Q: What could be the cause of a loud roaring noise when I apply my brakes?

asked by on November 10, 2016

For the past couple of days, when I drive, it makes a low rumble while I drive. When I start to gently apply the brakes it makes a loud roar similar to an airplane taking off. The noise is coming from the rear of the vehicle and it is not similar to that of a squeak or a squeal, which would be present for a brake pad issue. I have been braking as little as possible, but when I do, I make sure that I do it as gently as possible so as to not put any stress on them. I do a lot of driving to and from work (approximately 80 miles per day). The road that I live on is bumpy but the rest of the way to work is paved. There is nothing that appears to be hanging down from the underside of the vehicle and the tires appear to be fine.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Brake Pads Replacement $150.17 - $479.65 Get a Quote
Wheel Bearings Replacement $110.89 - $591.42 Get a Quote
Car is making a noise Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Typically, there are two mechanical parts that can cause this type of noise as they begin to wear out. The first and most common culprit is brake pads that have worn and are actually grinding on the rotor. This is a very unsafe situation and should be repaired as soon as possible. The second is typically worn out wheel bearings. The roaring sound in this case is caused by a lack of lubrication inside the spindle. In either case, I’d recommend contacting a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, who can complete an inspection of the vehicle to diagnose your noise problem and recommend the right repairs.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Steering wheel vibrating at highway speeds
The suspension on the right side may have strut problems or bearing along with ball joints. If one or more items are bad then both sides and the rest of the suspension should be checked for problems. I recommend you...
I can't get my truck out of four wheel drive
Hello. Most of the time this occurs when the actuator in the transfer case fails. If the actuator was not when you went through the puddle then that could cause it to fail from the sudden change of temperature. This...
Car cranks but won't start.
Hello. I would need to know what kind of Ford this is to know for sure what may be going on. Most of the time on these older Ford models the issue is fuel-related. It may be a result of...
It seems like something is not keeping the battery charged in order for the car to run.
Hi, thanks for writing in. In most cases, if your car is not running due to electrical issues, it could be due to your alternator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-alternator). If the battery is completely shot (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-battery), the car still would not run. If...
Do I need to replace the turbo?
Hello. There are several reasons why your car might be low on power. Some of these are related to the turbocharging system: lose high pressure hoses, blow-off valve control hoses, and circuitry (regulates the amount of boost to the engine...
Electrical power drops out completely while driving.
A faulted automatic shutdown relay or asd relay is a common concern on your vehicle model and can show the same symptoms. I have seen this problem caused by the relay as well as corrosion inside the under hood fuse...
Dying at idle
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) is a small valve on the engine's intake system that reads the air intake as it comes into...
Replaced my upstream O2 sensor. The check engine light won't turn off.
When an error code is triggered and stored in the ECU, it needs to be removed by a professional mechanic using a digital scanner; and not a simple code reader. The folks at Auto Zone use the code reader and...
cleaning the idle air control valve on a 01 nissan altima 2.4l
If you are having problems with the idle air control valve you may have to replace it. If you just want to clean it you would need to have it removed or use an induction cleaner tool to pull cleaner...

Related articles

What Are Brake Pads Made of?
Brake Brake pads are an essential component of the braking system of your car. Every time you press the brake pedal, this force translates by way of a hydraulic system to the caliper. This caliper in turn pushes the brake...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Ram
While While Chrysler has decided to give Ram its very own division, it seems impossible not to think of the Ram 1500 as a Dodge. After all, you’ll still buy your 2012 Ram at a Dodge dealer, and it remains...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Caterer
If If you are in the catering business, you need a reliable vehicle that will provide you with what you need to transport your food, linens, and other supplies. Generally speaking, you're better off buying gently used, because you will...