Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
Car Making a Grinding Noise? Common Causes and What to Do
A grinding or scraping sound is one of the noises drivers worry about most, and often for good reason. Here is what owner's manuals and manufacturer service bulletins say about scraping brakes, rusted rotors and the brake-system sounds that are normal.
Scrapingcan be the brake pad wear indicator
Rotor damagecan follow if worn pads are not replaced
After sittingrotor rust can cause noise when braking
Clickingat start-up can be a normal ABS self-check
The short answer
If the grinding or scraping happens when you brake, have the brakes checked soon. The 2026 Toyota Sienna owner's manual says a squealing or scraping noise can come from the brake pad wear limit indicators, that rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed, and that it is dangerous to drive when pad or rotor wear limits are exceeded. A grinding noise after a car has sat, especially in humid weather, can come from surface rust on the rotors. Brief clicking or motor sounds when you start driving can be a normal ABS self-check.
Grinding or scraping when you brake
The most important cause to rule out is worn brake pads. The 2026 Toyota Sienna manual says that if you hear a squealing or scraping noise from the brake pad wear limit indicators, have the brake pads checked and replaced as soon as possible. It warns that rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed, and that it is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads or brake discs are exceeded.
Infiniti's brake noise bulletin describes a similar wear-indicator sound: a loud continuous squeak or squeal, with or without braking, occurs when the pad wear indicators contact the rotor and means the pads are worn out and need replacing.
Owner's manuals build brake checks into routine care. The 2026 Ram 1500 manual's once-a-month (or before a long trip) list includes checking the brake pads, rotors, brake operation and fluid level, and its maintenance plan calls for inspecting the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums and hoses at every oil change.
From the 2026 Toyota Sienna Owner's Manual (p. 269), Infiniti bulletin ITB00-024K, Brake Noise/Judder/Pedal Feel Diagnosis and Repair (March 14, 2023) and the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (pp. 305-306), read November 9, 2026.
Grinding after the car sits: rotor rust
Bare iron brake rotors can rust when a vehicle is not driven. Manufacturer bulletins describe what that can do:
| Bulletin | What it says |
|---|---|
| Infiniti ITB00-024K | If a vehicle is not operated for periods of time, the area of the rotors not covered by the pads will rust, and the different friction of rusted and clean areas may cause brake judder, even after the rust wears off. |
| Land Rover LTB00990NAS4 | On certain Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque models, rear disc corrosion may come with a low-frequency grinding noise or vibration when braking. With visible corrosion, the condition improves with normal use; with heavy corrosion, the rear discs are replaced. |
| GM 22-NA-026 | On Chevrolet Corvettes with performance brakes, a pulsation or noise when braking and pitting on the rotor surface may be caused by corrosion pad spotting and surface grooving, and may appear more after the car sits for an extended period, especially in high humidity. |
From Infiniti bulletin ITB00-024K, Brake Noise/Judder/Pedal Feel Diagnosis and Repair (March 14, 2023); Jaguar Land Rover North America bulletin LTB00990NAS4, Rear Brake Disc Corrosion (May 18, 2018); General Motors bulletin 22-NA-026, Brake Pulsation, Noise and/or Visible Pitting Condition to Brake Rotor Surface (version 4, revised October 8, 2025); read November 9, 2026.
These bulletins cover specific vehicles and tell technicians how to inspect and correct the condition. Our advice: grinding that persists or comes with vibration deserves an inspection.
Brake-system sounds that can be normal
Not every mechanical sound is a problem. The 2026 Ram 1500 manual says the anti-lock brake system (ABS) runs a self-check each time the vehicle is started and driven, and you may hear a slight clicking sound along with related motor noises. Infiniti's bulletin likewise calls a multiple clunk noise or pedal pulsation that happens only once after the engine is started a normal ABS self-check.
The 2026 Toyota Sienna manual says a sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is pressed repeatedly, when the hybrid system starts or just after the vehicle begins to move, and that vibrations through the body and steering or a motor sound after stopping can occur while the ABS, brake assist and stability systems operate without indicating a malfunction.
