Amarok Brake Booster Sensor Causing Weak Brakes

Similar issue occurred on my 2013 VW Transporter, the brake performance was severely affected and warning lights started appearing. Being somewhat experienced with hydraulic brakes maintenance, I first suspected air in the brake lines. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed that the brake system was incorrectly bled, allowing air bubbles to interfere with the brake booster and pressure sensor readings. The brake pedal feel was inconsistent because trapped air was preventing proper hydraulic pressure buildup. The fix involved a complete professional brake system bleed, recalibration of the pressure sensor, and a thorough diagnostic scan. Total cost was 90€ and completely resolved the warning lights and restored normal brake pedal feel. Before suggesting anything specific for your case, could you share: Any specific error codes stored? When did you last have brake work done? Does the brake pedal feel spongy or just hard? Is the issue constant or does it come and go? This information would help determine if your Amarok is experiencing the same root cause or if something else might be affecting the brake booster system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. At my latest service at 64364km, they mentioned the brake fluid was due for replacement but I postponed it. The ABS system warning light is now constant and diagnostic tools show error code P0573. The brake pedal feels harder than normal and requires more force to achieve normal braking. The brake booster seems to provide inconsistent assistance, especially during the first press after starting the engine. This definitely feels more serious than just air in the brake system.

Thanks for those additional details. Now that you mention postponing the brake fluid change, this strongly points toward a failing brake booster pressure sensor rather than just trapped air like in my Transporter case. The error code P0573 specifically indicates a brake booster pressure sensor circuit issue, and the symptoms you describe, especially the inconsistent assistance after startup, match what I experienced before my sensor eventually failed completely. The hard pedal feel combined with inconsistent boost suggests the pressure sensor is sending incorrect readings to the brake control module. This causes the system to limit brake boost as a safety measure. I would strongly recommend: 1. Complete brake fluid replacement (old fluid can damage sensor components) 2. Full diagnostic scan with professional diagnostic tools 3. Pressure sensor replacement if testing confirms the fault The replacement parts for the sensor typically cost around 180€, plus labor. In my case, replacing the sensor and fluid restored proper brake boost and cleared all warning lights. Important: Since this affects brake performance, best to address it promptly. The symptoms will likely worsen over time as the sensor continues to degrade.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I think youre right about the brake booster pressure sensor being the likely culprit. The symptoms match exactly what Im experiencing, especially that inconsistent brake boost after cold starts. I checked the maintenance records and the brake fluid is now 2 years old, so definitely overdue. Will book it in next week to have both the fluid change and pressure sensor diagnosis done. The ABS system warnings are concerning enough that I dont want to risk waiting any longer. Good to know the sensor replacement fixed similar issues in other cases. Ill make sure they run a complete diagnostic scan to confirm before replacing parts. The 180€ cost for the sensor seems reasonable considering its a critical brake system component. Having my regular workshop handle both the fluid service and sensor replacement makes sense. Hoping this gets the brake performance back to normal and clears those warning lights. Appreciate the guidance from those whove dealt with this before.