What Causes the Brakes to Suddenly Become Hard and Unresponsive While Driving?
2 Answers
When the car brakes cannot be depressed, it is usually due to a problem with the brake vacuum booster. Solutions for hard and unresponsive brakes: Restart the engine, then try to forcefully depress the brake pedal again. Once the engine is running, the brake booster will resume functioning, and the brake pedal will naturally return to normal. Solutions for brake failure: At the first sign of brake failure, release the accelerator and quickly press the clutch to downshift directly. Be careful not to release the clutch too quickly. Once the engine speed drops below 4000 RPM, continue downshifting step by step until reaching first gear, while simultaneously using the handbrake. However, when applying the handbrake, avoid pulling it all the way at once; instead, pull and release it intermittently. Otherwise, the rear wheels may lock up, potentially causing the vehicle to lose control again, leading to skidding or rollover.
Experiencing a sudden brake pedal becoming hard and unresponsive is indeed frightening. Having driven for over twenty years, I've encountered this a few times, most likely due to a vacuum booster system failure. Normally, the engine generates vacuum to assist in reducing brake pedal effort, but if the vacuum hose leaks or the booster pump fails, the vacuum is lost, causing the brake pedal to instantly stiffen. Another possibility is the engine suddenly stalling, interrupting the vacuum supply, or aging pipes developing cracks. This poses a significant safety risk. Immediately stabilize the steering wheel, apply firm pressure to brake and slow down, then pull over safely with hazard lights on for assistance. Do not attempt to continue driving—have a professional inspect the vacuum system and pipe seals as soon as possible. It's advisable to check these components during annual maintenance to prevent issues, especially for older vehicles which are more prone to such failures. Safety should never be taken lightly.
