There are a few reasons you could have a spongy brake pedal: air in the brake lines, leaking brake callipers or cylinders, poor adjustment, poorly set up hydraulics, or a lack of or contaminated brake fluid.
To get the best from your brakes, you’ll have to pinpoint the problem. Our Fixter mechanics will find out precisely what the problem is and help you get everything back to normal working order in no time at all.
Why does my brake pedal feel spongy?
Your brakes are supposed to feel firm and solid under braking. Given your brakes are paramount to safety, it’s a must that they operate exactly as they should. Problems with air in the brake lines and contaminated fluid are the most likely culprits, but a few other issues can result in the same problem.
If your brakes feel soft, spongy, or the pedal reaches far too close to the floor when pressed, then there’s something amiss and needs sorting ASAP.
What are the common causes of spongy brake pedals?
Air in the brake lines
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Have the brakes flushed or bled to remove the unwanted air.
Having pockets of air in the brake lines is the most common cause of spongy brakes. Bleeding the brake lines is the first step to flushing out the air that you don’t need, leaving you with all that you do!
Damaged or leaking brake lines and callipers
Risk level – High
What to do – Brake lines corrode and rust over time, leaving them vulnerable to leaks.
Even if they’re only minute holes in the brake lines or callipers, they can easily lead to a loss of pressure and spongy braking. Hydraulic pressure is vital to your brake efficiency, so any fluid leaks or air ingress is bad news.
A worn master cylinder
Risk level – High
What to do – Repair or replace the faulty component.
At the heart of the braking system is its master cylinder. This key component contains the brake fluid, generates hydraulic pressure, and delivers the front and rear brake cylinders with everything they need to do their job. Unfortunately, they can develop leaks both externally and internally—neither of which is good news.
Poor brake system or disk and pad adjustment
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Have the brakes reset and balanced correctly.
A poorly set up brake can create all kinds of issues. For example, they may wear quicker, catch in the wrong places, fail to connect as they should, and possibly lead to those spongy brakes we’re trying to diagnose.
Old brake fluid
Risk level – Medium
What to do – Flush and replace the brake fluid.
Brake fluid ages over time, becoming less efficient as it’s infiltrated with moisture and other contaminants. There are several areas that could allow air or moisture into the system, all weakening the strength of your brake fluid. So when it comes to a spongy brake pedal, the condition of your brake fluid is a sensible place to start.
Is it safe to drive with a spongy brake pedal?
No. Some spongy brake issues might not be too dangerous in the short term, but it’s just not worth the risk when your brakes are such an important part of your driving safety. A leak can quickly turn into a blowout—and with no brakes, you could end up in a very serious accident.
If your brake pedal is spongy or soft, get it fixed ASAP—to keep you, your