Can Hard Braking Damage a Car?

Yes. The damage that hard or fast braking causes typically consists of brake pads, tires and other parts that wear out faster than they should. If these parts no longer perform adequately, the resulting accidents or collisions can cause further damage.

Brake Pads

    Brake pads fade or wear out from repeated friction and heat over time. Hard braking causes increased stress on your brake pads -- they'll lose their effectiveness more quickly.

Brake Rotors

    Brake pads clamp down on the brake rotor to stop the wheel from turning. Once the pads become too thin, their metal tabs rub on the rotor and can gouge it. Damage to the rotor will further compromise your car's stopping ability.

Tires

    Friction and abrasion from hard braking will also damage the tread on a tire. This decreases the tire's ability to grip the road surface. Its stopping and cornering ability also decreases.