Hi

I'm new here - first post.

Has anyone out there experienced parking brakes freezing in cold weather?

I have a 2005 Buick Rendezvous. I recently drove it a few 100 kilometers in cold (about 2 deg celsius to about - 6 deg C.) into the Southern Interior of BC, Canada. I applied my parking break at a rest stop and noticed it felt like it didn't completely release as I started, but there were no red lights or alarms so I continued on my trip. I parked at the end of my trip on the side of a road that had recently had some snow removed. It was cold out but not that cold, for a Canadian winter - about -2 or 3 deg C. I attempted to release the park break and it didn't release. I was in a position where I had to drive the vehicle for a few kelometers with the ALARMS AND RED LIGHT on in order to phone a tow truck.

It had to be towed to a dealership (I was lucky to find one open on Dec 30). They were good and I had to have my brakes replaced (shoes = $500 including labor). It took 2 days to sort out and it really put a damper on the four day holiday for the wife and I.

The dealership said "it wasn't a warranty issue and that the brakes just froze - it happens."

I've been driving for 42 years and never had that happen in any of the dozens of vehicles I've owned. It seems like it may be a defect in the way the Rendezbous wheels/brakes are made.

Thoughts?