I was driving my wife’s car tonight (2013 Malibu 2LT) and got two new warning lights: a rad light that just says “BRAKE,” and a ‘P’ in a circle with a wrench under it. I cannot find anything online to diagnose what they mean; obviously something with the brake system. Is this something as simple as low brake fluid, or would this be indicative of a more serious or pressing issue? The parking brake will not activate, either. Pic for reference. The other warning lights have been on for a while and are a known issue.

There is no noticeable change in driving conditions, FWIW.



EDIT: Image will be much clearer if you click on it.

ABS sensor or traction control sensor is blocked or failing.
Have you been through some mud or crappy terrain?

Try a car wash pressure washer around the wheels. If that doesn’t solve it, it’s time for a trip to the stealership, or a reputable mechanic that knows his stuff.

I believe the (P) is for parking brake. Some vehicles have powered parking brakes instead of manual one’s. It appears your vehicle has such a system. I would pull codes to see which direction you need to go.

Don't know what the P and wrench icon means, but the Brake and ABS lights together can mean your ABS system isn't functioning properly. My 2003 Silverado's been like that for years. Means you have to stop like they did for decades before ABS came along - feather the pedal carefully or pump the brakes so you don't lock up the wheels and induce a skid on slick surfaces. Might be a ground connection the ABS relies on that's come loose. They can cause that.

As I said earlier, it’s the ABS or the traction control system. I’d put a dollar on it.

All the dash warning light symbols and their meaning have been in the owners manual of every car I have owned. Might help if you have one.

2013 Malibu owners manual from a simple search.

Page 5-19 shows the "P" with wrench symbol.

Service Electric Parking
Brake Light

The service electric parking brake
light should come on briefly when
the vehicle is in ON/RUN. If it does
not come on, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
If this light stays on, there is a
problem with a system on the
vehicle that is causing the parking
brake system to work at a reduced
level. The vehicle can still be driven,
but should be taken to a dealer as
soon as possible. See Parking
Brake on page 9‑30.
For vehicles with the uplevel or
eAssist cluster, this telltale displays
in the DIC screen.

quote:

The other warning lights have been on for a while and are a known issue.

So the yellow ABS light and the squiggly thing traction/stability control light have been on, then the park brake and red brake light came on?

ABS by itself usually indicates a sensor failure. ABS and Brake lights on together usually indicate a loss of power or ground to, or complete failure of, the control module (EBCM). The park brake is also electronic, activated by some sort of switch instead of a pedal or lever. It can be an actuator pulling on a cable to the rear calipers (or little shoes inside the drum "hat" section of the rotor), or built into the calipers themselves. You have components or wiring/connections progressively failing. However, the car can still be driven safely; the brakes will lock up if you "dynamite" them, just as older cars without ABS did.