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vincentheld4

Spongy VW Arteon Brakes Signal Potential Caliper Issues

My brake pedal feels spongy and has started pulsating when I press it. Not sure if my brake pads are worn or if there might be a bigger issue with the brake calipers. This started happening gradually over the last few weeks. Driving a 2017 VW Arteon 2.0 TSI with 19089km. Has anyone experienced similar brake problems? Looking for advice before taking it to a mechanic since my last repair experience wasnt great.

4 comment(s)

paulaberger1

The symptoms you describe with your VW Arteon match what I experienced with my 2020 VW Passat 2.0 TSI. A spongy brake pedal combined with pulsation often indicates air in the hydraulic brake system or warped brake discs. When my brake pedal started feeling soft, the issue turned out to be a combination of contaminated brake fluid and slightly warped disc brakes. The brake calipers were sticking intermittently, causing uneven wear on the brake pads. This is a serious safety concern that requires immediate attention. The repair involved: Complete brake fluid flush, Resurfacing the brake discs, Replacing brake pads on all wheels, Cleaning and lubricating brake calipers, Bleeding the hydraulic brake system With your mileage being relatively low, the issue might be related to brake fluid moisture contamination rather than wear. The squeaky brakes and pedal pulsation are warning signs that shouldnt be ignored. This repair requires professional diagnostic equipment and expertise to properly bleed the brake system and ensure all components are functioning correctly. Would strongly recommend having this checked by a certified mechanic, as brake system issues can compromise vehicle safety significantly.

vincentheld4 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had almost identical symptoms with my Arteon last year. The brake pedal felt increasingly soft over time and the pulsating was quite concerning. After checking, it turned out the brake fluid had absorbed moisture over time, which compromised the entire brake system efficiency. The mechanic replaced all brake pads and did a complete fluid flush. The metal brakes also needed resurfacing as the brake calipers were not engaging evenly. The fix resolved all issues and my brakes have been working perfectly since then. Can you share how much the repair cost in your case? Also curious if youve had any recurring brake issues since the fix?

paulaberger1

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. After getting the brake work done, all brake-related problems were completely resolved. The squeaky brakes and worn brake shoes are now a thing of the past. The mechanic did a thorough job checking the hydraulic brakes and replacing contaminated brake fluid. The total repair came to 240€, which covered the complete system diagnosis, parts, and labor. This included cleaning the brake rotors and ensuring proper calibration of all components. Since the repair, the brake pedal response has remained firm and consistent with no pulsation or sponginess. Its been 8 months now and everything is still working perfectly. No recurring issues whatsoever with the braking system. The investment was definitely worth it for the safety and peace of mind of having properly functioning brakes.

vincentheld4 (Author)

I went ahead and took it to my trusted mechanic last week. The total repair cost was around 280€, which included a complete brake system inspection, new brake fluid, and resurfacing of the rotors. They found that my brake calipers were slightly seized, causing uneven wear on the brake pads. The repair took about 3 hours, but the results were worth it. The brake pedal is now firm and responsive with no more pulsation. The squeaky brakes are gone too. My mechanic explained that regular brake fluid changes could prevent these issues in the future. Really glad I got it fixed when I did. The car feels much safer to drive now, and the braking performance is back to how it should be. Will definitely keep up with regular brake maintenance from now on to avoid similar problems.

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