☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: Why is my brake pedal going all the way down to the floor?

asked by on January 10, 2017

When I start braking everything seems normal, but the more pressure I put on the pedal the farther down the pedal goes, at one point it will just drop to the floor. My brake light came on, and I checked the fluid and I was low. So I added more brake fluid, the light went off but the pedal continued to hit the floor. Why is it doing that? I know generally that brake pedals shouldn't hit the floor, and it seems when I pump the brakes it's ok for a few seconds, then the pedal just drops.

My car has 101900 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Save Big on Auto Repairs Get a Quote

If you are having to refill the brake fluid from it getting low and the brakes go to the floor means you have a leak in the brake system somewhere. You may have a broken brake line, leaking wheel cylinder or caliper. You should not drive the vehicle until the brake system is inspected and repaired from the leak.

Kia
2007
L4-2.0L
brake system
Spectra
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

Loud steering that only makes noise when I turn
Noises can be annoying and bothersome. Diagnosing a noise is a hands on job. With so many items involved in driving and turning, it is hard to say what the specific cause could be. The possible items involved are the...
Read more
Belt noise
Many vehicles are equipped with a belt drive system to run the accessories. Some vehicles have an adjustable belt tensioner which can be used to tighten the adjustment on a loose drive belt. In other cases an automatic tensioner is...
Read more
Fixing a fuel leak on an O8 Dodge Caravan
First thing you want to do is you want to drive it until the gas tank is almost empty because the gas tank weighs a lot less than it does full. When it's full, it's a royal job. But, when...
Read more
Battery keeps getting drained on a 1990 Mazda Miata
The first thing you'd want to do is have your alternator checked. It could be that the alternator is not charging the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-alternator). It sounds pretty typical to me. If it's not that, you have a really bad wiring...
Read more
No compression but spark is there, fuel goes good. What is happening? The car only cranks and doesn't start.
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, if there is no compression, you have internal engine failure. This could be piston ring failure. Generally, a used engine would be the order for the repair as the cylinder walls could be...
Read more
Brake, Battery sensor, lights, and a crackling noises.
The issue sounds to be a ground return wire on the speakers is shorting out with a ground circuit in the vehicle causing the lights and sensors to register a warning light. The brake light could be coming on for...
Read more
About three weeks ago while driving in a storm my car went into limp mode and my check engine light came on 2006 Infiniti M35
Hi there. If those codes only came up at that time and they were cleared and have not come back then you had water intrusion into the connections on the transmission causing this. I would usually clean the connections and...
Read more
Why would I keep getting air and fluid bleeding through the clutch system in my 2008 Infiniti G35
Hello. You more than likely have a bad clutch master cylinder. These will often have a seal failure on the back side of the cylinder which will either leak or suck in air. Both of these will cause this to...
Read more
Driver side headlight buld running light burns out but highbeam,same bulb, works fine. Happend to original bulb to
The voltage supplying the bulb can be checked. If the voltage is too high, that can shorten bulb life. If the voltage is acceptable, and the light bulbs are failing prematurely your only option really is to use a different...
Read more

Related articles

10 Biggest Car-Related Headaches and What to Do About Them
You You don’t want to, but if you're a car owner it's inevitable that at some point you will experience car troubles. It's also fairly certain that the machine you rely on will cause you grief when you least expect...
Read more
How to Buy a Good Quality Brake Pedal Pad
Think Think about how often you use the brakes in your vehicle, probably very often. With that said, over time your brake pedal pad can become worn down and even lose its ridges and traction. The last thing you want...
Read more
How to Buy a Good Quality Brake Drum
The The introduction of disc brakes beginning in the 1970s eclipsed the older, more outdated technology of the drum brake. This style, however, is still used in some cars today, most often on the rear brakes and typically in order...
Read more

Browse other content

Estimates
Services
Cities
Cars