Cracked Brake Pads and Warped Rotors

[Reece @ DI]

Do you brake with your left foot? I see enough people driving around with their brake lights constantly lit to wonder if that could be a contributing factor.

Right foot only! I know I see it, but double foot driving is a no go in this household!

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[Reece @ DI]

did you take it in for systems or did they just tell you they were bad?

I posted this reply to another poster here, but:

"What is weird is this vehicle makes a big grunt when the brakes initiate a complete stop. No noise when I brake, but when the vehicle comes to a complete stop there is a loud creak or so. It happens when the brakes come off the rotors when going into park or when leaning off the brakes at slow speed. It is what prompted me to bring the vehicle in along with the airbag recall and an oil change at around 9k. I swear my old escort and taurus never had this noise and my wifes escape with 36k miles is super quiet."

 

[Reece @ DI]

Warped rotors are from excessive heat.

Sticking calipers or hard use.

I took it in because the vehicle makes a big grunt when the brakes initiate a complete stop. No noise when I brake, but when the vehicle comes to a complete stop there is a loud creak or so. It happens when the brakes come off the rotors when going into park or when leaning off the brakes at slow speed. It is what prompted me to bring the vehicle in along with the airbag recall and an oil change at around 9k. I swear my old escort and taurus never had this noise and my wifes escape with 36k miles is super quiet.

I am wondering if my brakes are sticking, or if it is the calipers. They told me "everything seems fine", but at 9k miles warped rotors, cracked brake pads, and that braking noise something seems up.

 

[Reece @ DI]

True mountain area use can be a problem . But OP was Albany NY . Pretty flat.

Pretty flat driving for sure and about 9k miles in the year I have had it. The only time I took it more mountain driving was Vermont last fall, but that is about it. Between this issue and the braking noise I am not sure if there is more of an issue. I was just looking for more opinions before I end up taking it back in.

 

[Silver23]

I posted this reply to another poster here, but:

"What is weird is this vehicle makes a big grunt when the brakes initiate a complete stop. No noise when I brake, but when the vehicle comes to a complete stop there is a loud creak or so. It happens when the brakes come off the rotors when going into park or when leaning off the brakes at slow speed. It is what prompted me to bring the vehicle in along with the airbag recall and an oil change at around 9k. I swear my old escort and taurus never had this noise and my wifes escape with 36k miles is super quiet."

ok, so it stopped smooth just made the grunt when it stops completely.
I've heard this many times on lots of vehicles and my guess it is just a common thing with no real "problem". Some cars will do it when releasing the brake real slow right when it moves. New pads would 'fix' it usually.
So the good news is there wasn't a real problem with the rotors or pads just noise. If the rotors were warped it wouldn't stop smooth. The reason they turned the rotors is it is simply what is done when you do a brake job.
I think us hybrid owners have nothing to worry about conserning brakes.

 

[Reece @ DI]

ok, so it stopped smooth just made the grunt when it stops completely.
I've heard this many times on lots of vehicles and my guess it is just a common thing with no real "problem". Some cars will do it when releasing the brake real slow right when it moves. New pads would 'fix' it usually.
So the good news is there wasn't a real problem with the rotors or pads just noise. If the rotors were warped it wouldn't stop smooth. The reason they turned the rotors is it is simply what is done when you do a brake job.
I think us hybrid owners have nothing to worry about conserning brakes.

It stopped smooth up until that last bit. I get that grunt and then a slight jerk. Nothing crazy though and I’m happy to hear you think nothing is wrong. Certainly some of the hybrid paranoia right now and not having that noise on any other vehicle I have had. Well at least night with new brake!

 

[RyanS93]

No noise on mine, but I do notice that when I brake from 50 to 40, there is a definite vibration in the steering wheel. At speeds above or below the 40 to 50 range it is smooth. Very strange to me but isn’t a huge deal.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

yep, and not just Sacramento heat( ha , used to live in the area).....but long downhill use, constant and aggressive use.

Looong downhill braking into a fresh rain puddle= WARPED ROTORS!!!

 

[WNYEscapee]

It's possible there was an abnormal condition contributing to this, but warping and cracking tends to come from overheating. Following their advice to monitor the vehicle for this happening again is probably the best practice. Also be mindful of whether or not you might be doing something which could contribute to this as well.

Since brake components aren't as robust as they used to be, nor cast of the same more durable alloys, rust and warping are much more common. Cutting rotors only makes them more susceptible to warping again. ...Yes, they have a minimum spec which must be met to justify replacing them under warranty, but I have also seen the techs make sure they are.... nudge, nudge ....so that the problem is addressed with the potential for a better repair/outcome.

 

[Reece @ DI]

It's possible there was an abnormal condition contributing to this, but warping and cracking tends to come from overheating. Following their advice to monitor the vehicle for this happening again is probably the best practice. Also be mindful of whether or not you might be doing something which could contribute to this as well.

Since brake components aren't as robust as they used to be, nor cast of the same more durable alloys, rust and warping are much more common. Cutting rotors only makes them more susceptible to warping again. ...Yes, they have a minimum spec which must be met to justify replacing them under warranty, but I have also seen the techs make sure they are.... nudge, nudge ....so that the problem is addressed with the potential for a better repair/outcome.

I appreciate it! Love the truck, I’m just annoyed with the noises at each stop now lol … I will monitor it and start looking at some ceramic pads and rotors.

 

[Vtec87pr1]

i believe theres a recall on the bronco sport with the 1.5 over the brake pads not sure its related to your concern though. but the are replacing front brake pads on them.

 

[Darnon]

i believe theres a recall on the bronco sport with the 1.5 over the brake pads not sure its related to your concern though. but the are replacing front brake pads on them.

It was the rear brake pads on the Bronco Sport and Escape. Specifically that the pads didn't have sufficient coefficient of friction to stop within required distances on those equipped with a vacuum brake booster should it fail.

 

[Vtec87pr1]

It was the rear brake pads on the Bronco Sport and Escape. Specifically that the pads didn't have sufficient coefficient of friction to stop within required distances on those equipped with a vacuum brake booster should it fail.

well idk but on mine was the front unless parts gave me the wrong part number wich i doubt.

 

[Darnon]

well idk but on mine was the front unless parts gave me the wrong part number wich i doubt.

You are correct. It appears Ford did ultimately the replace the front brake pads for those units even though the recall documentation identifies the rear brake pads as being manufactured below spec.

 

[Montana]

One brake pad (front passenger side), but a few of the rotors had issues. From what they told me, "crappy brake pads and rotors were used".

Yea it's pretty well known across the Mavericks, Escapes and Bronco Sports.

Not just the grabby braking system, but they used some really cheap stuff on these models and that just adds to it. I'm replacing both rotors and pads here soon and this is one thing I don't want covered by the warranty, because they will just use the same junk. Plus, I like doing this kind of work

I had issues on my Escape and noticed there was a divot being created on both rear pads, as well as the grabby brakes at low/slowing speeds, so I knew what to expect on the Maverick. Anyone who is skeptical, just have the dealer fix it under warranty. No reason they should deny new pads at the very least.

If you are driving a hybrid like it should be driven, you should barely ever get pad on rotor contact. Hybrids can and regularly do go 150k+ miles on the original brakes if drivers are always going for max-regen.

So it baffles me that the rotors would be warped and pads cracked after 9k miles. Did you track-day this thing at some point?

Yea... nobody should ever have any issues by things covered in TSB's... C'mon man. Stuff happens.

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