2002 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING RED. THE ABS MODULE SEEMS TO BE BAD. THE VEHICLE HAS THESE LIGHTS WHEN ITS MOVING AND STATIONARY

THE ABS BRAKES ARE FAULTY....THEY WORK RANDOMLY. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCH THIS PARTICULAR MODULAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FACTORY RECALL.....

I GET AN AUDIO AND VISUAL ALERT ON MY DASH STATING TO 'STOP, BRAKE FAILURE' IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, AND PARKED WITH THE CAR ON. THE CAR'S BRAKES HAVE NEVER FAILED TO BRAKE APPROPRIATELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO MY MECHANIC. THE OBD 2 SCAN SHOWS NO FAULTS AND MY MECHANIC SAYS THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND THESE CARS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC BOARD WHICH FALSELY ALERTS OF A BRAKE FAILURE.

ABS LIGHT IS ON

PERIODICALLY, WHEN DRIVING, THE "ABS", "BRAKE", AND THE "ANTI SLIP REGULATION" LIGHTS WILL FLASH WITH AN ALARM SOUND THAT LASTS AROUND THREE SECONDS AND THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHILE STOPPED. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THE CAR HANDLES, DRIVES, OR BRAKES DURING AND AFTER THIS OCCURS. ON ONE INSTANCE THE "ANTI SLIP REGULATION" LIGHT STAYED ON AND I HAD TO STOP AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN, THE LIGHT WAS EXTINGUISHED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3-4 MONTHS AND ONLY HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK.

MOTOR VEHICLE LIGHT: ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON. MECHANICS TELL ME THESE COMPUTER ARE ALWAYS DEFECTIVE. REPAIR COST 750.00. MILEAGE 235,000. LOTS OF COSTLY REPAIRS. LIGHT CANNOT BE RESET SO I HAVE TO PAY THE ABOVE AMOUNT TO FIX IT AND BE ABLE TO RESELL IT. THIS ABS HAS BARELY BEEN USED. COMPANY SHOULD FIX IT [XXX]/ [XXX]@AOL.COM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

BRAKE PEDAL WAS FROZEN - BRAKES INOPERATIVE. MECHANICAL INSPECTION REVEALED WATER IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT HAD FROZEN, CAUSING LOSS IN BRAKE FUNCTION. EXAMINATION OF THE NHTSA WEBSITE REVEALED ACTION NUMBER PE07018 WHICH IS AN EXACT MATCH OF THE SYMPTOMS OF THE VEHICLE AFFECTED. THE PLENUM DRAINS WERE OBSTRUCTED WITH DEBRIS AND THERE WAS WATER IN THE PLENUM TRAY. *JS

THERE IS WATER IN THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN IT IS COLD IT WILL FREEZE UP AN NO BRAKES. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM HAD CAR SIX YEARS.I CHECK THE PLEUM DRAIN AN ITS CLEAN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THE PART IS GNO 8EO 612 105 J SEE THIS HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GCQ42RABHIK. *TR

ABS FAULT/FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, IT BEEPS 3 TIMES AND THEN MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASH ON MY DASH FOR MY ENTIRE CAR RIDE. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEP FLASHING ON AND OFF. *TR

ON A VERY COLD DAY (BELOW FREEZING) IN JANUARY 2013 WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY LONG DRIVEWAY WITH A 4% GRADE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR ENTERED THE ROAD. THE ROAD HAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. ON SUBSEQUENT WARMER DAYS THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VW DEALER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, FLOW VW, WHERE THEY FOUND WATER IN THE BOOSTER PUMP AND "REMOVED COWL DRAINS AND VACUUM WATER OF THE BOOSTER." THIS PROBLEM IS CITED IN A VW SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE THE NHTSA WEBSITE - P 9-66C8. THE INVOICE DID NOT MENTION INSTALLING AN IMPROVED POLLEN FILTER SEAL AS IS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE DEALER DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR THIS REPAIR WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS DUE A DESIGN FLAW. THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN ON ANOTHER COLD DAY BELOW FREEZING THE BRAKES AGAIN FAILED TO STOP THE CAR WHEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. ON SUBSEQUENT WARM DAYS THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. I TESTED THEM AGAIN ON A VERY COLD DAY AND THEY AGAIN FAILED. I TOOK CAR BACK TO THE SAME VW DEALER ON A WARM DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOOSTER PUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER PUMP AT A COST OF ABOUT $800. WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AS EVIDENCED BY REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON WEBSITES INCLUDING NHTSA?S WEBSITE THEY EVENTUALLY OFFERED TO LOWER THE PRICE TO $500. I BELIEVE THIS IS STILL TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS WATER TO GET INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT THE DEALER HAD FAILED TO REALLY CORRECT LAST YEAR. *TR

