Can I drive with P0571?

Check the brake lights first. If they do not come on when you brake, or stay on all the time, do not drive until that is fixed, because following drivers cannot see you braking. If the brake lights work, the car is usually driveable, but cruise control and stop-start will not work and some cars limit power.

Why does P0571 turn off my cruise control?

Cruise control must cancel the moment you touch the brake. If the engine computer cannot trust the brake switch signal, it cannot guarantee that, so it disables cruise control until the fault is fixed and the code is cleared.

Can a blown brake light bulb cause P0571?

On some cars, yes. Cars that monitor the brake light circuit can set P0571 when a bulb has blown, when a fuse has gone or when the wrong bulb type is fitted, and Volkswagen group cars are among them. Check the bulbs and the fuse before replacing the switch.

How much does it cost to fix P0571?

A new brake light switch costs 35 to 100 euros fitted, and on most cars it is a quick job at the pedal. Adjusting the switch or replacing a pedal stop pad costs 20 to 70 euros, and replacing bulbs or a fuse 2 to 45 euros. A wiring repair runs 45 to 150 euros.

P0571: Brake Switch "A" Circuit

Quick Answer

Not safe to drive

P0571 means the engine computer has found a fault in the circuit of brake switch "A", the switch at the brake pedal that tells it when you are braking. The signal is missing, stuck or does not make sense, so the engine computer switches off cruise control and, on many cars, lights an engine warning. The usual cause is a worn brake light switch, but a blown brake light bulb, a fuse, the wrong bulb type or a wiring fault can set the same code on cars that check the brake light circuit.

Severity: Moderate · Electrical
Estimated repair cost: From €2 to €150+, varies by vehicle

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What does P0571 mean?

P0571 is a electrical-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0571 and illuminates the check engine light.

What are the symptoms of P0571?

If your vehicle has triggered P0571, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

Cruise control will not engage or switches off
Check engine light on, the EPC light on some Volkswagen group petrol cars, or the glow plug light on some Volkswagen group diesels
Brake lights not working, or staying on with the pedal released
Stop-start system not working
Gear lever not releasing from Park on some automatics
Reduced power on some cars, as a safety measure when the brake signal cannot be trusted

What causes P0571?

Here are the most common causes of P0571:

Worn or failed brake light switch at the pedal
: high
Brake light switch out of adjustment, or a missing or broken pedal stop pad, so the switch does not open and close at the right point
: medium
Blown brake light bulb or fuse, on cars that monitor the brake light circuit
: medium
Wrong bulb type fitted, for example a single-filament bulb where the car expects a dual-filament one
: medium
Damaged wiring or a corroded connector at the switch
: low
Body control module or engine computer fault (rare)
: low

Is it safe to drive with P0571?

No - address this immediately. Check your brake lights before driving on. On many cars the same switch or circuit operates the brake lights, so they may stay off or stay on, and driving without working brake lights is dangerous and illegal. If the brake lights work normally, the car is usually driveable, but cruise control will not work and some cars limit power, so get it fixed soon.

How do you diagnose P0571?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0571:

Have someone watch the brake lights while you press and release the pedal. Lights that never come on, never go off, or only partly work point to bulbs, fuses or the switch.
Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. P0504 stored alongside points to the two halves of a dual-contact switch disagreeing. A generic OBD2 reader shows the stored codes and freeze frame; the brake switch status itself is usually only visible with manufacturer-level software.
Check the brake light bulbs and their type against the handbook, and check the brake light fuse.
Inspect the switch above the brake pedal: it should sit firmly in its bracket with the plunger resting against the pedal. A loose switch or a missing stop pad means it does not switch at the right point.
Unplug the switch and check the connector for corrosion and damaged pins. With a multimeter, check that the switch contacts open and close cleanly as the plunger moves.
Replace the switch if it fails the test, setting it up as the manufacturer describes. Clear the code and confirm that the brake lights and cruise control work.

How much does P0571 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0571 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate	DIY Difficulty
Replace brake light switch	€15–€40	€20–€60	€35–€100	Easy
Adjust brake light switch or replace pedal stop pad	€0–€10	€20–€60	€20–€70	Easy
Replace brake light bulbs or fuse	€2–€15	€0–€30	€2–€45	Easy
Repair brake switch wiring and connector	€5–€30	€40–€120	€45–€150	Moderate

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

P0571 on specific vehicles

P0571 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

P0571 on Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf

See Volkswagen-specific causes & cost

These codes are often seen alongside P0571 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0571

What does P0571 mean?: P0571 means the engine computer has detected a fault in the circuit of brake switch "A", the switch that tells it when the brake pedal is pressed. The signal is missing, stuck or implausible. The engine computer needs that signal for cruise control, stop-start and, on many cars, as a safety check on the throttle, so it disables those functions.
Can I drive with P0571?: Check the brake lights first. If they do not come on when you brake, or stay on all the time, do not drive until that is fixed, because following drivers cannot see you braking. If the brake lights work, the car is usually driveable, but cruise control and stop-start will not work and some cars limit power.
Why does P0571 turn off my cruise control?: Cruise control must cancel the moment you touch the brake. If the engine computer cannot trust the brake switch signal, it cannot guarantee that, so it disables cruise control until the fault is fixed and the code is cleared.
Can a blown brake light bulb cause P0571?: On some cars, yes. Cars that monitor the brake light circuit can set P0571 when a bulb has blown, when a fuse has gone or when the wrong bulb type is fitted, and Volkswagen group cars are among them. Check the bulbs and the fuse before replacing the switch.
How much does it cost to fix P0571?: A new brake light switch costs 35 to 100 euros fitted, and on most cars it is a quick job at the pedal. Adjusting the switch or replacing a pedal stop pad costs 20 to 70 euros, and replacing bulbs or a fuse 2 to 45 euros. A wiring repair runs 45 to 150 euros.

Read our detailed guides

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