Infiniti also lists a groan when slightly releasing the brakes after a stop ("creep groan") and a squeak during the first few cold stops in the morning as normal conditions.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (p. 242), the 2026 Toyota Sienna Owner's Manual (p. 434) and Infiniti bulletin ITB00-024K, Brake Noise/Judder/Pedal Feel Diagnosis and Repair (March 14, 2023), read November 9, 2026.
Other noises worth having checked
Grinding is not always the brakes. The 2026 Toyota Sienna manual lists symptoms that mean a vehicle probably needs adjustment or repair, including strange noises related to the suspension system, changes in exhaust sound, excessive tire squeal when cornering, and the vehicle pulling heavily to one side when braking. Its advice is to contact a Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The Ram 1500 manual also lists an objectionable squeal, squeak or rumble from the engine's accessory drive belt among the conditions that require replacing the belt. When you book service, tell the technician when the noise happens: braking, turning, accelerating, over bumps or only when cold. That helps narrow the cause.
From the 2026 Toyota Sienna Owner's Manual (p. 617) and the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (p. 320), read November 9, 2026.
Brake and noise diagnosis at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Hearing grinding when you brake? Schedule service or see our service specials.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.
Grinding noise FAQ
Is it safe to drive with grinding brakes?
Have them checked as soon as possible. The 2026 Toyota Sienna manual says it is dangerous to drive when the wear limits of the brake pads or discs are exceeded, and that rotor damage may result if pads are not replaced when needed.
Why do my brakes grind after the car sits?
Rotors can rust when a vehicle is not driven. Infiniti, Land Rover and GM bulletins describe noise, vibration or judder from rotor corrosion on the vehicles they cover; the Land Rover bulletin says light corrosion improves with normal use, while heavy corrosion calls for new rear discs.
What is the clicking noise when I start driving?
It can be the ABS self-check. The 2026 Ram 1500 manual says you may hear a slight clicking sound and related motor noises during the self-check each time the vehicle is started and driven.
Can a grinding noise come from something other than brakes?
Yes. The 2026 Toyota Sienna manual lists strange suspension noises, changes in exhaust sound and excessive tire squeal when cornering as symptoms to have checked.
How often should brakes be checked?
The 2026 Ram 1500 manual says to check brake pads, rotors, brake operation and fluid level once a month or before a long trip, and to inspect the brakes at every oil change.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Hearing a noise you can't place?
Visit us at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin.
Sources
Brake noise, wear-indicator and rotor-corrosion details are from the 2026 Toyota Sienna and 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manuals and from Infiniti, Jaguar Land Rover and General Motors technical service bulletins published on NHTSA.gov, read November 9, 2026. Bulletins apply only to the vehicles they list and are written for trained technicians; your own owner's manual and a qualified technician are the authority for your vehicle. Our address and service hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is of our dealership.
- 2026 Toyota Sienna Owner's Manual (OM08082U): brake pad wear limit indicators, ABS sounds, If you think something is wrong (PDF pp. 271, 436, 619), Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. via assets.sia.toyota.com, read November 9, 2026
- 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Mopar): periodic checks, maintenance plan, ABS self-check, drive belt (PDF pp. 244, 307-308, 322), FCA US LLC via vehicleinfo.mopar.com, read November 9, 2026
- Infiniti bulletin ITB00-024K, Brake Noise/Judder/Pedal Feel Diagnosis and Repair (March 14, 2023), published on NHTSA.gov, read November 9, 2026
- Jaguar Land Rover North America bulletin LTB00990NAS4, Rear Brake Disc Corrosion (May 18, 2018), published on NHTSA.gov, read November 9, 2026
- General Motors bulletin 22-NA-026, Brake Pulsation, Noise and/or Visible Pitting Condition to Brake Rotor Surface (version 4, revised October 8, 2025), published on NHTSA.gov, read November 9, 2026
- Service page: address and hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 9, 2026