IN AUGUST OF 2013, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLENUM THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY AND BRAKE BOOSTER WAS NEARLY FILLED WITH RAIN WATER. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR ME TO REMOVE ONE OF THE DUCK-BILLED DRAIN PLUGS IN THE PLENUM AS ALL WERE CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS, PREVENTING WATER FROM DRAINING OUT. THE FLOODED PLENUM APPEARS TO HAVE RESULTED IN WATER BEING DRAWN THROUGH THE VACUUM LINES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WATER TO BE DRAWN INTO THE CRANKCASE. WATER WAS ALSO DRAWN INTO THE CYLINDERS RESULTING IN MISFIRING. AFTER REMOVING AT LEAST ONE DRAIN PLUG IN THE PLENUM FOR PROPER DRAINAGE, AND DOUBLE FLUSHING THE CONTAMINATED OIL IN THE CRANKCASE, I EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER BRAKING PROBLEMS UNTIL FREEZING WEATHER IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN NOVEMBER, WHILE BRAKING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF A HILL, I AGAIN EXPERIENCED A HARD PEDAL WITH NO DEPRESSION AND ALMOST NO BRAKING ABILITY, RESULTING IN THE CAR GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE FULLY STOPPING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. TWO WEEKS LATER, THERE WAS AGAIN THE SYMPTOM OF A HARD PEDAL? WITH NO DEPRESSION AND NEAR LOSS OF ALL BRAKING. THE CAR WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THIS TIME, THE VACUUM BOOSTER, THE VACUUM PIPES, AND THEIR RELATED ITEMS WERE REPLACED. AS NOTED IN THE DEALERSHIP INVOICE, EVIDENCE OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE REPLACED VACUUM BOOSTER. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PLENUM HAD A SIGNIFICANT HIGH-WATER POLLEN LINE, INDICATING FLOODING OF THE PLENUM. IT WAS BELIEVED BY THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF THAT THE BRAKE FAILURES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2013 WERE LIKELY THE RESULT OF RESIDUAL WATER FREEZING IN THE VACUUM BOOSTER, CAUSING THE BOOSTER TO BE INOPERATIVE. ALSO, THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/30/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSUFFICIENT FIX DURING THE 2008 CAMPAIGN DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT ALLOWED FOR CONTINUED FLOODING OF THE PLENUM COMPARTMENT AND SUBSEQUENT BRAKE FAILURES. UPDATED 02/19/14 UPDATED 03/13/14 UPDATED 05/12/14 UPDATED 06/25/14

ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

CEL 17887 BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. THIS CAUSES A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. HARD PEDAL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE BOOSTER FILLS WITH FLUID AND/OR DEBRIS CAUSING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THE BRAKE BOOSTER CAN NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THIS PRESSURE CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AT A REPUTABLE DEALER AND THEY VACUUMED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 GALLONS OF DIRTY LOOKING WATER. THERE IS STILL MORE INSIDE THE PART HOWEVER IT IS FROZEN DUE TO SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF ALL CLAMPS, HOSES AND OTHER PARTS THE MECHANIC ASSURED ME THERE ARE NO CRACKED HOSES, LOOSE OR BROKEN CLAMPS (NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BOOSTER IS FILLING WITH FLUID OR HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN). THE MECHANIC STATES THE FLUID/DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE BOOSTER. THE CEL HAS BEEN RESET AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED (YET). THIS IS MY 18 YEAR OLD SON'S CAR AND EVERY DAY HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE I FEAR THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE OCCURRENCE THE FIRST TIME. REPORTS I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS STATE THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL YEAR. WHY ISN'T VW BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 277,000.

THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. MY CAR BEEPS AT ME ABOUT 3-4 TIMES & THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE TURNING OFF. FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ONLINE, ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE & THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE PASSAT. *TR

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE ABS MODULE IS BAD. 02 SENSORS ARE BAD. *TR

ABS SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. CAR SENT TO AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT ABS UNIT HAD FAILED. $3000 REPAIR BILL REQUIRED TO BRING CAR BACK TO SPECS, INCLUDING REPLACEMENTS OF UPPER LINKS (8E0407505A), AND ABS UNIT (8E0614111AQ). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING, THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 PASSAT WAGON DO NOT WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD, AND WILL NOT DEPRESS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC WHO HAS WORKED ON MY CAR FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WATER IN MY BRAKE LINES. THIS WATER MAY HAVE ENTERED THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER IN A MANNER DESCRIBED IN INCIDENT REPORT #PE07018. ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL SO FAR (WATER HAS BEEN DRAINED OUT OF SYSTEM, DRAINS HAVE BEEN CLEARED OF LEAVES AND OTHER DEBRIS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING). DOES VW HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS, I DO NOT HAVE FUNCTIONING BRAKES (A RATHER DANGEROUS SITUATION, TO SAY THE LEAST). *TR

