1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

ABS MODULE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON/FLASHING. LOSS OF ABS COULD CAUSE COLLISION, DEALER WANTS $1000+ FOR THE PART AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON,FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IT CAN BE RESEARCHED ON HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&TSTART=0. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

ABS MODULE FAILURE. WAS DRIVING SHORTLY AFTER HAVING FRONT END WORK DONE AND LIGHT WHEN ON. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. BRAKING IS AFFECTED. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

ABS MODULE IN OPERATIVE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

ABS MODULE IN OPERATIVE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

THE ABS MODULE IN MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T HAS GONE BAD. THIS FAULT CAME WITHOUT NOTICE OF ANY SYMPTOMS AND COMPLETELY UNPROVOKED. THE WARNING LAMP AND TONE APPEAR EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN MECHANICS AND MANY PASSAT OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

ABS COMPUTER FAILURE 98 VW PASSAT... COMPLETE ABSFAILURE ALL THE TIME. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

ABS BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION AFTER APPROX 60K MILES. BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO FIX (DEALER QUOTED $2400, INDIE MECHS ABOUT $1400), THEY REMAIN NON-FUNCTIONAL (MY CAR IS NOW 95K MILES). *TR

Mileage: 60,000

ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON AND 3 CHIMES SOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

MY ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING> UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON SEVERAL VARIOUS FORUMS ON THE NET. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMONLY DEFECTIVE PART ON SEVERAL MODEL YEARS FROM 98-01. THE OLDEST POSTING I FOUND WAS DONE IN 2000 AND THE VEHICLE WAS A 99. FROM RESEARCHING THIS IT APPEARS EVEN VW DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO GET CORRECT PROBLEM CODES ON THIS ISSUE. I SAW POSTINGS FROM MANY OWNERS STATING THEY WERE TOLD EVERYTHING FROM ABS MODULES NEEDING REPLACED TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS TO WIRING ISSUES. IT APPEARS NO ONE IS ABSOLUTELY SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS AS SOME OWNERS AFTER THE DEALER RECOMMEND REPLACEMENTS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. IN THE SHORT TIME I LOOKED INTO THIS I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO RESOLVE IT. I SAW LITERALLY YEARS WORTH OF POSTINGS A ON THIS ISSUE ON BENTLEY PUBLISHERS WEBSITE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THINGS THAT DID NOT DO ANY RESEARCH ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 94,400

ABS CONTROLLER FAILED. MODULE SCAN SHOWED: 01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 03-10 - NO SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT. *JB

Mileage: 168,975

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1998 DASHBOARD INDICATED THAT THE ABS BRAKES FAILED. REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT APPROX $1,000. *AK

ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NON-FUNCTIONING. *JB

Mileage: 47,000

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. ABS WARNING LIGHT .*JB

Mileage: 81,250

MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND EALRY '00S, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION. *JB

MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND EALRY '00S, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION. *JB

ABS LIGHT CAME ON WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. FOR 4 YEARS, THE VW DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE OVER $1,800 TO REPLACE THE ABS PUMP. LAST YEAR THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $2750. AFTER SEEING ON INTERNET THREADS THAT THE COMMON CAUSE IS ONLY THE ABS MODULE, I CONFRONTED THE DEALER, AND THEY SAI IT WOULD $650, AND IT HAS WORKED FINE SINCE. I FEEL VW DEALERS ARE NOT FORTHRIGHT IN TELLING CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE LESS EXPENSIVE SOLUTION, AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT, SINCE IT IS A KNOWN COMMON DEFECT, AND A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE PULLING THE BULB OUT, AND BUYERS MAY NOT BE AWARE THE ABS DOESN'T WORK. UNTIL ITS TOO LATE. *NM

Mileage: 30,000

FAILED ABS UNIT. *JB

(1) ABS WARNING/BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING INTERMITTENTLY. SINCE THEN, BRAKING BECAME UNRELIABLE (LONG BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CAR WOBBLES ON A HARD BRAKING). (2) THE ABS CONTROLLER MODULE (PART #: 8E0 614 111 P) FOUND TO BE FAULTY, RESULTING IN NO ABS. (3) THE ABS CONTROLLER IS TO BE SENT FOR A REBUILD SERVICE.*JB

