Spongy Jeep Cherokee Brakes Point to Fluid Loss Issue

I had a very similar issue with my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee last year. Having some experience with basic car maintenance, I first tried checking the brake fluid level myself, but quickly realized this needed professional attention. The spongy brake pedal combined with low brake fluid pointed to a potential leak in the brake system. My mechanic discovered worn brake lines and a partially failing master cylinder. The brake fluid was leaking slowly, which explained the gradually worsening pedal feel. The complete repair included: Brake fluid replacement, New brake lines, Master cylinder replacement, Full system bleeding Total cost came to 480 Euro, including parts and labor. It was worth every cent for the safety aspect alone. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Cherokee, could you share: Current mileage, When was the last brake fluid change, Any unusual noises when braking, Whether you notice any fluid spots under the car These details would help determine if youre facing a similar brake system issue. Given the age of your vehicle, its important to have this checked professionally, as brake system problems can escalate quickly.

Last service was 2 months ago at 76887 KM. Your responses align with what I found, it turned out to be deteriorated brake lines causing a slow leak. The warning light came on shortly after my post. The shop discovered multiple points where the brake lines had corroded, allowing brake fluid to escape. They had to replace the entire brake line system and perform a complete brake fluid replacement. The repair also included bleeding the system to ensure no air remained. The total repair cost was 520 Euro, which covered parts, new brake fluid, and labor. Definitely worth addressing early, the spongy brake pedal was an important warning sign that saved me from a potentially dangerous situation.

Thanks for the update on your Cherokee brake repair. Its interesting how similar our cases were, even down to the corrosion pattern in the brake lines. Mine started the same way, spongy brake pedal followed by the warning light. Looking back, regular brake fluid replacement might have helped slow down the corrosion. Most mechanics recommend changing brake fluid every 2 years since contaminated fluid can accelerate brake line deterioration. The repair cost difference between our cases makes sense given the time gap. Brake system components have gotten a bit pricier lately. The master cylinder alone has gone up about 15% since my repair last year. At least the warning light came on before complete brake failure, thats exactly what these systems are designed for. Good catch on addressing the spongy brake pedal early. Its always better to deal with brake issues before they become safety problems. Since the repair, my brakes have been solid with no fluid leaks or pedal issues. Keep an eye on your brake fluid level during the next few months just to be sure everything settled properly after the repair.

Thanks for the detailed responses regarding the brake line issues. After getting the brake system repair completed, I wanted to close the loop on my situation. A comprehensive brake inspection revealed multiple corroded brake lines that caused the fluid leak. The repair included full brake line replacement, new brake fluid, and system bleeding. Total cost was 520 Euro for parts and labor. The warning signs were accurate indicators, the spongy brake pedal and low fluid level pointed directly to the underlying problem. Catching this early helped avoid a potentially dangerous brake failure situation. For others who might experience similar brake system issues in older Cherokees, those soft pedal symptoms combined with fluid loss definitely warrant immediate professional attention. The repair cost was significant but necessary for safety. Going forward, I plan to be more proactive with regular brake fluid replacement to help prevent premature brake line corrosion. The peace of mind from having properly functioning brakes is worth the maintenance investment.