Number P0571: Brake Switch A Circuit
Brake switch A is the brake light switch or its signal to the engine module. The module needs it to cancel cruise control and for brake-throttle override, stop-start, idle control and the shift interlock. As cruise control is simply switched off, CARB treats such faults as emission-neutral – usually
Can you drive with P0571?
Severity: Plan the repair. Generally yes for normal driving while you arrange the repair, unless symptoms say otherwise.
If you ignore it: Small faults in monitored systems tend to grow; the code will also block an emissions pass in most states.
This is the #112 most common code in our top-150 library, in the electrical, charging & network family (Powertrain system). Severity is Number Nest's editorial triage — if the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it whatever any page says.
What P0571 means
Brake switch A is the brake light switch or its signal to the engine module. The module needs it to cancel cruise control and for brake-throttle override, stop-start, idle control and the shift interlock. As cruise control is simply switched off, CARB treats such faults as emission-neutral – usually without warning lamp. P0571 is the general fault, usually detected by plausibility: Saab's 3.0 TiD (Bosch) sets it when the car brakes three times from over 49 km/h to standstill at 1.6 m/s² or more without a switch signal; Bosch EDC16 then switches cruise control off. NHTSA found Hyundai and Kia setting P0571 with P0504 from misadjusted brake light switches. Ford and GM petrol engines use P0572/P0573 instead.
Systems involved: brake switch, brake light fuse, switch wiring, engine control module (ECM/PCM).
Causes, ranked by likelihood
| # | Cause | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake light switch misadjusted | most likely |
| 2 | Brake light switch faulty (worn contact) | most likely |
| 3 | Connector, wire or brake light fuse | possible |
| 4 | Engine or body module | less common |
Check them in order — the list is ranked so the likely, cheaper causes come before the expensive part.
Symptoms you may notice
- Cruise control cannot be set or switches off
- Brake lights not working or permanently on
- Possibly ABS/ESC warning (Hyundai/Kia)
Misdiagnosis traps
- Replacing the part named by the code title without testing. The code reports a failed self-test; the cause list above is ranked so the likely, cheap causes are checked before the expensive part is condemned.
- Clearing the code and declaring victory when the light stays off for a day — the monitor that sets this code runs only under specific driving conditions.
(General diagnostic guidance for this code family — no code-specific trap is published for this code.)
How a good shop confirms it
- Confirm the code and record any companion codes — companions narrow the system fast.
- Inspect the affected components and their wiring/connectors for damage, corrosion and looseness.
- Test the top-ranked cause with live data or a multimeter before replacing anything.
(Standard diagnostic path for this family, labeled as general guidance.)
Repair options & costs
| Repair | Shop total (parts + labor) | DIY (parts only) | Difficulty |
|---|
No single repair is costed for this code — the fix follows the diagnosis. The Repair Cost Estimator prices 28 common repairs once you know which one this is.
OBDex repair data for this code rates the job difficulty easy with a typical labor time in the 0.3–1 hour range and DIY possible: yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix P0571?
There is no single fix — the code names a system, and the cost follows whichever cause on the ranked list proves out. The Repair Cost Estimator prices the common repairs in that system; diagnosis (often $100–$180, frequently credited) comes first.
Can I drive with P0571?
See the can-you-drive verdict above — it is based on the system involved and the cascading-damage risk, and it is our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction. If the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it regardless of any code.
Will P0571 clear itself?
If the fault was a one-off (a loose cap, a cold-start glitch), the light can go out after several clean trips and the code ages into history. A fault that is still present re-sets the code as soon as the car runs that self-test again — monitors run under specific conditions, which is why "it hasn't come back in two days" is not proof of a fix.
Will my car fail inspection with P0571?
In states with OBD-based emissions inspection, yes — an illuminated check-engine light or an incomplete readiness monitor fails the test regardless of what the tailpipe would show. C-codes (ABS) fall under safety inspection instead in states that have one.
What should I check first for P0571?
The first item on the ranked-causes list above — it is ranked likelihood-first for exactly this reason — plus the free checks: recent work in the area (connectors left loose are a classic), fluid levels, and the battery and grounds on electrical codes.
Where this data comes from
Code facts, causes and symptoms come from OBDex — an open dataset of independently authored descriptions of the standardized generic OBD-II codes (CC0 1.0, public domain; github.com/foerbsnavi/OBDex). The SAE J2012 document itself is copyrighted and is not reproduced here. Cost ranges are Number Nest's own US planning model: national parts and labor ranges cross-checked against the CarMD Vehicle Health Index 2026 published averages, with labor adjustable by the BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage index for auto technicians (occupation 49-3023) — a wage index, not a surveyed shop rate. Severity and can-you-drive notes are our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction.