Spongy Avensis Brakes Again

[Galad]

There have been many comments on this site about spongy brake pedals on the Avensis. Honda is recalling 40,000 vehicles in the USA due to soft brake pedals and customers complaining about having to press harder on the pedal to brake. Honda is blamimg this on 'air in a part of the brake system'. I too was told this by ny Toyota dealer who recommended a brake fluid change with the second service: no impact whatsover. I've got used to my spongy brakes by learning to press twice on the pedal to get a form feel during braking. I'll be interested to see what Honda do to rectify their problem!

[Duffryn]

Sounds like you've described my brakes, so agree with all the above.

[bobbyn49]

I have had two company diesels - a 2.0 and a 2.2 on 54 and 56 plates with spongy brakes from new. I now have my own 1.8 petrol version on a 53 plate and the brakes are vastly different. In fact, when I first got the car I was always breaking too quickly due to the increased performance. I understand that the power assistance operates differently on diesel models and this causes the difference.

[tubaman]

I have had two company diesels - a 2.0 and a 2.2 on 54 and 56 plates with spongy brakes from new. I now have my own 1.8 petrol version on a 53 plate and the brakes are vastly different. In fact, when I first got the car I was always breaking too quickly due to the increased performance. I understand that the power assistance operates differently on diesel models and this causes the difference.

I have a diesel model and I was told they are supposed to be like that (spongy feel) - they still work really well though so I suspect this is what they are supposed to be like.

[cmia]

its becuase of the way the diesels create vacum.