Mileage: 148,000

1998 VW PASSAT ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THIS $1000 PART SEEMS TO BE A VERY CONSISTENT FAILURE AT VOLKSWAGEN. *JB

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL. WARNING LIGHT AND BUZZER COME ON. DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST $2800 TO FIX. AFTER TELLING DEALER THAT 99% OF ABS FAILURES IS THE ABS ELECTRONICS MODULE, AND NOT THE ABS PUMP, DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE MODULE FOR $600. I FEEL THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM, AS THIS PROBLEM IS NOTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET. IN ADDITION, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTING THEIR WARNING LIGHT TO BE ABLE TO SELL THEIR CAR. THIS COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM FOR THE NEXT BUYER WHO DOESN'T KNOW THEIR ABS ISN'T WORKING. *JB

Mileage: 40,000

ABS CONTROLLER FAILURE. *NM

ABS FAILED, FLASHING LIGHTS CONTINUALLY. SPOKE WITH DEALER IN SEASIDE, CA SAID COMMON EVENT AND NOT WORTH REPLACING. *JB

Mileage: 100,175

I HAVE A 1998 VW PASSAT THAT HAS HAD IT ABS SYSTEM GO OUT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS CAR. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS WHEN THE ABS MODULE GOES ON THE CAR IT HAS A HARD TIME MODULATING THE BRAKES CORRECTLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WILL HAVE TO EITHER BUY A NEW UNIT OR SEND IT OUT AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. *JB

Mileage: 99,500

1998 VW PASSAT WAGON 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 CYL. 1.8 L ENGINE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION VIN: [XXX] THINGS BROKEN ON THIS VW. BLINKING ABS LIGHT ON DASH INDICATING ABS MALFUNCTION. IT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OFF ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, INDICATING FUNCTION PROPERLY. TEMP. GAUGE ON DASH READS NO TEMPERATURE OR 0. IT INTERMITTENTLY COMES BACK ON AND FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. I NEED TO PULL SENDING UNIT WIRE AND CLEAN CONNECTOR. DRIVER'S AUTO DOOR LOCK BUTTON MALFUNCTIONS. WINDOW SWITCHES ON DRIVERS DOOR DOESN'T WORK WELL. STEREO PLAYS CD WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON. (GOES ON BUY ITS SELF) LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE.. MOON ROOF MALFUNCTIONS. MAYBE WON'T CLOSE AFTER OPENING. BRAKE LIGHT'S DON'T LIGHT UP RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES. OUTSIDE DOOR LOCKS STICK. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER GETS INTO THE LOCK AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY INSIDE THE LOCK. PLASTIC DIP STICK GUIDE IS PRONE TO CRUMBLING DUE TO HEAT. (THIS IS THE ORANGE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT EXTENDS THE LENGTH OF THE DIPSTICK TUBE. ANTENNA GOT SCREWED UP IN RAIN AND WIND. DEC. -05. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 103,000

98 PASSAT, ABS PUMP IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE AT 106000 MILES. I WANTED TO REPLACE THE PART BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY $1200.00 JUST FOR THE PART. IS VW USA CONSIDERING A RECALL BECAUSE IN MY OPINION A $1200.00 PART SHOULD NOT FAIL TO WORK SO FAST. *JB

Mileage: 106,000

ABS UNIT FAILURE ON MY 1998 1.8 TURBO PASSAT GLS SEDAN AT 92,000 MILES. SENDING UNIT TO BE REFURBISHED BECAUSE VW OF AMERICA WON'T REPLACE IT UNDER A RECALL. *JB

Mileage: 92,000

ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *JB

Mileage: 51,000

DT: THE ABS MODULE FAILED. FIRST NOTICED ON 5/1/05 WHEN DRIVING AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS (EXTERIOR) STARTED FLASHING. THEN A BEEPING NOISE CAME TO WARN ALONG WITH LIGHT. WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING THE BRAKES LOCK. HAPPENS AT ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS/UP AND DOWN HILL OR ANY TYPE OF ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY DEALER, BUT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC, THE ABS MODULE IS THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK.

