What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($810)MiddleHigher-cost states ($1,032)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $1,032 and AR the lowest at $810, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is under 50,000 (70%), against 60% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
832 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 832 owner complaints naming this part, brake rotor is named in 36% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the brake rotor most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the brake rotor too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
25-44 mph leads at 32%.
Owners reported it most often at town speeds. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 832 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 33, followed by Crash reported at 27; the smallest shown is Death reported at 1.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 832 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 134 (16%), followed by 2016 at 115 (14%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 14 (2%).
What do state inspectors fail cars for?
Among 8,738,476 initial safety inspections in North Carolina in 2017, brake components caused 1.9 failed items per 1,000 inspections, the fewest of the four components the state reports.
What it shows: Tires is the largest at 8.5, followed by Lights at 5.2; the smallest shown is Brake components at 1.9.
Have recalls for this part told owners to stop driving?
Recalls for this part that told owners to stop driving or park outside. Do not drive the vehicle: 2 recall (27,125).
Do brake caliper replacement problems track annual snowfall across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about brake caliper replacement run higher where annual snowfall is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that annual snowfall causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more annual snowfall (inches); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with annual snowfall (inches).
What it shows: States with more annual snowfall (inches) tend to sit higher on the chart across 24 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 8 states with the most annual snowfall (New York, Michigan, Colorado, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey): reports of this repair run 37% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 6 of 8 are above expected. The 8 with the least (California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina): 11% below, and 2 of 8 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are among the highest in annual snowfall but report below expected; South Carolina (47% above expected) is among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least annual snowfall runs 11% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 11% above, and the third with the most 37% above. It steps up steadily.
- For annual snowfall, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 28. Take out any single state and the annual snowfall pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar very hot days and the pattern keeps about 54% of its strength, so part of it may come from very hot days instead of annual snowfall.
- For annual snowfall, of the 3 exception states, 1 read the same way for the other parts of the system (so that is the system there, not this repair) and 2 are specific to this repair.
Road salt and slush corrode exposed metal and seize moving parts, and freezing weather stiffens rubber, so repairs to exposed parts can follow harsh winters.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new disc brake assemblies and parts rose 36.7% from December 2019 to January 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
What it shows: Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together is the largest at +55.2%, followed by New disc brake assemblies and parts at +36.7%; the smallest shown is All motor vehicle parts at +17.4%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 equipment recalls that name brake caliper since 2015 (service brakes and parking brake), covering 186,714 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Trw Automotive Inc in 2018, covered 179,179.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Trw Automotive Inc: Brake Caliper Assembly | service brakes, hydraulic | TRW Automotive Inc (TRW) has submitted a Defect Information Report based upon decisions made by Volkswagen. | 179,179 |
| 2019 | Zf North America, Inc.: Brake Caliper | foundation components disc | certain Brake calipers. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with the incorrect assembly fluid. | 6,377 |
| 2025 | Motorcar Parts Of America, Inc.: Brake Caliper | foundation components disc | certain brake calipers with part numbers BC155111 and BC155110 sold as replacement parts for 2008-2025 Ford. | 440 |
