This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
1. ABS & brake warning lights appear - no obvious events leading up to failure. 2. I drive carefully to the dealer shop during a snow storm - careful not to apply the brakes too strongly. No accident occured - but danger of accident definitely increased. 3. dealer determines the problem is the ABS pump. Due to safety issue, I have an appointment to have ABS replaced at my cost of at least $1200.
My 1999 VW Passat, has a ABS control unit failure. The part # is 8E0 614 111B. After doing some research I notice that this is a big problem with VW. If this is such a common problem why have they not been recalled. I also notice that the newer models are now installed with a newer part, is this because VW was aware of the problem?
ABS brake light- I took my car to a Volkswagen dealership to see why this light is on and they informed me that it could be a module, and it is not covered by warrenty, and it would cost about $1300 to replace. So I did some research and in my research I learned that this is an ongoing problem. I did a search on google and found at least 200 complaints with the same problem and it is a safety concern. My brakes dont work in damp weather.. they become very hard to push.. and my brakes are new I had them replaces about 3 months ago and the light was on back then.. that is why I had them replaced, in hopes that was the problem.. but if you do a search on google you will find that there are hundreds of stories and safety concerns. I also contacted corporate Volkswagen and they told me that my car was out of warrenty and that there is nothing that they can do, that I would have to pay for it myself.
I a 1999 VW Passat gls 1.8T. I have experienced an intermittent ABS warning light issue since mid December 2004. When it first came on I promptly took the car to my regular/local VW dealership (power volkswagon, torrance, ca) who reported that they could not find a problem, and said they reset the system. Within a few days the ABS light was on again and I returned it to the dealership and this time they kept it for a few days to try to determine the problem and reported that they had identified the problem as a wiring problem and recommended replacing the ABS wiring to the sensors (cost under $500). After getting the vehicle back the light was again on intermittently (not as much as before) and this time they said the only other solution is to replace the ABS control module (quoted $1,500 parts and $300 labor). Given the fact that I had just spent $500 on ABS wiring that they said was the problem I wasn't about to spend $2,000 with them. I started my own research to find that this is a common problem with 1998-2000 ABS control modules on VW/Audi vehicles (see tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=2447). I also talked with independent/german mechanics who seemed well aware of the problem (even though my VW dealership seemed to feel it was a mystery). As parent whose children are regularly in the vehicle I have tried to determine what level of safety risk (if any) this poses. When my wife initially called our VW dealership they said it was a critical problem and that we should bring the vehicle in immediately. Then when they couldn't find a problem, it seemed to be "downgraded" to needs fixed but not critical. The VW owner's manual suggests that it is critical as the light on may result in unexpected braking and one of the independent mechanics I spoke with suggested he personally knew of a case where the vehicle's ABS engaged at a high speed resulting in an accident. I encourage NHTSA to engage VW in resolving this issue.
In approx. October, 2004, ABS warning light started to come on intermittently. Problem is not repeatable, but happens at random times and for random durations. ABS appears to be inoperative when the light is on. After several minutes, ABS light stops flashing and the car functions normally.
- South Windsor, CT, USA
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Shortly after bought car, had many makeup problems: Trim panel falling off, 3 our 4 windows have been fixed numerous times. Cannot have trim fixed unless do whole car, which is too expensive and I didnt pay all that money for a car to have dish out more money for something that should not happen. I have paid to have all the windows fixed except this last time, I just will not do it. No accidents, nothing for these problems to be occuring. Also, the tie rods have been replaced numerous times. Lastly, steering/suspension has been a problem. All these problems took place four months after purchase and since then has been a problem.
The ABS warning light came on approximately one month ago, at first intermittently. The car was immediately taken to a mechanic, but problem could not be diagnosed. Since then, the light comes on and a audible warning sounds at every start-up. The car has been returned to the mechanic, who will perform another diagnostic. All four rotors and pads were replaced in the last four months. The mechanic has a nearly identical car with an identical problem and has diagnosed a faulty ABS module, a $950 part plus labor charges. Searches on the internet show anecdotal evidence that hundreds, if not thousands, of owners of similar models are experiencing this same problem. Other owners describe dangerous brake failures, including lock-up.
During an emergancy braking procedure the ABS system did not work. I attempted to stop from highway speeds, the tires locked up, and the ABS/ brake light came on and then went out seconds later. But the front tire locked up when I needed the ABS to work. The light now comes on and off at will. The brake pads front and rear have been changed, and the brake fluid changed to fix the problem with no luck. The light tends to come on once the engine is warm but I no longer trust the ABS to work even if the light is off.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light blinked intermittently over many weeks. I was first told that the ABS was working okay, but the problem was just with the indicator light. A direct test of the brakes on a slippery road proved that the ABS was not working at all. A second visits to VW dealer's service department over resulted in diagnosis of faulty ABS control module, replaced at a total cost of over $1500.
My 1998 Passat's ABS light is intermittently coming on and off. My mechanic has verified that there is nothing wrong with the ABS pump itself, there is just a problem with the sensor. The web is full of the same complaint re: VW Passats spanning many years. There is obviously a problem with the ABS sensors on these cars. They need to do a recall.
ABS & brake light continue to flash. It started as one brief incident and now happens everytime I am in my car. I have been told that this will run somewhere in the ballpark of $1500. This is obviously a poorly manufactured device and should be replaced by Volkswagen. We are all hazards on the road.
ABS control module failed in 1999 Passat V6. ABS warning light came on, along with flashing brake light and intermittent beeping sound. Repair estimate $1500-2000. I contacted VW of America to complain after reading about numerous other complaints about the Bosch part. VW of America told me they could/would not help with repair.
ABS light coming on once in a while. Now stays on permanently and beeps. Concerned about safety of brakes. Cost to repair $1600. This car has been in the shop numerous times for electrical problems since I purchased it. I will never buy another VW.
The ABS module on my 1999 VW Passat has gone bad. I have read other posts about such failures. It went out when my car had about 105 K miles. Though that is a lot of miles, I don't see why a lot of high way driving would cause the ABS module to fail. It's also a very costly fix. 1200 for the part and then another 200 for labor. That's 1500. My car is less than 5 years old.
While driving at 25mph, the vehicle experienced total brake loss. Causing a fire to the front and rear wheel. Dealer has been notified and will cost $2,8000 to replace the ABS.
While attempting to dis-engage cruise control while approaching toll booth, by tapping brake, vehicle suffered total brake failure. Pulled emergency brake, which worked as advertised, causing vehicle to enter 360 degree spin and cross 6 lanes of toll booth traffic ending up on right shoulder of highway. No contact with any other vehicle or object. Shut down engine and re-started and brake pressure returned to normal. Mehcanic at independent shop cannot duplicate failure and system tests ok.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Waltham, MA, USA