STARTED CAR 5 AM DURING WINTER MONTHS-CAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY DEPRESSED-BRAKES WERE UN USABLE. CAR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE HOWEVER BRAKES COULD NOT BE USED AT ANY POINT. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUE AS ANY FREEZING TEMPERATURE WILL RENDER THE BRAKES UN USABLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH. BROUGHT THE CAR TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT A P9 SERVICE WHICH SEALED POLLEN FILTERS TO PREVENT DEBRIS FROM ENTERING THE AREA SURROUNDING THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD BEEN DONE, BUT DEBRIS STILL ENTERED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AS A RESULT OF A FROZEN BRAKE LINE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR DURING COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS AN OPENED AND CLOSED DEFECT INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE07018 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE STALLED AND EMITTED BLUE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AFTER A RAIN. ALSO THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING TO ME AND I WAS SEARCHING THE WEB AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. ABOUT ONCE EVERY 20 MINUTES WHILE I'M DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT, THE CAR BEEPS, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. I LOOSE A LITTLE OF MY BRAKING POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. *TR

MY ABS LIGHT ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT RANDOMLY COMES ON SAYING STOP, BRAKE DEFAULT. THERE APPARENTLY IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. THERE COULD BE A FIX BY REPLACING A $1600 PART. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MECHANICS SAY NOTHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. IF IT'S INDEED A SENSOR THAT EVERYONE WITH THIS CAR HAS, THEN VW SHOULD REPAIR IT, SO WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES!! *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE 07018. MY 2002 VW PASSAT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) FAILURE IN MID 2009. WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND DISABLED ALL ITS FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. IT INCLUDED SUDDEN, UNPREDICTABLE SURGING WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. VW REPAIRED THE CAR AT THEIR EXPENSE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, IN VERY COLD WEATHER, THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE CAR ROLLED DOWN A DRIVEWAY, ACROSS A BUSY STREET INTO A WALL. AGAIN THERE WAS NO BODILY INJURY AND MINOR CRASH DAMAGE. VW DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS WATER (ICE) IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND REPAIRED THE CAR AT MY EXPENSE. VW REFUSED A REQUEST FOR AN ADJUSTMENT CLAIMING THAT THIS EVENT WAS UNRELATED TO THE FIRST ONE. LAST MONTH, VW SENT ME AN UPDATE NOTICE FOR REVISED MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER DRAINS AND PLENUM CHAMBER, AS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN OF NOV. 2007. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SAFETY ISSUE AND REQUEST THAT NHTSA TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. *TR

ABS LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1000. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH A SAFETY SYSTEM CAN I HAVE SUCH DEFECTS WITHIN IT. HAS ANYONE INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. *TR

ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY DID A SCAN FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE NET THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YR ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS. EVEN IF FIXED THE ABS LIGHT STILL COMES ON. *TR

ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO I WAS CAUGHT IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM WITH MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T. WATER FLOODED THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT DUE TO DRAINAGE HOLE LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY CLOGGED WITH LEAF DEBRIS. ALL POWER (STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) WAS LOST AND CAR STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW THE CAR'S BRAKES ARE MALFUNCTIONING IN FREEZING WEATHER. THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES; OTHER TIMES THE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND MUST BE STOMPED ON TO STOP THE CAR. I CANNOT USE THE CAR UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. VW DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS OF PROBLEM AS RESULTING FROM FREEZING WATER IN BRAKE BOOSTER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO VW CUSTOMER CARE. THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DEALER'S $1600 FEE TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER, BOOSTER LINES AND VACUUM PUMP. WHY HASN'T NHTSA FORCED VW TO ISSUE A RECALL AS I'VE DISCOVERED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS? VW'S STANCE ON THIS WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE NOTICED IN THE DRIVEWAY OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND THEREFORE DOESN'T POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AS TEMPERATURES CAN CHANGE QUICKLY DURING A JOURNEY. WHY HAS NHTSA BACKED DOWN IN THE FACE OF SUCH A LAME RESPONSE? I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY ANOTHER VW CAR SINCE THEIR VAULTED SAFETY REPUTATION IS NOT DESERVED AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE STINKS. *TW

WATER IN BRAKE BOOSTER FROZEN, CAUSING BREAKS TO FAIL - NEAR INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. FROZEN WATER IS DUE TO KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE WITH 2002 PASSAT. VW WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER EVEN THOUGH MECHANICS INDICATE FAILED AIR PLENUM/FILTER IS ONLY WAY FOR WATER TO ENTER BRAKE BOOSTER. VW WILL NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION ON BRAKE BOOSTER, A $600 REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN COLD WEATHER. SEE INVESTIGATION #PE07-018. *TR

DRIVING 2002 VW PASSAT IN NORMAL WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDING ROAD SALT CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR BREAK CALIPERS. *TR