| 2020 | Liquidspring Llc: 4500, 5500 | service brakes | certain Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension Systems (C.L.A.S.S.), part numbers DS135RS3A, DS135RS3AF. | 397 |
| 2017 | Liquidspring Llc: C.L.A.S.S.11326 | foundation components hoses. | certain Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension Systems (C.L.A.S.S.), part number 11326, model numbers. | 321 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 22 foreign recall campaigns that name brake caliper with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Ford Motor Company in 2025-10.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12 | Hyundai Motor America | 272 | Total number of vehicles potentially containing the defect: 4,489 Description of the defect/noncompliance: The rear righthand ("RH") brake calipers in the subject vehicles may have been produced with insufficient hardness during the casting process. |
| 2021-11 | Mercedes-Benz | 244 | Identification of Vehicles Make Line Model Inclusive Dates Year of Manufacture Mercedes- E-Class (213 platform): E 200, E 200 4MATIC, E 200 d, E 220 D, 2022 October 13, 2021 - October Benz E 220 D 4MATIC, E 220 d 4MATIC All-Terrain, E 300, E 300 d 26, 2021. |
| 2023-09 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 191 | Description of Problem: The subject vehicles were equipped with accessory brake calipers installed at Lexus dealerships in Japan through the "Kinto Factory" program. |
| 2025-10 | Ford Motor Company | 159 | Sincerely, for: emily frascaroli attachment docusign envelope id: 3c698834-f510-487f-b401-89e8f4eb54ef global recall process report of field action manufacturer ford � european market type of action safety field action number 25s98 subject loose brake caliper. |
| 2023-05 | Mitsubishi Motors. | 083 | (MMSCAN), and certain 2023 MY Outlander PHEV vehicles sold in Japan by MMC are subject to a safety recall campaign involving the rear brake calipers. |
| 2022-04 | Mercedes-Benz | 049 | Description of Issue Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain C-Class (206 platform) vehicles, the bolts for a rear brake caliper might not meet torque specifications and could affect up to a maximum of one brake caliper per vehicle. |
| 2023-03 | Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. | 032 | PART 579.12 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Front Brake Rotor Issue In accordance with 49 CFR part 579.12, Hino Motors Ltd. |
| 2023-02 | VinFast Auto | 029 | Washington, DC 20590 Re: VinFast Foreign Safety Recall Notification Front Brake Caliper Bolt Torque 2022 & 2023 VinFast VF 8 Dear Ms. |
How many lives have brake improvements saved?
NHTSA estimates dual master cylinders and front disc brakes (FMVSS 105 and 135) saved 217 car occupants and 201 light-truck occupants in 2012 alone, and 15,560 occupants from 1960 to 2012.
| Technology | Car occupants saved in 2012 | Light truck occupants saved in 2012 | Car occupants saved 1960 to 2012 | Light truck occupants saved 1960 to 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dual master cylinders and front disc brakes (FMVSS 105 and 135) | 217 | 201 | 10,559 | 5,001 |
| electronic stability control (FMVSS 126), the system brake work keeps working | 500 | 824 | 2,420 | 3,604 |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 6 NHTSA recalls coded to this part filed 2015 to 2024, 89.8% of the 162,959 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 16,569 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford Escape, Bronco Sport | 114,666 | 87.9% | foundation components disc |
| 2020 | Mazda Mazda3, Cx-30 | 24,037 | 97.0% | foundation components disc |
| 2021 | Nissan Rogue | 14,054 | 93.9% | foundation components disc |
| 2020 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500; | 9,094 | 89.8% | foundation components disc |
| 2023 | Ford F-59, F-53 | 644 | 75.1% | foundation components disc |
| 2020 | Chevrolet Bolt Ev | 464 | 94.0% | foundation components disc |
Which metro areas have the most stop-and-go freeway traffic?
FHWA's 2022 urbanized-area table shows the most crowded freeway lanes in Riverside-San Bernardino, CA (22,026 vehicles per lane a day), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and Las Vegas-Henderson, NV, against a median of 10,257 across 493 urbanized areas.
| Urbanized area | Vehicles per freeway lane per day | Freeway lane-miles |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA | 22,026 | 1,292 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 21,245 | 5,780 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV | 19,820 | 650 |
| Chicago, IL-IN | 19,246 | 3,005 |
| Miami, FL | 19,023 | 2,579 |
| San Francisco-Oakland, CA | 18,674 | 1,903 |
| Concord, CA | 18,541 | 497 |
| San Diego, CA | 18,437 | 2,016 |
| New Orleans, LA | 18,409 | 390 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 18,398 | 342 |
| Median of all 493 urbanized areas | 10,257 |
How much traffic do New York state roads carry in each county?
