C0291
Brake Pedal Apply Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Electrical fault in the brake pedal apply sensor circuit. The module cannot reliably detect whether the brake pedal is pressed, which affects ABS, ESP and brake assist functions.
- Check engine light: Not always
- Emissions related: No
- Repair difficulty: medium
Symptoms
- ABS warning light on
- ESC/stability control deactivated
- Possible reduced brake assist
- Speedometer may behave erratically
Common causes
Ordered by how often each turns out to be the cause.
- Pedal apply sensor failedCommon
- Wiring or connector faultPossible
Parts involved
- Brake Apply Sensor
- Brake Control Module
- Sensor Wiring
C0291 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012. Exact wording and diagnostic procedure vary by manufacturer and model. Code definitions are drawn from the public-domain OBDex dataset; the workshop notes are our own.