Posted on 8/28/2026
A parking brake should keep the vehicle from rolling after it is parked, especially on an incline. If you pull the lever, press the pedal, or activate the electronic parking brake and the car still moves, something in the system is no longer applying enough holding force. The cause can be as simple as a stretched cable or as involved as worn rear brake components or an electronic actuator problem. Either way, a parking brake that will not hold deserves attention. The system is an important backup to the transmission’s Park position, and it should be able to secure the vehicle without relying entirely on the transmission parking mechanism. 1. The Parking Brake Cable Is Stretched or Damaged Many mechanical parking brake systems use steel cables to connect the hand lever or foot pedal to the rear brakes. Every time the brake is applied, those cables are placed under tension. Over years of use, the cable can stretch slightly, reducing how far the brake mechanism m ... read more