1999 Passat 4 cyl. Turbo ABS module failure. Diagnosed at dealer. $3200 to replace. Will not pass state inspection in current condition.

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

1999 Passat wagon. ABS module failure

- Ardmore, PA, USA

ABS unit failure on 199 VW Passat 1.8 litre turbo wagon

- Little Silver, NJ, USA

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

- Grain Valley, MO, USA

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).

- Eagle, ID, USA

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.

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

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 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.

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

ABS warning light coming on. Brake light coming on. Pressure light coming on and chimes occur.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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 Audi. 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.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

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.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

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.

- Debary, FL, USA

(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.

- Wakefield, RI, USA

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.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

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-www.clubb5.com/forums/viewtopic.php?T=60526

- Los Gatos, CA, USA