Mileage: 90,000

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND THEN DISAPPEARED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CHIP FAILED.*AK

Mileage: 56,100

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T, AND I HAVE HAD THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAIL. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND STARTED TO BLINK. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERYTIME I WOULD START MY CAR. I HAD DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON THE CAR, AND FOUND THAT THE CONTROL MODULE COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE CARS ECU. I HAD MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. THIS COST ME $850 FOR THE CONTROL MODULE, $360 FOR LABOR, THEN TAX. I HAD TO PAY $1270 FOR EVERYTHING TO BE FIXED. I FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT THE OWNERS SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM.

Mileage: 77,993

DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH AUDIBLE WARNING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. ROOT PROBLEM IS THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS MUCH WEB RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED THROUGH ONLINE PASSAT FORUMS.

I DRIVE A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF ANNOYING WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ABS SYSTEM I TOOK THE CARTO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALL DAY, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS OVERFILLED. HE FIXED THAT MINOR PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, I FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER - HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN ON REISTERSTOWN ROAD IN OWINGS MILLS, MD. THEY HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AS WELL, AND FOUND THAT I NEEDES A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT. THIS WAS A PART THAT, THEY SAID, WOULD COST $3,000 JUST FOR THE PART! AFTER DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, IT SEEMED THIS WAS ONE OF MANY VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS THAT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, BUT EVERY ONE WAS BEING CHARGED $1,500 FOR THE PART. THIS OUGHT TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OUGHT TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR OVERCHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS.*AK

Mileage: 92,600

ABS FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 95,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 VW PASSAT, 4-CYLINDER, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILE. THE ABS BRAKES WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (FEBRUARY 27, 2005). I CONSULTED WITH MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS BRAKES WERE NECESSARY IN WET OR ICY WEATHER IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 21, 2005. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER (NEW CENTURY VOLKSWAGEN IN GLENDALE, CA) QUOTED A PRICE OF $3125, PARTS AND LABOR, TO FIX. I AM UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. RESEARCH ONLINE AND IN DISCUSSING WITH INDEPENDENT VW MECHANICS REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VW. I CHECKED WITH AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT THE PRICE OF ABS USED PARTS IS RAPIDLY RISING. IN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334&PAGE=1&PP=30&HIGHLIGHT=ABS+MODULE . *AK

Mileage: 77,700

BRAKE WARNING BELLS SOUNDED FOLLOWED BY BLINKING RED BRAKE, AND SOLID AMBER ABS LIGHT IN DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. ABS MODULE WAS DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK AGAIN.*AK *NM

Mileage: 68,808

1) ABS WARNING LIGHT/SOUNDER CAME ON, TOLD BY DEALER THAT ABS SYSTEM WAS OUT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1800 BEFORE ANY OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTER. 2) DID NOT FIX THIS, WHICH LED TO THEIR EXCUSE THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE OTHER ISSUES, BUT "DID THEIR BEST" TO FIX ACCELERATION PROBLEMS (REPLACED HOSES AND PLUGS) 3) CURRENT ACCELERATION PROBLEM MIRACULOUSLY DIAGNOSED AS SOME SORT OF POWER REGULATOR DEVICE W/O MENTION OF FIXING THE ABS SYSTEM SO THAT COMPUTER "COULD GET PAST IT" 4)ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING MOON ROOF OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, DOOR LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT SHUTTING OFF AND ALARM GOING OFF ALL BY ITSELF (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS B/C IT SETS THE ALARM) 5) NOW DEALER SAYS THAT IT'S A BATTERY PROBLEM AND RESETTING EVERYTHING SHOULD FIX IT ALL, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF?*AK

