1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Service Brakes, Air Problems

1999 PASSAT WAGON. ABS MODULE FAILURE

Mileage: 68,000

1999 PASSAT 4 CYL. TURBO ABS MODULE FAILURE. DIAGNOSED AT DEALER. $3200 TO REPLACE. WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION IN CURRENT CONDITION.

Mileage: 16,000

IN MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THERE IS A CONTROL MODULE KNOWN AS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. I BELONG TO A NATIONWIDE PASSAT GROUP KNOWN AS WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS AND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. IT SEEMS IN EARLY MODEL PASSATS (1998-2001) THE ABS CONTROL MODULE GETS EXTREMELY HOT OVER TIME SINCE IT IS PLACED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS CAUSES THE UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. WHEN THIS UNIT MALFUNCTIONS IT CAUSES THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM TO FAIL. ALSO, IT FLASHES MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT ARE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE THIS UNDER WARRANTY, OR RECALL. DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE CHARGING 1,200$ TO REPLACE THIS UNIT THAT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO CHANGE OUT. THE HARD PART IS TRYING TO RE-BUILD THE MODULE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. ON OUR WEBSITE WE HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO'S ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, ALONG WITH THE DATE AND MILEAGE ON THEIR VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME.*AK

Mileage: 60,000

ABS COMPUTER UNIT FAILED. WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, THEN STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALTOGETHER. ABS NO LONGER WORKS. ODB-II COMMUNICATION FAILURE, PROHIBITS SMOG CHECK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET.

ABS UNIT FAILURE ON 199 VW PASSAT 1.8 LITRE TURBO WAGON

Mileage: 105,000

ABS UNIT FAILURE ON 199 VW PASSAT 1.8 LITRE TURBO WAGON

Mileage: 105,000

1) ABS/BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 30 MPH 2) ABS FAILURE 3) REPLACE THE ABS MODULE

Mileage: 124,000

ABS LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY, AUTHORZIED VW DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $100 DIAGNOSIS FEE AND SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE MY CONCERN ON 10/11/04, 12/03/04,AND 03/05/05. ON 12/03/04 THEY WANT ME TO PAY $1365.83 + TAX TO REPLACE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP AND CONTROL MODULE ASSY, I DECLINED REPAIR

Mileage: 105,487

THE ABS CONTROLLER IS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE SYMPTOM IS WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES OR WHEN IT IS HOT, THE BRAKE/ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON. A MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME PERMANENT FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROLLER. REFER TO NHTSA OID COMPLAINT # 10106162 AND 10120717 FOR FAILURE OF SAME ABS CONTROLLER ON 1999 AUDI A4. THE PART NUMBER OF THE ABS CONTROLLER IN MY 1999 PASSAT IS 8E0-614-111-B. I AM INVESTIGATING OPTIONS FOR REPAIR, EITHER NEW PART FROM DEALER ($1500) OR REBUILD ($600). THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (MANY COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER WEB SITES). THE FAILURE IS REPORTED TO BE FAILING SOLDER JOINTS ON A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE CONTROLLER THOUGH I CANNOT VERIFY THIS PERSONALLY. VW AMERICA WILL NOT ADMIT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE (THEY ONLY DISCUSS RECALL OR WARRANTY ISSUES).

Mileage: 86,500

THE ABS CONTROLLER IS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE SYMPTOM IS WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES OR WHEN IT IS HOT, THE BRAKE/ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON. A MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME PERMANENT FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROLLER. REFER TO NHTSA OID COMPLAINT # 10106162 AND 10120717 FOR FAILURE OF SAME ABS CONTROLLER ON 1999 AUDI A4. THE PART NUMBER OF THE ABS CONTROLLER IN MY 1999 PASSAT IS 8E0-614-111-B. I AM INVESTIGATING OPTIONS FOR REPAIR, EITHER NEW PART FROM DEALER ($1500) OR REBUILD ($600). THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (MANY COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER WEB SITES). THE FAILURE IS REPORTED TO BE FAILING SOLDER JOINTS ON A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE CONTROLLER THOUGH I CANNOT VERIFY THIS PERSONALLY. VW AMERICA WILL NOT ADMIT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE (THEY ONLY DISCUSS RECALL OR WARRANTY ISSUES).

