Jaguar XJ Brake Pedal Issues Signal Fluid Loss Risk

Having some experience with brake systems, I dealt with a similar issue on my 2014 Jaguar XF last year. The symptoms you describe, spongy brake pedal and low brake fluid, match what I experienced. The hydraulic brakes system needed attention due to worn brake lines that were causing a slow fluid leak. When the brake fluid level drops, air can enter the system, creating that spongy brake pedal feel you mentioned. My repair involved: Complete brake fluid flush, Replacement of corroded brake lines, New master cylinder seals, Brake pad replacement Total cost was 480€, including parts and labor. The workshop completed everything in one day. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Current mileage on your XJ, When brakes were last serviced, Whether you notice any fluid spots where you park, If the brake pedal gets firmer after pumping it several times These symptoms should not be ignored as they affect brake performance. Your brake system needs inspection soon, especially since low brake fluid indicates either a leak or severely worn brake pads.

Thanks for the detailed information about brake system repairs. My XJ has 85804 KM and the last service was 3 months ago where they did not mention any brake issues. I do notice small drops where I park, but they are very intermittent. The brake pedal does get slightly firmer after pumping it a few times, which seems to match your experience with leaking brake lines. Since my brake inspection is now overdue, I will schedule a service visit. Given the symptoms match your case so closely, I will ask them to specifically check the brake lines and master cylinder for potential leaks in the hydraulic brakes system. The repair cost you mentioned seems reasonable for the work done. I will budget similarly for my repairs.

Thanks for the additional details, those symptoms really do mirror what I experienced with my XF. The intermittent drops and pedal behavior definitely point toward brake line deterioration, just like in my case. The relatively recent service without noted brake issues suggests this developed quickly. My brake lines also showed rapid deterioration between inspections, which is common in our model years. After my repair, the brake pedal immediately returned to normal firmness. A proper brake inspection revealed the leak was mainly at a connection point near the master cylinder. Getting it fixed promptly likely prevented more extensive hydraulic brakes system damage. Since your mileage is similar to when my issue occurred, you might want to have them inspect the same areas where my leaks appeared. The total repair cost could be lower if caught early before the master cylinder needs replacement. Just keep monitoring the brake fluid level closely until your service appointment. If the warning light activates or the pedal feel worsens significantly, consider moving up the inspection date.

Thanks for all that info on brake line issues. The scenario you described matches my situation almost exactly. After hearing about your experience, I am more confident about what to expect at the shop. The fluid spots and spongy brake pedal behavior do suggest brake line problems like you had. Good to know the repair was completed in one day and the cost was reasonable at 480€. Given our cars have similar mileage when these issues appeared, I will definitely have them check the brake lines and connections near the master cylinder first. I have scheduled the inspection for next week. Will monitor the brake fluid level daily until then and watch for any changes in the brake system performance. If the brake pedal feel gets worse or if the warning light comes on, I will bring it in immediately instead of waiting. While concerning, at least this seems to be a known issue with a straightforward fix. Better to address it now before it affects other brake components or becomes a safety risk.