My recently purchased new 07 has been having some handbrake issues. Sometimes it will perform without problems, and sometimes it will go all the way up without much effort and not hold the car on a hill. It will actually go all the way back until it hits the rear stop. Why does it do this?

Symptoms:
Usually the first pull will be "normal".
If I let it down and pull it again, it will go all the way up.
My rear brakes are NOT worn out and brakes operate normally when driving.

Yes, I'm still under warranty of course and I can just bring it in (and I have to due to an O2 CEL), but I'm interested in finding out what the probable cause may be. I don't feel tightening the brake cable will remedy the situation because the first pull of the E-brake is normal and has it's standard amount of "travel."

I want to remedy this QUICKLY because it already went down my gf's steep driveway into the street and AMAZINGLY had no damage even though there are trees and boulders everywhere. It somehow ended up down the driveway and down the street about 25 feet. Maybe someone tried to steal it? But it was locked and the E-brake was up. Plus with this emerging issue, I think it may be the culprit.

Thanks!

 

Never heard of this. But given the issue, leave the car in 1st gear when parked.

Go to dealer for warrenty ASAP

 

When you let it down the second time, does it actually "release" (meaning your car will roll freely)?

 

Yes it does. Everything about driving it with the E-brake disengaged is fine. I would like to point out further more that it's not always the 2nd time where the brake pulls all the way. Sometimes, it's the initial pull.

When the E-brake "fails" in this fashion, it will still hold the car, but not on any sort of incline. Lately it will pull all the way up almost all the time now.

Very strange.

 

Sounds like a manufactoring defect. Take it in, before rolls into a school bus full of nuns.

Maybe a lose or poorly routed ebrake cable

 

everyone should do this, even if their e-brake appears to be working fine. there have been quite a few posts about cars rolling down driveways and hills while only using the e-brake.

 

I agree, sounds like the cable is routed improperly.