Rear Brake Pads with an Electronic Parking Brake

By the Radman Auto Repair team, independent auto repair in Etobicoke since 1999 · Updated November 2026

Most cars built since about 2016 have an electronic parking brake (EPB): a button instead of a lever. The rear calipers have electric motors, so you can’t just push the piston back. Put the system in service mode first, or you can damage the caliper motor.

Symptoms

What Causes It

Before You Start

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake and chock the wheels. Never work under a car held up only by a jack: use rated jack stands.
• Let the engine and exhaust cool before you touch them; coolant systems are under pressure when hot.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves, and disconnect the 12V battery before unplugging electrical parts or working near airbags.
• Check for open recalls on your VIN (Transport Canada or the manufacturer’s site) before you buy parts: a recall repair is free at the dealer.
• Chock the front wheels: once service mode is on, the rear brakes won’t hold the car.

Step-by-Step: Rear Brakes with Electronic Parking Brake

1. Enter service mode. Connect a scan tool and run the EPB “service” or “retract” function, or follow the maker’s manual procedure in the service manual. The motors whir as they retract.
2. Lift and remove the wheels. Raise the rear safely on stands and remove the wheels.
3. Remove the caliper. Remove the caliper bolts, leave the EPB motor connected and hang the caliper with wire.
4. Replace pads and rotors. Remove the old pads, clean the bracket, fit new hardware, and replace the rotors if worn.
5. Compress the piston. With the EPB retracted, push the piston back with a piston tool (some types screw back clockwise).
6. Reassemble. Grease the slide pins, refit the caliper and torque the bolts and wheels to spec.
7. Exit service mode. Use the scan tool to close the EPB, then pump the brake pedal several times.
8. Cycle and test. Apply and release the parking brake a few times, confirm the warning light is off, and test-drive.

When to Stop and Bring It In

• You don’t have a scan tool with EPB functions and don’t know your car’s manual procedure.
• The EPB warning stays on after the job.
• An EPB motor doesn’t retract: it may have failed.
• Calipers are seized from rust: see caliper repair.

Not sure, or out of time? Radman Auto Repair in Etobicoke does this repair every week. Book online or call (416) 742-4521.

Also Known As

Searched as “electronic parking brake service mode”, “EPB rear brake pads”, “how to retract electronic parking brake”, “CX-5 rear brake pads”, “Tiguan rear brakes EPB”, “Rogue rear brake service mode” and “parking brake malfunction after brake job”.

Frequently Asked Questions

See also Brake Pads & Rotor Service, Brakes Squealing & Grinding, Brake Fluid Flush, Brake Pulsation Diagnosis.

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