Abs brakes ceased to function after approx 60k miles. Because of the expense to fix (dealer quoted $2400, indie mechs about $1400), they remain non-functional (my car is now 95k miles).
1998 Volkswagen Passat brakes complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 90, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Abs/ brake light are on and 3 chimes sound when vehicle is turned on.
My ABS light intermittently comes on followed by the brake light flashing> upon researching this on several various forums on the net. This appears to be a commonly defective part on several model years from 98-01. The oldest posting I found was done in 2000 and the vehicle was a 99. From researching this it appears even vw dealers are unable to get correct problem codes on this issue. I saw postings from many owners stating they were told everything from ABS modules needing replaced to instrument clusters to wiring issues. It appears no one is absolutely sure what the issue is as some owners after the dealer recommend replacements did not fix the issue. In the short time I looked into this I feel that vw should be well aware of this issue and have taken steps to resolve it. I saw literally years worth of postings a on this issue on bentley publishers website. I can only imagine how many thousands of people have had to pay for things that did not do any research on it.
Abs controller failed. Module scan showed: 01203 - electrical connection between ABS and instrument cluster 03-10 - no signal - intermittent.
Volkswagen passat 1998 dashboard indicated that the ABS brakes failed. Replacement or repair was estimated at approx $1,000.
Electronic control module for anti-lock brakes failed. Anti-lock brakes are non-functioning.
Anti-lock brake failure. Abs warning light .
Many audi and vw models manufactured starting in the later '90s and ealry '00s, 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.
Abs light came on with less than 30,000 miles on it. For 4 years, the vw dealer said it would be over $1,800 to replace the ABS pump. Last year they said it would be $2750. After seeing on internet threads that the common cause is only the ABS module, I confronted the dealer, and they sai it would $650, and it has worked fine since. I feel vw dealers are not forthright in telling customers about the less expensive solution, and they should pay for it, since it is a known common defect, and a safety hazard. I have been told that many people are pulling the bulb out, and buyers may not be aware the ABS doesn't work. Until its too late.
Failed ABS unit.
(1) ABS warning/brake light started blinking intermittently. Since then, braking became unreliable (long braking distance. The car wobbles on a hard braking). (2) the ABS controller module (part #: 8e0 614 111 p) found to be faulty, resulting in no ABS. (3) the ABS controller is to be sent for a rebuild service.
1998 vw passat ABS control module failure. This $1000 part seems to be a very consistent failure at volkswagen.
Anti-lock brakes fail. Warning light and buzzer come on. Dealer said it would cost $2800 to fix. After telling dealer that 99% of ABS failures is the ABS electronics module, and not the ABS pump, dealer offered to replace module for $600. I feel this is a wide spread problem, as this problem is noted by many people on the internet. In addition, it has been reported that people have been disconnecting their warning light to be able to sell their car. This could be a big problem for the next buyer who doesn't know their ABS isn't working.
Abs controller failure.
Abs failed, flashing lights continually. Spoke with dealer in seaside, ca said common event and not worth replacing.
I have a 1998 vw passat that has had it ABS system go out. From what I understand this is a common occurrence with this car. The only problem is when the ABS module goes on the car it has a hard time modulating the brakes correctly causing a dangerous situation. I will have to either buy a new unit or send it out and have it repaired.
1998 vw passat wagon 2 wheel drive 4 cyl. 1.8 l engine. Manual transmission VIN: [xxx] things broken on this vw. Blinking ABS light on dash indicating ABS malfunction. It intermittently goes off once or twice a year for a couple of minutes, indicating function properly. Temp. Gauge on dash reads no temperature or 0. It intermittently comes back on and functions properly. I need to pull sending unit wire and clean connector. Driver's auto door lock button malfunctions. Window switches on drivers door doesn't work well. Stereo plays cd without pushing the button. (goes on buy its self) left rear passenger door does not open from inside.. Moon roof malfunctions. Maybe won't close after opening. Brake light's don't light up right away when you step on the brakes. Outside door locks stick. When it rains, water gets into the lock and makes it difficult to turn the key inside the lock. Plastic dip stick guide is prone to crumbling due to heat. (this is the orange piece of plastic that extends the length of the dipstick tube. Antenna got screwed up in rain and wind. Dec. -05. *jb updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
98 passat, ABS pump is not working anymore at 106000 miles. I wanted to replace the part but the dealer told me I have to pay $1200.00 just for the part. Is vw USA considering a recall because in my opinion a $1200.00 part should not fail to work so fast.