Mileage: 86,500

ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON DASH BOARD, CAUSING MY ABS SYSTEM TO NOT FUNCTION AND I HAD IT CHECKED OUT, IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BUSTED ABS MODULE.

Mileage: 130,000

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE SERIAL 8EO 614 111P 1999 PASSAT WAGON, 1.8T 4CYL. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHING. QUOTED $3150 FROM VW TO REPAIR

Mileage: 65,123

ABS MODULE FAILED AT 80,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT SAME TIME. CURRENTLY, REAR WINDOW IS FALLING INTO DOOR (83,000 MILES). THIS IS A PRE-OWNED AUTOMOBILE.

Mileage: 80,665

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT (1.8). AT APPROX 75K MILES, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED. I HAVE REVIEWED THE VW FORUM ON EDMUNDS.COM AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE - WE DESERVE TO HAVE THE PART FIXED NO MATTER WHAT MILEAGE WE HAVE ON THE CAR.

Mileage: 75,000

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE - MODULE FAILED AT ROUGHLY 80,000 MILES. MANNY, MANY, MANY SILIMAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

Mileage: 80,000

THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY '99 PASSAT BUT SUDDENLY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH WILL COST $3500. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE PASSAT MODELS.

Mileage: 79,000

AT 50K MILES THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CONTROL MODULE WHICH COST ME $ 1500 IN REPAIRS.

Mileage: 50,000

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT (INCLUDING MINE), 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. THE VW COMPANY HAS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE IN HELPING OWNERS DESPITE KNOWING OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE TYPES OF FAILURES AS EARLY AS 30K MILES. SERVICES THAT CHARGE ~$300.00 TO REBUILD THE FAILED ABS MODULE ARE UNRELIABLE AND CAUSE DRIVERS TO WORK ON THEIR CARS WITH NO MECHANICAL SENSE BECAUSE OF THEIR DESPERATION. 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.

Mileage: 63,400

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT (INCLUDING MINE), 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. THE VW COMPANY HAS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE IN HELPING OWNERS DESPITE KNOWING OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE TYPES OF FAILURES AS EARLY AS 30K MILES. SERVICES THAT CHARGE ~$300.00 TO REBUILD THE FAILED ABS MODULE ARE UNRELIABLE AND CAUSE DRIVERS TO WORK ON THEIR CARS WITH NO MECHANICAL SENSE BECAUSE OF THEIR DESPERATION. 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.

Mileage: 63,400

I OWN A 1999 VW PASSAT WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT (INCLUDING MINE), 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. THE VW COMPANY HAS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE IN HELPING OWNERS DESPITE KNOWING OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE TYPES OF FAILURES AS EARLY AS 30K MILES. SERVICES THAT CHARGE ~$300.00 TO REBUILD THE FAILED ABS MODULE ARE UNRELIABLE AND CAUSE DRIVERS TO WORK ON THEIR CARS WITH NO MECHANICAL SENSE BECAUSE OF THEIR DESPERATION. 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.

