These replacement costs will vary somewhat depending on your vehicle and where you get the work done. Customers use the Jerry app to get accurate repair quotes from nearby shops.
Real customers Jerry has helped
Costs for replacing your brake light switch depend on your exact vehicle, where you live and the quality of parts used. With Jerry, you can quickly see what drivers are paying right now. Below are real examples of customers we’ve helped secure top prices for when they need to replace a brake light switch.
Estimates are modeled based on real vehicle and location data; names have been changed. Actual prices will vary by shop, parts, and vehicle condition.
Cost breakdown: Why prices vary:
While replacing a brake light switch is not a major expense, the final price can be influenced by a few factors:
Your car year and model:
The car you drive determines the part’s complexity and its accessibility. A multi-function switch for a modern luxury vehicle costs more than a simple one, and a switch that’s hard to reach behind dash panels increases labor time. This can easily change the final price by $50 – $150 or more.
The type of shop you go to:
A franchised dealer typically has higher hourly labor rates and uses more expensive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. Choosing an independent shop, which often provides more affordable aftermarket part options, can save you $50 – $100 for the exact same repair.
Location:
Labor rates are significantly higher in major metropolitan areas due to a higher cost of doing business. You can expect to pay more for labor in a large city than in a smaller town, which can account for a $30 – $50 difference in the final labor charge.
The repair explained: What is a brake light switch?
A brake light switch is a small electrical switch mounted near your brake pedal. When you press the pedal, the switch turns on your rear brake lights so drivers behind you know you’re slowing down or stopping. In many cars, it also sends a signal to the car’s computer for things like cruise control and automatic transmissions, so it’s more important than it looks.
If the brake light switch goes bad or gets out of adjustment, your brake lights might not come on at all, stay on constantly, or flicker. You might also notice issues like cruise control not working or the shifter getting stuck in “Park” in some vehicles. If someone tells you your brake lights aren’t working (or you see they’re stuck on) it’s a good idea to get the brake light switch checked and replaced soon, both for safety and to avoid getting pulled over.
With one customer I helped, their car's brakes felt fine at first, but after eight or nine presses of the pedal, they stopped releasing properly. In normal stop-and-go traffic, there wasn’t enough time for the brake pressure to bleed off, so the brakes stayed partially applied. The car ended up feeling like the parking brake was on: dragging, heating up, and eventually locking the wheels.
The cause wasn’t a “bad” brake part. It was the brake light switch at the pedal set right on the edge of where it should be. Once the switch was adjusted so the pedal and system could fully relax between uses, the brakes released normally and the problem disappeared.
Symptoms of a faulty brake light switch
With so many systems affected by a faulty brake light switch, the symptoms are usually clear and don’t require a major diagnostic approach outside of the quick checks you can run in the Jerry app. Typically, the internal contacts in the switch fail, preventing current from flowing when the brake is applied.
Look for these signs of failure:
- Brake lights that do not illuminate when you press the pedal or are stuck on permanently.
- You cannot shift your vehicle out of the Park position.
- Warning lights for the ABS or Traction/Stability Control systems appear on your dashboard.
- Your vehicle’s cruise control will not engage.
Your action plan: How to get it done right
Given the safety-critical nature of this part, here is your plan for a successful repair:
Confirm the symptoms:
Verify that your issue (e.g., no brake lights, can’t shift from Park) matches the signs of a failing switch. Jerry customers use the app to help them get a diagnosis before taking their car to the shop.
Assess the job:
Locate the switch on your vehicle’s brake pedal arm. Based on its accessibility, decide if this is a DIY job that you are comfortable and skilled enough to perform.
Consider the adjustment:
Improper adjustment can cause serious issues. If you are not confident in setting the switch perfectly, a professional repair is the safer choice.
DIY vs. Pro
Due to the challenging location and the critical need for proper adjustment, this job is often best left to a professional unless you are an experienced DIYer. Fortunately, finding the right local mechanic and reliable quotes for the job is easy via the Jerry app. But whether you prefer a DIY brake light switch replacement or a professional repair, here are the factors to consider before you decide to do it yourself.
Related repairs
If you are looking to get your brake light switch repaired, it’s helpful to know about some related repairs a shop might suggest. You can get accurate quotes for these services from local shops all in the Jerry app.
- Brake light bulb replacement: The shop may replace any burned-out or dim brake light bulbs so all your brake lights work properly.
- Fuse inspection and replacement: Your mechanic may check and replace any blown fuses that could be causing the brake lights not to work.
- Wiring and connector repair: If they find corroded, loose, or damaged wires or plugs, they might repair or replace them to prevent the problem from coming back.
- General brake system check: Since they’re already working on the brake system, they may do a quick check of the pads, rotors, and fluid and let you know if anything else needs attention.
What our customers are asking
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Is it safe to drive with a bad brake light switch?
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Can a bad brake light switch drain my battery?
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Will a bad brake light switch cause me to fail an inspection or get a ticket?
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Will fixing the brake light switch turn off my warning lights?
Steve Kaleff began working on cars at the very young age of nine years old, when his dad actually let him make fixes on the family car. Fast forward to the beginning of a professional career working at independent repair shops and then transitioning to new car dealerships. His experience was with Mercedes-Benz, where Steve was a technician for ten years, four of those years solving problems that no one could or wanted to fix. He moved up to shop foreman and then service manager for 15 years. There have been tremendous changes in automotive technology since Steve started his professional career, so here’s looking forward to an electric future!
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
