This complaint involves the failure of the ABS Control Module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, ABS failure, Airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when braking resulting in increased stopping distance. Vehicle was scanned at dealer on 11/16/24 indicating failure of ABS Control Module. Repair estimate, $5379. This is apparently a common issue when searching on-line VW forums. The ABS Module was the subject of a recall for 2009 and 2010 models but appears to still affect later model years. VW is forcing its customers to choose between an exorbitant repair bill or driving an unsafe vehicle knowing they have installed defective modules. Dealer states unable to predict future brake and other issues if not repaired. Evidence of how common this problem occurs is their own admission that the parts are back ordered.
Volkswagen Beetle brake failure problems
15 of the 2,588 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Beetle describe brake failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 46,000
By model year
- 20191
- 20151
- 20141
- 20062
- 20051
- 20021
- 20005
- 19983
Often reported together
What owners say
2019 volkswagen beetle. Consumer writes in regards to defective brakes. The consumer stated while driving the vehicle, on 3 different occasions, the brakes went out. The consumer requested that the vehicle be bought back or replaced.
The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 volkswagen beetle. While the contact's daughter was driving 35 MPH, multiple warning indicators illuminated and the brakes failed. The driver was able to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. The VIN was not available.
Brake failure resulted in crash and total loss of vehicle. Traveling on flat straight four lane road with raised median approximately 45mph. Vehicles to the right and median to the left. Brakes did not slow the vehicle. Vehicle crashed into another stopped vehicle.
No brakes pedal would not go down got hard could not push it went through a red light hit 2 trucks.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen beetle. The contact was not the driver at the time of the incident. While driving approximately 55 MPH on a snow covered road, the driver noticed an 18-wheeler heading towards the vehicle. The driver applied pressure to the brakes in order to avoid a crash. The brakes failed and the driver rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and an insurance agent informed the owner that the vehicle was destroyed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
Total brake failure and ejection of engine upon impact. I was going the 55 MPH speed limit and went to put on my brakes to turn right onto another road. I had no brakes. It was like pushing on air. I went through an intersection across 4 lanes. Hit the back of a semi and 4 other cars were involved. I had absolutely no brakes at all to even slow down let alone stop. Upon impact my engine was thrown 150 ft. Away from the car and into another car. This was a 2005 volkswagen beetle.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen beetle. The plastic tube that extends from the vacuum pump to the vacuum brake booster is cracked and defective. The contact stated that without this piece, brake failure is likely to occur. As a result, he would have to depress the brake pedal very hard in order for them to work. The vehicle has not been driven since the failure occurred. The current and failure mileages were 89,957. The consumer stated plastic line replaced with 3/8" vacuum line. Updated 07/26/07
While driving on a highway at 65 miles per hour, I attempted to turn the cruise control off. It did not go off. Then I applied the brakes and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no tension. There was no braking action at all. I drove along some grassy areas on the side of the highway to slow the car, turned off the ignition because the car was no decelerating, and hit a tree at about 50 MPH. The airbags did not go off. The car was totalled. The car was sold to a junk yard because the repair costs were too high and because the repair facility said they could not determine why the cruise control and brakes failed.
Related recalls
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 101, "Controls and displays."
- Risk
- If the driver is not alerted when there is a problem with brakes, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while attempting to brake, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90L8.
Recall number 19V094000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 and Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Recall number 18V369000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Beetle brake failure
Which Volkswagen Beetle years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (5 complaints), 1998 (3 complaints) and 2006 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Volkswagen Beetle?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history