P0571: Brake Switch A Circuit
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes, carefully - but note the brake lights may not be working.
Symptoms
- Brake lights stuck on or off
- Cruise control refusing to engage
- Shifter refusing to leave park
- Harsh downshifts when braking
Likely causes, most common first
- Brake switch worn or misadjusted
- Wiring or connector fault at the pedal
- Blown brake light fuse
- Switch bracket bent
Read P0571 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0571 is the brake switch circuit, and it earns more respect than its forty-dollar part suggests. That one switch feeds the brake lights, releases the shift interlock, cancels cruise control and tells the transmission to unlock the torque converter - which is why its failure shows up as four unrelated-looking complaints at once.
The safety half is the brake lights: drive assuming they may be out until the switch is verified, because the car behind you has no other warning. The convenience half - a shifter stuck in park, cruise that will not set - is the same switch talking. It lives on a bracket above the brake pedal, fails from sheer cycle count, and on most cars is one of the cheapest and fastest electrical repairs there is.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0571
“I have a 2002 volkswagen jetta and I have a brake light switch issue (brake light stays on and a dct(p0571) is set) that was described in the recall/replacement, but the VIN group that this applies to is 3vw---9m-ym000089 to 3vw---9m-2m053565, as you can see, mine is just out side the high VIN. The VIN range should be readdressed to include all 2002 model jettas with cruise control. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. *tr”2002 Volkswagen Jetta · Mar 2010 · 134,221 mi
“Random obd code p0571 cruise/brake switch malfunction since purchasing the vehicle on 6 dec 03. The switch has been replaced. The following has been checked switch alignment, connectors. Numerous failures currently waiting since 29 jan on engineer to look at freeze frame data from the computer. *jb”2004 Saturn Vue · Dec 2003 · 400 mi
Cars that report P0571 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0571?
Yes, carefully - but note the brake lights may not be working.
How much does it cost to fix P0571?
Typical US repair costs range from $40 for the simplest fix (brake light switch) to $250 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0571. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.