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Why is my brake light on while I’m driving?

The brake light randomly popped up on my dashboard and I don’t know what to do. I don’t notice any performance issues. Any idea why my brake light is on while I’m driving?

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Pat Roache · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We get it—noticing any new light on your dashboard can be stressful. It’s possible that your parking brake isn’t fully disengaged or that your car needs maintenance.
  • Parking brake—Did you forget to release the parking brake when you drove away? Driving with your parking brake activated for a short period of time will not cause serious damage, but it’s best to catch it as soon as possible.
  • Low brake fluid—Brake fluid is a necessity for hydraulic braking systems to operate properly. Low fluid levels will trigger your brake light so make sure it’s topped up.
  • ABS malfunction—Your brake light could be triggered by a malfunction in your anti-lock braking system (ABS). While the other two solutions are easy fixes, this one requires further inspection by a mechanic.
Always keep a close eye on any dashboard notifications to prevent your vehicle from experiencing further damage.
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