[Badman Forever]

I got my Lexus almost 2 weeks ago, and started driving it alot about a week ago. The past few days, I noticed I've come very close to rear-ending quite a few cars. My brakes are very spongy and I have to brake in advance alot sooner than before now that I've noticed that there is a problem. I am taking my car into the dealership this weekend and they better fix it! Has anyone else had to get that fixed????

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White IS300
Houston, TX

 

[Filburt]

Mine was a bit spongy. But it sounds like your car is much more severe.

It was fixed by 30-day/1000-mile inspection engineer. My car now has ~2400 miles and the brake's fantastic.

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2001 Lexus IS300
Millenium Silver Exterior
Black Leather/Escaine Interior
Moonroof, Bridgestone P215/45ZR17, wheel locks, trunk mat

[This message has been edited by Filburt (edited August 17, 2000).]

 

[yamaot]

When I test drive in the dealer here, I notice the same thing. The break was spongy. Dealer told me because we have three people in the car and I was driving very fast. So I was wandering when people in this forum saying IS300 has superior breaks. I went to the performance tour and test drive twice. Didn't notice this problem. It's hard to tell, everyone has different standard. But I think check with dealer would be the best idea.

 

[tony]

Some of you may have heard that some IS300's were held up in port due to some kind of problem with improper or incomplete brake bleeding. If you have a problem with your brakes, I suggest you take your car to your dealer and have them checked.


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Tony
'01 Spectra Blue

 

[Cinder]

Absolutely. I test drove a silver IS before I put a deposit down on my white one. The silver IS had very spongy brakes and almost put me off buying the car.

Fortunately, I noticed here on the web site that others had noticed this and getting the brakes blead seemed to solve the problem. So I ordered the white one and figured I could always decline it if I didnt like the brakes when it came in.

No worries there. The brakes were rock solid and not squishy at all. If your brakes are squishy take it in for service they shouldn't be that way.

 

[irv_usc]

um... define 'spongy' brakes pleease.

 

[chiem]

Yeah, define "spongy" please. What can I do to determine whether my brakes are spongy or not ?

--k

 

[htmltag]

This is very important to me as breaks must be in top shape.

What are dealers saying?

Has a recall been announced?

Thanks,

 

[yamaot]

spongy = not well responsed. YOu feel like you have to press pretty hard in order to get enough break power.

 

[Lost_soul]

I don't know.... mine are just fine.

 

[DJ]

Mine were very spongy too... there wasn't enough vacuum in the lines to hold the discs. But I took it to the dealership, and without giving any explanation (just mentioned the word spongy and brakes), they told me they'd need to bleed the brake lines. Viola! The brakes have been transformed, it really is a night and day difference. Just take it to the dealership and get 'em bled.

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'01 IS300
Spectra Blue Mica /Ivory
LS, SR, HH, LD

'99 Civic LX

[This message has been edited by DJ (edited August 18, 2000).]

 

[TEG]

Spongey brakes feel like the term describes... Like there is something squishy behind the brake pedal. When you hit a nice firm (properly working) brake pedal it feels like you are hitting something hard when the brakes engage. The pedal feels like it (eventually) hits a brick and you can't push it anymore. Spongey brakes always feel like you could push a litter harder. Maybe you push pretty hard and the car slows down but then it feels like it eases up a bit and you could push down even more.

 

[S38]

I am surprised they haven't made a formal recall. The potential liability is HUGE.

 

[is300pat]

Originally posted by S38:
I am surprised they haven't made a formal recall. The potential liability is HUGE.

My customer service rep told me they have fixed it at teh factory level. I guess only the first batch or so had that problem. My car didnt, but some at teh dealership did. the new ones comin in are just fine

 

[AltezzaRoku]

check out smra's post on the brake comparison between the is300 and 330 bimmer

 

[irv_usc]

Hm.. so you're saying that after the brakes engage, it feels like you can press down more?

 

[gmej]

I complained a Lexus dealerships about spongy brakes and the hold up at the ports for quality control, and they denied any word that brakes were coming in spongy. I had them checked at the 1000 mile mark and once again they never admitted any quality control issues with the brakes, but the funny thing was that my brakes felt alot less spongy when I got my car back. Maybe some dealerships don't want admit that there were any problems with the brakes to begin with.

 

[delta]

what a bunch of cr*p! even the salesperson i had admitted to the brake problem. I had my brakes bled at the dealer and they feel great now.

 

[S38]

Altzetta,

It is not about brake comparisons. The IS300 may have great brakes but if there is air in the system a Honda Civic may stop faster. It is a simple problem to fix but can have severe consequences if it isn't.

S38
91 M5

 

[htmltag]

Does anyone have information on the SN's that may have been affected with the soft brakes? How about any service notice?

[This message has been edited by htmltag (edited August 29, 2000).]