Mushy VW Caddy Brake Pedal Needs Quick Diagnosis

Had the same issue on my 2014 VW Golf with the 1.4 TSI engine. The mushy brake pedal and increased travel are typical symptoms of air in the hydraulic brake system or a failing master cylinder. First noticed it during normal braking, and the problem got worse over two weeks. The brake system inspection revealed air bubbles in the brake lines due to a small leak at one of the rear brake line fittings. This is a serious safety concern that required immediate attention. The complete repair involved bleeding the brake system, replacing the compromised brake lines, and adding fresh brake fluid. While checking brake fluid levels is doable at home, diagnosing the root cause of a soft brake pedal requires professional diagnostic equipment and expertise. Given your symptoms match what I experienced, recommend getting a professional brake inspection immediately. A failing brake system can lead to complete brake failure, so this isnt something to postpone or attempt fixing without proper tools and knowledge. Keep in mind that brake fluid naturally absorbs moisture over time, which can also cause similar symptoms, especially if the fluid hasnt been changed according to maintenance schedule.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Golf. Just had my Caddy fixed for nearly the same issue last month. My brake pedal started feeling spongy too. The mechanic found the master cylinder was wearing out and needed replacement, plus they did a complete brake fluid replacement since it was way overdue. The fix worked perfectly, brake pedal is firm again and the brakes feel much more responsive. Really glad I got it checked when I did. Did you manage to get the Golf sorted completely? How much did the repair end up costing for your brake line issue? Just curious since prices for brake system repairs seem to vary quite a bit.

Thanks for asking about my Golf repair. Yes, got it completely sorted and havent had any brake issues since then. The repair cost was 480€ to replace the brake lines, perform a complete brake fluid flush, and fix the leak at the rear brake line fitting. Good to hear your Caddy is now fixed, replacing a worn master cylinder was definitely the right call. A failing master cylinder can seriously compromise the hydraulic brake system, so catching it early likely prevented more expensive repairs down the line. Having your brake fluid replaced during the service was smart too. Fresh brake fluid makes a noticeable difference in pedal feel and overall brake performance. Regular brake inspection and fluid changes are crucial for maintaining safe, reliable braking. A firm brake pedal is exactly what you want, its one of the clearest signs that your brake system is working as designed. Keep an eye on that brake warning light and pedal feel, but you should be good to go for quite a while now.

I took it to my regular mechanic last week and got the whole thing sorted. The brake line fitting was leaking just like on your Golf. Total cost came to 510€ for replacing the damaged brake lines, flushing the system, and putting in new brake fluid. The brake pedal feels solid now, completely different from that scary mushy feeling before. The mechanic showed me the old brake fluid which was pretty dark and contaminated. Made me realize I should have done the brake inspection sooner when I first noticed the changes in pedal feel. The whole repair took about 3 hours and they even did a full brake system test afterward to make sure everything was working properly. Really happy I got it fixed before any serious issues developed. The warning light never came on, but waiting for that would have been a big mistake. Glad to hear your Golf is running well after the repairs. These brake system issues definitely arent something to ignore. Lesson learned about getting regular brake maintenance done.