GOT IN MY CAR ONE MORNING AND THE BRAKE FELT LIKE THERE WAS GRAVEL IN THE SHAFT-VERY HARD AND CHOPPY FEELING WHEN DEPRESSING THE PEDAL. BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A VAPOR CLOUD BEHIND MY CAR BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY IN AIR. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AT THE CORNER THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK QUITE RIGHT BUT THE CAR DID STOP. WENT A LITTLE FURTHER AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO MAKE A TURN AND MY CARE STARTED SHUTTERING AND LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT THE BACK -ACTUALLY ALMOST ENVELOPED MY CAR SO I HAD A HARD TIME MAKING THE TURN DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND THE CARS VIBRATIONS. AGAIN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND CORRECTLY BUT LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. I SAT THERE TRYING TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM BY PUMPING THE BRAKES AND EVERY TIME I DID SO THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HUGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE ENVELOPED THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERS AND THEY CALLED TO SAY THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME OVER $700 TO FIX. I ALSO HAD THEM DO THE P9 RECALL REPAIR AT THAT TIME. I DROVE THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND THEN HAD A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS TIME THE BRAKES ACTUALLY FAILED TWICE BEFORE I COULD GET BACK TO THE HOUSE. I HAD THE SAME THICK WHITE SMOKE AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHENEVER I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES. AGAIN HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP. THEY ARE NOW FIXING AS PART OF THE WARRANTY TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ISSUE AS THEY FOUND NEW LEAVES CLOGGING THE BRAKE BOOSTER LINES AND FOUND TOTAL FAILURE OF THAT PART. THE VW SERVICE REP SAID SEVERAL GALLONS OF WATER CAME OUT OF MY ENGINE WHEN THEY REMOVED THE DEBRIS. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO DRILL A HUGE HOLE TO ALLOW THE LEAVES AND WATER TO DRAIN AWAY FROM THE BRAKES! LUCKILY, WE BORROWED MY BROTHER'S VAN TWO DAYS BEFORE TO BRING MY DAUGHTER BACK FROM COLLEGE (LOCATED IN LYNCHBURG, VA WHICH IS IN THE MOUNTAINS OR WE MAY HAD THE BRAKES FAIL AND GONE OFF A CLIFF!) PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS-- IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNETHICAL! *TR

WHEN CAR IS STARTED THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR DRIVES BUT ITS ALWAYS FLASHING THE BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

COPY (EXCERPT) OF LETTER SENT TO VW OF AMERICA: CAR HISTORY THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT DANBURY,CT VW 2002, PUT IN SERVICE ON 03-19-2002 AND IS STILL OWNED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER (FLORIAN KAHLERT). THE CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT VW RECOMMENDED INTERVALS BY FOREIGN CAR MOTORS INC. AND HAS ALSO BEEN SERVICED BY RIVERBANK VW IN STAMFORD, CT. ALL VW SERVICE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY VW DEALERSHIPS (EXCEPT THE MOST RECENT CAMPAIGN R5 26E5 WHICH IS STILL OUTSTANDING). THE CAR IS ACCIDENT FREE AND NO AFTER MARKET PARTS ARE INSTALLED. THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE CAR IS 9 OUT OF 10 FOR A CAR ITS AGE. RIVERBANK VW IN STAMFORD PERFORMED THE P9 SERVICE ACTION ON 10/10/2007AT 40957 MILES. BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE IN COLD WEATHER IN DECEMBER 2008 (AT APPROXIMATELY 51000 MILES) OWNER EXPERIENCED REPEATED BRAKE PROBLEMS IN COLD WEATHER, WHICH WERE EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED AS A BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION, EXTENSIVE WATER AND RUST WAS FOUND IN THE BOOSTER AS WELL AS THE CONNECTING VACUUM LINES AND ONE-WAY VALVES REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOOSTER AND OTHER PARTS. FOREIGN CAR MOTORS REPLACED THE BOOSTER WITH A NEW ORIGINAL VW PART 8E0612107E. DURING REPLACEMENT FOREIGN CAR MOTORS ALSO FOUND THAT THE DRAIN BELOW THE BOOSTER WAS CLOGGED WITH HEAVY DEBRIS, INDICATING THAT THE DRAINS HAD BEEN CLOGGED FOR A LONG TIME. ENCLOSED EXPERT OPINION BY FOREIGN CAR MOTORS STATES THAT THE ONLY REASONABLE CAUSE AND EXPLANATION FOR THE PRESENCE OF WATER AND RUST IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS THAT THE P9 SERVICE ACTION DID EITHER NOT REMEDY THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OR THAT THE DAMAGE STARTED BEFORE THE P9 ACTION WAS PERFORMED AND THE DAMAGE ONLY BECAME APPARENT IN DECEMBER 2008/JANUARY 2009. IN EITHER CASE, THE REASON FOR THE BOOSTER FAILURE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE UNDERLYING CAUSE THAT TRIGGERED THE P9 SERVICE ACTION. BASED ON THIS ASSESSMENT I KINDLY REQUEST THE REIMBURSEMENT OF INCURRED REPAIR EXPENSES: *TR

SPRING 2008, EXPERIENCED WATER IN CABIN DUE TO FAULTY SEALS/DRAINAGE. WINTER 2008, EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE RELATED TO PREVIOUS WATER INTRUSION. *TR

