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Problem Symptoms Table

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Toyota Corolla. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

HINT: 

Use the table below to help determine the cause of the problem symptoms. If multiple suspected areas are listed, the potential causes of the symptoms are listed in order of probability in the "Suspected Area" column of the table. Check each symptom by checking the suspected areas in the order they are listed. Replace parts as necessary.

BRAKE SYSTEM

Symptom Suspected Area Refer to
Low pedal or spongy pedal Fluid leaks in brake system -
Air in brake system Refer to BLEEDING
Piston seal (Worn or damaged) (Front disc brake) Refer to DISASSEMBLY
Piston seal (Worn or damaged) (Rear disc brake) Refer to DISASSEMBLY
Wheel cylinder cup (Damaged) (Rear drum brake) Refer to DISASSEMBLY
Brake master cylinder (Faulty) Refer to REMOVAL
Brake drag Brake pedal free play (Minimum) Refer to ADJUSTMENT
Parking brake lever travel (Out of adjustment) Refer to ADJUSTMENT
Rear drum brake shoe clearance (Out of adjustment) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSTALLATION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Front disc brake piston (Stuck) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc brake piston (Stuck) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Piston (Stuck) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Front disc brake piston (Frozen) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc brake piston (Frozen) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Piston (Frozen) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Tension or return spring (Faulty) (Rear drum brake) Refer to REMOVAL
Booster system (Vacuum leaks) Refer to ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION
Brake master cylinder (Faulty) Refer to REMOVAL
Brake pull Front disc brake piston (Stuck) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc brake piston (Stuck) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Piston (Stuck) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Oily) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Oily) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Oily) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Front disc brake piston (Frozen) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc brake piston (Frozen) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Piston (Frozen) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Front disc (Scored) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc (Scored) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear brake drum (Scored) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Hard pedal but braking inefficient Fluid leaks in brake system -
Air in brake system Refer to BLEEDING
Front disc brake piston (Stuck) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc brake piston (Stuck) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Piston (Stuck) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Oily) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Oily) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Oily) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Glazed) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Glazed) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Glazed) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Front disc (Scored) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc (Scored) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear brake drum (Scored) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Booster system (Vacuum leaks) Refer to ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION
Noise from brakes Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Cracked or distorted) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Cracked or distorted) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Installation bolt (Loose) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSTALLATION
Installation bolt (Loose) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSTALLATION
Front disc (Scored) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear disc (Scored) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Rear brake drum (Scored) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad support plate (Loose) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad support plate (Loose) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Sliding pin (Worn) (Front disc brake) Refer to REMOVAL
Sliding pin (Worn) (Rear disc brake) Refer to REMOVAL
Pad (Dirty) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Dirty) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Dirty) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Glazed) (Front disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Pad (Glazed) (Rear disc brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Brake shoe (Glazed) (Rear drum brake) Refer to INSPECTION
Tension or return spring (Faulty) (Rear drum brake) Refer to REMOVAL
Anti-squeal shim (Damaged) (Front disc brake) Refer to REMOVAL
Anti-squeal shim (Damaged) (Rear disc brake) Refer to REMOVAL
Shoe hold down spring (Damaged) (Rear drum brake) Refer to REMOVAL