Spongy VW Touran Brakes Need Extra Pedal Pressure

Had a similar issue with my 2018 VW Tiguan diesel. The spongy brake pedal and inconsistent resistance pointed to air in the hydraulic brake system. During the repair, the mechanic found the master cylinder was letting air infiltrate the brake lines. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, brake pedal getting progressively softer and requiring more pressure to achieve normal braking. This is a serious safety concern that needs immediate attention since it affects the entire brake system. The fix involved: Complete brake fluid flush, Replacing the faulty master cylinder, Bleeding all brake lines, Testing the brake shoes and brake pads (which were still in good condition) Key questions to ask your mechanic: 1. Check for air in the brake lines 2. Test the master cylinder for internal leaks 3. Verify brake fluid level and condition 4. Inspect brake calipers for smooth operation Getting this fixed promptly is crucial, compromised hydraulic brakes can lead to complete brake failure. The repair took about 4-5 hours at the shop.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the master cylinder issue. That does sound very similar to what I am experiencing with my Touran. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was? Also curious if youve had any related brake problems since getting it fixed? The mechanic just quoted me for a full brake system inspection but I want to make sure I am not overpaying compared to similar repairs. My disc brakes still seem to work fine, its just that inconsistent pedal feel that worries me. Definitely planning to get it checked out soon before it potentially gets worse.

Since having the brake system repairs completed on my Tiguan, I havent experienced any more issues with the pedal feel or braking performance. The disc brakes and brake calipers are working perfectly now. The total repair came to 240€, which included diagnosing and fixing an unexpected undervoltage problem they discovered during testing. My advice would be to get that full brake system inspection done soon, the price they quoted you sounds reasonable considering they'll need to check the master cylinder, brake lines, and all brake components. The inconsistent pedal response you're describing could quickly develop into a more serious safety issue if left unchecked. I suggest requesting a detailed breakdown of their quoted price and proposed work. Any reputable shop should be happy to explain exactly what they're checking and why. The peace of mind from having properly functioning brakes is worth the investment.

Update: Just got back from the mechanic with my Touran. Thanks for the guidance, you were spot on about the master cylinder. They found air in the hydraulic brake system and a small leak causing the spongy brake pedal. The brake calipers were fine, but they did a complete brake fluid flush and replaced the faulty master cylinder. Total cost came to 280€, slightly more than yours but they also replaced a worn brake line they discovered during inspection. The whole job took about 5 hours. Brake pedal feels solid now with consistent resistance, and the metal brakes are responding perfectly again. Really glad I got it checked when I did, mechanic said it could have gotten much worse quickly. The detailed inspection definitely helped identify all the issues at once rather than having to go back multiple times. Will definitely keep a closer eye on any changes in brake pedal feel going forward.