What to Do If Your Emergency Brake is Stuck

Your emergency brake - also called a parking brake - functions independently from your car's primary brakes. It is an essential safety feature, especially when parking in hilly places. Occasionally, your emergency brake can become stuck due to corrosion, faulty wiring, debris, or freezing temperatures.

A stuck emergency brake can stop you in your tracks. However, there is no need to panic. If your emergency brake is stuck, this guide provides several techniques to resolve this issue.

1. Turn On the Car

Before anything else, turn on your car to allow it to warm up. If your emergency brake is frozen, warming up the car may melt the ice, allowing you to disengage it.

2. Rev the Engine

You can try carefully revving your vehicle's engine. This will enable the engine to heat up faster, which in turn speeds up the melting process and may knock debris loose. Note that melting a frozen emergency brake may take a while, so don't be impatient.

3. Try Disengaging It Again

Once the car has warmed up, try disengaging the emergency brake multiple times to break up any remaining debris, ice, or rust.

4. Apply and Release the Brake Again

If there is only a little bit of rust or corrosion, applying and releasing the brake repeatedly can sometimes do the trick. However, this may be impossible if the emergency brake is too corroded. In this case, it’s best to book an appointment with a nearby auto repair shop as soon as possible.

5. Alternate Between Drive and Reverse

You can also try shifting your vehicle repeatedly between drive and reverse. Sometimes, this gentle back-and-forth movement can be enough to dislodge the rust or debris. If this fails, seek professional help.

Expert Emergency Brake Repair with Custom Complete Automotive

If you cannot unjam your emergency brake despite trying all the solutions above, seek expert help so you don't cause further damage to your vehicle. At Custom Complete Automotive, we provide all kinds of repair and maintenance services, including emergency brake repair, for all vehicle makes and models. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our car repair locations in Missouri!