A growing worldwide awareness of the need for environmental sustainability has increased the demand for fibers in all possible applications. Utilizing agrowaste biofiber from Cardiospermum halicababum that has been untreated/surface-processed to create biofiber-based brake friction composites is the primary focus of this research. A standard manual retting technique was used to extract these fibers, which were then subjected to alkali and silane treatments. The fibers were then tested for their physiochemical characteristics. A standard industrial manufacturing procedure produced brake friction composites in brake pad form using surface-processed / untreated Cardiospermum halicababum fibers. The brake pads' performance was compared to industry-standard commercial pads. As per SAE J 661, the Chase test evaluated their tribological performance. According to the findings, brake pads made from silane-treated Cardiospermum halicacabum fibers exhibited a higher friction coefficient than those made from alkali-treated and untreated fibers. The worn surface of the tested pads was examined using a scanning electron microscope, revealing distinctive characteristics such as plateau formations and plowing. The pads were ranked by considering different criteria using the Extensive Evaluation Method. Display omitted •Cardiospermum halicacabum fibers, an agro-waste, were explored for brake pad applications.•Surface treatment was applied for Cardiospermum halicacabum fibers.•Silane-treated Cardiospermum halicacabum fibers-based brake pads had good µ behavior.•An extensive evaluation method ranked the performance of developed pads.