VW Up Electronic Parking Brake Failure Fix Needed

I dealt with a very similar parking brake issue on my 2016 VW Polo last winter. Having some experience with basic maintenance, I first tried the basic brake diagnostics but quickly realized this was beyond DIY territory. The warning light and complete parking brake failure matched your symptoms exactly. The workshop diagnosed a defective electric motor in the brake caliper after running their diagnostic system. The brake sensor readings were normal, but the electric motor that engages the parking brake had failed completely. The repair involved replacing the faulty brake caliper unit with a new one, including the integrated electric motor. Total cost came to 505€ including parts, labor and system reprogramming. For a more accurate assessment of your situation, could you share: Have you noticed any grinding sounds when engaging the parking brake? Did the issue start gradually or happen suddenly? Are there any other warning lights active besides the brake warning? Have you had any recent brake work done? This kind of vehicle safety issue should be addressed promptly to prevent potential parking brake failure. The repair process was straightforward once the correct diagnosis was made, but proper diagnostic equipment was essential.

Last service was at 109000km and the issue started right after. The grinding noise began gradually about 2 weeks before complete failure. No other warning lights are active, just the brake warning indicator. Have not had any recent brake work done before this started. The brake failure happened during normal operation without any prior incidents. The brake switch seems to respond when pressed but the actual parking brake mechanism does not engage anymore. Really helpful to hear about your experience with a similar system glitch. The symptoms match up closely, so it could indeed be the electric motor in my case too. Will get it checked at a workshop since this seems beyond basic troubleshooting.

Based on those details, it definitely sounds like the same electric motor failure I experienced. The grinding noise before complete brake failure matches exactly what happened with my VW, it is a classic sign of the electronic brake motor starting to fail. The timing after your service is interesting. While correlation does not always mean causation, the brake sensor and switch connections sometimes get disturbed during routine maintenance. However, given the grinding noise progression, this points more toward mechanical wear in the electronic brake motor unit rather than a wiring or sensor issue. The fact that your brake switch still responds but without engaging the mechanism further confirms my suspicion. This was identical to my situation, the electronic control unit could still detect the switch input but the motor itself failed to actuate the parking brake. In my case, the workshop confirmed the diagnosis within 30 minutes using their diagnostic system. The complete repair took about 3 hours including the electronic brake system recalibration required after parts replacement. Since you are experiencing such similar vehicle safety concerns, I would suggest getting it checked soon. A complete brake failure could leave you without a functioning parking brake. The repair resolved all issues in my case and the system has worked flawlessly since.

Thanks for sharing those additional details about your brake issue. The gradual onset with grinding noises really helps confirm what I suspected, looks like my VW might be facing the exact same electric motor failure you experienced. Good to know this is likely not just a brake sensor problem. The timing after my service is concerning, but the progression of symptoms matches the mechanical wear pattern you described rather than any maintenance-related issues. Since my brake switch still responds without actual brake engagement, your diagnosis of the motor unit failure makes perfect sense. Really helpful to know the repair process took only about 3 hours including recalibration. Given the risk of complete brake failure, I will schedule a workshop visit this week. While vehicle safety issues are never welcome, it is reassuring to hear your repair solved the system glitch permanently. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience in such detail. This has given me a much clearer picture of what to expect during the diagnosis and repair process.