I was down in Liverpool last week and rather strangely, I got a "CHECK BRAKE FLUID" warning come up. I thought it might need replaced but having checked the book, it said I should check the brake fluid level. Sure enough, the brake fluid reservoir was practically empty!
Bought 500ml bottle of brake fluid and used ALL of it to get the warning to disappear. Now I think the brakes feel very "grabby" and there feels to be much more pedal travel than before.

My question is, have I got a fluid leak somewhere? I can't recall ever having to top up brake fluid and even if I have, I've never used quite so much in one go! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

possibly a leak on one of the steel pipes, check where the pipes bend under the front arches, they can go there, and at the rear around the fuel tank area.

You shouldn't lose brake fluid, the level will drop as the pads wear, but even full with new pads to fully worn pads shouldn't empty the reservoir.

Also the brake fluid is supposed to be "special" fluid, the sponginess could be that the level had dropped so low as to suck air in, but also could be a leak squeezing the fluid out. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

You have a brake system leak which needs sorted before it potentially fails.
The brake pedal travel is probably caused by air getting into the master cylinder or even the abs block given the amount of fluid lost.
Personally I wouldn't drive the car until it was checked over at least.

brake hose recall ?


have had yours done alan... ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Thanks guys, those were my thoughts.

@Stan, no I haven't. Should I have been contracted about this, or do I need to ask them? Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

You should get a letter, but give your local dealer a ring and they will book you in, FOC. It won't fix a leaky steel pipe though! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Nipped round to my local garage, there's definitely brake fluid p1shing out from the N/S round about the centre of the car but there's some covers in the way, so the source isn't immediately obvious. Hopefully they can get to the bottom of it on Monday morning. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Definitely park it up until sorted! Hopefully they can splice in a new section of pipe, it is also worth checking the sections where the front flexi is attached. Mine were almost gone last year at MoT time, and new pieces from Dan were really cheap so worth a check as if part has started to go then chances are that it has started to rust through in a few places and it will be worth the garage giving it a good going over  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Problem solved!

Brake pipe was indeed corroded and had sprung a leak about half way along its length between the front and the rear.
Offending pice has been removed and a new piece spliced in! Because I need the car today, I didn't have the time to pursue the JLR recall in this instance.

All is well again.

Thanks to all for the advice. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Found your experience very helpful. I have a 2009 TDV8 which has been parked up for four or five days but took it out yesterday on a short run only to get the warning to Check Brake Fluid' . Indeed, the reservoir was empty - never had that on a motor before. I filled it up and then, thirty minutes later, parked outside my brother-in-laws house, noticed small drips from the nearside level with the rear if the front passenger seat.
When I got home I saw quite a large brake fluid mark on the drive where the leak had obviously sprung. Today I have another smaller pool on the tray I left underneath overnight. I suspect the same problem and will try and book it in tomorrow.

Glad it helped. By good fortune my brother in law had the tools for making the ends on the brake pipe, otherwise I’d have been off to the garage. Touchwood, haven’t had a problem since.  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

It is such an advantage of having a good search tool and and great members like yourself who post their problems, symptoms and fixes. Classic. Thank you. from a newbie

That’s what the FFRR brotherhood is all about

We share each other’s pain  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey