100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

alexanderlion25

VW Up Brake Pedal Soft, Warning Lights & Poor Response

Looking for advice on braking issues with my 2012 VW Up (gasoline, 43488km). The brake pedal feels soft and requires more force than usual. Getting warning lights on the dash and error codes related to brakes. Suspect the brake booster pressure sensor might be faulty. Anyone dealt with similar symptoms? Want to be prepared before visiting a mechanic since my last experience wasnt great. Currently still safe to drive but braking performance is noticeably reduced. Any tips on common fixes or estimated repair costs would be helpful.

4 comment(s)

romyheld9

Having experienced similar brake system issues with my 2015 VW Polo TSI, I can relate to these symptoms. The soft pedal feel combined with warning lights typically indicates air in the hydraulic brakes or improper bleeding procedure. At the garage, diagnosis revealed that during a previous brake fluid change, the system wasnt bled correctly, allowing air bubbles to remain in the lines. This created a soft pedal feel and compromised brake performance significantly. The fix required a complete system bleed using professional diagnostic tools to ensure all air was properly purged. The brake booster pressure sensor can show similar symptoms, but first rule out the simpler causes. In my case, the warning lights disappeared after proper bleeding and replacement of contaminated brake fluid. This was a serious safety concern that required immediate attention, as compromised braking efficiency could lead to longer stopping distances. Key checks the mechanic should perform: Complete brake fluid flush and system bleeding, Pressure test of the hydraulic system, Inspection of brake lines for potential leaks, Testing of the brake booster and sensor functionality Given your kilometers and vehicle age, its worth having the entire brake system inspected while diagnosing these issues.

alexanderlion25 (Author)

Thanks for sharing that detailed solution. My VW Up had nearly identical symptoms last winter, soft pedal and those annoying warning lights. The mechanic did a full diagnostic check of the brake system and found both the pressure sensor and brake fluid needed replacing. Would you remember approximately how much you ended up paying for the repairs? And has everything been working properly since your fix? Just want to compare experiences since brake issues can be quite unpredictable with these models. In my case, getting the brake system back to proper working condition was essential for vehicle safety, especially with winter coming up. The original sensor turned out to be showing incorrect pressure readings which triggered those warning lights.

romyheld9

Just got back from the mechanic last week actually, my brake booster pressure sensor issue was completely resolved. They found the main problem was incorrect brake system bleeding during previous maintenance, which caused those deceptive sensor readings we both experienced. The total repair cost was 90€ to properly bleed the hydraulic brakes and recalibrate the system. Much cheaper than I initially feared, considering the warning lights made it seem more serious. The replacement parts werent needed since the existing components were actually fine. My braking performance has returned to normal, firm pedal feel and no more warning lights. The vehicle safety inspection also confirmed everything is working as it should. Good call getting yours checked before winter, these brake system issues definitely need prompt attention when they pop up. Interesting that our VWs showed such similar symptoms. Seems like these models can be sensitive to proper brake maintenance procedures, especially when it comes to system bleeding and sensor calibration.

alexanderlion25 (Author)

Thanks for the advice. Finally got my VW Up fixed last week. The mechanic found low brake fluid and a faulty pressure sensor causing those warning lights. The repair involved a complete system flush, new brake fluid, and replacing the old sensor. Total cost came to 280€, higher than expected but worth it for properly working brakes. The diagnostic tools showed the brake booster was actually fine, saving some money there. Replacement parts included the new sensor and fresh fluid. The braking performance is now back to normal, pedal feels firm and responsive. No more warning lights on the dash. Really glad I got this sorted before any serious issues developed. The mechanic mentioned these problems are fairly common on VWs of this age and mileage. Makes sense to deal with brake issues quickly rather than risk worse problems later. Thanks again for helping me understand what to expect at the garage. Much smoother experience than my previous repair visits.

Join the discussion now: