Honda CRV Brake Light Stays On (Causes & Fixes)

One of the most frustrating issues most Honda CR-V owners have experienced at some point is the brake light stays on. Even worse, most people have no clue why this happens and what they should do about it. Luckily, this article will shed more light on this problem.

Honda CRV brake light stays on mostly due to a faulty brake light switch. Other potential causes for the Honda CRV brake light to stay on include a faulty brake switch, faulty brake pedal, and brake light circuit wiring issues.

In this article, you’ll discover full details on why your Honda CRV brake lights stay on. We’ll delve into all the most likely causes of this issue and how to fix it. We’ll also discuss whether it’s safe to drive with the brake light on and other helpful information you need to know.

Honda CRV brake light stays on: most common causes

As we’ve just said above, the most common reason why your Honda CRV brake light stays on is due to a malfunctioning brake light switch. However, this is just one cause and there are several other possible causes for this problem.

Here are the most common causes of Honda CRV brake light staying on:

Faulty brake light switch

The brake light switch is situated near the top of your car brake pedal. It helps activate your car brake light whenever you press the brake pedal. If this switch is stuck or fails, it can cause the brake light to stay on.

Brake switch adjustment problem

All car brake switches come with an adjustment built into them. This enables them to snug up to the brake pedal. If this adjustment is off, the plunger on the brake pedal switch may fail to press in all the way. The result is that the brake light stays on.

Faulty brake pedal

Another common cause for your brake light staying on is a faulty brake pedal. If it is misadjusted or unable to fully return to its original position after being released, then it will keep your vehicle brake lights engaged even after releasing the pedal. This will promptly keep the lights on.

Wiring problems

Wiring harness issues may also cause some of the car wiring to melt together or even short out in the brake light circuit of your car. This will then cause the light to stay on. Some of the common wiring issues to look out for include loose connections, damaged wire, or even a faulty relay.

How to fix Honda CRV brake light staying on

Below, we have discussed some helpful tips on how to fix Honda CRV brake light staying on:

Unplug the brake light switch. This switch is usually mounted to brake pedal assembly. If you unplug it and the light goes off, then you have your culprit!

However, if the light does not go off after unplugging the switch, then you are most probably dealing with a short circuit.

This video shows you how to fix the brake light switch issue in your Honda CRV

Video:

Next, you should inspect any wiring and connections in your car related to the braking light.

Inspect the wiring for any signs of physical damage, frayed wires, corrosion, or loose connections. In case you find any issues, be sure to repair or replace the affected components.

You should also inspect your car brake pedal functionality. Check if the pedal releases fully without being stuck.

As we have just said above, a faulty brake pedal (whether misadjusted or stuck) can make the light stay on. Gently pull on this pedal with your foot and see if it goes back to its resting position.

If the above tips do not solve the issue or if you do not feel comfortable doing the diagnosis on your own, talk to your mechanic or take your car to an authorized Honda service center for professional assistance.

Why Honda CRV brake lights stay on when car is off?

If your Honda CR-V brake lights stay on when you turn the car off, then the most likely culprit is a malfunctioning brake light switch or wiring problem.

The work of the brake light switch is to activate your vehicle brake light whenever you press the brake pedal

If this switch is stuck in ON position, then it will result in the brake light staying on even after you have turned off your car. Replacing a malfunctioning switch will help solve this issue.

Sometimes your brake light circuit could also experience a wiring issue or short-circuiting. This will also cause the brake light to stay illuminated even after you have turned off your car.

What causes Honda CR V parking brake light to stay on?

If your Honda CRV parking brake stays on after parking, the likely culprits in this case include:

• Failing parking brake switch: A faulty switch will make the parking brake light stay on in your Honda CRV. You can easily check if this is the case by jiggling your brake handle after it’s down. If the light goes off, or goes off then turns on, then your switch is faulty and needs replacement.
• Check if the brake handle is completely lowered: If the handle is not lowered all the way down, it means it is still putting some pressure on the brake cable, thus activating the braking light.
• The parking brake is not disengaged: Sometimes you may completely lower the brake handle but the parking brake fails to disengage, causing the light to stay on.
• Failing level sensor: Your Honda CRV master cylinder features a brake fluid level sensor. If this sensor starts malfunctioning, it will also cause the parking brake light to stay on.
• Low brake fluid: Parking brake light serves another purpose of alerting you when your vehicle brake fluid drops below a given level. In this case, the light may go on or off as you go around turns due to the changes in fluid level.
• Uneven brake fluid pressure: Uneven brake fluid pressure in some lines will affect your car’s braking performance. It may also cause the Honda CRV parking brake light on the dashboard to come on.

Is it OK to drive your Honda CR-V with brake light on?

We don’t advise you to continue driving your Honda CR-V with brake light on. As we’ve discussed above, the brake light coming on usually indicates a problem with your braking system.

Thus, driving with the brake warning light can be hazardous for you and other road users.

Some of the issues with your car braking system that may prove hazardous include low brake fluid, malfunctioning brake components, or worn brake pads.

Such issues can compromise your vehicle’s ability to slow down or stop your car safely.

Ignoring the brake light and driving your car with brake system issue risks brake failure. Needless to mention, the inability to stop your car effectively means an increased risk of collisions and accidents.

Overall, if your Honda CRV brake light fails to go off, we advise you to address this issue as soon as possible before you continue operating your vehicle.

If possible, pull over to the side of the road and have a qualified auto mechanic diagnose your car for the cause of the light coming on and perform the necessary repairs to fix the issue.

Can low brake fluid cause Honda CRV brake light to come on?

Low brake fluid can cause the Honda CR-V brake light on the dash to come on. The brake is usually configured to illuminate wherever it detects any problems with your car braking system. One such problem is low brake fluid.

A sensor in master cylinder usually monitors brake fluid level in your Honda CRV. If the fluid drops below a certain level, the sensor immediately triggers the brake light on the dash. This helps warn you of the low fluid levels. (Source).

Low brake fluid can be caused by worn-out brake pads or brake fluid leak. Low fluid levels can significantly affect braking performance and potentially lead to ineffective braking performance or even brake failure.

As such, it is important to address the issue of low brake fluid as fast as possible.

Can worn brake pads cause Honda CRV brake light to come on?

Yes, worn brake pads can also cause Honda CRV brake warning light to come on. Every time you press the brake pedal, the brake pads push against brake rotors/drums attached to spinning wheels.

This creates friction, which then makes the wheels slow down, thus decelerating or stopping your car.

Repeated pads and rotors interaction wears the brake pads. And when the pads near the end of their deathbed, the brake warning light comes on your dashboard to notify you that it’s time to replace them. (Source).

Honda CR-V brake light keeps coming on and off while driving

Your Honda CRV brake light coming on and off while driving could be a sign of an issue with your car’s braking system.

One potential issue behind this intermittent behavior could be low brake fluid. Therefore, one of the places to check is the brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid level is low, there could be a leak in the system that should be addressed.

Worn brake pads could also cause fluctuations in brake fluid levels, causing the brake light to come on and off. Make sure you inspect your Honda brake pads and replace them if they’re worn out.

A faulty brake light switch that needs adjustment or total replacement could also be causing intermittent brake light activation.

You may also want to check if your brake light circuit has any wiring issues, e.g. damaged wires, loose connections, or corrosion. These may make the brake light go and on off.

If you’re facing the issue of a brake light that stays on in your Honda CR-V, you may also find our article on Honda Accord brake light stays on helpful. This article provides troubleshooting tips and potential solutions for dealing with a similar problem in the Honda Accord model. Additionally, if you drive a Subaru and are experiencing a flashing brake light along with a check engine light, our article on Subaru brake light flashing and check engine light on offers insights and recommendations to address this specific issue.

FAQs:

Why does my Honda CRV brake light stay on when my brake is off?

Your Honda CRV brake light staying on when the brake is off could be caused by a faulty brake light switch, wiring issues, faulty brake pedal, or even low brake fluid.

Where is the brake light fuse on a Honda CR-V?

Brake light fuse on Honda CRV is usually located in the fuse box. This box can be under your car dashboard or the engine compartment, depending on the car model year. Consult your owner’s manual for more info on the exact location of the fuse box in your car.

Conclusion

Your Honda CRV brake light stays on due to a failing brake light switch, brake switch adjustment problems, a faulty brake pedal, brake light circuit wiring issues, or low brake fluid. When this happens, you should stop operating your car until the issue with your brake system has been resolved.

Follow the tips we have discussed in this article to diagnose your vehicle for the exact cause of the brake light staying on. If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting the issue on your own, have a certified auto mechanic or authorized Honda service center do the diagnosis for you.