2000 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, OR WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL, OR WILL STAY ON ALL THE TIME. DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $1700 TO REPLACE MODULE. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THEY ARE SEEING MORE OF THESE COME IN WITH ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE, JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. TECHNICAL BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS REPAIR. *NM

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON 2000 VW PASSAT. *JB

FAILED ABS MODULE ON 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4 MOTION WAGON AT 71000 MILES. *JB

APPARENT DEFECT IN THE ABS CONTROL SYSTEM OR DISPLAY. INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES WARNING MESSAGE STOP BRAKE FAILURE OWNERS MANUAL. BULLETIN BOARDS INFORM ME THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE FOR MANY VW OWNERS. NO REPAIRS YET ATTEMPTED. *JB

(1)AT 79,000 MILES: ABS AND FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD AND READ STOP, SERVICE MANUAL / BRAKE FAULT. A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF CARS WITH THIS COMMON FAILURE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. (2)DURING THIS FAILURE TRACTION CONTROL IS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH ABS SYSTEM, COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. (3)I WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE CAR WITHOUT REPAIR AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT THE OWNER SHOULD NOT BE PAYING TO REPAIR OR EVEN DIAGNOSE! I WILL ALSO CONTACT VW OF AMERICA TO LOG ISSUE WITH THEM AND REQUEST A RECALL. *NM

THE ABS ABD BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT VR6 WAGON. MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WILL COST $1100 AND THAT WILL ONLY ENABLE THEM TO DO THE DIAGNOSTICS TO DETERMINE WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE COSTS OF THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WILL BE ADDITIONAL. IF I DON'T CHANGE THE MODULE, MY BRAKES ARE IN DANGER OF FAILING. *NM

FOLLOWING A 90,000 MILE SERVICE AND ENGINE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT MY ABS WARNING INDICATOR ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY INDICATING A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TWO DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHT CHIMES & COMES ON. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY COMES ON AND INDICATES TO STOP, BREAK FAULT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING RANDOMLY. DEALER SAYS THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF BETWEEN $900-2400 US DOLLARS. *NM

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2000 V6) STARTED BLINKING AS I WAS DRIVING. THE ABS NO LONGER WORKS IN MY CAR AND THE MANUAL STATES THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING AREN'T CORRECT WHEN THE ABS IS OUT AND THAT THE REAR WHEELS CAN LOCK UNDER HEAVY BRAKING. AFTER DOING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST I FIND OUT THE THAT BOSCH ABS MODULE HAS STOPPED WORKING (8EO 614 111 AH). THE VW DEALER WANTS $1700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AND BECAUSE IT IS SAFETY RELATED I BELIVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. 8JB

ABS MODULE FAILURE LEADS TO REDUCYTION OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS

ABS MODULE FAILURE. SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE'S ON THIS COMPLAINT LIST. I'D LIKE TO ONLY ADD THAT I TOOK THE CAR IN TWICE ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THE SECOND TIME THAT THE PART WOULD TAKE TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS TO ORDER BECAUSE OF THE APPARENT BACK LOG. THAT TELLS YOU THE PREVALENCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. AND AS ONE VW SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME, "YOU CAN DRIVE AROUND WITH THE ABS LIGHT ON, JUST AVOID HARD BRAKING." THANKS FOR THE TIP. I WAS THINKING OF PURCHASING A VAN FROM VW...GUESS AGAIN. *NM

CONTINENTAL ECOPLUS 195/65 R15 RADIAL TIRES WERE 2 YRS OLD WITH APPROX. 25,000 MILES ON THEM. MY MECHANIC NOTICED TWO TIRES HAD BUBBLES IN SIDEWALLS (DRIVER SIDE FRONT & REAR) AND WERE ON THE VERGE OF BLOWOUTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE OR CRASH. NOW WITH 4 NEW TIRES (SAME MODEL) THAT ARE 2 WEEKS OLD, YESTERDAY I DISCOVERED THAT ONE TIRE HAD 12.5 PSI (FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) WHILE OTHER 3 WERE AT 30 PSI. FAULTY AGAIN? *JB

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. DURING THIS TIME THIS PASSAT HAS HAD SEVERAL SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN POINTED OUT AS A PROBLEM BY VARIOUS SERVICE CENTERS AND VW. THE CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE PASSAT HAS AGAIN DEVELOPED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

FAILED ABS CONTROLLER. ERROR CODES ON DASHBOARD. ABS IS NO LONGER WORKING. QUOTED ~1200 TO FIX. *NM

VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO FAILURE OF ABS AND NOTES THAT THIS IS COMPUTER MODULE/ECM PROBLEM THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,000 TO REPAIR. OTHER COMPLAINTS AT THIS SITE AND ON OTHER SITES DOCUMENT A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AT SIMILAR MILEAGE (~75,000).