New York State DOT's 2019 traffic counts average 12,562 vehicles a day per station in Bronx County, 12,095 in New York and 12,074 in Queens, against 2,542 in the median county; this is one state, not a national figure.
What it shows: Bronx is the largest at 12,562, followed by New York at 12,095; the smallest shown is Richmond at 7,924.
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for parts matched to a brake caliper replacement since model year 2015, covering about 720,182 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a brake caliper replacement since model year 2015 | 33 recall campaigns covering about 720,182 vehicles |
How many miles does a car of my age really drive in a year?
In the 2022 National Household Travel Survey, US vehicles aged 10-14 years are driven an average 15,415 miles a year against 12,170 for vehicles aged 0-2 years, so 50,000 miles of brake wear comes up in about 3.2 years at the faster pace and 4.1 years at the slower one (reported mileage, survey-weighted).
What it shows: 10-14 is the largest at 15,415, followed by 0-2 at 12,170; the smallest shown is 0-2 at 12,170.
How often does this part fail a real inspection, by car age?
In 181,256 New Jersey initial inspections in 2025 of vehicles sent through the safety lane, 6.4% of cars aged 16+ years failed the brake test against 0.5% of cars under 3 years, about 13 times as often (record counts, not a sample).
What it shows: 16+ is the largest at 6.4%, followed by <3 at 0.5%; the smallest shown is <3 at 0.5%.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V-576 | Chevrolet Impala 2018–2019; Chevrolet Volt 2018–2019; Cadillac XTS 2018–2019 and 7 more | 210,628 | A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 18V-523 | Dodge Grand Caravan 2018–2019; Jeep Cherokee 2019; Dodge Journey 2018 and 1 more | 154,335 | A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 21V-922 | Ford Escape 2021–2022; Ford Bronco Sport 2021–2022 | 114,666 | During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V-777 | Honda HR-V 2016–2019; Honda Odyssey 2018–2019; Acura MDX 2017–2019 and 1 more | 64,785 | A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash. |
| 15V-278 | GMC Canyon 2015; Chevrolet Colorado 2015 | 24,380 | If the vehicle experiences a brake fluid leak it can increase the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. |
| 20V-346 | Mazda Mazda3 2020; Mazda CX-30 2020 | 24,037 | Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. |
| 16V-168 | Dodge Durango 2015–2016; Jeep Grand Cherokee 2015–2016 | 21,183 | A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 20V-116 | GMC Sierra 1500 2020; Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2020 | 20,352 | Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash. |
25 more recalls name this part, on smaller fleets. The car finder at the top checks yours.
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge | Charger 2022–2023 | 9100896 | Sep 2, 2026 | CALIPER ASSEMBLY Disc Brake Only applies to brake sales code BR9. |
| Jeep | Wrangler 4xe 2022–2026; Wrangler 2022–2026 | 109607 | Feb 11, 2026 | The bulletin file gives no description beyond its title (caliper assembly). |
| Land Rover | Defender 2020–2025; Range Rover Sport 2023–2025 and 2 more | TUCC_AUG2025_37 | Aug 15, 2025 | When pushing the rear brake caliper pistons back during a brake service, the caliper piston dust boot may become twisted or distorted if a twist method is used to retract the piston. |
| Land Rover | Discovery 2017–2025; Defender 2020–2025 and 2 more | SSM76375 - 04AUG25 | Aug 4, 2025 | Rear brake caliper piston dust boot distortion. |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee 4xe 2025; Grand Cherokee 2025 and 1 more | 05-002-25 | Jul 4, 2025 | Front Caliper Bolts Loose Customers may comment on the following: A noise coming from the front of the vehicle. |
| Jeep | Wagoneer S 2025 | 9100567 | Apr 24, 2025 | "electric park brake actuator when replacing electric park brake actuator (epb) please replace entire caliper unit (caliper and epb actuator) and return entire unit for engineering. |
54 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (1)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | Wrangler 2007–2010 | Jun 4, 2018 | 05-022 | Front brake caliper hoses corroded at crimps causing fluid. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
To date, I have had to replace three brake calipers and the emergency brake, at a cost of over $2,500.
