Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta

This is a report of the failure of the booster brake on a 2002 vw tdi Jetta. The symptoms are that while applying the brakes, the pedal will suddenly be sucked to the floor resulting in a sudden stop. The danger created is of being rear-ended and is a potential life threatening issue. The problem is difficult to trouble shoot because it is intermittent. Once the pedal is sucked to the floor it could be days before it happens again. I see that at least eleven other 2002 Jetta owners have reported the sudden braking problem to nhts, I. E. Odi id #10103196, 10129643, 10137579, 10100576, 10058106, 10027194, 8011122, 10139134, 10086927, 8023749, 769651. In each case, where a solution is mentioned, the solution involved the booster brake. In my case the vw dealer, after trying twice, did not find the solution. It was after interacting with the folks at the vw tdi club who experienced the same problem that I learned their solution which was to replace the booster brake. The vw dealer agreed to replace my booster brake only if I agreed to hold no one other than myself responsible should the replacement not solve the problem and if they could replace the master cylinder in addition to the booster brake. The repair made over a year ago on 25 October 2005, solved my sudden braking problem. I see that others on the tdi web site are still having booster brake problems and that they have been unsuccessful in getting volkswagons attention. The help of the nhts is needed to raise the corporate consciousness of the right folks in vw about the booster brake problem. At a minimum vw should alert its service repair folks to the symptoms and the solution. A recall to correct the failed booster brakes is the desired redress. I still have the failed booster brake and master cylinder and will be glad to provide all the parts to the nhts folks.

The booster and master cylinder were defective. When touching the brakes they locked up. . Booster and master cylinder are good, but shaft between the two misaligned and hangs up. Cannot realigned. . . . . Manufacturer insisted that booster and master cylinder were good, but shaft between the two was misaligned, could not realign it. Has to replace it at $640. 00.

While driving on a slight downgrade, during clear wether, on a dry road, my brakes locked up. This was preceeded by a loud decompressing sound, immediately after which the brake petal went to the floor of its on volition. My foot was no where near the break petal. This caused me to skid on the dry pavement and left me extremely close to a ditch. As soon as the car stopped moving the brakes returned to normal. This occured twice more during the mile to my home. It was towed to the dealership. "no fault codes" were in the computers memory. Initial diagnosis - intermittent occurance of an unknown nature. My concern is that if this occured on a busy highway I may have been struck in the rear by another vehicle, injured or died and no-one would have known it was a brake malfunction. My concerns were heeded and a tech was assigned to drive the vehicle home that eve. The brake lock-up occured several times to him while driving slowly. It was once again towed to the dealership. They are replacing the brake booster but are not sure this is the exact cause of this problem. I am concerned to say the least. This is my only vehicle. Is there a recall or investigation? are there deaths attributed to this failure? could there be unreported deaths due to this defect? why was there no fault in the computer? vehicle being repaired @ speedcraft vw, wakefield, ri, (401) 783-3303.

Vehicle had difficulty shifting out of park. Dealership said it had to do with a brake switch recall and that the problem was corrected. When vehicle was driven after repair, brakes felt differently, but worked. A week later while driving on the interstate, the brake pedal stuck and would not accelerate over 50mph. The dealership said the master cylinder was bad and will replace it. Other problems include the arm rest breaking three times, window mechanics needed replaced, door leaks, and cover on plastic interior peeling.

While driving, pressure was applied to the brake pedal and the vehicle did not stop at the desired stopping point. Master cylinder was replaced twice.