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. *JB

ABS LIGHT GOES ON. *JB

ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 53000 MILES ON 2000 YR. MODEL PASSAT. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A "NORMAL" PROBLEM.

2000 PASSAT -OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND A BIG STOP LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR ANYTHING WRONG. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. WAITED ABOUT 1 HOUR THEN DROVE 1 MILE HOME. NEXT DAY HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD BY VW MECHANIC HE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL ME BUT MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE WHICH WAS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THIS YEAR. WANTED $9500 TO REPLACE ENGINE (ONLY 52K MILES) I STILL OWED $7500 ON THE CAR. REPLACED ENGINE AT ANOTHER GARAGE FOR $5400 THEN HAD TO REPLACE TURBO FOR $2000. OIL IS NOW LEAKING AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. CALLED VW. THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE IF I COULD PRODUCE EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT. THE GARAGE WHERE I GOT MY OIL CHANGED ONLY KEEPS RECORDS IN THE COMPUTER FOR 6 MONTHS THEN THEY ARE PUT IN BOXES IN STORAGE. VW BASICALLY SAID "TOO BAD". I HAVE HAD 2 JETTAS AND NOW THIS PASSAT. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW PRODUCT. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE JETTAS. IF THEY HAVE "KNOWN PROBLEMS" WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLS? VW COULD NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 60,000 MILES EXPERIENCED AN ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE - SYMPTOMS ARE ABS WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON, AND "STOP" SHOWN ON DISPLAY SCREEN. TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER WHO QUOTED ME $1185 USD TO REPLACE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSAT'S AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *SC

2000 PASSAT - 82000 MILES - FRONT RIGHT POWER WINDOW - REGULATOR FAILED ALLOWING WINDOW TO DROP INTO DOOR. TECHNICIAN FOUND PLASTIC PART WHICH RIDES IN TRACK BROKEN AND PIECES IN DOOR. VW HAS SIMILAR PROBLEM IN MULITPLE VEHICLES. EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED TO COVER REPAIR ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT ON PASSAT.

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO IS BAD. I DISCOVERED THIS BECAUSE THE LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY ABS CAME ON THE DASH. THE CAR FISHTAILS IF BREAKS ARE APPLIED SHARPLY GOING FASTER THAN 50 MPH, EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. I TESTED THIS IN A SAFE PLACE TO SEE IF THE ABS WAS REALLY NOT WORKING. NOW I HAVE NO ABS AND THE REPLACEMENT PART COSTS SO MUCH THAT I WILL HAVE NO ABS FOR AWHILE. AND THE BREAKS ON CARS THAT ARE BUILT TO USE ABS DON'T WORK PROPERLY WITHOUT IT. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF FORUMS WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BECAUSE I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS SAFE, ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES BEING ABS. HOPEFULLY THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS THAT IT CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE IT CAUSES TOO MANY ACCIDENTS OR ANY INJURIES. BY THE WAY, BOSCH MADE THIS ABS CONTROL MODULE AND IT IS THE SAME ONE USED IN THE AUDI A4 AND A6. I THINK THEY HAVE COME OUT WITH A NEW ONE THAT THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE OLD ONES WITH BUT THEY STILL HAVEN'T ADMITTED THEY SCREWED UP AND NOW THE CONSUMER IS PAYING FOR IT. *NM

2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ABS MODULE FAILED. ABS, BRAKE AND WARNING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED.

MY 2000 VW PASSAT, WITH 38,000 MILES, HAS WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND I MENTIONED I HAD BEEN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT WHILE DOING 3 POINT TURNS OVER THE PAST MONTH. MY MECHANIC (NOT A DEALER) THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. UPON CHECKING, THE RECALL WAS FOR 1999 PASSATS ONLY. SINCE THE 2000 MODEL IS THE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE 1999 MODEL, WHY WAS THIS RECALL NOT EXTENDED TO THE 2000 CARS? I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE ACTION ISSUED BY VW IN NOVEMBER 2004 DID NOT INCLUDE THE TIE RODS. *JB