FAILURE OF ABS MODULE. *TR

FIRST COLD EVENING OF NOVEMBER 2008 (BELOW FREEZING) BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS, AND BRAKES APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY LOCKED. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WARMING UP, BRAKE FUNCTION PARTIALLY RETURNED, BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. HUSBAND FLUSHED DOT4 BRAKE FLUID THROUGH ABS REGULATOR, BRAKE LINES AND BLED BRAKES. NO CHANGE WHATSOEVER. WAITING FOR DEALER TO RECOGNIZE PROBLEM. DEALER FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM OVER PHONE, HOWEVER, THIS MAY HELP. BELIEVED THAT AIR/POWER BOOSTER SUCKED WATER IN TO BRAKE BOOSTER FROM DEFECTIVE DRAIN. SUNROOF ALSO LEAKS, AND 3RD SET OF CV BOOTS FOR CAR IN 3 YEARS. *TR

THE "BRAKE FAULT" AND "STOP" WORDS APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN A VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING BEEP COMES ON FOR 3 BEEPS. I SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN AT THE VW DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN 00,01 AND 02 MODELS. THE MODULE JUST "CRAPS-OUT" AS HE PUT IT AND WARNED ME THAT IS USUALLY COSTS ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX, BUT WOULD NEED $120 JUST TO DIAGNOSE AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS INDEED THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD "NO". THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON THE OVER 200 POSTINGS I SAW IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM IN A MERE 20 MIN. OF LOOKING ONLINE. I AM SAD THAT THE CAR I FEEL IN LOVE WITH HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A PAIN (WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE IT WOULD BE). I WORK FOR MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY MANUFACTURE THEIR VEHICLES IN GERMANY AS WELL, WITH MUCH FEWER PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THIS MUST BE A RECALL SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND COSTING PEOPLE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. *TR

IN WET WEATHER, MY ABS MODULE GOES HAYWIRE. WHEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY STATE THAT MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND THAT THE CONTROL MODULE SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS USE TO ONLY HAPPEN ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE, BE IT IS STARTING TO BECOME MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND BRAKE WARNING WOULD LIGHT UP. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE. THIS STARTED JUST AROUND 101,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP THIS TYPE OF WARNING LIGHT TO SEE IF ANY ONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS, AN ONLINE FORUMS SUGGESTED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. I USED VAGCOM, AN OBDII DEVICE, TO SEE IF THE ABS MODULE COULD BE THE CAUSE TO THE PROBLEM. THE ABS MODULE FAILED. I SENT IN THE MODULE TO BE "REBUILT".*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN 2007, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WOULD DRAIN INTO THE MOTOR DURING HEAVY RAINS, AND CAUSE THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE BRAKE LINE, BUT NEVER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL. INSTEAD, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND STATED THAT IT WAS A COURTESY FROM VOLKSWAGEN. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. SHE HAD TO STRIKE THE WHEEL AGAINST THE CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY MADE REPAIRS AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

THE ABS LIGHT FLASHES ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT. ALSO WORDS APPEAR ON THE DASH THAT SAY "STOP" "BRAKE FAULT" "SERVICE MANUAL". WHEN I CHECKED THE MANUAL IT SAYS THAT THERE IS A FAULT OR PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

WHEN I STARTED MY 2002 PASSAT STATION WAGON YESTERDAY, THERE WAS NO POWER ASSIST FUNCTION ON THE BRAKES. THIS WAS EXPERIENCED TWO DAYS IN A ROW, AND BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. BRAKING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY INCREASED OVER WHAT IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN. THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST STARTED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED A WHILE. PUMPING THE BRAKES SEEMED TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKING, BUT NEVER ENOUGH TO GIVE ME CONFIDENCE THAT I COULD STOP WHEN I NEEDED TO. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY HAVE SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS REPLACING. I PARTICIPATED IN THE AIR PLENUM RECALL AND HAD THE AIR PLENUM REPLACED ON 9/7/07. I AM SENDING IN THE PRESENT COMPLAINT AFTER READING THE NHTSA ACTION # PE07018. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES IN COMPLAINT #PE07018 SOUND VERY MUCH LIKE MY PROBLEM, AND I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF MY SITUATION. I ALSO LIVE IN WISCONSIN WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING A COLD WET WINTER. *TR

1) BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED IN WET CONDITIONS --- ONCE IN POURING RAIN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, AND ONCE DURING THE FIRST DRIVE ON A COLD MORNING (JUST BELOW FREEZING) AFTER AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW. 2) IN BOTH CASES, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED ONLY A LITTLE (AN INCH OR TWO PERHAPS?) AND THEN BECAME VERY HARD, NOT MOVING ANY FURTHER WITH ADDITIONAL PUSHING, AND PROVIDING VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER (PERHAPS 5% OF NORMAL BRAKING?). FORTUNATELY BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS NOT AFFECTED. IN BOTH CASES, THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AGAIN BY THE TIME WE HAD ORGANIZED OURSELVES TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE --- BOTH TIMES, THIS WAS DAYS LATER (THOUGH WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR); IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, WE LEFT THE CAR ON THE STREET OVERNIGHT BEFORE PUTTING IT IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE NEXT MORNING, AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. 3) IN THE FIRST INCIDENT (OCCURING IN AUGUST '07?), WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT A SERVICE STATION, LEARNED OF A VW RECALL INVOLVING WATER LEAKING THAT COULD AFFECT THE BRAKES AND LEAK WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (WHICH WAS ALSO HAPPENING DURING HEAVY RAIN), AND THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIAZZA ACURA/VW OF ARDMORE, PA) FOR SERVICE --- THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK PROBLEM AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THEY DID ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRAKES (WE MAY NOT HAVE MENTIONED THIS SPECIFICALLY TO THEM, SINCE IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL). THE CAR SEEMED FINE AFTERWARD. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT (ON 12/6/07), WE ARE ONCE AGAIN HAVING THE CAR CHECKED OUT AT OUR REGULAR SERVICE STATION (WE HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED BY THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS IN THE PAST). SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ANY BRAKE PROBLEM, AND WE PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT IF OUR REGULAR STATION MECHANICS CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT EVERY 15,000 MILES, WHICH IS ABOUT FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN A NORMAL VEHICLE. THIS IS UNEXPECTED ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. IN FEBRUARY OF 2006, AT 25,359 MILES, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THIS POSSIBILITY. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,722 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,359.

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED ON MY CAR CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE ASR (ANTI-SLIP REGULATION) TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS TO NO LONGER FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING WITH NO SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED OTHER STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE MY KEYLESS ENTRY WILL NO LONGER WORK. ALSO, THE ERROR LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE RADIO REMAINS TURNED ON (UNLESS I MANUALLY TURN IT OFF) EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED A DEAD BATTERY AFTER 4 DAYS OF FLASHING (RADIO WAS OFF). IT HAS ALSO CAUSED AN ERROR BETWEEN THE COMMUNICATION PATHS FROM MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND MY ENGINE'S ECU AND INSTRUMENT PANEL AS EVIDENCED BY THE ERROR CODES PRODUCED. THE LAST ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE ABS FAILURE IS THAT THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT WILL THEN SPUTTER OUT AND TURN OFF. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334 *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSSAT WAGON GLS WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 41,926 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE, AND SOME FLUID SQUIRTING FROM THE BRAKE HOSE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD CONDENSATION BUILD UP WHICH WAS GETTING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DUE TO THE CLIMATE IN WHICH SHE LIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,400.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WOULD NOT STOP. FORTUNATELY, MY DRIVEWAY GOES UPHILL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE TREE DEBRIS CLOGGED A TRAY AND THE RAIN WATER OVERFLOWED INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FREEZED. AND THIS FREEZING CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEBRIS WAS CLEARED, AND THE MASTER VACUUM AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AT COST OF $780.

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER INTO THE BOOSTER AND FREEZES. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO LOCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL IN THE MORNING. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL STAYED DOWN AFTER APPLY,LOCKING UP ALL FOUR WHEELS BLOCKING TRAFFIC. THE CABLE ON THE TOW TRUCK BROKE WHEN TRYING TO DRAG MY CAR ONTO THE BED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EVENTUALY CAME BACK UP AFTER A HARD PUSH AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SLOWLY TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER USING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A MECHANIC KNEW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.*AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

2002 VW PASSAT WITH TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CUSTOMER IS REQUESTING COMPENSATION FOR REPAIR WORK TO CAR AND HOUSE**NAR**CC IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VACUUM-SEALED HAD 1 QUART OF WATER IN IT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO THE COLD NIGHT, THE ASSEMBLY FROZE UP, AND WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE STARTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE TO WARM IT UP, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *JB

I WAS DRIVING CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND COMING TO A STOP ON A HILL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I LITERALLY HAD TO STAND ON THE PEDAL TO GET CAR TO STOP. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY WIFE TWO PREVIOUS TIMES AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AS NO CODES INDICATED ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD SERVICE WRITER GET IN CAR AND EXPERIENCE WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. IT WAS DETERMINED AFTER DIAGNOSIS THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY WATER HAD ENTERED IN COWL AREA WHICH HAD BEEN CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. WHEN IT FINALLY RELEASED, THE BRAKES SELF-APPLIED AND RELEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE HAND BRAKE, BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER BY A PRIVATE WRECKER SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THEY ALSO GAVE HIM THE OLD BOOSTER AND A BAG CONTAINING CHERRY TREE DEBRIS DEPOSITED ON AND AROUND THE OLD BOOSTER. THE REPAIR COST WAS ABOUT $900. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

