5K Brake Anomoly

[Steve Sherman <steves@cyrix.com>]

Last week, my wife had a scary incident. While going downhill, she
reported that the brakes didn't work.  She pushed on the pedal but the
brakes did not have any (or at least not much) effect.  No warning lites
came on, before during or after, just greatly reduced braking.
Fortunately it wasn't at a critical time.

This was a one time event.  Before and since then the brakes have worked
fine.  I've checked and there are no apparent leaks, all fluids are
full...and the brake system was flushed about a year ago.  The only
known "issue" is that the rear pads are wearing thin, but not
dangerously so...(and they will be replaced soon)

I've thought dirt or water maybe on the rotors.  I've thought (but not
mentioned for the obvious reasons) that maybe she was hitting the clutch
pedal instead of the brakes by mistake that one time. Any thoughts from
listers as to what this one time event might have been, and if it is
something that could re-occur at a more critical time?


TIA

Steve