Red light
Parking Brake Light
The parking brake is applied, or the electronic parking brake has a fault.
Normal risk
Release the parking brake before driving. Driving with it applied overheats the rear brakes.
Short answer · Why does the parking brake light stay on after releasing?
On cars with a lever, the switch may be misadjusted or the lever not fully down. On electronic parking brakes, a steady or flashing light with a message can mean a fault. If the light shares the red brake symbol, low brake fluid can also be the cause; check it before driving on.
What to do
- Release fullyPush the lever fully down or release the electronic switch with the brake pedal pressed.
- Check brake fluidOn many cars the same light warns of low fluid.
- Have electronic faults readElectronic parking brakes store fault codes.
How is the light behaving?
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Steady | Parking brake applied | Release it before driving |
| Flashing | Electronic parking brake fault on many cars | Do not rely on it; have it checked |
Possible causes
- Brake appliedNormal.
- Switch adjustmentThe lever switch stays closed.
- Electronic brake faultMotor, switch or control unit.