Mileage: 63,400

THE ABS MODULE ON MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FAILED. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE AS I'VE FOUND ON VW CHAT BOARDS, CONVERSATION WITH OTHER VW OWNERS, AND COMMENTS FROM VW REPAIR SHOPS. NOT ONLY DOES THIS VEHICLE PART HAVE A PROPENSITY TO FAIL, IT IS MORE COSTLY THAN MOST VEHICLE PARTS. THE DOLLAR FIGURE TO REPLACE THIS PART PLACES IT OUT OF REACH FOR MOST PEOPLE, RESULTING IN MANY VEHICLES OPERATING WITH A FAULTY ABS SYSTEM RATHER THAN SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THE ITEM. WHILE MORE AFTERMARKET VEHICLE PARTS CAN BE REMANUFACTURED, THIS PARTICULAR PIECE IS NOT CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED AS A REMANUFACTURED ITEM. THIS IS MOST LIKELY BECAUSE OF; 1) THE PROPENSITY FOR THE ITEM TO FAIL AND 2) THE COST OF THE ITEM TO REPLACE. BASICALLY, MANY FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER AND LIKELY THE VEHICLE DEALER MAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PROFIT FROM THIS NECESSARY ITEM. DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SAFETY FEATURE, THAT BEING A WORKING ABS SYSTEM, I BELIEVE THAT THIS ITEM SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR MANDATORY RECALL AND REPLACEMENT BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Mileage: 97,000

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND STAYED ON FLASHING. DEALER STATED THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE FAILURES AND MUST REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT AT A COST OF $900.00. CHECKING WITH OTHER OWNERS ON WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS, THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND CAN OCCUR AT ANY MILEAGE. IN MY CASE, MY CAR HAS 92K ON IT, AND IS A 1999 MY. BUT OTHERS WITH NEWER MY CARS AND MUCH LOWER MILEAGE ARE ALSO REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE.*AK

Mileage: 92,600

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON. PRESSURE LIGHT COMING ON AND CHIMES OCCUR.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

MY ABS LIGHT ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYS ON. WHEN IT DOES, THE BRAKE LIGHT ALSO FLASHES. I CAN PARK MY CAR OVERNIGHT. WHEN I RESTART IT, IT IS OFF. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT WAYS, IT WILL COME ON AGAIN. WHEN LIGHT IS FLASHING, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES DO NOT WORK. WHEN BRAKING HARD DURING THIS, CAR WILL STALL AND YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. DEALERS ARE STUMPED, SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE -$1400. *AK

Mileage: 122,750

HAD NEW FRONT TIRES PUT ON THE CAR AND THEN NEW BRAKE SHOES, ROTORS, ETC. ON THE BACK. ABS LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING ON AS IF THE VEHICLE THINKS IT IS SKIDDING.*AK

Mileage: 179,000

FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO, THE ABS/BRAKE WARNING LIGHT HAS DISPLAYED. AT FIRST,T WAS ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT WOULD SOME ON AND STAY ON FOR MINUTES. IT NOW DISPLAYS WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A COMMON MODULE FAILURE IN LATE MODEL VW CARS AND RELATED AUDIS. IT WILL COST ME $1500 PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THIS WARNING SYSTEM. UNTIL IT IS FIXED, I HAVE NO ABS BRAKES WORKING. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT VW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL OR PAY FOR THESE FAILURES. THEY DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY OTHER THAN THEIR STANDARD WARRANTY. IN THE DETAILS AREA, I WROTE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 30 FAILURES BECAUSE THE ABS BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING EVERY DAY I DRIVE THE CAR.*AK

Mileage: 71,700

I BOUGHT MY 1999 PASSAT IN MARCH 2002, AND HAD THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE DATE LISTED BELOW, MY MILEAGE WAS ONLY 60K AND MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2000. I HAVE READ AND SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IS THERE ANY WAY THIS CAN BE RECALLED OR CAN ANYONE HELP US WHO DOESN'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR THAT AMOUNT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT OR SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO HAD THESE PROBLEMS. ONE OF THE WEBSITE IS WWW.TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM AND IT IS UNDER VW PASSAT ABS LIGHT PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US.*AK

Mileage: 60,000

THE ABS MODUAL ON MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT(58000 MILES)HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFTY PROBLEM.VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SAYS THEY CANT HELP WITH THE $2000 REPAIR.FAR TOO MANY ARE IN THIS POSITION.THERE MUST BE A RE-CALL REGARDING THIS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING MATTER.*AK

