Q: Brakes locked, car kept skidding until they stopped
The car has gone 35,000 miles so far. I've had a very serious situation on the highway the other day. I had to apply the brakes all of the sudden due to traffic. When I did this, they became locked. The car started skidding and continued to do so even when I let go off the brake pedal. The car eventually stopped. What might have caused this? Is this car safe for driving?
Recommended Services
| Brake Pads Replacement | $150.17 - $479.65 | Get a Quote |
| Brake Caliper Replacement | $222.57 - $1200.97 | Get a Quote |
| Brake System Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello there. This is a rare fault not normally seen on the 2013 Nissan Leaf. There are a few things that could cause the brakes to lock up like this. The most common would be failed brake pads, ABS module pump, stuck caliper, or mechanical brake system fault. This car with its brake issues should not be driven until it has been repaired for safety reasons. If you would like to have this checked, a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic will be able to inspect your brake system and perform any repairs required.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
My car jerks when decelerating from what seems to be 4th gear to 3rd.
You need to have the codes scanned by a professional with a scan tool for the transmission computer. The codes may give you an indication if the sensor is not performing correctly. If it is not a sensor malfunctioning (like...
How long does a muffler last? How many miles it take to replace a muffler? Is theirs any difference between each muffler? (2 muffler)
There is a good chance it is the 'flex' pipe section leaking. The life of the exhaust depends on mileage, driving conditions, and where you live. Snow and icy climates rip through exhaust systems with rust and road salt. The...
Why does the car start but shut back off? What do I need to do?
Hi there, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to try to help. I'm curious to know if other symptoms are present before isolating what's going on. The truck shutting off can happen for a variety of reasons. When this...
my vsc lights and trac off light comes on and when iput off the car and on again it goes off and then comes back after a while.
VSC stands for Vehicle Stability control. Trac stands for traction control. Both systems have various sensors that they share to obtain the information they need to do their job. If they are coming on together, it means there is a...
Is the lower ball joint on the driver's side fixed as one part with suspension arm or detachable?
Hello. The ball joint (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ball-joint-front-replacement) is available separately, and as part of the control arm assembly (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement) as you note. Although it can be purchased separately, removing it and replacing it into the control arm requires heavy duty presses and...
Car won't start or crank after rebuild and battery replacement.
Hi there: Due to the fact that there are multiple variables that we don't know about what was possibly removed, replaced or loosened up during your major repairs, it's very difficult to give you some ideas of what to inspect....
Should I get rid of my car?
Transmissions are often repairable in the field, on or off the car. The cost of the repair will depend on exactly what has gone wrong with the transmission and so the best thing to do is get the issue properly...
Battery the car runs fine when jumped if I shut it off and try to turn it back on it will not start unless jumped
During the most recent episode when the car yet again failed to start, the diagnostic would begin with testing of the battery. If you have a fully functioning charging system (you mention the alternator is new but charging system should...
I have a 2008 Chevy Cobalt and will be replacing both CV Axle Shafts. Do I have to get an alignment after?
In short no you do not as long as the lower ball joint is taken loose and not the strut bolts. If you loosen the strut bolts then you will need an alignment.
Related articles
How Car Suspension Systems Work
On the surface it appears the suspension of a car has a pretty straightforward job. If the bumps end up being...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Sentra
The The 2012 Nissan Sentra is one of the most versatile sedans in its class. Because it has such a wide variety of options available in its four trims, buyers can choose between a bare-bones version at a very affordable...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Realtor or Real Estate Agent
If If you make your living as a realtor or real estate agent, you may have a number of considerations when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle. The most common considerations are budget, ability to transport people, and comfort....
Browse other content
Estimates
Services
Maintenance