I RECENTLY HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT I BELIEVE WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. IN JULY OF 2000 MY WIFE AND I RESEARCHED FOR AN FINALLY PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT [XXX]. WE WERE VERY PLEASED WITH OUR PURCHASE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, UNTIL WHAT WERE DESCRIBED TO US AS "NORMAL" REPAIRS BECAME NECESSARY. SOME OF THE MORE MEMORABLE NORMAL REPAIRS INCLUDED REAR BRAKES AT 40,000 MILES (FRONT BRAKES WERE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION) FOR APPROX. $700.00, AND THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR ADJUSTOR FOR $400.00. WE BEGAN TO SUSPECT THE PRICING STRUCTURE OF VW PARTS AND LABOR WAS SKEWED TOWARD THE EXPENSIVE. A BIG PART OF OF OUR DECISION TO BUY VW WAS THEIR REPUTATION FOR SOLID TRANSPORTATION OVER A LONG TIME. THE CAR WAS EVEN LISTED AS A RECOMMENDED PURCHASE ON A NUMBER OF CONSUMER MAGAZINES! THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS SITUATION OCCURED IN JULY 1ST 2005, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE RESULT OF THE CHECK WAS THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (2 OF THEM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF $3,400.00! SINCE OUR STATE HAS VEHICLE TESTING, THIS IS A REQUIRED REPAIR TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND HAVE 108,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CONTACTING VW GAVE NO RELIEF, AS THEIR STATED WARRANTY WAS FOR 5 YEARS, BUT ONLY FOR 80,000 MILES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT AGAIN, AND WOULD LIKE TO INFORM POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF THIS TYPE OF UNEXPECTED COST. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2 MAIN PROBLEMS CONTINUAL BUILDUP OF OIL SLUDGE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THE OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP EVENTUAL CLOGS A SCREEN THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO BE INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER THEN CHARGES $700 - $1000 TO REMEDY. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THE MODULE IS FALING AND WILL COST $700 - $900 TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY 2000 PASSAT

DT: THE CONSUMERT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. THE ABS MODULE FAILED PREMATURELY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.*AK *TT

2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX 4-MOTION HAD A ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES DISABLING THE ABS FEATURE ON MY CAR. IT ALSO CAUSES DISTRACTING ABS FAILURE WEARING LIGHTS AND NOISES AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. ON THE CONSOLE DISPLAY IT ALSO TELLS YOU TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. PACIFIC VOLKSWAGEN SAYS IT IS A $750.00 PART THEY HAVE TO ORDER TO FIX PLUS LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS I DISCOVERED IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AT ANY MILEAGE. MANY DRIVERS HAVE NOT ELECTED TO HAVE THIS MODULE REPLACED DUE TO COST AND ARE NOT DRIVING WITH THE SAFETY FEATURES THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH. I AM AWAITING THE PART ORDERED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR ON MY VEHICLE AS I VALUE MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE OR RECALL AND COMPROMISES SAFETY. *NM

AT 58,000 MILES MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STOP DEMAND LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MAN INDICATED TO ME THAT THE 2000 PASSATS' WHERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL PUMPS. HE FURTHER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS THAT THE PUMPS THAT WERE MANUFRACTURED WERE NOT BUILT STRONG ENOUGH TO UP HOLD CERTAIN SYTHETIC OILS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN THE OIL GETS TO HOT THE OIL CYRSTALIZES AND THEN TURNSS TO SLUDGE. GIVEN THAT INFORMATION I THEN PROCEEDED TO GET MY CAR SERVICED. HOWEVER UPON THE DATE OF SERVICE ( EVEN KNOWING THE PROBLEM) MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AT A COST TO ME FOR $75.00. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE I LEARNED THAT THE PUMP WAS ONLY COVERED UNDER THE WARRENTY IF I COULD PRODUCE 5 YEARS OF OIL SLIPS. I HAVE SEVERAL CONCERNS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THE FIRST, THE OWNERS MANNUAL DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE PUMPS ARE SENSATIVE TO CERTAIN TYPES OF OILS (SYNTHETIC). SECONDLY, THE MANNUAL DOES NOT STATE THAT THE WARRENTY REPAIRS WILL ONLY BE COVERDED IF ALL RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE ARE PROVIDED. THRIDLY, IT IS CLEAR IN MY MIND THAT IF A MANUFRACTURER PLACES A DEFAULT OR DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP IN A CAR THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL? I HAVE READ IN THE MOST RECENT COMSUMER REPORT MAGAZINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURING PROBLEM WITH VW PASSATS. FOURTHLY, WHEN CONTACTING VOLKESWAGON DIRECTLY I SPOKE TO CUSTOMER "CARE" THE ATTIDUDE WAS APPAULING. THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS "OH WELL" " THAT IS OUR POLICY" DID NOT GET THAT RECEPTION WHEN BUYING THE CAR! I BOUGHT MY PASSAT JULY 13, 2000 AND BY JULY 13, 2005 I HAVE A SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COST TO ME WOULD START ANYWERE AT 1,000. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY THIS IS MY PROBLEM? I AM A THERAPIST AND I COME ACROSS MANY PATHS IN MY TRAVEL. MY PATHS INCLUDE PHYSIATRIST, TEACHERS,DOCTORS, CLIENTS ETC I WILL BE SURE TO SHARE WITH THEM MY DISSATIFICATION WITH VOLKESWAGON. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU

BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A CYCLING MESSAGE IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD (STOP, BRAKE FAULT, CONSULT MANUAL). AFTER STOPPING CAR AND RESTARTING IT, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. AFTER ANOTHER FEW MILES, THEY CAME BACK ON... IN ONE OCCASION, THE ANTISLIPREGULATION LIGHT WAS ON. IN ANOTHER OCCASION, UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE, A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURED AS I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, PROMPTING ME TO USE THE EMERGENCY MANUAL BRAKE. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE AT THE VW DEALERSHIP, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE (ELECTRONIC PART) WAS FAULTY. IT HAS NOW BEEN REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THIS WAS THEIR 3RD SIMILAR REPAIR IN 3 DAYS AND AS A RESULT OF BEING A FREQUENT FAILURE, VW HAD MADE A KIT TO REPLACE ONLY THE ELECTRONIC PART OF THE MODULE INSTEAD OF THE WHOLE MODULE. I HAVE KEPT THE OLD PART.

THE SECONDARY AIR FILTER ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT FAILED AT 14,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR NOW HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. REPLACEMENT PRICE IS $1,000. THE VW REPAIRSHOP STATED THAT THIS NOT A NECESSARY PART AND REALLY DOESN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED. BUT WITHOUT REPLACEMENT THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON EVERYTIME THE CAR IS STARTED. I CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PART. I SEE THAT TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SECONDARY AIR FILTER.

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON 2000 PASSAT WITH 41,666 MILES.

AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG I NOTICED MY BRAKES WHERE GETTING SPONGY. DROVE IT A LITTLE MORE, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING . PULLED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE ABS UNIT, AND THAT THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS BELOW THE MINIMUM LINE. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. MY CAR IS A 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 52,600 MILES

ABS LIGHTS ARE REPORTING FAILURE BUT BRAKE ACTIVITY APPEARS OKAY. DEALER SAYS NEW MODULE WILL BE NEEDED TO FIX PROBLEMS AT A COST OF $1,500. LOOKING FOR OPTIONS TO REPLACE/REBUILD ABS MODULE DUE TO EXPENSE OF TOTAL REPLACEMENT. BELIEVE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOUND ON INTERNET SHOULD RESULT IN MANUFACTURER RECALL.

ABS COMPUTER FAILURE. NO EVENTS LEADING TO ITS FAILURE IT JUST SHUT DOWN ONE DAY AND THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. FAILURE = NO ABS, DEALER WANTS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE ENTIRE SETUP HOWEVER THE PUMP IS OK THE COMPUTER IS GONE. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CHEAPER FIX OR POSSIBLE RECALL.

I OWN A 2000 V6 PASSAT, WHICH I HAVE SERVICED REGULARLY AT A VW DEALERSHIP. ON MARCH 25, 2005, THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A 60K MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY PASSAT. THIS SERVICE INCLUDED A CHECK OF MY ORIGINAL VW BATTERY. THE BATTERY READOUTS INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. ON MAY 13, 2005 (MILEAGE 61336), MY BATTERY COMPLETELY EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB WHEN I WENT TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER REFUELING AT A PETROL STATION. I CONTACTED VW USA AND THEY NOT ONLY DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE SITUATION BUT DID NOT SEE THAT ANY RESULTING DAMAGE SHOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. ULTIMATELY, I PAID FOR THE NEW BATTERY, MY INSURANCE CARRIER COVERED WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND MY VW DEALERSHIP COVERED THE REMAINING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. MY DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE 2ND CUSTOMER TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR DEALERSHIP.

