Seized Brake Calipers

[jcx1028]

A month ago, I took my vehicle to the dealership due to a severe drop in gas mileage. They said that the right front brake caliper had seized and needed to be replaced, to the tune of $1300, which I agreed to (also replaced: the left front brake pads). Driving home from the dealership a few days later, I was temporarily back up around 19mpg, but that number came back down to 13 within a few days, at which point I took my car back to the dealership. They looked at spark plugs and o2 sensors, but said both seemed fine and suggested I consider a fuel injector cleaning, which I would've agreed to had I not performed a Seafoam treatment before this second trip. The Seafoam, alas, did not help my mileage. So, essentially, the dealership did not have any suggestions during this second trip. It is now three weeks later. The car is back at the dealership because the left front brake caliper has also seized. They want $500 to fix it. Is it a coincidence that both brake calipers fail within a month of one another? Or is this something the dealership may have caused or, at the least, should have seen?

[Airjer_]

If it was a slide pin that seized than they should have caught that with the brake service. If the piston seized it may have not been perceivable at the time of the service but the act of the service is what led to its quicker demise, which is really nobodies fault. If the piston went in with normal effort than they would not know there was or could be a problem.

[jdmccright]

Model year and mileage of the car would help.

A seized caliper would manifest itself by causing the car to pull left or right and also make the car go the opposite direction when you braked. You'd also likely have warped rotors, causing a shaking in the steering wheel when braking, and a burning brake smell in severe cases.

It is rare for both to seize simultaneously.

It may also be the rear drums sticking or the parking brake not fully disengaging.

$1300 for one caliper...gold plated I hope. That's why many refer to them as "stealerships". They should have replaced BOTH sides of brake pads regardless of wear. Difference in pad material can make a difference in stopping straight.

Hopefully we can help shed light on this for you so they get it right without hosing you. I'd go back and tell them it ain't fixed and make them do it right this time for free....or a call to the BBB might wake them up.