Google returns several hits on that error, all seem to point to bad/discharged battery... Certainly not what you expect on a new car...

I have an '18 LE with the old hand brake and 6 speed... And things like this are exactly the reason I sought out the previous generation - I sometimes think that even Toyota makes some changes simply for the sake of change itself (or to keep up with the Joneses)... I never understood the benefit of electronic parking brakes.

Good luck - I hope you sort it out... I'm sure it's covered under warranty.

 

I traded 18 LE for 21 Limited, and to me 18 looks from inside like 20 year old car compared to 21 limited. I better take risk of malfunction than going back to old version.

 

There are other posts on this forum concerning this message. Some posters got this message and also messages about PCS or cruise control unavailable. Some dealerships repaired by installing a new battery. Other dealerships found a communications error in the ABS system module and had to replace components. One service advisor posted that the message appears on start up and first shifting into gear because of transient voltage spikes or problems stemming from weak batteries. In all cases the DTC codes are in the body control module and can only be cleared by dealer or TechStream because they are not OBD2 codes. You should test your parking brake--it may actually be working OK. Other posters found their parking brakes were not locked or dragging even with the message. Listen if you can hear the PB engaging and disengaging. You can also try setting the PB to manual mode and cycling it on and off multiple times. It may clear the message and save a trip to the dealer. Also see if you got a message on the touchscreen Alert/Message history under Menu--Info.

 

I think I fixed it. So I had gotten behind the dash and ran a wire for my dashcam to the back of the cigarette lighter outlet. I just spliced wires directly to the dash cam power and the dash cam was running fine. That's when the "Parking Brake unavailable" message appeared (after awhile). After I disconnected the dash cam, the PBU message went away! It makes no sense to me since I connected the dash cam power in serial and nothing else is connected to that cigarette lighter outlet. I'm sure I connected power to the white wire and ground to white/black wire. I guess I'll be finding a new way to connect the dash (like a direct tap to the fuse box). But can someone who knows electronics explain to me why this is happening?

 

This is why I won't mess with the electrical system. I'm not an engineer but I have read many accounts of how this type of modification can cause issues with the CANBUS.

 

I was actually following this method to install my dashcam:

After I did the install, I got the "Parking Brake Unavailable" warning message. I'm now moving to a fuse box tap for the power. It still doesn't make sense to me. Splicing into the back of the cigarette lighter plug should be no different than plugging something into the plug! Maybe I don't understand electricity as much as I think I do. Unless I accidentally reversed the poles??

 

Hello, I had the same problem. I had malfunction of automatic brake. After shifting into P it did not want to disengage. After pressing and holding the (P) button for several times it finally let go, but I had an info to check it by the dealer.

Now I know what was the cause of it.

The issue is when you install any electric device directly to the car battery terminals.

 

had issue with epb resently and fix was recharging battery. Jump starting engine and manually releasing epb fixed problem.

 

I was shocked to learn we have no E-mergency brake lever.

 

Because the notion that everything "e" is better.
There are many things out there that proves to us the mechanical version is better.
I wonder how many miles Tesla or Rivian electric motors will go before needing replacement? My Lexus v8 is nearing 300kmi!
Is there any end-user maintenance that can be done to the eV motors?

 

Interesting, Thanx for posting...

 

I get this "Parking brake temporarily unavailable" message and at first had no idea, for what it is. After finding this topic, I understood, that problem is with discharged 12V battery.

In short - read your thosands page manual before driving. All time I thinked, that switching IGNITION ON, but not starting hybrid system to READY, starts charging 12V battery. But manual clearly says that, to prevent 12-volt battery discharge:

• Do not leave the power switch in ACC or ON for long periods of time without the hybrid system on.
• If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the power switch is not in OFF. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch to OFF.

I was in this IGNITION ON phase, when colleague showed up and started hour-long discussion. After returning to car and trying to start it, I get that message. Service doesn't answered at first call. I found this topic, understood about discharged 12V battery, measured it 8V. Obviously it was enough to turn on some systems, but not enough to start hybrid system to READY. I had another coleague near with car and battery cables and managed to jumpstart the system.

 

What country are you in? I don't recognize your flag. This forum is truly RAV4 World.