Brake Pad Wear Warning Light

Dashboard Warning Lights Caution (amber)

Can you still drive? With care, short trips only

Who can fix it? Needs a workshop

Typical repair time 45 minutes – 2.5 hours

Typical cost SAR 250 to 1,500

What it means

Shown in amber as a circle with dashed arcs on both sides, this light means the brake pads have reached the wear limit set by the pad wear sensor. It appears only on cars fitted with wear sensors, mostly European models. It is normal for it to glow briefly at key-on and then go out.

Symptoms4

The light or a brake pad message is on.
Squealing or metallic grinding when braking.
Longer stopping distances or pedal vibration.
Heavy black dust on the wheels.

Possible causes5

Pads worn down to the minimum after normal use.
Faster wear from city traffic or long downhill driving.
A broken sensor wire, a wire rubbing on the disc or a damaged connector.
New pads fitted without a new sensor on cars where the sensor is single-use.
A sticking caliper pin or piston causing uneven wear.

How to diagnose5

Look at the pads through the wheel spokes if possible, and listen for grinding.
Check the brake fluid level, which drops slightly as the pads wear.
The workshop measures pad and disc thickness against the manufacturer specification.
Inspect the wear sensor, its wire and connector.
Check caliper movement and pins to find the cause of uneven wear.

How to fix6

Replace the pads across the whole axle, left and right together.
Replace the wear sensor at the same time if it is the single-use type.
Machine or replace the discs if they are below minimum thickness.
Clean and grease the caliper pins or repair a sticking caliper.
Repair the sensor wire if the pads are still good.
Reset any pad reminder, and brake gently for the first few kilometers.

Repair cost

0–500

500–2,000

2,000–5,000

5,000+

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

The low end covers pads and a sensor on one axle; it rises when discs are replaced, both axles are done or a sticking caliper is repaired.

Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions

How far can I drive after it comes on?

There is no fixed distance, so replace the pads soon. If you hear metal grinding, the pads are finished and the discs can be damaged quickly.

I replaced the pads and the light is still on. Why?

On many cars the wear sensor is single-use and must be replaced with the pads, and some cars need a reset from the menu or with a scan tool.

How is it different from the red brake light?

The amber light only warns of pad wear, while the red light means low brake fluid, a system fault or the parking brake on, which is more serious.

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This guide is for information only and does not replace an inspection by a qualified technician. If the fault involves brakes, steering, engine temperature, electrics or refrigerant, do not attempt the repair yourself.

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