All rotors, pads and calipers need to be changed after only 15,000 miles on this new vehicle.
At 15k miles the driver's side rear brake caliper failed, causing the brake to drag and overheat during a 400 mile holiday roadtrip.
Dealer replaced brakes at 17000 miles (cost not covered) and stated rear pads worn to 3/32 and 4/32 and frozen in the calipers along with deep scoring on rotor surfaces.
Check your car
Brake caliper replacement costs $666–$1,199 for the front axle on a midsize car, with the caliper and pads included. Part grade, shop type and whether you do one axle or both move that range most.
What does the estimate cover, and what does it leave out?
The estimate is for one axle, midsize or standard vehicle, with the calipers and new brake pads.
It leaves out new rotors, a brake fluid flush, and anything a shop finds once the wheel is off, such as a corroded brake hose. Rotors and calipers often wear together, so ask whether the quote includes them. Our estimate does not.
How much does each choice change the price?
Three choices move the number: which axle, which part grade, and which shop. Each row changes one setting from the default.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: front axle, default part, default shop | $666–$1,199 |
| Rear axle only | $666–$1,199 |
| Both axles | $1,333–$2,398 |
| New aftermarket calipers | $806–$1,548 |
| OEM / dealer original calipers | $1,005–$2,047 |
| Independent shop (about $100/hr) | $599–$1,107 |
| Dealership (about $175/hr) | $854–$1,450 |
Should you replace the caliper or rebuild it?
Replace it when the piston is seized, the body is leaking brake fluid, or the casting is corroded. A rebuild can work when the only fault is a worn seal and the bore is clean, but some shops decline because the labor makes it close to a new part.
If the quote is high, ask about a remanufactured caliper and its warranty. Replace both calipers on an axle together, or at least have the other side inspected, because uneven clamping makes the car pull.
How do you know it is the caliper, and how urgent is it?
Suspect the caliper if the car pulls to one side when you brake, one pad is worn much thinner than the other, a wheel runs hot or smells of burning, or you see fluid near the wheel. A brake that does not release also drags and overheats.
A fluid leak or a pull under braking is not a wait-and-see problem. Stop driving and have it towed. Uneven pad wear or a mild drag can wait a few days, but the pads and rotor wear faster the longer you wait.
How do you get a fair quote?
Ask for the quote itemized by caliper, pads, rotors, fluid and labor, for the exact axle. Ask whether the calipers are new, remanufactured or OEM, and whether rotors are included. Then ask the shop to show you the failed caliper and say what failed.
Run the same job through the calculator with your shop type. An independent quote under $599 or a dealer quote over $1,450 for the default job is worth a second quote.
What do owners ask about this repair?
Do I have to replace pads when I replace a caliper? Yes. The estimate includes new pads because used pads on a new caliper wear unevenly and can mask a repeat fault.
Can I replace just one caliper? You can if the other side checks out, but most shops advise doing the axle as a pair. Our estimate prices one axle, meaning both calipers.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- North Carolina Division of Air Quality, Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection Frequency Study data from 2017
- NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU141205041C); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded January 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA, Lives Saved by Vehicle Safety Technologies and Associated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 1960 to 2012 (DOT HS 812 069) data from 2015
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2022, Table HM-72 (urbanized areas: roadway miles, daily vehicle miles, freeway lane-miles) data from 2022
- New York State DOT, Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) Beginning 1977 (NYS Open Data 6amx-2pbv) data from 2019
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- FHWA, 2022 NextGen National Household Travel Survey, vehicle file file downloaded 2026-10
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection Data file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts. Reported: figures as reported by the publisher, not independently verified.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($898–$968) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 0% below the middle of that range. Methodology