Mileage: 58,000

SOME MONTHS AGO ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON INFREQUENTLY. ABOUT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS. THEN THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON MORE FREQUENTLY. NOW THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. ODDLY, THE LIGHT WAS OFF ON TWO CONSECUTIVELY EVENINGS AND THE ABS WORKED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS OFF. HOWEVER, SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY. HAVE BEEN TO TWO DEALERS WHO SUGGESTED REPLACING ABS CONTROL MODULE FOR $1400.00. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON FAILURE IN VOLKSWAGONS AND AUDIS. DATE GIVEN BELOW IS APPROXIMATE.*AK

Mileage: 95,000

MY 1999 VW PASSAT WAS PURCHASED ON 6/16/04. IT WAS A USED VEHICLE WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT. 6 HOURS AFTER DRIVINGOFF THE LOT THE ABS LIGHT FLASED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED AND FOUND THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT. THIS PART ALONE COSTS OVER $1200.00 TO REPAIR. THERE ARE MANY VW SITES OUT WHERE I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD GONE OUT. THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. I BEIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHOULD THIS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 60,050

IN MID MAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY 1999 PASSAT GLS (ONLY 49K MILES), THE ABS LIGHT CAME ONE, THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND IT STARTED TO BEEP. THIS PROBLEM THEN WENT AWAY AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM THEN STARTED TO RECCUR WITH GREATER FREQUENCY, FROM ONE OR TWO TIMES A WEEK, TO NOW SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. DURING MY RECENT 50K MILE SERVICE, THE DEALER (SUNNYVALE VW) DETERMINED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAILED ABS CONTOL MODULE. THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS OVER $1700. AS I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A REDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY, I AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITH A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE FURTHER I DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM AFFECT 1998 - 2000 VW PASSATS, AS WELL AS 1997 - 2000 AUDI A4 AND S4 AUTOS. SEARCHING THIS SITE FOR PAST COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE I FOUND 50 COMPLAINTS. MORE TROUBLING, HOWEVER, IS THAT WHEN I SEARCHED DISCUSSION FORUMS OF WEB SITES DEDICATED TO THE B5 PLATFORM VW PASSAT AND AUDI A4 I FOUND OVER 1500 (ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED) POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE CONSENSUS IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE MANUFATURED BY BOSCH. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO EITHER POOR ENGINEERING OR MANUFACTURING. I'VE ALREADY COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND THEY REFUSE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN MY CAR. I WILL BE SENDING A LETTER TO THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DEMAND THAT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY DEFECT BE REMEDIED. MY HOPE IS THAT MY COMPLAINT, IN COMBINATION WITH THE DOZENS OF OTHER FORMAL COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA, AS WELL AS THE HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WILL RESULT IN VW ISSUING A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE ABS MODULES.*AK

Mileage: 49,000

IN MID MAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY 1999 PASSAT GLS (ONLY 49K MILES), THE ABS LIGHT CAME ONE, THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND IT STARTED TO BEEP. THIS PROBLEM THEN WENT AWAY AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM THEN STARTED TO RECCUR WITH GREATER FREQUENCY, FROM ONE OR TWO TIMES A WEEK, TO NOW SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. DURING MY RECENT 50K MILE SERVICE, THE DEALER (SUNNYVALE VW) DETERMINED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAILED ABS CONTOL MODULE. THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS OVER $1700. AS I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A REDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY, I AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITH A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE FURTHER I DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM AFFECT 1998 - 2000 VW PASSATS, AS WELL AS 1997 - 2000 AUDI A4 AND S4 AUTOS. SEARCHING THIS SITE FOR PAST COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE I FOUND 50 COMPLAINTS. MORE TROUBLING, HOWEVER, IS THAT WHEN I SEARCHED DISCUSSION FORUMS OF WEB SITES DEDICATED TO THE B5 PLATFORM VW PASSAT AND AUDI A4 I FOUND OVER 1500 (ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED) POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE CONSENSUS IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE MANUFATURED BY BOSCH. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO EITHER POOR ENGINEERING OR MANUFACTURING. I'VE ALREADY COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND THEY REFUSE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN MY CAR. I WILL BE SENDING A LETTER TO THE CEO OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DEMAND THAT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY DEFECT BE REMEDIED. MY HOPE IS THAT MY COMPLAINT, IN COMBINATION WITH THE DOZENS OF OTHER FORMAL COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA, AS WELL AS THE HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WILL RESULT IN VW ISSUING A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE ABS MODULES.*AK

