The electric parking brake fault in the Audi A5 is a well-known problem. The brake seizes up. Your car will no longer move. This electronic defect occurs in many models from the 2017 to 2021 production years. Faulty electric motors in the rear brake callipers cause this defect. Below you will discover the causes. You will also read how to solve this issue.
Why does the parking brake stick on the Audi A5
The electric parking brake in the Audi A5 engages automatically when you switch off the engine or park the car. EPB stands for Electric Parking Brake. The system works with electric motors in the brake callipers. These mechanically lock the rear wheels. If there is a fault, the brake refuses to release. You cannot drive off. This problem often occurs after 30,000 to 50,000 kilometres. Wear or corrosion in the electronic components causes the defect.
The main problem lies in the electric motor in the brake calliper. This motor fails, meaning the mechanical locking no longer works. Loose connections cause faults. Corrosion in the brake actuator also leads to problems. The control unit can fail as well. Owners of models such as the SQ5 and S5 report similar problems. This points to a wider vulnerability. This vulnerability affects this generation of Audi models.
Recognisable symptoms of parking brake problems
You will notice a faulty electric parking brake in several ways. Most striking: the automatic engagement function does not work properly. The brake does not engage when the car is stationary. You will often see a permanently illuminated warning light on the dashboard. Error messages appear, for example “mechanical brake locking not possible” or “brake fault”.
During diagnosis with an OBD tool, fault codes such as P1571 or P1573 usually appear. An OBD tool is a diagnostic device that reads data from the on-board computer system. These codes indicate problems in the brake control unit. The brake control unit controls the parking brake system electronically. The actuator can also fail. The actuator converts the electrical signal into the mechanical movement of the brake calliper. Watch out for the following signals:
- The parking brake does not engage automatically when parking
- You do not hear a clicking sound when you activate the parking brake
- The warning light stays on after starting
- Error messages appear on the dashboard
How to fix a seized electric parking brake
The parking brake refuses to release. First carry out a few steps yourself before going to the garage. First try switching the electric parking brake on and off manually using the switch. Repeat this several times. Make sure the engine is running. Sometimes this temporarily resolves the problem and you can still drive off.
Do you have an OBD scanner? Then carry out a scan. That way you will identify the exact fault codes. Codes P1571 and P1573 confirm a problem with the brake control unit or actuator. Disconnect the battery cables for a few minutes. The system will then reset. Note: the EPB is sensitive to low voltage. Always check the battery before investigating further.
If the problem persists, seek professional help. A garage will carry out a full system scan. The mechanic will check the electric motors and calibration. If there is corrosion on the connectors, cleaning will help. A system reset also helps in such a case. In most cases, however, the garage will replace the faulty brake calliper motor.
What does repairing the electric parking brake cost
Repairing a faulty electric parking brake in the Audi A5 usually requires replacement of the electric motor in the brake calliper. This is followed by recalibration and a system reset. This work takes around four hours. On average you will pay about 500 euros. The exact price depends on how many parts need replacing. The garage’s hourly rate also plays a role.
If one calliper motor fails, the entire module will often fail. Mechanics therefore advise replacing both brake callipers as a preventive measure. This prevents you from facing the same fault again shortly after the first repair. Always use genuine Audi parts for replacement. Aftermarket alternatives more often lead to recurring faults.
‘ Otherwise the parking brake will not function correctly. ’
Can you reset the parking brake yourself
In some cases you can reset the electric parking brake yourself. You will, however, need the right equipment. You need a diagnostic scanner. This scanner must have access to the EPB system. With such a device you can perform a service reset. This process puts the brake callipers into maintenance mode. The system then recalibrates itself.
A full reset is difficult without professional scanning equipment. Do try a basic reset by disconnecting the battery. This rarely solves the underlying problem. Are you repairing or replacing components? Then carry out recalibration afterwards. Otherwise the parking brake will not function correctly. Error messages will then continue to appear.
