69 of the 558 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Passat are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,400 miles.
69
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
My fuses keep blowing, this is leading to replacing the Brake switch which I believe was recalled. If it was replaced,it's not working.
NHTSA complaint #11745122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS LIGHT ON AND BREAK LIGHT FLASHING
NHTSA complaint #11120015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAULT
NHTSA complaint #10908805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT APPROX. 78 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SAYS STOP! BRAKE FAILURE! SEE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE. IN MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, I'VE FOUND THIS HAPPENS ON ALMOST ALL 1998-2001 VW PASSATS AND AUDI A-4S. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10611366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS MODULE IS OUT, CAN'T GET EMISSIONS PASSED UNLESS I PAY OVER 600 DOLLARS. ALSO I DON'T HAVE ABS, CAN'T SEE IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MEANS ANYTHING BECAUSE I'M TOLD IT ALL GETS RE ROUTED THOROUGH THE ABS MODULE AND CAN'T GET PAST THAT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10548346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SENDING THIS E-MAIL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ABS MODULE ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THEY ARE NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD BE OUT , I BELIEVE ITS A DEFECTIVE PART, SHOULD LAST LONGER OTHER PEOPLE I TALK WITH SAY THEY HAVE BEEN THRU THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE VOLKSWAGEN NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ABS MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10504325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FAILURE WHICH CAUSES PERMANENT LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10470614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING "STOP", AND OTHER LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON.
NHTSA complaint #10462944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING DEALER SAYS IT IS AN ABS CONTROL MODULE A 650 PART DOLLAR ENDING IN A 1000 DOLLAR ALL TOGETHER REPAIR CAR HAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10397081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10373779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
AFTER 130000 MILES, 2001 VW PASSAT ABS/BRAKE LIGHT LIGHTS UP AT RANDOM AND BEEPS 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, NO BREAK DEPRESSION NECESSARY FOR THIS LIGHT TO GO OFF. MECHANIC DIAGNOSES AS ABS CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTION. THIS OCCURS MULTIPLE TIMES DURING OPERATION. PART TO COST $635.00 AND LABOR AND REPROGRAM OF NEW PART TOTALING $900.00. DIAGNOSIS OF THE ISSUE 100.00. ALL TOGETHER, $1000.00. PART HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10336855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A TECHNICIAN ADVISED HIM THAT THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST A MINIMUM OF $1,000.00. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10290918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO FIRESTONE FOR A ROUNTINE TUNE-UP AND TO REPLACE MY AXLE. BECAUSE OF FIRESTONES MIS-DIAGNOSIS OF THE TUNE-UP, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE ENGINE COIL. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AUDI OF BROOKLINE FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY FOUND THIS.....A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION - E.C.M..THE ENGINE COIL WAS ONLY A SYMPTOM OF THE BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE FAULTY E.C.M. MISFIRING. PRIOR TO BRINGING MY VEHICLE INTO FIRESTONE, IT WAS OPERABLE. BECAUSE OF THEIR TAMPERING WITH THE IGNITION COILS; MY VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED. REGARDING THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, THE CURRENT AND PASSED CONDITION OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS NORMALLY A HEALTHY, SAFE, VEHICLE, IS AS FOLLOWS: "FUEL DELIVERY INSPECTION AT PRESENT TIME, IGNITION SYSTEM CHECK, AND POWER PROVIDED TO COILS TECH FOUND NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (E.C.M.) AND A.B.S. CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE A.B.S. CONTROL MODULE WAS DISCONNECTED. RECONNECT AND ACCESS A.B.S. SYSTEM AND FAULT DETECTED CUSTOMER AWARE OF THE A.B.S. PROBLEM AND WARNING HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. THAT IS TRUE, AND NOT THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER. CONTINUED: FOUND E.C.M. FAULT FOR #3 IGNITION COIL OPEN CIRCUIT. PIN CHECK WIRES ON #3 IGNITION COIL PLUG #3 POST FROM CONNECTOR TO E.C.M. FOUND HEIGHT RESISTANCE IN WIRE, REPLACED #3 CONNECTOR AND RE-TESTED OK. ALSO CLEAN AND REPLACE TERMINAL ON TOP OF VALVE COVER FOR PROPER GROUND. START ENGINE AND ROAD TEST VEHICLE, FOUND ENGINE MISFIRE ON #1, #2, #3, #4 IGNITION COILS". I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 4 IGNITION COILS, CATAYLTIC CONVERTER, AND E.C.M. THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITION COIL REPLACED IN THE 1 YEAR I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS MORE MECHANICAL ERRORS THAN IMAGINABLE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS IS IN THE THOUSANDS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO MAINTENANCE THIS TEMPERMENATL VEHICLE. I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE CAR. I REFUSE TO FIX THIS VEHICLE. PUSHING FOR A RECALL!!
NHTSA complaint #10285456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN MY 2001 VW PASSAT.
NHTSA complaint #10262264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE ALARM LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME AND FLASHING ABS LIGHT AS WELL AS STOP. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT ABS CONTROL MODULE - $1800. HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OWNERS OF VW'S AND AUDIS IN MY YEAR RANGE HAVING SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10259190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
FAULTY BOSCH ABS MODULE IN 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THE WIRE GAUGE IS TOO SMALL, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND COMPONENT FAILURE. ABS MODULE UNIT REBUILT TO CORRECT STANDARDS. AFTER RESEARCHING, FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. HOPING TO GET VW TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10258600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS CONTROLLER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10257073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILED ABS MODULE AT 120,000 MILES. TYPICALLY A $1000+ REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10251738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
THE ABS LIGHT AND A BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FOR THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING AND LOOKS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10247930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS MODULE FAULTY IN 2001 PASSAT STATION WAGON; BRAKE FAULT/ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON REPEATEDLY.