Mileage: 49,000

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY CAR SEEMS TO HAVE FAILED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BOTH VW AND AUDI. RIGHT NOW THE BRAKES WORK BUT ABS DOES NOT...SO THE WHEELS CAN LOCK UP. ONCE IN A WHILE, THE ABS LIGHT TURNS OF AND ABS STARTS WORKING, BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT DOES NOT WORK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS OR SO. AGAIN, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE WITH VW AND AUDI.*AK

AT ABOUT 68,000 MILES THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, IN MY 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T. THEY HAVE REMAINED ON, EXCEPT FOR BRIEF OCCASSION. THE WARNING SIGNAL GOES OFF AS WELL. LYNCH IMPORTS, DAYTONA BEACH, WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS INFORMATION THROUGH DIAGNOISTIC TESTING. I HAVE NO ABS AND THEY ANTICIPATE A HIGH COST TO EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM, ($78 PER HOUR TO MANUALLY GO THROUGH SYSTEMS) LET ALONE REPAIR IT. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN. *AK

Mileage: 69,000

(1.) NO EVENTS INDICATING APPROACHING FAILURE. (2.) ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED THEREFORE I WAS UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE WITH THE KEY, I HAD TO POP START IT. (3.) REPLACED CONTROL MODULE.*AK

THE "ABS" AND "BRAKE" LIGHT FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO METROPOLITAN VOLKSWAGEN IN JERSEY CITY, NJ THE BRAKES WORK, BUT A SENSOR IN THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, THE QUOTED COST IS $1500 FOR THE MODULE + LABOR TO INSTALL IT! APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 1998 AND 1999 VW PASSAT.*AK

MY ABS MODULE FAILED ON MY 1999 VW PASSAT. *CB

Mileage: 92,000

MY ABS CONTROL MODULE IS NOT WORKING WHICH CAUSES MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES NOT TO WORK. I AM AWARE OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING ON VARIUOS OTHER VW PASSATS AND I WANTED TO MAKE NHTSA AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

USB CONTROL MODULE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING THE "ABS" AND "BRAKE" LIGHT TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE CENTER, THE BRAKES STILL WORK FINE, BUT A SENSOR IN THE CONTROL MODULE HAS A PROBLEM, THE COST TO FIX IS OVER $1500 INCLUDING LABOR, THOUGH THERE IS NO ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, THEY FUNCTION PERFECTLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 1998 AND 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS-YOU CAN READ ABOUT SOME OF THE OCCURENCES HERE-HTTP://WWW.CLUBB5.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=60526

Mileage: 96,000

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. MY ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS RECOMMENDED REPLACING NOT ONLY THE ABS CONTROL MODULE BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL. THE CONTROL MODULE COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1200 INSTALLED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS ABOUT $500 INSTALLED. WHEN APPROACHED ABOUT THE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIPS AS WELL AS THE VW SERVICE CENTER CLAIMED THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING REIMBURSED BY THE VW/AUDI SERVICE CENTER FOR THEIR REPAIRS AS IF THERE IS A SILENT RECALL BUT I WAS NOT GIVEN THIS OPTION. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE MODULE MYSELF WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AT NO TIME DID ANYONE ATTEMPT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE COMPONENT THAT HAS A VERY INEXPENSIVE SUB-COMPONENT THAT IS FAILING. THE CUSTOMER IS LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. *LA

Mileage: 54,188