Honda Repair: Brake failure, dashboard lights, brake failure

Question
Hi Travis N:

A friend of mine has a 2005 Honda Accord with over 100,000 miles. She
recently was driving @ about 65 mph when all of a sudden her brakes
failed. Fortunately for her she was able to allow the car to slow down on
its own and pull over to the shoulder of the road. The Honda dealership
told her that the probable cause for the brake failure was a dead battery
which apparantly hers was. In addition she had a stretched serpentine
belt. I am confused because I never heard of a dead battery causing
brakes to fail. She said that the dashboard lights were on while this was
happening so she did still have power. Does this make sense to you? Any
explanation? Thx.  

Answer
Kevin, this would have nothing to do with the battery failing. The brakes are not controled by a power source at all. Now the ABS system is but, this would mean that the ABS system wouldn't activate. The brakes will work 100% without battery power or the ABS system. The brake failure is coming from a major component within the braking system that is severly damaged. Either the system has a broken brake line, no fluid, damaged master cylinder, etc. Evaluate the brake system by a professional ASAP and limit driving because brake failure at highway speeds is very dangerous.