1. EVENTS: ABS LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NOW FLASHES WITH 3 BEEPS AND STAYS ON. 2. FAILURES: I HAVE NO WORKING ABS IN THE CAR. 3. CORRECTION: HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP THAT THE ABS MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS MODULE IS A DEALER-ONLY PART ($2,038). NOTE THAT THIS COST IS FOR THE PART ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I'VE CONTACTED 3 OTHER INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY'VE ADVISED THAT THEY'VE REPAIRED AN IN ORDINATE NUMBER OF THESE ABS SYSTEMS IN VOLKSWAGENS. ONE SHOP INDICATED HE REPAIRS/REPLACES VW ABS AT LEAST 4 TIMES A MONTH, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT VW DEALERS ARE LIKELY DOING A LOT MORE OF THESE REPAIRS, YET THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RECALL EFFORT ON VW'S PART. I'VE NOTIFIED VW AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST OF FIXING IT SINCE A RECALL NOTICE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE ON 1/27/05. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $2500. *JB *SC

Mileage: 122,550

FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. *NM

Mileage: 143,000

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE ABS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE (IT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER) AND STATED THAT THE ABS PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTED COST OF A NEW ABS PUMP WAS $2250." *JB

Mileage: 65,000

VW PASSAT 1998 HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS SOLID AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TAKEN NO MEASURES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SHIFTED RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CONSUMER TO PAY THEM EXTRA $ 2000.00 TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 78,000

ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ABS MODULE PUMP.*AK

Mileage: 63,832

ABS LIGHT BLINKING CONSTANTLY ON MY 98 VW PASSAT FOR PAST 19 MONTHS. DEALER INDICATES NO FAULT CODE ANUNNCIATED WITH COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. QUOTES $1300. CONTROL UNIT NEEDED. ABS SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONAL.*AK

Mileage: 98,000

LIKE MANY, MANY OTHERS, MY 1998 VW PASSAT 2.8 LITER WITH TIPTRONIC (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION HAS THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1) ABS LIGHT ON (ABS NOT WORKING); 2) BRAKE LIGHT ON (BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ALL ROTORS & PADS WERE REPLACED AND FLUID CHANGED); 3) TACHOMETER NOT WORKING; 4) OIL LIGHT ON (BUT OIL LEVEL AND PRESSURE ARE OKAY). THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT BEGAN EARLY THIS YEAR BUT IS NOW ALMOST CONSTANT. ALL PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY A BAD ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS ALSO USED IN AUDI A4 MODELS (PART # 8E0 614 111R). VW DEALERSHIP QUOTES OVER $1000 FOR THE PART ALONE. SOMETIMES, IF THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING A FEW DAYS OR IF IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, THE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AND THE TACHOMETER WORKS CORRECTLY FOR AWHILE. THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PROBLEMS HAPPEN. OR, I WILL BE DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE PROBLEMS, THEN THE TACH JUMPS TO LIFE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS GO OUT. AS I SAID BEFORE: THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (NO ABS COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS) AS WELL AS A QUALITY ISSUE: ABS CONTROLLERS SHOULD NOT FAIL SO FREQUENTLY ON SUCH RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLES. A RECALL SHOULD BE PERFORMED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROLLERS IN THEIR 1998-ON PASSAT AND 1996-ON A4 MODELS. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I OWE A 1998 VW PASSAT GLS( 77,000 MILES). ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON A MONTH AGO. I CONTACTED VW DEALER AND THEY ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN. BUT BEFORE I DID THAT I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THAT CAR BECAUSE OF THE ABS PROBLEM. IT WAS RAINING AND I HAD TO BRAKE SO THE ABS TURNED ON. IT BLOCKED BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR KEPT SLIDING. ABS WAS CLEARLY NOT WORKING. THE CAR KEPT SLIDING FOR ABOUT 30 YARDS AND I ALMOST RAN TROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED I'VE NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAD SHUT ITSELF DOWN. SEVEN MONTH PREGNANT WIFE AND MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE MUST BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $2000.00. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND I FOUND THAT THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT APPARENTLY VW OF AMERICA DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/UBB/FORUM2/HTML/000120.HTML. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BECAUSE THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BECAUSE BEFORE YOU HEAR ABOUT DOZENS OF PEOPLE LOOSING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS. THANK YOU, ENES SKOPLJAK. *JB

Mileage: 76

EARLIER THIS MONTH (10/2004), THE ABS BRAKE FAILURE WARNING (LIGHT AND SOUND) ON OUR 1998 VW PASSAT GLS STARTED COMING ON SPORADICALLY.*AK ON OCT. 20, I TOOK THE CAR TO WHEATON SERVICE CENTER, A VW-ONLY INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY HOOKED THE UNIT UP TO THE DIAGANOSTIC COMPUTER AND GOT NO SIGNAL. THEY ALSO GOT NOT SIGNAL WHEN THEY TRIED TO ACCESS TO ENGINE COMPUTER, INDICATING THAT THE ABS COMPUTER HAS A SHORT (THE ENGINE COMPUTER WORKED FINE AFTER THEY DISCONNECTED THE ABS COMPUTER.) I CONFIRMED THIS DIAGNOSIS OVER THE PHONE WITH FTIZGERALD VW IN FREDERICK, MD. I LATER TESTED THE BRAKING ON A WET ROAD -- THERE WAS NO ABS, ALTHOUGH THE CONVENTIONAL BRAKES WORKED FINE. THE 1998 CAR, WHICH WE HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW, HAS BEEN SCRUPULOUSLY MAINTAINED, AS THE REGIONAL VW FACTORY REP CAN ATTEST (FROM A DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY REPAIR DONE 5,000 MILES AGO). THE CAR NOW HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. THE WSC MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THEY SEE NUMEROUS ABS FAILURES IN LATE '90S PASSATS, THE WEB SEEMS TO CONFIRM THIS. THE WIDESPREAD, PREMATURE FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEMS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. SINCE THE REPAIR COSTS $2,500, MANY OWNERS WILL SIMPLY DISCONNECT THE ABS COMPUTER TO AVOID THE ANNOYING LIGHTS AND SOUNDS, AND AVOID THE EXPENSIVE FIX. HAVING BECOME ACCOSTOMED TO ABS, HOW MANY WILL ADJUST THEIR BRAKING ACCORDINGLY, ESPECIALLY THE NEED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO AVOID SKIDDING?

Mileage: 69,000

ON MY 1998 PASSAT WITH 86,000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ABS DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM IS THE ABS MODULE 8E0-614-111-Q WHICH WILL COST $2,036 PLUS LABOR OF $111. UPON RESEARCH, A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

Mileage: 85,800

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE ON 1998 VW PASSAT. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS ABS UNIT FAILURE AND SAID REPAIR WOULD COST $2500. SEARCH OF INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS INDICATES THAT THIS AN INCREASINGLY COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 57,000

AT 105,000 MILES THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT. I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. REPLACED CLUSTER FOR $600, DIDN'T RESOLVE BRAKE PROBLEM. RESEARCH INDICATES THE PROBLEM TO LIKELY BE ABS PUMP ELECTRONIC SYSTEM (INTEGRAL TO ABS PUMP). THE INSTALLED PART IS 8E0614111P, VW PRESCRIBES REPLACING WITH 8E0614111Q (UPGRADED PART). LIST PRICE FOR THE "Q" PART IS $2400. COMPLAINING BECAUSE: 1) PROBLEM IS LIKELY FAILED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS WHICH ARE SOLD ONLY INTEGRAL TO MECHANICAL PUMP, THEREBY GOUGING PURCHASERS, 2) RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND DISCUSSIONS WITH PART DEALERS AND SERVICE SHOPS INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND BASIC TO PASSATS AND AUDIS; VW SHOULD EITHER PAY THE TOTAL COST OR MAKE IT CHEAPER TO REPAIR. SEE: HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=0&TSTART=0. *AK

Mileage: 105,000

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING. BRAKES WORK BUT ABS MAY NOT. DEALER QUOTES $1450 FOR REPAIR PART ALONE, PLUS LABOR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS AND VW REFUSES TO EITHER RECALL OR COVER REPAIR COST.*AK

