Electronic Parking Brake Fault Light

What it means

Shown as a circle with a P inside brackets beside an exclamation mark or a gear, usually amber, this light means the electronic parking brake system has detected a fault, so the brake may not apply or release when needed. The symbol varies by make, and it differs from the red parking brake light, which only means the brake is applied. A brief glow at key-on that then goes out is normal.

Related lights: Parking Brake LightBrake System Warning LightAuto Hold (Brake Hold) IndicatorBrake Pad Wear Warning Light

Symptoms4

• The light is on with a parking brake fault message.
• The brake does not apply or release when you use the switch.
• An electric motor whirs at the rear wheels without result.
• Auto hold or automatic release when pulling away stops working.

Possible causes6

• Weak battery or low voltage, a common cause of faults in this system.
• Faulty parking brake switch in the console.
• Faulty motor on the rear brake caliper or worn motor gears.
• Worn rear brake pads, or pads changed without using service mode, upsetting the calibration.
• Damaged rear motor wiring or connector from water or movement.
• Control module fault or one needing a software update (less common).

How to diagnose5

1. Read the message on the display, and check the owner's manual for manual or emergency apply and release on your car.
2. If parked on a slope with the fault, use Park in the transmission and chock the wheels; do not rely on the parking brake.
3. Check the battery condition and voltage, since a weak battery causes many of these faults.
4. At a workshop: read codes, measure the current of the rear motors and test the switch and wiring.
5. Check the rear brake pads and run a calibration with a scan tool after any pad change.

How to fix5

1. Charge or replace the battery, then restart.
2. Replace the parking brake switch if faulty.
3. Repair the rear motor connector or wiring.
4. Replace the rear brake pads using service mode and calibrate the system.
5. Replace the faulty caliper motor, then calibrate, clear codes and confirm the brake applies and releases.

Repair cost

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

The low end is a battery, a switch or a calibration; the cost rises for a rear caliper motor, a complete caliper or the control module.

Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions