Electrical and control module

P0571 — Brake Switch A Circuit

The ECU detected a fault in the brake switch A circuit. This switch tells the ECU when the brake pedal is pressed, and it is used by cruise control, brake lights and shift lock functions.

Severity: Low

Common causes

  • Faulty or misadjusted brake light switch
  • Wiring or connector problem
  • Blown brake light fuse
  • Faulty brake light bulbs (in some systems)
  • Brake pedal position sensor fault

Symptoms

  • Cruise control not working
  • Brake lights not working or always on
  • Shift lock problem (cannot shift out of Park)
  • Check engine light

How to check

  1. Check that the brake lights work and are not stuck on
  2. Inspect the brake switch position, connector and wiring
  3. Check the related fuse
  4. Compare the brake switch status on a scan tool with the pedal position

Can you keep driving?

Take care: if the brake lights do not work, driving is unsafe and illegal. If they work normally, short drives are possible; repair soon.

  • P0572
  • P0573

Frequently asked questions

What does P0571 mean?
The ECU found a fault in the brake pedal switch circuit.
Why does P0571 disable cruise control?
The ECU needs the brake signal to cancel cruise control safely, so it disables it when the switch is faulty.

General reference information. It does not replace a diagnosis on your own vehicle. The same code can have different causes depending on make, model year and engine; check the manufacturer's documentation or ask a technician with a scan tool.