Spongy VW Eos Brakes Signal Dangerous Fluid Leak

I experienced something very similar with my VW Golf 2012. As someone with moderate experience maintaining cars, I can tell you that spongy brake pedals often indicate potential issues beyond just low brake fluid. In my case, the master cylinder was failing, allowing air to enter the brake system. During the brake inspection, they found worn brake pads and deteriorating brake lines. The workshop performed a complete brake fluid replacement, replaced the master cylinder, and installed new brake pads. The total repair came to 480€, but it was worth every cent for safety. The symptoms you describe, especially the increased pedal pressure, are serious warning signs that shouldn't be ignored. Important safety note: Low brake fluid combined with spongy pedal feel could mean fluid is leaking somewhere in the system. This requires immediate attention, as brake failure could occur without warning. To provide more specific advice about your situation, could you share: Current mileage on your Eos, When was your last brake fluid change, Are you noticing any fluid spots where you park, Have you had any recent brake work done Until you get it checked, minimize driving and keep extra distance from other vehicles when you must drive.

Last service was 3 months ago at 65000km, and the hydraulic brakes were working perfectly then. The warning light for brake fluid hasnt illuminated yet, but the spongy brake pedal is concerning given the safety implications. Thanks for sharing your experience. I will get it checked right away rather than risk compromising the braking system further. Since the brake fluid level is dropping without visible leaks, there could be an internal seal issue. Better to identify and fix the root cause now before it leads to complete brake failure. Will update once the brake inspection reveals the actual problem. Hopefully its just air in the lines that can be addressed with a proper fluid replacement rather than major component failure.

Having gone through this with my Golf, I understand your concern about the hydraulic brakes. The fact that your brake fluid level is dropping without visible leaks points strongly toward what I experienced, internal seals failing in the master cylinder. The absence of a warning light doesnt mean everything is fine. In my case, the warning light only came on after the brake fluid dropped significantly below minimum. The spongy brake pedal was actually the first indication something was wrong. Since your last service was only 3 months ago at 65000km, its unlikely to be normal wear. When my master cylinder failed, it was also shortly after a routine service where no brake issues were found. The seals can deteriorate quite rapidly once they start failing. A complete brake fluid replacement might be needed, but first have them pressure test the system to locate any internal leaks. The diagnostic and repair cost me 480€, which included: System pressure testing, Master cylinder replacement, Brake fluid replacement, Bleeding all brake lines Looking forward to hearing what they find during your inspection. If the symptoms match what I experienced, preparing for master cylinder work would be wise.

Thanks for all the feedback about master cylinder issues. I just got back from the repair shop and wanted to share what they found during the brake inspection. Turns out you were spot on about internal leaks. The brake system diagnosis revealed a failing master cylinder seal that was allowing brake fluid to slowly leak internally. They also found some air in the lines from the seal issue. The repair involved: Complete master cylinder replacement, Full brake fluid replacement, System bleeding and testing Total came to 520€ including parts and labor. More than I hoped to spend, but the brakes now feel solid again with proper pedal response. Definitely worth fixing right away before it got worse. Glad I didnt wait for the warning light to come on. The spongy pedal was enough of a warning sign that something wasnt right with the hydraulic system. Regular brake inspections and fluid checks are going on my maintenance checklist from now on. Thanks again for helping identify this as a potentially serious issue requiring immediate attention. Safe braking is worth every euro spent on proper repairs.