Symptoms drivers describe
- Red brake light staying on after the handbrake is released
- Light appearing along with a longer pedal travel
- Pad wear message on the dashboard
- Light flickering over bumps or when cornering
Possible causes
- Low brake fluid level, sometimes from a leak or from worn pads
- A faulty handbrake or electronic parking brake switch
- Worn pads triggering a wear sensor
- A brake fluid level sensor fault
- A hydraulic leak at a hose, pipe or caliper
What you can do
- Check the pedal feels normal before driving anywhere
- Look at the fluid reservoir level if you can do so safely
- Get it checked promptly rather than topping up and carrying on
How we check it in the workshop
We read any stored codes, inspect the whole hydraulic system for leaks, measure pad thickness and test the switches and sensors involved.
Is it safe to keep driving?
Treat a red brake warning light as urgent, especially with a soft or long pedal — braking performance may be affected.