What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($425)MiddleHigher-cost states ($541)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $541 and AR the lowest at $425, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
3,310 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 3,310 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say lost steering or braking followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Lost steering or braking: 48 (1%); Loss of power: 24 (1%); Stalled while driving: 6 (0%).
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as lost steering or braking.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 3,310 owner complaints naming this part, brake master cylinder is named in 4% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the brake master cylinder most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the brake master cylinder too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
5-24 mph leads at 29%.
Owners reported it most often in parking lots and slow traffic. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 3,310 owner complaints naming this part, crash is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Crash reported is the largest at 266, followed by Towed at 232; the smallest shown is Death reported at 1.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 3,310 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 457 (14%), followed by 2016 at 448 (14%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 96 (3%).
What do state inspectors fail cars for?
Among 8,738,476 initial safety inspections in North Carolina in 2017, brake components caused 1.9 failed items per 1,000 inspections, the fewest of the four components the state reports.
What it shows: Tires is the largest at 8.5, followed by Lights at 5.2; the smallest shown is Brake components at 1.9.
Do reports of this repair follow the weather where owners live, county by county?
A moderate pattern, not a firm finding: across 58 U.S. counties with 10 or more NHTSA owner complaints about parking brake repair, reports run 30% above the national share in the third with the coldest winters against 4% above in the third with the mildest winters. This is an association across counties, not a cause.
Reports of parking brake repair by county, grouped by winter cold (heating degree days). Third of counties with the mildest winters: 4% above; Middle third: 35% above; Third with the coldest winters: 30% above.
- Split the 58 counties into thirds by winter cold (heating degree days): the third with the mildest winters reports parking brake repair 4% above what the national share predicts, the middle third 35% above, and the third with the coldest winters 30% above.
- Take out any single county and the pattern still holds; the one it leans on most is Milwaukee County, WI.
- Weak spot: compare only counties with similar summer heat (cooling degree days) and the pattern keeps about 34% of its strength, so part of it may come from that instead.
- Still open: complaint city names are matched to counties by place name, so a county with postal-neighbourhood names is undercounted, and county elevation is the height of one point, not the county average.
Weather and roads act on a car where it is driven, not on a state average, so the county map tests the same mechanism more closely.
Do parking brake repair problems track days with snowfall across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about parking brake repair run higher where days with snowfall are higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that days with snowfall causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more days with snowfall; higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with days with snowfall.
What it shows: States with more days with snowfall tend to sit higher on the chart across 42 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most days with snowfall (New York, Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota, Idaho, Utah, Massachusetts): reports of this repair run 13% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 10 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Hawaii, California, Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina): 2% below, and 2 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Hawaii (90% above expected) is among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least days with snowfall runs 2% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 1% below, and the third with the most 12% above. Most of the days with snowfall effect sits in the third with the most.
- For days with snowfall, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 38. Take out any single state and the days with snowfall pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar very hot days and the pattern keeps about 31% of its strength, so part of it may come from very hot days instead of days with snowfall.
- For days with snowfall, of the 5 exception states, 1 read the same way for the other parts of the system (so that is the system there, not this repair) and 4 are specific to this repair.
Road salt and slush corrode exposed metal and seize moving parts, and freezing weather stiffens rubber, so repairs to exposed parts can follow harsh winters.
Do parking brake repair problems track median household income across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about parking brake repair run higher where median household income is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that median household income causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more median household income (dollars); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with median household income (dollars).
What it shows: States with more median household income (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 42 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most median household income (Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, California, New Hampshire, Washington, Connecticut, Colorado, Utah): reports of this repair run 9% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 10 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, New Mexico, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee): 5% below, and 3 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: New Mexico (27% above expected) is among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least median household income runs 5% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 1% below, and the third with the most 8% above. It steps up steadily.
- For median household income, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 8. Take out any single state and the median household income pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar cost of living index and the pattern keeps about 0% of its strength, so part of it may come from cost of living index instead of median household income.
- For median household income, of the 5 exception states, 2 read the same way for the other parts of the system (so that is the system there, not this repair) and 3 are specific to this repair.
Lower income means older cars kept longer and repairs put off until a part fails, which changes which repairs owners report.
Do parking brake repair problems track public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about parking brake repair run higher where public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more public ev charging ports per 100,000 residents; higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with public ev charging ports per 100,000 residents.
What it shows: States with more public ev charging ports per 100,000 residents tend to sit higher on the chart across 42 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents (Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Colorado, New York, Maine, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, Utah): reports of this repair run 9% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 9 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, South Carolina, Idaho, Texas, Arkansas): 4% below, and 3 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Oregon is among the highest in public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents but reports below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents runs 4% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 4% below, and the third with the most 10% above. Most of the public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents effect sits in the third with the most.
- For public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 7. Take out any single state and the public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar cost of living index and the pattern keeps about 11% of its strength, so part of it may come from cost of living index instead of public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents.
- For public EV charging ports per 100,000 residents, of the 5 exception states, 2 read the same way for the other parts of the system (so that is the system there, not this repair) and 3 are specific to this repair.
Where charging is easy more drivers choose electric cars, which changes the mix of brake, tire and battery repairs.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new brake systems rose 36.2% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
Prices of new brake systems, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New brake systems: +36.2%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 8 equipment recalls that name parking brake since 2015 (service brakes and parking brake), covering 227,879 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc in 2016, covered 194,410.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc: Sr-5 | parking brake | certain SR-5 Trailer Spring Brake Valves manufactured January 1, 2014, to March 4, 2016. | 194,410 |
| 2024 | Orscheln Products L.L.C.: Park Brake Lever | parking brake | certain park brake levers part numbers, 23039400; 23039401; 23039402; 1334100; 23028901; and 01331401. | 14,762 |
| 2016 | Orscheln Products L.L.C.: Cable Connector Clip | parking brake | certain Cable Connector Clips Part No. 82100600 which are incorporated into Orscheln cable assembly Part Nos. | 6,414 |
| 2025 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Llc: Air Disc Brake. | parking brake | certain Knorr-Bresme 22/24-57 brake chambers, with part number K068622 and K038830N00, sold as replacement. | 5,668 |
| 2021 | Tse Brakes: Omni Tandem Brake Chamber | critical fasteners | certain Omni Tandem Brake Chambers part number 2024TLD2-1946. | 3,506 |
| 2024 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Llc: Intellipark | parking brake | certain Intellipark Park Valve Modules (PVM) with part numbers, K266604R000, K189349, K273523R000 and. | 1,769 |
| 2023 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Llc: Intellipark | parking brake | certain Intellipark Towing Park Brake Modules (PVM) with part number, K206667R000. | 861 |
| 2021 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Llc: Intellipark | electrical control module | certain Intellipark Dash Electronic Control Units (DECU) with part number K183042R000. | 489 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 44 foreign recall campaigns that name parking brake with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Isuzu Motors Limited in 2025-06.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-12 | Mazda Motor. | 278 | Yours sincerely, Joshua Vella Director, Quality Assurance/Vehicle Safety Office Mazda North American Operations Page 2 Foreign Safety Recall/Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Improper parking sensor module settings may cause inaccurate driving support. |
| 2023-12 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 257 | Description of Problem: The subject vehicles are equipped with an advanced park system that provides assistance when entering and exiting a parking space and includes a remote-control function that can be used through a smartphone app when the driver is. |
| 2024-11 | Daimler Coaches | 250 | 573.6(c)(3) Total Number of Vehicles Potentially 63 Affected: 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: The installation of a lock nut without a ventilation hole may cause the electronic parking brake to no longer reliably be engaged. |
| 2023-11 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 240 | Enclosures Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Date: November 22, 2023 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Parking brake bolt issue on certain Toyota Sienta and JPN Taxi vehicles 1. |
| 2023-10 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 208 | Enclosures Foreign Other Safety Campaign Report Date: October 18, 2023 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Electronic Parking Brake issue on certain Toyota vehicles 1. |
| 2024-04 | Ford Motor Company | 096 | Sincerely, for: emily frascaroli, attachment docusign envelope id: 1a2c18e8-357c-4216-ab6a-d686e32cb81a global recall process report of field action manufacturer gch - greater china type of action s - safety recall field action number 24s31 subject electric. |
| 2025-06 | Isuzu Motors Limited | 077 | June 12, 2025 DET-25-069 Associate Administrator for Enforcement National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Attention: Early Warning Division (NVS-217) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Foreign Recall Information Report � Electric. |
| 2025-03 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 044 | Due to the programing of the BSM software, when a connected trailer is detected by the BSM sensors, the detection zone may not extend to include the trailer after cycling the ignition, setting the parking brake for a specific period of time with ignition on. |
How many lives have brake improvements saved?
NHTSA estimates dual master cylinders and front disc brakes (FMVSS 105 and 135) saved 217 car occupants and 201 light-truck occupants in 2012 alone, and 15,560 occupants from 1960 to 2012.
| Technology | Car occupants saved in 2012 | Light truck occupants saved in 2012 | Car occupants saved 1960 to 2012 | Light truck occupants saved 1960 to 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dual master cylinders and front disc brakes (FMVSS 105 and 135) | 217 | 201 | 10,559 | 5,001 |
| electronic stability control (FMVSS 126), the system brake work keeps working | 500 | 824 | 2,420 | 3,604 |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 10 NHTSA recalls that name parking brake filed 2015 to 2024, 85.3% of the 1,040,115 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 152,713 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ford F-150 | 870,701 | 84.8% | electrical |
| 2022 | Lexus Nx350, Nx250; Toyota Tundra | 83,725 | 97.8% | service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2020 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Outlander | 21,758 | 44.3% | parking brake |
| 2024 | Ford F-650 Sd, F-650 Incomplete Chassis | 18,716 | 76.7% | parking brake |
| 2019 | Lincoln Aviator; Ford Explorer | 13,896 | 98.6% | parking brake |
| 2022 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 10,729 | 97.5% | electrical control module |
| 2020 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500; | 9,094 | 89.8% | foundation components disc |
| 2022 | Kia Ev6 | 9,014 | 97.6% | electrical control module |
Which metro areas have the most stop-and-go freeway traffic?
FHWA's 2022 urbanized-area table shows the most crowded freeway lanes in Riverside-San Bernardino, CA (22,026 vehicles per lane a day), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and Las Vegas-Henderson, NV, against a median of 10,257 across 493 urbanized areas.
| Urbanized area | Vehicles per freeway lane per day | Freeway lane-miles |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA | 22,026 | 1,292 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 21,245 | 5,780 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson, NV | 19,820 | 650 |
| Chicago, IL-IN | 19,246 | 3,005 |
| Miami, FL | 19,023 | 2,579 |
| San Francisco-Oakland, CA | 18,674 | 1,903 |
| Concord, CA | 18,541 | 497 |
| San Diego, CA | 18,437 | 2,016 |
| New Orleans, LA | 18,409 | 390 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 18,398 | 342 |
| Median of all 493 urbanized areas | 10,257 |
How much traffic do New York state roads carry in each county?
New York State DOT's 2019 traffic counts average 12,562 vehicles a day per station in Bronx County, 12,095 in New York and 12,074 in Queens, against 2,542 in the median county; this is one state, not a national figure.
What it shows: Bronx is the largest at 12,562, followed by New York at 12,095; the smallest shown is Richmond at 7,924.
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns for parts matched to a parking brake repair since model year 2015, covering about 2,267,706 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a parking brake repair since model year 2015 | 29 recall campaigns covering about 2,267,706 vehicles |
How many miles does a car of my age really drive in a year?
In the 2022 National Household Travel Survey, US vehicles aged 10-14 years are driven an average 15,415 miles a year against 12,170 for vehicles aged 0-2 years, so 50,000 miles of brake wear comes up in about 3.2 years at the faster pace and 4.1 years at the slower one (reported mileage, survey-weighted).
What it shows: 10-14 is the largest at 15,415, followed by 0-2 at 12,170; the smallest shown is 0-2 at 12,170.
How often does this part fail a real inspection, by car age?
In 181,256 New Jersey initial inspections in 2025 of vehicles sent through the safety lane, 6.4% of cars aged 16+ years failed the brake test against 0.5% of cars under 3 years, about 13 times as often (record counts, not a sample).
What it shows: 16+ is the largest at 6.4%, followed by <3 at 0.5%; the smallest shown is <3 at 0.5%.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-509 | Ford F-150 2021–2023 | 870,701 | Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash. |
| 16V-725 | Honda Civic 2016 | 350,083 | If the EPB is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V-393 | Mazda Mazda6 2015; Mazda Mazda3 2015–2016 | 227,814 | If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. |
| 14V-541 | Chevrolet Impala 2015; Cadillac XTS 2015 | 205,309 | Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire. |
| 18V-070 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2015–2016; Mitsubishi Outlander 2015–2016 | 170,354 | If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. |
| 17V-359 | Hyundai Genesis 2015–2016; Hyundai Sonata 2015–2016 | 161,074 | If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V-741 | Toyota Prius 2016–2017 | 91,585 | If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-433 | Chevrolet Blazer EV 2024–2025 | 40,233 | Unintended activation of the parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash. |
21 more recalls name this part, on smaller fleets. The car finder at the top checks yours.
NHTSA defect investigations naming this part (2)
| Case number | Vehicles | Opened | Status | What NHTSA looked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE22009 | Jeep Cherokee 2015–2016 | Jul 22, 2022 | Closed Oct 29, 2023 | Electronic parking brake water. |
| PE16010 | Hyundai Sonata 2016 | Sep 3, 2016 | Closed Feb 22, 2017 | Electronic parking. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | MX-30 2022 | 04-002-24 | Apr 25, 2024 | Some vehicles may exhibit the initial setup of the Electric Parking Lock (EPL) does not complete and is indicated as 'incomplete' when performing the initial setup of the EPL. |
| Volvo | 780 2016 | KC-2347 | Feb 16, 2024 | CBR - active "set park brake" message on drivers information display. |
| Volvo | XC90H 2016–2023; S60 2019–2024 and 11 more | 34647.6.1 | Jan 18, 2024 | This is a Technical Journal: DIM message about parking brake. |
| Toyota | Tundra 2022–2023 | 23TC06A | Nov 16, 2023 | DP: Due to certain programming in the Electronic Parking Brake ECU, under certain conditions, the parking brake light may flash, a parking brake malfunction message will be displayed, and the electronic parking brake may not release. |
| Toyota | Tundra 2022–2023 | 23TC06B | Nov 16, 2023 | RL: Due to certain programming in the Electronic Parking Brake ECU, under certain conditions, the parking brake light may flash, a parking brake malfunction message will be displayed, and the electronic parking brake may not release. |
| Toyota | Tundra 2022–2023 | 23TC06C | Nov 16, 2023 | TI: Technical instructions for special service campaign 23TC06 Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) DTC C059704 Certain 2022 & 2023 Model Year. |
55 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (2)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru | Legacy 2010–2014; Outback 2010–2014 | Nov 1, 2019 | 06-71-19R | Electric parking brake assembly. |
| Subaru | Legacy 2010–2014; Outback 2010–2014 | Oct 1, 2019 | Retailer Announc | Electric parking brake actuator assembly. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Parking brake became loose and stopped holding the vehicle prior to 86,000 miles.
181 miles on car warning 'malfunction 'warning with crash symbol going 40mph also emergency brake slammed on backing up loud steel grinding sound felt like hit a brick wall.
Ebrake would not disengage on the mazda cx-5 2016 gt with city brake and electronic e-brake at 36,100 miles during various parking locations scenarios.
Issue> ebrake warning light on I was driving down the road and about 20 miles into my drive the system alerted me of the parking brake or e brake needed to be released.
Check your car
Parking brake repair costs $272–$705 for a cable system and $470–$1,170 for an electronic one, in our calculator for a midsize car at $120 an hour. Those are estimates, not quotes, so treat a number well outside them as a reason to ask what's on the ticket.
