77 of the 772 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat are about the braking system — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 69,000 miles.
77
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #11112841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE ABS BRAKES ARE FAULTY....THEY WORK RANDOMLY. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCH THIS PARTICULAR MODULAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FACTORY RECALL.....
NHTSA complaint #11055122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11053751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS LIGHT IS ON
NHTSA complaint #11019890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10924446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10681796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10679906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS FAULT/FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10653837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10643188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
CAR BEEPS AND DISPLAYS THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. AT FIRST THEY APPEAR AND THEN DISAPPEAR. ON 6/12/2014 THE ABS IS ON EACH TIME I START THE VEHICLE PLUS THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. ON TWO OCCURRENCES THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. THE FEAR IS THAT I HAVE LOST ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, AND ALSO THAT THE E-BRAKE OR BRAKES WILL ENGAGE WHILE IN MOTION. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THIS HAVE OCCURRED IN VW PASSAT FORUMS AND MOST SUGGEST TAKING OUT THE ABS MODULE AND HAVING IT REFURBISHED DUE TO A HAIR SENSOR THAT GOES FAULTY ON THE PASSAT. MANY REQUESTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO HAVE THIS PART RECALLED AND FIXED, I AM ADDING MY REQUEST TO THE OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10597963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEP FLASHING ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10597545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
DECEMBER 30, 2011, THE ENGINE EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND, ESPECIALLY IN QUICK RESPONSE SITUATIONS, I.E. TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO PEP BOYS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON BRAKES/EMISSION. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. COST $100. FEBRUARY 10, 2012, THE ENGINE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND ESPECIALLY IN QUICK RESPONSE SITUATIONS, I.E. TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS AND CHANGED THE BRAKE FLUID. I STILL EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE PROBLEM DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 15 DEGREES AND WIND CHILL). VW SUGGESTED BRINGING THE CAR IN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS THE SAME AS THE TEMPERATURE THAT I EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS MARCH AND THERE WERE NO FURTHER COLD DAYS. I BEGAN TO THINK THE CAR WAS A WARM WEATHER VEHICLE. COST $776. DECEMBER 14, 2012, THE VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. COST $377. DECEMBER 26, 2013, THE ENGINE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND, ESPECIALLY IN QUICK RESPONSE SITUATIONS, I.E. TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED HOSE AND VALVE TO CORRECT A VACUUM LEAK (VALVE STUCK). THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID. COST $376. JANUARY 8, 2014, THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND. I HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP. I CALLED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. THE TOW DRIVER STATED IT WAS A BOOSTER PROBLEM. THE VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE FLUID. COST $848. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PROBLEMS, THE BELLY PAN (BELLY SHIELD, SKID PLATE, LOWER ENGINE COVER) CAME OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS ON APRIL 21, 2012 AND APRIL 12, 2014. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND POP THE PAN BACK UP. I TOOK THE CAR TO VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOPS TO HAVE IT REATTACHED. NO COST.
NHTSA complaint #10583913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10563843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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 A
NHTSA complaint #10560909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10535313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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?
NHTSA complaint #10494812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10473202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10459763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE ABS MODULE IS BAD. 02 SENSORS ARE BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10449964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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).
NHTSA complaint #10448645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10445019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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).
NHTSA complaint #10443622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10440834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10370332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10367886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10356069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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!!
NHTSA complaint #10352729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10343854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10336422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10330860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.