ABS MODULE (P/N #8E0 614 111 AH) FAILURE IN 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 70,181 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS AN ISSUE DESPITE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR POSTS I HAVE FOUND WITH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH FOR VW PASSATS (1999 - 2005) AND AUDI A4S (1997-2001) THAT HAVE THE SAME CONTROL MODULE. VW WILL NOT COOPERATE ON REPLACEMENT OF THIS $1,600 MODULE DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY RISK OF FAILED ABS SYSTEMS.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 PASSAT WAGON THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK. THE ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY BEGAN CYCLING THROUGH THREE MESSAGES, "STOP", "BRAKE FAULT", "SERVICE MANUAL". THE DEALER FIRST SAID I NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS. I HAD IT DONE, AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. NOW THE DEALER SAYS THAT I NEED A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR $2200 + TAX. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF FAILURES REPORTED ON THIS PART, AND GIVEN THAT AUDI HAS RECALLED A VERY SIMILAR PART FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE VW "CUSTOMER ADVOCATE'S" POLITE RESPONSE THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. ALTHOUGH I CAN LIVE W/O ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, I CAN'T LIVE WITH INTERMITTENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. ONE SHOULDN'T BE CHECKNG THE DASH IN AN EMERGENCY TO SEE WHETHER TO STOMP HARD, OR TO PUMP THE BRAKES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A COMMON ONE. MY CAR EHIBITED THIS PROBLEM AT 46004 MILES.

DETAILS: (1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, 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."

(1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, 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."

I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRACKED CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE CONTROL ARM IS BEING REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE UNDER DIFFERENT DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES.

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT PROBLEM ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT WAGON. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. *JB

THIS IS THE THIRD POWER WINDOW TO FAIL AND FALL INTO THE DOOR. THE DEALER WON'T PAY FOR IT SINCE VW DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A DEFECT.

UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS (4 UPPER CONTROL ARMS, 2 PER SIDE) ARE TORN AND SUSPENSION HAS PLAY COUPLED WITH LOOSE STEERING RESULTING IN NOISE.

MY 2000 PASSAT 1.8T HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. I HAVE AN APPT ON MONDAY TO TAKE IT IN, BUT I STUMBLED ACROSS A WEB FORUM (HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=30&TSTART=0), AND NOW I PRETTY MUCH KNOW THE ANSWER I WILL GET, AND I SEE THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM: THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHER MY INFO CENTER SAYS "BRAKE FAULT" AND THEN SAYS "STOP" ACCORDING TO THE FORUM, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL BECAUSE TO FIX IT TYPICALLY COSTS AROUND $2000 FOR A PART THAT FAILS (NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR OR USE)*AK

ABS CONTROL MODULE ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS OUT, WE ALSO HAD A2001.5 PASSAT THAT HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WE TRADED IT IN. SO WHEN OUR SECOND CAR CAME UP WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL V.W, REPAIR SHOP AND THE MAN THERE SAID HIS PERSONAL CAR HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND V.W. REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. IN CALLED V. W. AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THE SORTS. I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS AND IT SEEMS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE, CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP UNDER HEAVY BRAKING SITUATIONS. V. W DOES WANT TO REPLACE IT TIO THE TUNE OF $1400.00 AND WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE FIRST MODEL # IS DEFFECTIVE.*AK

2000 4-CYL VW PASSAT, 64000 MILES: 2 EMISSIONS FAILURES WITHIN 48 HRS: 1.) REPLACED DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR CHECK VALVE AND HOSE, REPLACED FUEL REG TO MANIFOLD LINE AND N249 VALVE LINE TO MANIFOLD, REPLACED VACUUM LINES ($331); 2.) CLEANED CARBONATED THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED JET VALVE, REPALCED AIR FILTER. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW METER (UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY) ($236). AT 50,000 MILES: REPLACED 2ND PUMP, N112 VALVE, COBI VALVE, CRACKED PIPE, FUSE SET CODES. *AK

FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE MODULE. I PAID NAPLES FL VW DEALER $100 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR BLINKING ABS LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING, STOP, ETC. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW MODULE FOR $1400+ ... I'M STILL DRIVING WITH BLINKING WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS BEEPING...

ABS UNIT; ) FLASHING ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT IN CAR; 2)ABS WILL NOT WORK 3) I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE UNIT, THROUGH THE DEALER THE UNIT NEW COSTS APPROX $1200.00. 2000 VOLKSWAGON, PASSAT 2.8L. *AK

FAILIURE OF ABS BRAKE MODULE ON A 2000 VW PASSAT (PN 8E0614111AH). MODULE FAILURE CAUSES REAR WHEELS TO LOCK DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS.