Mitsubishi Brakes: What They Cost to Repair on Average, and Why
The brakes in your Mitsubishi start to fail, and bad will just get worse; one fix will lead to another, and when it comes to brake parts, at the end of the day, that can mean footing one serious bill.
Our advice: don't let things get to that point; watch for the signs the brakes are faulty -- dash warning lights, shuddering, abnormal noises, brake pedal trouble, less grip, longer stopping times, pulling sideways, grinding noises -- and, if you notice any, inspect everything. We're talking the pedal, fluid, lines, and hoses, the brake assemblies, the whole bit. Replace parts as needed.
Here's what's going to factor into that, plus what you'll likely be looking at, cost-wise.
1. Parts, Who Does Repairs, and How Often
The expense, for one, depends on what parts need replacing, how often the job's done, and whether a Mitsubishi service center takes care of it (which adds to cost). Driving a newer model with disc brakes? According to RepairPal, you might pay $760 plus for brake calipers. For brake rotors, $300 or more, and brake pads, upwards of $260. If you're behind the wheel of an older vehicle with drum brakes, its brake drums and brake shoes can run $260 plus.
Also, keep in mind: calipers get changed every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, rotors, you replace every 70,000 miles, and pads get swapped out every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Drums, on the other hand, get replaced every 100,000 miles or so, and shoes, you change every 30,000 miles. Since that's about how often service gets done normally, that's probably how often you'll be paying for it, at best.
Of course, there are other cost factors. Some types of brake pads, for example are more expensive than others; the carbon-fiber, ceramic, and semi-metallic kind, to name a few, usually go for more than the organic kind. Plus, sometimes, brake fluid needs flushing and replacing, to the tune of anywhere from $80 to $200 or more, or, if you're driving an older Mitsubishi vehicle, the parking brake needs maintenance, which can run up charges for everything from adjusting cables to freeing a locked one. Some dealers even bundle service packages, putting you on the hook for, say, both pads and rotors, since these generally need to be fixed at the same time; price is almost certainly affected in such cases.
2. Model and Body Style
Average cost can also depend on the Mitsubishi model you drive, and moreover, on its body style; the brakes on bigger, heavier SUVs and trucks, for example, are generally more expensive to fix than those on cars.
RepairPal clocks the average cost of Mitsubishi 3000GT brake pad replacement, for instance, at between $220 and $265 or so, while Mitsubishi Outlander Sport brake booster replacement might run $1,175 to $1,285 or more. Mitsubishi Eclipse brake booster replacement, between $405 and $485; Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross brake master cylinder replacement, $735 to $770; Mitsubishi Mighty Max brake shoe replacement, from $285 or so to $330 plus; Mitsubishi Mirage brake hose replacement, $115 to upwards of $140, and so on.
By contrast, recent data from YourMechanic claims Mitsubishi Galant brake rotors run an average of $400 or so to replace; brake calipers for Mitsubishi Lancer, $345 apiece; brake rotors for Mitsubishi Mirage G4, $450 each, and so on.
3. OEM Brake Parts, vs. Aftermarket
Perhaps the most overlooked cost factor to consider when replacing Mitsubishi brakes is whether to go with OEM parts or aftermarket. Off-brand parts can sometimes be comparable-quality, and they're usually relatively inexpensive to boot. However, the aftermarket has some downsides -- among them, the occasional lower-quality materials, unskilled labor, and lack of quality control. Worst of all, using them can void any remaining warranty your Mitsubishi has, making you responsible for repairs otherwise covered down the road.
OEM parts, on the other hand, don't have these issues. They may be a tad pricier than aftermarket, but they're genuine Mitsubishi. That means they're manufactured with top-quality materials and the attention to detail that comes with being designed and built alongside the cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans they're made for. Mitsubishi has an obvious incentive here -- getting you the most out of your ride. So, its parts are made to fit right the first time and work their best, not to mention that they're both warranty-backed and compliant with your factory warranty.
Youre in luck. We stock a huge selection. Better yet, we ship fast, all over the US; order today -- and feel free to contact us with any questions.
The bottom lines: stay ahead of brake problems by staying on top of regular service -- i.e., by sticking to the recommendations in your owner's manual's maintenance schedule -- and use OEM parts for repairs, and you and your Mitsubishi can expect to stay on the road for the long haul.