Air Brake Antilock Control Unit/module Problems of Volkswagen New Beetle

I have a 2001 New Beetle. I took ownership in July 2000. My complait is that I had my brake light and abs light come on and diabled my stopping ability of my vehicle. I had my car repaired replacing the electronic contol unit of my abs system. This cost me 1300. 00 to repair. After researching online I found that this was a recall for my make and model car under the same manufaturer dates of sept 1999 through January 2001. The NHTSA campaign id number is #02v031000. My vehicles VIN number was not included in the sequence of recalled vehicles. I am appauled that my car having the same exact problem with the same manufature date is not covered on the recall. I would like to have this investigated and demand an explanation as to why it is ok for me to risk my family's lives with something that was already identified as a major problem. Not to mention a big expense that should be covered by the manufacturer.

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My abs dash indicator came on steady, the brake indicator on the dash started flashing and what sounded like the interior chime started sounding continuously. I pulled over into a parking lot and turned off the engine. A puff of smoke/steam came up from the passenger front wheelwell and there was a horrible hiss and whine coming from under the hood on the same side and a burning plastic smell. The dealer said it was the abs module (which they changed for $950!!!) and that only fixed the abs light. No clue on the flashing brake idiot light and now they say the ac does not work at all. No refrigerant, so obviously a leak. It seems way too coincidental. I heard about an abs module recall back in '03 which could short circuit and cause an engine fire. I don't have any idea about the engine compartment geography and I've only had the car (bought used) for about a year and a half. It appears I am not the only person to have experienced this problem. . Read more...