I OWNED A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 FOR 2 YEARS. THREE TIMES WITHIN THAT TIME DURING RAINSTORMS, THE ENGINE DIED AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE POWER BRAKES , FAILED. I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE ENGINE IS EITHER NEAR A WHEEL WELL OR BEHIND A HEADLIGHT, AS IS APPARENTLY COMMON FOR SPORTY CARS. THE WATER GETS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. VW CHARGED ME $9000 AFTER THE SECOND EVENT, BLAMING IT ON PINE NEEDLES IN DRAINAGE WELLS. FIVE DAYS LATER, I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I SOLD THE CAR. I THINK THIS WARRANTS INVESTIGATION AS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

FAULTY ABS LIGHT, FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR ANNOYING BEEPING, 2002 VW PASSAT. *NM

BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES, DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS CAUSING TWO MAJOR BREAKDOWNS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE LAST TWO IGNITION COILS WERE RECALLED. THE CAR WILL NOT RUN IF IT IS WET FROM HEAVY RAIN AND HAS TO BE COMPLETELY DRIED BEFORE THE BREAKS WORK PROPERLY. OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED 14 MONTHS AGO, ANOTHER MAJOR BREAKDOWN ON HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN. IT HAS BROKEN DOWN YET AGAIN...THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS ANOTHER OIL PUMP BECAUSE OF SLUDGE, ABOUT $2000, NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 12 MONTH, 12,000MILE MARK. TWO OTHER PRIVATE MECHANICS TOLD ME, REPLACING THE OIL PUMP WOULD ONLY DISGUISE, TEMPORARILY THE REAL ISSUE....THE ENGINE IS JUNK. IT NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I AM MISSING SOME OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. ALSO THE BLINKERS DON'T WORK, THE REAR DOOR WON'T OPEN, AUTO LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND ARE OUT AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIRST NEW CAR I EVER BOUGHT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AFTER A DIVORCE BECAUSE I WANTED A DEPENDABLE CAR TO COMMUTE TO WORK AND TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN SAFELY. THE CAR HAS 85,00 MI. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR THE THERMOSTAT ON THE VEHICLE TO GO ABOVE FREEZING THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT HAD FILLED WITH ROAD DEBRIS. THIS CAUSED WATER TO GET TRAPPED IN THE COMPARTMENT AND FREEZE. THE MASTER VACUUM FOR THE BRAKES IS LOCATED IN THIS COMPARTMENT, AND THIS FREEZING CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEBRIS WAS CLEARED OUT AND THE MASTER VACUUM AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. *AK

FAILURE AT 8100 MILES ON 2003 VW PASSAT GLX V6. FAILURE REPORTED BY COMPUTER: BRAKE FAULT, STOP, READ SERVICE MANUAL. DEALER REPORTS THIS IS AN ABS MODULE FAILURE. WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM FORUMS REPORT THIS AS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG PASSATS. PLEASE HOLD VW'S FEET TO THE FIRE ON THIS PROBLEM. *JB

AFTER HEAVY RAIN, POWER BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED COMPLETELY IN 2002 VW PASSAT. THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO CLOGGED COWL DRAIN. WATER WAS DIVERTED INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS AND POWER BRAKING SYSTEM THUS LEADING TO FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED I BELIEVE THAT THIS REPRESENTS SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK AND THAT THIS RISK IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT LED TO $1600.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SINCE SEPTEMBER, I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON. TWICE, I'VE ALSO HAD "BRAKE FAULT" WARNINGS TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT'S BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 3 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CV JOINT WAS REPLACED YESTERDAY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FIRST THING THIS MORNING, THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. I HAVE A FIFTH SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH BACHMAN VOLKSWAGEN ON MONDAY. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT QUITE A FEW ABS PROBLEMS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS, SO I DON'T SEEM TO BE ALONE WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *JB

CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THE 2002 VW PASSAT ARE EQUIPPED W/DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE PADS. *TS THE FAULTY BRAKES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE BRAKING. SINCE BRAKES ARE NOT WARRANTY ITEM THE CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICE FEE ASSOCIATED WITH REPLACING THEM. *NM

THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTED ACTING UP IN FREEZING WEATHER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST ALL POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS SEVERELY DEGRADED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THIS ALSO LED, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO ME, TO THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKING UP, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY FIXED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK THERE IS A CLASS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM IN AT LEAST 2002 PASSATS AND NO EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOA) TO COMMUNICATE THIS TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I LEARNED FROM THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED MANY SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM ON PASSATS. IF NOT A FORMAL RECALL, AT LEAST SOME COMMUNICATION TO OWNERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE FORCED AS THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TALKED TO VOA CUSTOMER SERVICE BY PHONE AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY DO NOT ISSUE VOLUNTARY RECALLS. THIS IS DONE, ACCORDING TO THE VOA REP, ONLY WHEN ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IF TRUE, THIS SEEMS A SAD COMMENTARY. SO I AM WORKING THIS ISSUE THROUGH NHTSA ASD MY ONLY RECOURSE. *AK

VEHICLE SERVICED BY FINDLAY VW ON SAT 10/16/2004- 30,000 MILE SERVICE. 3 DAYS LATER THE BRAKE FAULT WARNING SOUNDED. I THOUGHT PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS. ON SAT 10/23/2004 IT SOUNDED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, I DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP ON MON 10/25/2004. I REVIEWED MANUAL AND HAD SURMISED THAT POSSIBLY NOT ENOUGH BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN PUT IN. I WAS INFORMED THAT AT ONLY 30, 600 MILES, CAR NEEDED REAR BRAKES AND ROTOR-DOWN TO 2%. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT VW SHIPS CARS WITH MINIMAL AMOUNT THICKNESS ROTOR AND ANY WEAR AT ALL REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. THIS IS MY 3RD CONSECUTIVE VW, I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. 30,000+ MILES SHOULD NOT WARRENT REAR BRAKES / ROTORS, EVEN IN TOUGH CITY CONDITIONS. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY SQUEAKING OR RUBBING NOR DID BRAKES REQUIRE ADDED PRESSURE TO ADEQUATELY SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS NECESSARY WORK OR IF TRUE OF ROTOR SHIP CONDITIONS IS UNFAIR. AT THIS POINT, I WILL NOT PURCHASE A 4TH VW. *AK

IGNITION COILS FAILED TWO TIMES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUDDER. COILS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION (FOLLOWING THE COIL REPAIR) VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE- GOING FROM 80 TO 0 MPH IN THE MATTER OF SECONDS. I HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER AN HOUR. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS BAD GAS (NOT POSSIBLY THE COIL). IN ADDITION, MY REAR DOOR QUIT CLOSING, HEADLIGHTS HAVE BURNT OUT, FILTERS HAVE GONE BAD CAUSING FRONT OF CAR TO BECOME FLOODED, VACUUM HOSE DEFECTIVE, REAR BRAKES WENT BAD, AND RADIO QUIT WORKING. PARTS WERE REPLACED EITHER UNDER THE WARRANTY OR OUT OF MY POCKET. VW REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 40000 MILES ON IT. *AK

RECURRENT BRAKE FAILURES. AT 10,000 MILES, BRAKE LIFE WAS MEASURED AT 12 MM FRONT AND 8 MM REAR, BUT THEN AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE PADS ALL AROUND AND REAR DISCS. AT 40,000, REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THIS TIME DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPHER HAD STUCK, CAUSING THE BRAKE PAD TO WEAR DOWN TO METAL ON THAT ONE SIDE. A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS HIGHWAY MILES, AND DRIVER DOES NOT RIDE THE BRAKES. OWNER BELIEVES VW TRIED TO HIDE AN INHERENT BRAKE DESIGN PROBLEM BY REPLACING ALL 4 BRAKE PADS AT 20,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER ONE TIME DUE TO BRAKE FAULT & BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHTS.

BRAKE FAILURE AT 22,000 MILES. MY CAR WAS JUST UNDER 2 YEARS OLD WITH 22,000 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES. THE CAR WAS REDESIGNED WITH "SOFT" BRAKE PADS TO REDUCE NOISE, SO THIS IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR". NO IT ISN"T! ALSO, THE ROTORS MUST BE REPLACED WHEN YOU PUT ON NEW PADS; THEY CANNOT BE MACHINED. THIS CAR IS DESIGNED TO HAVE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED EVERY 22,000 MILES! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE AND DISGRACEFUL DESIGN.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR WAS 35,369 MILES. IN MAY, I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP WITH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HILL CLIMBS AND DECENTS. IT FELT LIKE THE REAR OF THE CAR WOULD SHAKE. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE REAR BRAKES. IN THE WINTER, THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE IS GRABBING. WELL, I NEVER USE THE PARKING BRAKE. AFEW TIMES I HAVE HAD A VALET PARKING SERVICE MAYBE THEY USED IT. SO, I JUST HAD THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED ON MY CAR.IT WAS 461.26 CENTS. IF BRAKES WOULD GO IN THIS CAR, I FELT IT SHOULD BE THE FRONT BRAKES NOT THE REAR. IF THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS BILL WITH A FAIRLY NEW CAR.BRAKES ARE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE TO A VEHICLE. THE WARRENTY IS FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. *AK

DEALER WILL DO MAJOR REPAIRS ON BRAKES, REPLACE BACK AND FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS.*AK

THE BRAKE PADS MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MAY HAVE BEEN ENGAGED. *NLM

MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO PROPERLY REPAIR FAULTY BRAKES. REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED 5000 MILES AGO BECAUSE OF OVER HEATING AND SCORING. ON APRIL 2, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOR THE SAME REASON, AND THE REAR ROTORS WERE AGAIN IDENTIFIED BY THE DEALER TECH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS. WITH 20000 MILES TOTAL ON THE CAR, MY FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE 60% LEFT, MY REAR 30%. I SUSPECT A MALFUNCTION WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND / OR BRAKE ROTOR DESIGN. *JB