C0612 code meaning
Right Park Brake Actuator Control Circuit High
What C0612 means
With C0612 a lead of the right parking brake motor stays at or near battery voltage while the bridge tries to pull it low. Likely causes are a short to a live wire in the rear harness, a wrong splice after body or axle repair, or a defect in the output stage. Driver ICs such as the DRV8873-Q1 treat a short to the supply as its own protected fault and disable the output. GM's PIT5662A, written for park brake messages on the Acadia, XT5, Enclave and Traverse, has technicians measure both rear circuits at the brake module with the actuators plugged in; a reading above 6 ohms means wiring or actuator repair. No maker publishes C0612. The right brake keeps its last position, and a parking brake warning lights up.
C0612 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 2.5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of C0612
- Service parking brake message and warning lamp
- Right parking brake does not respond to the switch
- Code may return as soon as an apply is commanded
Common causes of C0612
- Most likelyMotor lead shorted to a battery-fed wire in the rear harness
- PossibleFailed low-side switch in the control unit holding the lead high
- Less likelyWrong pin or splice after an earlier harness or body repair
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Right epb actuatorEpb control module
What each part of C0612 means
| C | Chassis system: brakes, ABS, steering and suspension. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 12 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note C0612 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about C0612
What does C0612 mean?
C0612 means "Right Park Brake Actuator Control Circuit High". With C0612 a lead of the right parking brake motor stays at or near battery voltage while the bridge tries to pull it low. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with C0612?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With C0612 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will C0612 fail an emissions test?
C0612 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is C0612 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2.5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will C0612 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.