Spongy Brakes & Pulsating Pedal Signals A3 Safety Risk

The symptoms you describe with your A3 match what I experienced with my 2019 Audi A4 Diesel. The spongy brake pedal combined with pulsating feedback often indicates air in the brake lines or warped brake rotors. In my case, the brake rotors had developed uneven wear patterns causing vibrations through the brake pedal. The squeaky brakes started shortly after, which was another warning sign. The issue required a complete brake system inspection. The repair involved: Bleeding the brake lines to remove air, Replacing warped brake rotors, Installing new brake pads, Resurfacing the metal brakes This is a serious safety concern that needs immediate attention. The spongy feeling means your braking performance is compromised. When brake shoes and rotors are worn unevenly, it can lead to longer stopping distances and potential brake failure. Given your mileage, this could be normal wear and tear, but the uneven feeling suggests possible caliper issues or improper previous service. Have a certified mechanic perform a full brake system diagnostic to determine the exact cause.

Thanks for explaining your similar experience. At 70k km that seems quite early for such extensive brake work on an A3, but modern disc brakes can wear unevenly if the brake calipers stick. Had mine fixed a couple weeks ago after noticing the same spongy brake pedal and vibrations. The mechanic found air in the brake fluid lines and slightly warped rotors. Just wondering what total cost you ended up paying for all the brake work? Also curious if youve had any other brake system issues pop up since getting it repaired?

The total brake repair costs were surprisingly reasonable at 240 Euro for my A3 compared to what I initially expected. The mechanic addressed both the spongy brake pedal and vibration issues by properly bleeding the brake system and fixing the brake fluid lines. Since having the work done, the brake system has performed flawlessly with no squeaky brakes or other issues. The brake pedal now has that firm, consistent feel you expect from properly functioning brake rotors. It was definitely worth addressing early before the warped rotors could cause more extensive damage to the brake pads and other components. The repair actually revealed an undervoltage problem in the vehicle that was also fixed during the same service. Getting both issues resolved at once saved time and prevented potential future complications with the brake system. For preventive maintenance, I now have the brake fluid checked regularly to avoid air getting trapped in the lines again. This helps maintain optimal brake performance and extends the life of the brake pads and rotors.

Thanks for the feedback. After putting off the repair for a few weeks, I finally took my A3 to a new mechanic. The hydraulic brakes needed a thorough flush to remove air from the lines, plus they found slightly warped brake rotors that were causing the vibration. All in it cost 280 Euro for parts and labor. The brake calipers checked out fine thankfully. The mechanic explained the spongy pedal was mainly from air in the brake lines, likely from poor maintenance by the previous shop. After bleeding the system and resurfacing the rotors, the brakes feel much more solid now with no more pulsating or squeaky brakes. Really glad I got it sorted before any major issues developed. The new shop did great work and I will definitely use them again for future maintenance. Lesson learned about not ignoring brake system warning signs, no matter how minor they seem at first.