NHTSA complaint #10246011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE LIGHT BULBS; AND BOTH THE FUSES AND BULBS ARE GOOD. VW OF AMERICA RECALLED SEVERAL VW MODELS IN 2007 FOR BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER VW OF AMERICA DID NOT RECALL THE PASSAT. I WHEN ON LINE TO A VW BLOG; AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKE LIGHTS. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT VW WILL NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE ON THE PASSAT, BECAUSE THE PASSAT WAS NOT RECALLED. I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY PASSAT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10246040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS ALARM GOES ON WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. SAYS THAT THERE IS A BRAKE FAULT. BRAKES ARE APPARENTLY FINE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. WHEN THIS ALARM IS ON, THE ABS MAY NOT BE WORKING. MANY PEOPLE REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM IN VW'S AND AUDI'S.
NHTSA complaint #10245722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY 2001 VW PASSAT ABS MODULE BECAME DEFECTIVE AFTER 1 YEAR OF OWNING CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. NOT SURE IF ORIGINAL OWNER HAD DONE REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS OF THE UNIT. NOW THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CAR COMPUTER AND THE MODULE, THEREFORE NO ABS BRAKE IS ACTIVE. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. THERE ARE ALSO 3 BEEPS WHEN CAR HAS BEEN STARTED. I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER OF VW DUE TO THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND HAS DETER ME FROM PURCHASING ANY VW IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE RECENTLY JUST HAD A REPAIR TO REPLACE MY MAF SENSOR, 2 IGNITION COILS, 4 SPARK PLUGS AGAIN AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW ONES JUST A MONTH PRIOR. IT WAS VERY COSTLY!!
NHTSA complaint #10245585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AT NO WARNING AND UNEXPECTED. EACH TIME IGNITION TURNED ON IT BEEPS 3 TIMES AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON. THIS SHOULD NOT BE FAILING THIS BAD. I JUST GOT THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 10 MONTHS WITH 106,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE 2ND OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10244071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NORMAL CAR OPERATION. ABS LIGHTS CAME ON - DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. ABS BRAKES NO LONGER WORK! VW WANTS $1600 FOR REPAIRS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH DETERMINED IT IS A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE ON MY CAR, 2001 PASSAT THAT VW HAS YET TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR ADDRESS.
NHTSA complaint #10239888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED, RESULTING IN WARNING BEEPS AND FLASHING LIGHTS. BRAKES WILL OPERATE (?) HOWEVER ABS IS NOW DISABLED RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM IS ABSOLUTELY VERY COMMON ACROSS ALL YEARS PASSATS AND IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. VW DOES NOTHING AND MAKES MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10232126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
1. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE--HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK AT ~20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT JUST UNDER 42,000 MILES (THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR). BRAKES REPAIRED/PARTS REPLACED TWICE. CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER FOR BRAKES 2. SUNROOF +/- WINDSHIELD DRAIN(S) BECAME BLOCKED AND LEAKED AND FLOODED PASSENGER FOOTWELLS, WITH RISK OF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE WEB. VW NEEDS TO RECALL CARS FOR THE PROBLEM WITH BLOCKED DRAINS/LEAKAGE AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLES. COST TO VACUUM WATER OUT OF FOOTWELLS BELOW THE CARPET > $600 WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT PROBLEM WILL NOT RECUR 3. VW PASSAT HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP IN ENGINE AND CONSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE--I HAVE NOT (?YET) HAD THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT VW GUARANTEE TO REPAIR PROBLEM ONLY IF OWNER CAN PROVE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES IN AN UNREASONABLE ABNEGATION OF DUTY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL ALL CARS WITH THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT NO CHARGE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT BLAME TO CONSUMER. NOW HAVING TO USE EXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR OIL CHANGES ON A VERY FREQUENT BASIS.
NHTSA complaint #10224606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
1. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE--HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK AT ~20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT JUST UNDER 42,000 MILES (THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR). BRAKES REPAIRED/PARTS REPLACED TWICE. CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER FOR BRAKES 2. SUNROOF +/- WINDSHIELD DRAIN(S) BECAME BLOCKED AND LEAKED AND FLOODED PASSENGER FOOTWELLS, WITH RISK OF DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE WEB. VW NEEDS TO RECALL CARS FOR THE PROBLEM WITH BLOCKED DRAINS/LEAKAGE AND DAMAGE TO VEHICLES. COST TO VACUUM WATER OUT OF FOOTWELLS BELOW THE CARPET > $600 WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT PROBLEM WILL NOT RECUR 3. VW PASSAT HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP IN ENGINE AND CONSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE--I HAVE NOT (?YET) HAD THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT VW GUARANTEE TO REPAIR PROBLEM ONLY IF OWNER CAN PROVE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES IN AN UNREASONABLE ABNEGATION OF DUTY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL ALL CARS WITH THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT NO CHARGE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT BLAME TO CONSUMER. NOW HAVING TO USE EXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR OIL CHANGES ON A VERY FREQUENT BASIS.
NHTSA complaint #10224606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE HAD MY 2001 VW PASSAT FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING WARPED ROTORS (FRONT AND BACK), CRACKED CHASSE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS. BEFORE HAVING THIS CAR, I HAD A TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS AND IN THE 8 YEARS I HAD THE TOYOTA, I ONLY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS DISAPPOINTING AND EVERYONE I TALK TO WHO HAS A SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR SAYS THE SAME THING. I THINK THE 2001 VW PASSAT IS A LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #10223581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS MODULE ON MY 2001 VW PASSAT FAILED. THIS WAS A $1000 REPAIR. I T FAILED AT ABOUT 81,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10221840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.