Automotive Part PickerCar Problems › Clear or yellowish fluid leaking under the car near the wheels or firewall

Clear or yellowish fluid leaking under the car near the wheels or firewall: Causes & How to Fix It

If your vehicle is showing clear or yellowish fluid leaking under the car near the wheels or firewall, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.

Most likely causes

Brake Master Cylinder Leakurgent

Brake fluid is typically clear to yellowish and feels oily. A failing seal in the brake master cylinder will cause this fluid to leak directly down the firewall.

Leaking Brake Caliperurgent

The internal piston seals in the brake calipers can degrade over time, allowing clear/yellowish brake fluid to leak down the inside of the wheels.

Damaged or Twisted Brake Hoseurgent

Rubber brake hoses flex constantly and can crack. A very common installation error is twisting the hose when installing a new caliper, which stresses the rubber and causes leaks near the wheel.

Loose Brake Bleeder Screwurgent

If brake work or a fluid flush was recently performed, a bleeder screw that was not fully tightened will allow brake fluid to seep out and drip down the wheel.

Clutch Master Cylinder Leakurgent

On manual transmission vehicles, the clutch hydraulic system uses brake fluid. A failing clutch master cylinder will leak clear/yellowish fluid down the firewall.

Related problems

Not sure which it is? Run the full AI diagnosis →