Spongy Brake Pedal Points to Fluid Leak in VW Van

Experienced similar symptoms with my 2012 VW Passat. The spongy brake pedal combined with low brake fluid typically indicates a hydraulic brakes issue that needs immediate attention. When my brake pedal started feeling soft, it turned out the brake fluid had degraded and absorbed moisture over time, leading to reduced hydraulic pressure in the system. The mechanic found small leaks in the brake lines, which explained the low fluid level in the reservoir. The repair required a complete brake fluid replacement, fixing the leaking brake lines, and bleeding the entire brake system to remove air bubbles. This was classified as a serious safety issue that needed immediate repair since compromised braking performance puts everyone at risk. The symptoms you describe are nearly identical. Low brake fluid combined with a spongy pedal often points to either: Leaking brake lines, Failed brake master cylinder, Air in the brake system, Severely worn brake pads Would strongly recommend getting this checked professionally right away. Car brakes are not something to postpone repairs on, especially with these warning signs present.

Thanks for the detailed explanation of what you found with your Passat. My Transporter is now at the shop and they also identified leaks in the brake lines. The master cylinder seems fine but they recommend replacing the lines and doing a complete brake fluid replacement. Did you remember roughly how much you paid for the repair? Also curious if you had any other brake system issues pop up since getting it fixed?

Glad to help with the cost info for my Passat brake repair. The total came to 480€ for fixing the worn brake lines and doing a complete brake fluid replacement. This included bleeding the brake system to make sure no air remained in the lines. Since having the work done, the brake pedal feels firm again and the brake fluid level low warning has not returned. The brake system has been working perfectly for the past 8 months with no other issues showing up. Regular fluid checks show the master cylinder is maintaining proper levels. Getting those leaky brake lines fixed was definitely worth the investment for safety and peace of mind. A proper brake fluid replacement also helps prevent future problems with moisture contamination in the system.

Thanks everyone for your input. Just got my Transporter back from the shop today. The repair ended up costing 520€ for replacing two brake lines and flushing the brake fluid. They showed me the corroded lines they removed, definitely needed replacing. The brake pedal feels nice and firm now, completely different from before. They did a thorough brake inspection and confirmed the master cylinder and other brake system components were in good shape. Really glad I got this sorted quickly after seeing those warning signs. The mechanic did a great job explaining everything and showing me the old parts. Much better experience than my last repair shop. Will definitely stick with them for future brake service. The car stops perfectly now with no more spongy pedal feel. Going to keep a closer eye on my brake fluid levels from now on during regular maintenance checks.