Air Brake Antilock Control Unit/module Problems of Volkswagen Passat - part 2

Defective engineering of the Volkswagen Passat abs control module, causing it to fail around 50000 miles. Through significant research, I have discovered this is a prevalent problem in 1998-2000 Volkswagen Passats upon reaching approximately 50000 miles. Despite the fact that this is a recognized common issue by vw service shops, they have not issued a recall of this significant safety control component nor offered to share the cost of repair. Furthermore, they have increased the cost of this component from $200-$300 a few years ago to $1100-$1700 today. Informed if not corrected, could cause rear breaks to lock up upon sudden stop.

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Abs module fails at 70,000 miles, and it cost me around $1,500. Many people seem to have the same kind of problem. The manufacturer should be responsible for it, rather than worrying about the cost of recalls.

My 1999 vw Passat was purchased on 6/16/04. It was a used vehicle with 59,000 miles on it. 6 hours after drivingoff the lot the abs light flased and the brake light started blinking. The dealer I purchased it from took it to get checked and found the abs control module had gone out. This part alone costs over $1200. 00 to repair. There are many vw sites out where I have found hundreds of complaints that the abs module had gone out. This part is not covered under warrenty. I beieve this problem should be investigated due to the fact that should this go out while driving it can cause a serious accident.

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In mid may, while driving down the highway in my 1999 Passat GLS (only 49k miles), the abs light came one, the brake light started flashing, and it started to beep. This problem then went away after several seconds. This problem then started to reccur with greater frequency, from one or two times a week, to now several times a day. During my recent 50k mile service, the dealer (sunnyvale vw) determined that this problem is due to a failed abs contol module. The cost to replace it is over $1700. As I cannot afford such a rediculous amount of money, I am now driving a car with a serious safety defect. Researching this issue further I discovered that this problem affect 1998 - 2000 vw Passats, as well as 1997 - 2000 Audi a4 and s4 autos. Searching this site for past complaints of this issue I found 50 complaints. More troubling, however, is that when I searched discussion forums of web sites dedicated to the b5 platform vw Passat and Audi a4 I found over 1500 (one thousand five hundred) posts about this issue. The consensus is that this issue is due to a defective abs control module manufatured by bosch. The defect is due to either poor engineering or manufacturing. I've already complained about this issue to Volkswagen of America, and they refuse to resolve the issue by replacing the defective abs control module in my car. I will be sending a letter to the ceo of Volkswagen of America to complain about this issue and demand that this important safety defect be remedied. My hope is that my complaint, in combination with the dozens of other formal complaints to the NHTSA, as well as the hundreds of posts about this issue will result in vw issuing a recall to replace these defective abs modules.

The abs modual on my 1999 Volkswagen Passat(58000 miles)has malfunctioned. This is clearly a safty problem. Volkswagen of America says they cant help with the $2000 repair. Far too many are in this position. There must be a re-call regarding this possible life threatening matter.

Daily driving conditions the abs light comes on with audible warning and the brake light blinks continuously. Root problem is the abs electronic module that is malfunctioning. This is a very common problem as much web research has been conducted through online Passat forums.

See all problems of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

Abs control module malfunctioned,- suspected the part was faulty because of many other instances documented w/various agencies. After fully engaging abs - two days later, stop brake failure lights coming on and dealer diagnosed as abs control module failure.

The abs control module on my car seems to have failed. Apparently this is a common problem with both vw and Audi. Right now the brakes work but abs does not. . . So the wheels can lock up. Once in a while, the abs light turns of and abs starts working, but for the most part it does not work. This has been going on for the last three months or so. Again, this seems to be a common failure with vw and Audi.

My abs and brake light became illumlinated on the instrument cluster. I had the trouble lights diagnosed at the 70k service and the dealer noted the abs control module was defective and needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $1,800. The brakes continued to work, however the anti-lock braking system was not operable due to the failed control module. Volkswagon was unwilling to fix the problem and I have sent the module to an outside vendor for a complete rebuild of the unit.

I own a 2000 vw Passat. My abs light and break light are going on intermittantly. I recently took my vehicle to the dealer and I was told it was the abs module that needed to be replaced. The cost to repair will be approx. $1200 for parts and labor. The dealer told me they could not help with the cost because I am out of warranty and I have 50k on the odometer. I feel that the abs is a safety feature on the vehicle and vw should be willing to cover at least some of the cost. I have had no such luck thus far. I have been looking into this problem in vw forums and have found I am not the only one with this problem. Most people are saying the same story $1100 - $1500 for replacing the abs module. It seems a bit odd that a part that has little use would go bad so frequently on this vehicle. Ganted I'm not sure what the frequency rate is but I would like to be another voice filing a complaint. My manual states that I should avoid sudden stops bacuase this could cause my back breaks to lock and cause accident, serious injury or even death. Yet their is nothing the dealer could do to help! well maybe you can!!.

Abs control unit fails, failure of upper control arms.

My abs module failed on my 1999 vw Passat.

Abs computer unit failed. Went out intermittently at first, then stopped functioning altogether. Abs no longer works. Odb-ii communication failure, prohibits smog check has not been fixed yet.

Was driving to work and had a full stop activating abs. Two days later the abs/brake light started flashing - took to dealer who informed that abs module needs replacing for $1300.

My 1998 vw Passat has 85,000 miles on it and a problem with the abs control unit. The abs light stays on steadily and the brake light flashes with an audible four-chime tone. The vw dealer tested and confirmed that I need a new abs pump/control. The cost of parts and labor is $2,100. Since purchasing this vehicle, I have had many problems with it from replacing the turbo charger to a complete replacement of the front-end suspension to name a few. Vw of America declined to help with this problem because of the mileage. I used to own a Toyota with 250,000 miles on it when I sold it and never had problems with it like I have with this car.

Some months ago abs warning light would come on infrequently. About once every two weeks. Then the light would come on more frequently. Now the abs light has been on constantly for the past several months. Oddly, the light was off on two consecutively evenings and the abs worked when the light was off. However, since then the light has been on constantly. Have been to two dealers who suggested replacing abs control module for $1400. 00. This seems to be a very common failure in volkswagons and audis. Date given below is approximate.

Abs control module failure. My abs control module failed causing the light to come on along with an audible alarm. I have communicated with many individuals with the same problem. The local dealerships recommended replacing not only the abs control module but the instrument cluster as well. The control module costs approximately $1200 installed and the instrument cluster was about $500 installed. When approached about the many people having the same problem the dealerships as well as the vw service center claimed they knew nothing of the problem. There are some people who are being reimbursed by the vw/Audi service center for their repairs as if there is a silent recall but I was not given this option. I was forced to replace the module myself which solved the problem. At no time did anyone attempt to stand behind their product. This is a very expensive component that has a very inexpensive sub-component that is failing. The customer is left holding the bag.

My abs control module is not working which causes my anti lock brakes not to work. I am aware of this issue happening on variuos other vw Passats and I wanted to make NHTSA aware of the situation.

I bought my 1999 Passat in March 2002, and had the problem occurred at the date listed below, my mileage was only 60k and my abs brake light came on, I went to the dealer to have it fixed they said it would cost about $2000. I have read and spoken to many people having the same problems. Is there any way this can be recalled or can anyone help us who doesn't have money to pay for that amount. It is a safety issue and if you would like to contact or speak to people who had these problems. . Read more...

Abs brake light came on dash board, causing my abs system to not function and I had it checked out, it turned out to be a busted abs module.

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.