P0573: Brake Switch A Circuit High
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Check the brake lights before driving - with this fault they may not light at all, and a car braking with no brake lights is how rear-end collisions happen. Working lights: drive carefully to a shop. Dead lights: fix first.
Symptoms
- Brake lights not lighting
- Cruise control not engaging
- Brake-shift interlock stuck
Likely causes, most common first
- Switch stuck open or failed
- Circuit shorted to voltage
- Connector unplugged under the dash
- Misadjusted switch never closing
Read P0573 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
P0573 is the circuit stuck high - typically a pedal the computer never sees pressed. No brake lights, no cruise, and on some cars a shifter that needs the mechanical override to leave park.
Adjustment matters more than people expect: the switch must trip within the first fraction of pedal travel, and a bracket bent by a heavy foot or floor mat jam can leave it just out of reach. Before replacing anything, watch the switch plunger while someone presses the pedal - thirty seconds of observation frequently ends the diagnosis.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0573
“2007 chevy avalanche I believe should be included in this recall #1: 2004-2012 chevrolet malibu, 2004-2007 chevrolet malibu maxx, 2005-2010 pontiac g6, 2007-2010 saturn aura. The vehicle, when scanned is producing an error code of p0573- cruise control/brake switch a circuit. As a result of this error the functionality of my cruise control is jeopardized, rendering the vehicles cruise control at sometimes useless, not functional or worse disengaging without warrant causing a safety concern while driving. *tr”2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · May 2014
Cars that report P0573 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0573?
Check the brake lights before driving - with this fault they may not light at all, and a car braking with no brake lights is how rear-end collisions happen. Working lights: drive carefully to a shop. Dead lights: fix first.
How much does it cost to fix P0573?
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 P0573. 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.