Mileage: 155,000

ABS CONTROLLER FAILED ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. THIS APPARENTLY IS QUITE A COMMON FAILURE ON THE VW/AUDI VEHICLES. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

ABS LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ALONG WITH BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH, TOOK IT IN TO VOLKSWA GEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEY TOLD ME "THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND PUMP FAILED. THERE IS NO SIGNAL BETWEEN THE CONTROL MODULE & PUMP WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. THE MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO SEND BACK A SIGNAL SAYING EVERYTHING IS FINE OR TELLING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT IN MY CASE, THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THAT SHOULD 'MOST LIKELY' SOLVE THE PROBLEM." AND THE ESTIMATE - $1885 - ABOUT $1500 FOR THE PART AND ABOUT $300 FOR THE LABOR - PLUS TAX. VWOA REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH COSTS, EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 67, 000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT AND THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION. NOT SURE WHAT JUSTIFIES A RECALL, BUT IF THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, WHO HAVE PAID FOR A CAR WITH ABS BRAKES, WHY SHOUDL WE HAVE TO COUGH UP THAT KIND OF MONEY TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY JUST TO GET OUR ABS WORKING AGAIN?*AK

Mileage: 67,500

ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND COULD BE REPAIRED FOR 1400.00 PLUS LABOR *SC *JB

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

MY 1998 VW PASSAT HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON STEADILY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES WITH AN AUDIBLE FOUR-CHIME TONE. THE VW DEALER TESTED AND CONFIRMED THAT I NEED A NEW ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR IS $1900. . VW OF AMERICA DECLINED TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 52,000

1998 VW PASSAT 20V GLS SEDAN VIN: [XXX] ABS FAULT INDICATED BY ABS AND BRAKE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FLASHING AND INSTRUMENT ALARM SOUNDING. 1 FAULTS FOUND: 01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 03-10 - NO SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE. SAFETY ISSUE - ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL: "IF ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT LIT UP TOGETHER, IT IS POSSIBLE REAR WHEELS WILL LOCK-UP EARLY UNDER HARD BRAKING. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAY BE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE YOUR VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY BY AN AUTHORIZED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER OR A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP" MODULE IN CAR: [XXX] CURRENT VW REPLACEMENT MODULE: [XXX] I HAVE CALLED AROUND TO AT LEAST 6 DEALERS, "LIST" PRICE RANGES FROM $1500 - $1900 FOR THE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE "Q" MODULE. MY LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD STOCK AND LIST PRICE WAS $1000, BUT WHEN THE PART WAS DELIVERED THAT PRICE HAD CHANGED TO $1600 LIST. I SURELY WOULD NOT HAVE ORDERED THE PART IF IT I HAD BEEN QUOTED THAT PRICE! PART WAS REFUSED, HOWEVER ACCORDING TO THE PARTS DRIVER I TALKED TO A YEAR AGO (AND AS RECENTLY AS THIS FALL) THE PART WAS $1000 LIST, AND LATELY THEY HAVE BEEN DELIVERING 4 - 5 OF THEM A WEEK TO INDEPENDENT SHOPS DOING THESE REPAIRS. FROM VARIOUS FORUMS (VWVORTEX, CLUB B5 PASSAT, AUDI WORLD, BENTLEY TECHNICAL WEB, VAG COM TECH FORUM) I HAVE LEARNED THE FAILURE RATES FOR THE 97 - 2000 MODEL YEAR B5 PLATFORM CARS (AUDI A4, VW PASSAT) THAT SHARE THE SAME [XXX] (B OR P) MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE. IN MY OPINION VWOA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE PREMATURE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURES IN THESE VEHICLES. *LA UPDATED 07/27/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 93,200

THE CAR IS A 1998 VW PASSAT 1.8. THE CAR HAS 61,000 MILES. ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT INCLUDING THE WARNING CHIMES TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE ALARM TURNS OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THEN GOES AGAIN. MY MECHANIC TESTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY. REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED AT $1,800. NO OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED WITH ABS HAS EVER HAD THIS KIND OF FAILURE. *LA