Prevent future problems with the parking brake
Regular maintenance helps prevent faults with the electric parking brake. Have the connectors checked for corrosion every 30,000 kilometres. Also check them for dirt. Clean them with contact spray if necessary. Check the battery. Also keep an eye on the battery voltage. The EPB is sensitive to low voltage.
The electric parking brake is integrated with systems such as hill hold and auto hold. Hill hold keeps the car stationary on a slope without you having to press the brake pedal. Auto hold keeps the car stationary in traffic automatically, for example at traffic lights. A fault can prevent the car from starting. The brake is linked to these systems. When parking on hills, leave the car in gear. This provides extra security. Regularly test whether the parking brake engages and releases correctly. Listen for the characteristic clicking sound. You will hear this when it is activated.
Be extra alert when your car reaches 30,000 kilometres. That is when most faults first appear. Early diagnosis saves garage costs. It also prevents you from being stranded unexpectedly. If the warning light is on and the brake responds slowly, have it checked immediately.
Real-world experiences from Audi A5 owners
Many Audi A5 owners share their experiences. These concern the electric parking brake fault. A frequently heard complaint: the fault appears without warning. The car starts as normal in the morning. The parking brake then refuses to release. This causes frustration, especially when you are in a hurry.
After a reset and recalibration, the problem rarely returns. Do make sure you use genuine parts. The repair usually provides a permanent solution. Replace both brake callipers at the same time. The investment is worth it. Repeated faults will otherwise lead to higher costs. Always check the battery voltage before carrying out the repair. A weak battery causes similar symptoms.
‘ You will find practical solutions there. ’
Discover more about the Audi A5
The electric parking brake fault is one technical point of attention with the Audi A5. There are more. On the Carnews website you will find extensive information about common problems. You will also read maintenance advice there. Technical tips for this model are included as well. Whether you are dealing with electronic faults, engine problems or maintenance questions, you will find practical solutions there. You will also find reliable information. Discover more about the Audi A5. Keep your car in top condition.
Frequently asked questions
Symptoms of a fault in the electric parking brake of an Audi A5 include a parking brake that does not engage automatically or does not hold when the car is stationary. The brake warning light may also remain on continuously, with messages such as “mechanical brake locking not possible” or “brake fault”. In addition, fault codes such as P1571 or P1573 are often stored in the brake control unit. Sometimes you will hear no clicking sound at all, or a strange clicking sound, when operating the EPB switch.
The most common causes are a faulty electric motor in the rear brake calliper and corrosion or poor/loose connections in the wiring and connectors of the brake actuator or control unit. In addition, wear or internal defects in the electronic brake control unit itself can cause faults. Low system voltage or voltage spikes can also put the EPB into fault mode, generating fault codes such as P1571 and P1573.
You can carry out an initial diagnosis yourself by checking whether the parking brake still engages audibly via the switch and by using an OBD scanner to check for fault codes such as P1571 or P1573. You can visually inspect the connectors and carefully clean them if corrosion is visible. Actually fixing the fault – such as replacing or recalibrating the brake calliper motor(s) – requires specialist knowledge and tools and is best done by a garage. If warnings persist or keep coming back, always have a professional system scan performed.
Ignoring an electric parking brake fault can mean that the car is not properly held and may roll away, especially on a slope. Other brake functions such as hill hold and auto hold can also fail, reducing road safety. Continuing to drive with a fault can cause additional wear or damage to the brake calliper motors and the brake control unit, resulting in high repair costs. In some cases the system can lock up, making it difficult to start or drive away.
For an electric parking brake fault in an Audi A5, the electric motor in the rear brake calliper(s) is often replaced and the system is recalibrated and reset. For replacement of one brake calliper motor including labour, you can roughly expect costs of around €500, with some garages recommending that both sides are done preventively (resulting in higher total costs). Additional work can include cleaning or repairing corroded connectors and updating or resetting the brake control unit. The car will usually be in the workshop for several hours for diagnosis, replacement and calibration.