Abs unit failure on my 1998 1.8 turbo passat gls sedan at 92,000 miles. Sending unit to be refurbished because vw of america won't replace it under a recall.
Abs electronic control module failure.
Morrison auto group repaired rear brakes as they were stuck. After this repair the ABS light, brake light, oil light came on blinking. The tachometer also zero's out. A warning noise also occurs. This happens intermittently. While this warning light is on the ABS system is disabled. Braking works but no ABS available. I live in alaska and can't have my car without ABS esp during critical times of braking. I have read on tech forums for this type of car that this is a widespread (more than a handful of cars). The exorbirant cost of this repair (as stated by others) for something that should not be failing within its lifetime.
Abs control module failed. $2200 for part no labor, search online shows massive failures or bosch 5.3 and 5.3i unit used in passat and a4.
Abs module warning light & alarm indicate failure of ABS
1) normal driving, highway speed. 2)ABS warning light, ABS failure upon testing, annoying brake/ABS lights and warning tone 3) repaired ABS control module through repair service. Not through dealer
Abs light and brake light comes on when I start the car and it stays on while I drive my car. The brake light blinks continuously and in bad weather you can feel that ABS is not working. From vw passat forms I understood this is a common problem with 98+ passat models. I talked to some local shops and they told they are familiar with this problem and I have to take it to the vw dealer. I talked to a dealer and they told me it is $150 to check the problem and if the problem is related to ABS circuit or something then it is going to cost me around $2000+. That is around 25% of my cars current value and from my understanding lot of people are facing the same problem. It is a safety issue and I am very disappointed about vw's reliability.
Abs and brake light intermittently light up and sound an emergency. I've taken the car to two garages, and neither place can determine the problem. Sometimes I cani feel my ABS system lock up if I am turning (not in any wet conditions); and in those occasions, I was fortunate that no cars had been coming toward me b/c I was unable to gain control. Neither mechanic saw any fault in my brakes, brake pads, shoes, etc., so there is something electrical to blame; and this is a complaint heard often with 1998-1999 vw passats. Either way, nothing has been done to correct the failure, only 300.00 in diagnostics.
Dt: the ABS module failed. First noticed on 5/1/05 when driving and ABS light came on and brake lights (exterior) started flashing. Then a beeping noise came to warn along with light. When emergency braking the brakes lock. Happens at any weather conditions/up and down hill or any type of road. The problem has not been looked at by dealer, but has been looked at by mechanic, the ABS module is the part that needs replacement. *ak.
Dt: while driving on freeway the anti lock brake warning light flashed and then disappeared. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, and was told the ABS control module chip failed.
1998 passat 1.8t b5 bodystyle. Bough car at 88,000 miles used from a dealership who inspected it. Abs abd brake light go on and stay on for an extended time. Passatworld website shows hundreds of people wiht this same problem vw needs to do a recall. Part are too expensive for me to fix.
I own a 1998 volkswagen passat gls 1.8t, and I have had the ABS control module fail. I was driving the car and my ABS and brake lights turned on and started to blink. This would happen everytime I would start my car. I had diagnostics run on the car, and found that the control module could not communicate with the cars ecu. I had my local volkswagen dealer replace the ABS module. This cost me $850 for the control module, $360 for labor, then tax. I had to pay $1270 for everything to be fixed. I find that this is a common problem with volkswagen passats, and I do not think that the owners should pay for something like this if it is a recurring problem.
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