RSQ3 Brake Pedal Goes Soft, Warning Signs & Fluid Drop

I had a similar issue with my Q3 from 2 years earlier. With some experience working on brakes, I can share what happened in my case. The spongy brake pedal combined with low fluid levels often indicates a hydraulic brake system problem. My brake inspection revealed worn brake pads that had completely depleted, causing increased pedal travel and fluid consumption. The workshop found tiny leaks in the brake lines, which explained the gradual fluid loss. They performed a complete brake fluid replacement, installed new brake pads, and repaired the compromised brake lines. The total cost was 480 Euro. For your RSQ3, the symptoms are concerning, especially with such low mileage. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Build year of your RSQ3, When was the last brake fluid change, Any unusual sounds when braking, Does the pedal feel different when engine is off vs running, Is the fluid loss sudden or gradual This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or points to something else in the brake system. Whatever the case, with brake issues its best to have it checked immediately rather than risk brake failure.

I can confirm the issue was resolved after a thorough brake system inspection at 142479 KM. The master cylinder was leaking internally, causing the brake fluid level to drop and creating that spongy pedal feel. Getting the brake warning light was actually fortunate as it caught the problem early. The repair required a full brake fluid replacement and new master cylinder installation. Total repair came to 890 Euro. The brake lines were also pressure tested but thankfully showed no signs of leaks or damage. Good call on getting this checked quickly, brake system issues should never be ignored, especially with the warning light and fluid loss symptoms you described.

Thanks for sharing those details. My Q3 actually needed similar repairs at around 140000 km, it seems the master cylinder has a typical wear point around this mileage. The symptoms you described match exactly what I experienced before my repair. A brake fluid replacement was also necessary in my case since the old fluid had become contaminated from the internal master cylinder leak. The spongy brake pedal feel completely disappeared after the repair, and the hydraulic brakes have been working flawlessly since. The cost you mentioned (890 Euro) is in line with what I paid for the complete job. Its worth every cent for properly functioning brakes. Regular brake inspections can help catch these issues early, though internal master cylinder failures are hard to predict. Good to hear your brake system is back to normal. The warning light definitely helped prevent what could have become a more serious safety issue.

Thanks for the follow up on my earlier post. Having gone through this repair now, Im really glad I didnt try to just top up the brake fluid and ignore the warning signs. The master cylinder failure at just 15000km was unexpected, but the service center explained sometimes manufacturing defects can cause premature wear. The brake system now feels solid and responsive, completely different from that concerning spongy pedal feel. The hydraulic brakes are working exactly as they should. While 890 Euro wasnt cheap, having safe and reliable brakes is worth every cent. For anyone else experiencing similar brake fluid loss and pedal feel issues, get it checked immediately. The warning light appearing was actually a blessing since it pushed me to have the brake system inspected before things got worse. Waiting could have led to complete brake failure.