Front and rear pads, resurfacing 3 rotors, 1 new rotor
Posted by: Elisa in Downey, CA.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima
Auto Shop: SB Auto
I researched the cost for parts before and about 200 or more of this was labor. A little more than I planed to spend and they should have told me about the rotor that needed to be replaced the first time they looked at it.
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Amount: $175.00 Rear pads, turn rotors
Posted by: a user in Las Vegas, NV.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Auto Shop: Mr. Brake
Mr. Brake quoted me $175+ tax to replace rear pads with brand name ceramic ones. The local Toyota dealership quoted $275.
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Amount: $258.00 Rear Disk Brake Pads and Rotors
Posted by: Happy Contour Guy in Knoxville, TN.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: FordCar Model: Contour
Auto Shop: Budget Brakes
The brakes were replaced within 30 minutes of arrival. They seem to have done a good job. I didn't go with the more expensive pads, it's an old car and these are the back wheels so they should last a long, long time.
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