If the car rolls on a slope with the brake set, or the brake light comes on while you're driving, don't wait on the price. 5,939 owners have told NHTSA about a parking brake, emergency brake or e-brake, and the 2,202 who gave a mileage had a midpoint of 32,000 miles. One caveat, once: these are owners' own reports matched on those words, so they show what people run into, not how often a part fails or what caused it. Counts also follow sales, so a big number for one model isn't a failure rate.
Below: what parking brake repair should cost for your setup, why electronic systems run higher, when it's safe to keep driving, which cars come up most, and whether a recall or warranty extension might cover yours. Run the calculator on this page for your car before you say yes to a quote.
How much does parking brake repair cost?
The calculator's typical range is $272–$705 for a cable parking brake repair on a midsize car, parts and labor at $120 an hour. Every figure here comes from that same calculator, so each one states what it covers.
| Setup | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Cable repair, default (midsize, $120/hr) | $272–$705 |
| Cable repair, economy car | $260–$660 |
| Cable repair, SUV / truck | $284–$750 |
| Cable repair, luxury / performance | $284–$750 |
| Electronic parking brake (EPB) repair, 2016+ | $470–$1,170 |
One owner told NHTSA: "I had the Emergency Brake Module replaced in Nov 2020 at a cost of over $900, plus a rental car for 2 weeks." (complaint #11524317, 2016 Jeep Cherokee). That sits inside the electronic range, and the rental car is a cost the range doesn't include.
A second owner shows how a quote can balloon: "To date, I have had to replace three brake calipers and the emergency brake, at a cost of over $2,500." (complaint #11661058, 2017 Jeep Wrangler). If your quote adds calipers, ask what failed on each one. Our brake caliper replacement cost page shows what that part alone should add.
Before you pay: ask the shop which system you have, cable or electronic, and which part the quote replaces.
Why does electronic parking brake repair cost more?
An electronic parking brake repair runs $470–$1,170 against $272–$705 for a cable, so plan on about $200 more at the low end. The calculator marks electronic systems as 2016 and newer, and the repair replaces electronics instead of a cable.
The records show what tends to fail. Recall 17V393000 covers the 2015 Mazda6 and 2015–2016 Mazda3, where water can enter the brake caliper and corrode the parking brake actuator shaft. Recall 23V509000 covers 2021–2023 F-150s where contact with the rear axle housing can damage a wiring harness and activate the electric parking brake. A wiring fix and a caliper replacement are different bills.
The Cherokee owner above paid for a module. Different fault, different price. Ask for the diagnosis in writing before anyone orders a caliper.
Does shop type change parking brake repair cost?
Yes. For a cable repair, an independent shop (about $100 an hour) lands at $242–$645, the default at $120 an hour is $272–$705, and a dealership (about $175 an hour) is $355–$870. The parts are the same class. You're paying for the hourly rate.
Owners bring up dealers far more than independents: 2,954 of the 5,939 complaints mention a dealer and 252 mention an independent shop. That's where owners went, not what they paid.
The more useful number is this one: 23% of complaints say the dealer couldn't fix it or the repair had to be repeated. If a shop says it fixed it, ask what they tested afterward. If a dealer quote is your only one, get a second. For a rear drum system, ask whether the quote includes new brake shoes.
Is it safe to drive with a bad parking brake?
It depends on the fault, and owners don't only report parked-car problems. Of the 3,072 owners who gave a speed, the midpoint was 35 mph, 26% were at 55 mph or faster and only 7% were parked or under 5 mph.
Here's how to sort your situation.
- Stop driving today: the brake is stuck on, or a brake warning light comes with a soft pedal. One 2015 Chrysler 200 owner wrote: "the emergency brake has come on while slowing down coming down an incline causing A car behind me to have to swerve from hitting me" (complaint #11230485). Recall 23V509000 names the same risk on F-150s.
- Get it checked this week: it doesn't hold on a slope. A 2015 Toyota Tundra owner reported the parking brake began to fail at holding the truck in a driveway with "APPROXIMATELY A 16% GRADE" at 10,892 miles. Until it's fixed, park in Park or gear, turn the wheels to the curb and chock them on hills.
- You have time to shop around: the lever or pedal feels loose, or there's a little noise, and the car holds. Noise shows up in only 7% of the 5,939 complaints.
