Brakes locking up, airbag, ABS and traction control lights stay on?

LISA DARNELL GALLUPS

MEMBER
2007 KIA SPORTAGE
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
213,000 MILES

Hi, I have the vehicle listed above LX model. After driving for about 10 minutes or so my brakes lock up and the brake pedal is hard. After the car sits for a while, they let go until I drive again. I have had my car in a brake shop to have my brakes done and it still does it. I brought my car back to the shop, but they couldn't figure it out. Also, on my dash the brake light the airbag, ABS and traction control lights stay on. Hooked up the obd11, but no codes come up. I'm thankful for any advice.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Hi Lisa,

If this happens after driving, one or more of the brakes must be stuck or dragging. That will cause the brakes and rotors to overheat. As that is happening, the brake fluid in the caliper expands and engages the brake harder and harder until it locks.

So, after you drive and this happens, walk around the vehicle to see if there is excessive heat coming off any of the wheels.

If there is, lift that wheel off the ground and see if you can turn it. If you can't, open the bleeder on the caliper to see if that releases the wheel so you can turn it.

If it doesn't, then either the caliper piston is sticking, or the slide pins are not releasing and moving as they should.

Let me know what you find. Also, let me know if there was any work done on other parts of the brakes. The lights you mentioned are likely related to a faulty wheel speed sensor. You can check them at home with a voltmeter or multimeter.

Here is a link that explains how to check:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Let me know.

Joe