Spongy VW Jetta Brakes Need Urgent Fluid Check

Had the same brake system issue with my 2016 VW Passat GTE Hybrid. The spongy brake pedal usually indicates air in the brake lines or potential master cylinder problems. When this happened, inspection revealed both low brake fluid and contaminated fluid that had absorbed moisture over time. The master cylinder seals were also deteriorating, allowing air to enter the system. This is a serious safety concern that requires immediate attention, brake failure risks are not worth postponing repairs. The repair involved: Complete brake fluid replacement, Bleeding the brake system to remove air, Master cylinder replacement due to internal wear, Testing the entire hydraulic brake system The warning light came on shortly after noticing the spongy pedal. A proper fluid replacement and system bleeding fixed most issues, but the master cylinder needed replacement to fully resolve it. The whole brake system needed thorough inspection since these symptoms often indicate multiple related problems. This type of brake issue should be addressed immediately. Continuing to drive with compromised brakes puts everyone at risk, especially in hybrid vehicles where brake system integrity is crucial for regenerative braking function.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the brake system repair. The symptoms you described match exactly what I am experiencing with my Jetta. I am planning to take it to a workshop this week, seeing how serious this could get. Before I go, did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete repair with the master cylinder replacement and brake fluid service? Also, has everything been working properly since the fix, or did you notice any other brake-related issues?

Your timing is perfect, I just had all this work completed last week. The brake inspection revealed it was mainly the low brake fluid causing the spongy pedal, much simpler than my initial master cylinder concerns. Total cost came to 480€ for fixing the worn brakes, which included a full brake fluid flush and system bleeding. The hydraulic brakes are now working flawlessly, pedal feel is firm and responsive again, exactly how it should be. No other brake-related problems have surfaced since the repair. The mechanic explained that regular brake fluid checks could have caught this earlier, but at least the fix was straightforward. The car brakes responded immediately to the fresh fluid and proper bleeding of the brake lines. Much better outcome than my previous experience when I needed the master cylinder replaced. Getting it checked early definitely helped avoid more extensive repairs this time around.

Thanks for the helpful advice. I took my Jetta to a new workshop after researching recommendations. The brake inspection showed low brake fluid and air in the brake lines, but thankfully no master cylinder issues. The total repair cost was 320€ which covered a complete brake fluid flush and bleeding the brake system. The hydraulic brakes feel solid again, no more spongy pedal. The mechanic was thorough and explained everything clearly, unlike my previous experience. Going to stay on top of regular brake fluid checks from now on. Really glad I addressed this quickly before it turned into a bigger problem. The brakes feel as responsive as when the car was new.