Owners also checked the boxes on the NHTSA form: 433 crashes, 48 fires and 237 injuries across the 5,939 complaints, plus 3 deaths. A checked box isn't a finding that the parking brake caused it, and 8% of complaints (of 5,939) say the car was towed. Read those as the reason not to sit on a warning.
What should you ask before paying for parking brake repair?
Start with the cheap causes. Parts guides such as NAPA's point to a blown fuse (often labeled EPB, though not always), a pad or shoe rusted to the rotor or drum after long parking, cable tension that's too loose, and rear shoes worn below the minimum thickness in the repair manual. A shop should check those before anything gets replaced.
Then ask:
- Is this a cable or an electronic system, and which part is failing?
- Can you show me the failed part or the measurement?
- Does the quote include new shoes, a caliper or a control module?
- Is my VIN covered by a recall, bulletin or warranty extension?
- What did you test afterward?
On a DIY repair, electronic systems often need a scan tool to retract the rear motor before any rear brake work, and cable adjustment procedures vary by car, so use the repair manual for yours. If the pedal feels soft or the brake warning light is on, skip DIY and have it looked at.
The Bottom Line on Parking Brake Repair
The numbers to hold onto: $272–$705 for a cable repair, $470–$1,170 for an electronic one, and a shop-type gap that comes from the hourly rate. Stuck-on and warning-light problems are urgent. A loose lever that still holds is a shop-around problem.
This week: check your VIN for recalls, then get a second quote if the first is a dealer's or is well outside the ranges above.
This month: if the brake doesn't hold on a slope, get it fixed and park in gear with the wheels turned until you do.
Use the calculator on this page with your car, shop type and brake system, then ask the shop one question: which part is failing, and can you show me? A good shop is glad to.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix a parking brake?
A cable parking brake repair runs $272–$705 in our calculator, and an electronic parking brake repair runs $470–$1,170 (midsize car, $120 an hour). Independent shops land lower and dealerships higher. Ask whether the quote covers a cable, a motor or actuator, or a full caliper.
Can you drive with a broken parking brake?
Usually yes if it only fails to hold and your regular brakes feel normal, but get it checked this week and park in Park or gear with the wheels turned. Don't drive if the brake is stuck on or the warning light comes with a soft pedal. That needs a same-day look.
Why is my parking brake light on?
A steady light with the brake fully released means the system sees a fault or a stuck brake. A warning light shows up in 26% of the 5,939 NHTSA complaints. Check the fuse and your manual first, then have the codes read.
Does a recall cover parking brake repair?
Sometimes. 29 recalls touch this part, but each covers only the models and years it names. Check your VIN before you pay for anything, and ask the shop about bulletins and warranty extensions too.
Can I fix a stuck parking brake myself?
Sometimes. Parts guides list a blown EPB fuse, rust after long parking and loose cable tension as the cheaper causes. Electronic systems often need a scan tool before rear brake work. If the brake feels soft or a warning light is on, skip the driveway fix.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA defect investigation file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- North Carolina Division of Air Quality, Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection Frequency Study data from 2017
- NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county climate files 1991-2020, joined to NHTSA owner complaints placed in counties by city name file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023 (B19013), joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- DOE AFDC Alternative Fuel Stations file (public, open stations; Level 2 and DC fast ports) with Census 2023 population, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU14120504); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA, Lives Saved by Vehicle Safety Technologies and Associated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 1960 to 2012 (DOT HS 812 069) data from 2015
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2022, Table HM-72 (urbanized areas: roadway miles, daily vehicle miles, freeway lane-miles) data from 2022
- New York State DOT, Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) Beginning 1977 (NYS Open Data 6amx-2pbv) data from 2019
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- FHWA, 2022 NextGen National Household Travel Survey, vehicle file file downloaded 2026-10
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection Data file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts. Reported: figures as reported by the publisher, not independently verified.
Owner complaints quoted
Other sources
- water can enter the brake caliper and corrode the parking brake actuator shaft
- contact with the rear axle housing can damage a wiring harness
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($381–$476) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 14% above the middle of that range. Methodology