A power drive module for a vehicle power door includes a housing, a drive mechanism arranged in the housing and configured to move a drive element, and a brake assembly arranged in the housing. The brake assembly includes a brake ring operatively coupled to the drive mechanism. A brake band is wrapped about the brake ring and movable between a normally engaged position relative to the brake ring and a disengaged position relative to the brake ring. A brake release actuator is operatively connected to the brake band and configured to move the brake band between the engaged and disengaged positions with the brake ring in response to an electrical signal.