MajorCommonBrakes

Holden Commodore: VF Electronic Park Brake Caliper Failure

VF Electronic Park Brake Caliper Failure is a common brakes fault on the Holden Commodore on the 2013–2017 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $900 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 51 documented faults on the Holden Commodore.

Vehicle: Holden Commodore
Years: 2013–2017
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Brakes

This page covers the Holden Commodore as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Holden Commodore faults51 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Brake disc and pads yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The VF Commodore introduced an electronic park brake (EPB) using electric motor-driven rear calipers. The EPB actuator motors seize or fail, particularly after exposure to road salt and moisture in NZ conditions. Failure can result in the park brake applying while driving, not releasing, or refusing to engage. The motors and actuators are integral to the caliper and require full caliper replacement. Parts supply for specific caliper variants became difficult post-Holden AU exit in 2017.

What you would notice

Electronic park brake warning light on dash
Park brake fails to release after overnight park
Grinding or dragging sensation from one rear wheel
Error messages in driver information centre referencing park brake fault

How to check it

Where to look. Rear brake calipers, EPB motor actuator mounted to caliper body

Cycle the electronic park brake apply and release several times and confirm both rear wheels spin freely afterwards. Inspect rear caliper area for corrosion around the EPB motor housing. If a workshop inspection is possible: Check for EPB warning codes with a scan tool.

Parts involved: Brake disc and pads.

What it costs to put right

$900 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the electronic park brake ever stuck or failed to release?”
“Any park brake warning lights?”
“Have the rear calipers been replaced?”

Now check the Holden Commodore you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Holden Commodore buyer questions

Is vf electronic park brake caliper failure serious on a Holden Commodore?

We rate it major and common on the Holden Commodore. The VF Commodore introduced an electronic park brake (EPB) using electric motor-driven rear calipers. The EPB actuator motors seize or fail, particularly after exposure to road salt and moisture in NZ conditions. Failure can result in the park brake applying while driving, not releasing, or refusing to engage. The motors and actuators are integral to the caliper and require full caliper replacement. Parts supply for specific caliper variants became difficult post-Holden AU exit in 2017.

How much does it cost to fix on a Holden Commodore?

$900 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Holden Commodore years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2013–2017 Holden Commodore. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.