Mileage: 60,700

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL, DEALER REPALCED THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS, ALSO THE BRAKE FLUID WAS CHANGED, CONSUMER COMPLAINED ON ANOTHER OCCASION, DEALER HEARD THE NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS BUT UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM.*JB

CONSUMER STATES BRAKES ARE NOISY. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND FOUND REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTY. *TT

1)TRUNK LIGHT STOPPED WORKING JUST PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, WIRING PROBLEM, COST TO REPAIR $200. 2)ABS LIGHT FLASHES CONTINUOUSLY, ABOUT 1 YEAR NOW,DEALER GETS 3 PAGES OF DIAGNOSTIC ERROR MESSAGES. CAN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM WITH LIGHT BUT ABS IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING. COST: 3DAYS CAR RENTAL, AND $300 OUT OF POCKET. 3)FRONT END SUSPENSION: CRUNCHING NOISE AND BOUNCE. BOUNCE CORRECTED-DEALER REPLACED STABLIZER BAR, $284. NOISE CONTINUES(6 MONTHS), DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM. GETTING WORSE, AFRAID FRONT END WILL CRASH INTO GROUND. 4)TIMING BELT BROKE, DEALER REPLACED ENGINE AT NO COST. 5)ENGINE REPLACEMENT CAUSED PROBLEM WITH RADIO. RADIO WILL NOT ACCEPT CODE. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 6)REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN WHEN INDICATED, FALLS DOWN A FEW MINUTES LATER. ALSO, DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. 7)SOMETIMES THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN WHEN STARTING CAR.*AK

REAR BRAKES MAKE LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM MOMENT BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED UNTIL VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND SAID BRAKES/PADS ARE OK. DEALER DEGLAZED PADS WHICH FIXED NOICE PROBLEM FOR APPROX 2 WEEKS AND THEN IT RETURNED. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. PROBLEM STARTED AT 20K, VEHICLE JUST HAD 40K MILE SERVICE-DEALER SAID BRAKES OK STILL. SAID FRONT BRAKES WILL NEED REPLACEMENT AT NEXT SERVICE. I FEEL DEALER IS TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT MANUFACTURER HASN'T PROVIDE DEALER WITH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROBLEM RESOLUTION. *AK

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKES REQUIRE NEW ROTORS ALTHOUGH PADS HAVE NOT WORN THROUGH. GIVEN THE MILEAGE, THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS DECLINED TO ASSIST AS THE VEHICLE IN NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKES REQUIRE NEW ROTORS ALTHOUGH PADS HAVE NOT WORN THROUGH. GIVEN THE MILEAGE, THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS DECLINED TO ASSIST AS THE VEHICLE IN NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE, THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKES WERE OK, AT 22K MILES CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NLM

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE, THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKES WERE OK, AT 22K MILES CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NLM

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POWER STEERING LEAKING FLUID THROUGH IT. ALSO ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. FUEL TANK HAD COLLAPSED & WAS NOT ACCEPTING ANY FUEL. *AK

BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING, BRAKE AND ROTORS REPLACED(ROTORS EXTREMELY THIN-VERY UNUSUAL AT THIS STAGE). *CJ

BRAKES SQUEAK. *CJ

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS. NLM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS. NLM

THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THE DEALER FILED THE BRAKES AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY, THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS. *SLC

THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THE DEALER FILED THE BRAKES AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY, THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS. *SLC

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMING ON, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKES WERE OK, LATER DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ROTORS WERE WORN AND THAT THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *SLC

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMING ON, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKES WERE OK, LATER DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ROTORS WERE WORN AND THAT THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *SLC

CURIOUS IF ROTOR DEFECT IS INHERENT IN ALL VW PASSATS. *AK

BRAKE BOOSTER, INTAKE AIR SCREEN AND TIE ROD END UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALLS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM (98V-134,99V-131, 99V-248)

WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE ARE NO POWER ASSIST BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD, WHICH ISN'T STOPPING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE ARE NO POWER ASSIST BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD, WHICH ISN'T STOPPING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK