Our 1998 volkswagen passat gls 4 cylinder sedan (80k miles) had intermittent warning lights go on for the ABS system and the brakes. The manual states that when the warning lights go on the ABS system is disabled and that the car should be serviced immediately. There was no regular pattern to the lights coming on, but once it started it happened virtually every trip at different times. I drove for about a week with the light on with no apparent loss of braking ability. I did experience a failure of the ABS system while the light was on (on a hill on a rainy day) and so determined it should be repaired. We took the car in to the local dealership and they could not diagnose the problem until the warning lights were on. We came back with the warning lights on and they told us we needed to replace the ABS control module at a cost of $2600. We went ahead and did the repair. We did not keep the previous part. We are distressed that a single part from a safety system is so expensive and that the problem is widespread in audis and vws. Visit any online car forum and it is filled with stories of this repair. Because this is a safety issue I feel volkswagen be alerted to this issue and a formal complaint should be registered about this safety system malfunction.
1998 Volkswagen Passat brakes complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 90, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
I drive a 1998 volkswagen passat. After about 2 weeks of annoying warnings that something was wrong with my ABS system I took the carto my independent mechanic. He hooked a scanner up to it and checked the brake system all day, and found nothing wrong with the car, other than the fact that the brake fluid was overfilled. He fixed that minor problem, but did not fix the original issue. After another week, I finally broke down and took the car to the dealer - heritage volkswagen on reisterstown road in owings mills, md. They hooked a scanner up to it as well, and found that I needes a new ABS control unit. This was a part that, they said, would cost $3,000 just for the part! After doing my own research, it seemed this was one of many volkswagen passats that experienced the problem, but every one was being charged $1,500 for the part. This ought to be a class action lawsuit against volkswagen of america, and heritage volkswagen ought to be investigated for overcharging their customers.
Abs failure.
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 am the original owner of a 1998 vw passat, 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual transmission automobile. The ABS brakes warning light came on (february 27, 2005). I consulted with my independent mechanic and he said the ABS brakes were necessary in wet or icy weather in emergency situations. The problem did not result in any accident or injury. I took the car to the dealer on march 21, 2005. The dealer performed diagnosis and determined the ABS pump needed replacing. The dealer (new century volkswagen in glendale, ca) quoted a price of $3125, parts and labor, to fix. I am unable to repair the car at this time due to the expense. Research online and in discussing with independent vw mechanics reveals that this is a very common problem with this model vw. I checked with an independent vw mechanic and he told me that so many people have had this problem that the price of ABS used parts is rapidly rising. In investigating this problem please refer to the following website for a remarkable number of similar complaints: http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173334&page=1&pp=30&highlight=ABS+module .
Brake warning bells sounded followed by blinking red brake, and solid amber ABS light in dashboard instrument cluster. Took automobile to dealer for diagnosis. Abs module was determined to be defective, and required replacement for anti-lock brake system to work again.*ak
1) ABS warning light/sounder came on, told by dealer that ABS system was out, would need to be replaced for $1800 before any other engine problems could be diagnosed by computer. 2) did not fix this, which LED to their excuse that they could not accurately diagnose other issues, but "did their best" to fix acceleration problems (replaced hoses and plugs) 3) current acceleration problem miraculously diagnosed as some sort of power regulator device w/o mention of fixing the ABS system so that computer "could get past it" 4)electrical problems including moon roof opening and closing at will, door locks opening and closing at will, interior lights not shutting off and alarm going off all by itself (unable to lock doors b/c it sets the alarm) 5) now dealer says that it's a battery problem and resetting everything should fix it all, including the ABS light problem. Can you say rip-off?
1. Events: ABS light would intermittently go on and off while driving. Now the ABS light stays on all the time and the brake light now flashes with 3 beeps and stays on. 2. Failures: I have no working ABS in the car. 3. Correction: have been advised by an independent vw repair shop that the ABS module is not communicating with the diagnostic computer and must be replaced. This module is a dealer-only part ($2,038). Note that this cost is for the part only and does not include labor. I've contacted 3 other independent volkswagen/audi repair shops and they've advised that they've repaired an in ordinate number of these ABS systems in volkswagens. One shop indicated he repairs/replaces vw ABS at least 4 times a month, which would mean that vw dealers are likely doing a lot more of these repairs, yet there hasn't been any recall effort on vw's part. I've notified vw america customer service of the problem, but they said I would have to absorb the cost of fixing it since a recall notice has not been issued. My car is scheduled for replacement of the ABS module on 1/27/05. The mechanic advised that the total cost to replace the ABS module will be approximately $2500. *jb
Failure of the ABS control unit lead to the failure of the ABS system. The part was replaced at a cost of over $2,000.00.
Complaint received via e-mail."the ABS light started coming on intermittently. Whenever the light is on, the ABS do not function. This is a safety hazard and will cause the car to fail inspection. The ABS light now stays on constantly. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a bad ABS control module (it would not communicate with the diagnostic computer) and stated that the ABS pump had to be replaced. The quoted cost of a new ABS pump was $2250."
1. Early on braking (intermittent) and now always at engine startup 2. The ABS brake comes on solid, the brake light flashes, and three beeps on engine startup. This indicates that the ABS braking system has failed. And indeed I currently have no ABS, although the brakes work, and the car cannot pass dc inspection because of the warining lights on the dashboard. 3. I have attempted to diagnose the problem by running the vag-com diagnostics on it. Vag-com cannot communicate with the ABS control module which indicates the ABS control module must be replaced. I am currently in pursuit of a used replacement part or a rebuild of the current module due to the high price of this part from vw and the fact that it has not been recalled. I have also submitted a complaint to vw of america.
Vw passat 1998 has a manufacturing defect. The ABS light stays solid and brake light flashes. This can cause serious consequences. The manufacturer has taken no measures to rectify this problem. They have shifted responsibility on the consumer to pay them extra $ 2000.00 to fix their problem.
Anti lock brake control unit.
While driving at various speeds ABS light illuminated. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the problem was the ABS module pump.
Abs light blinking constantly on my 98 vw passat for past 19 months. Dealer indicates no fault code anunnciated with computer diagnostics. Quotes $1300. Control unit needed. Abs system not functional.
Like many, many others, my 1998 vw passat 2.8 liter with tiptronic (automatic) transmission has the following problems: 1) ABS light on (ABS not working); 2) brake light on (both before and after all rotors & pads were replaced and fluid changed); 3) tachometer not working; 4) oil light on (but oil level and pressure are okay). This was an intermittent problem that began early this year but is now almost constant. All problems appear to be caused by a bad ABS controller, which is also used in audi a4 models (part # 8e0 614 111r). Vw dealership quotes over $1000 for the part alone. Sometimes, if the car has been sitting a few days or if it is cold outside, the lights do not come on and the tachometer works correctly for awhile. Then, all of a sudden, all the above-mentioned problems happen. Or, I will be driving the car with the problems, then the tach jumps to life and all the warning lights go out. As I said before: there are numerous people who have the same problems. This is a safety issue (no ABS could lead to accidents) as well as a quality issue: ABS controllers should not fail so frequently on such relatively new vehicles. A recall should be performed by volkswagen and audi to replace defective ABS controllers in their 1998-on passat and 1996-on a4 models. Thank you, [xxx]. *nm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I owe a 1998 vw passat gls( 77,000 miles). Abs and brake light came on a month ago. I contacted vw dealer and they asked me to bring the car in. But before I did that I almost had an accident with that car because of the ABS problem. It was raining and I had to brake so the ABS turned on. It blocked brakes and steering wheel and the car kept sliding. Abs was clearly not working. The car kept sliding for about 30 yards and I almost ran trough the red light and hit another vehicle because I had absolutely no control over the vehicle. When the car finally stopped I've noticed that the car had shut itself down. Seven month pregnant wife and my two year old daughter were with me in the car and we almost lost our lives because of this problem. I took the car to the dealer and I was told that the ABS module must be replaced and that it would cost me about $2000.00. I did some research on this issue and I found that there is hundreds of people that have this same problem, but apparently vw of america do not want to do anything. This is just one of the websites where you can read about this problem http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/forum2/html/000120.html. Something must be done because this is clearly a safety issue. Please do something because before you hear about dozens of people loosing their lives because of this. Thank you, enes skopljak.
Failure of computer modual for ABS (automatic braking system). Abs system no longer works.
Earlier this month (10/2004), the ABS brake failure warning (light and sound) on our 1998 vw passat gls started coming on sporadically.*ak on oct. 20, I took the car to wheaton service center, a vw-only independent shop. They hooked the unit up to the diaganostic computer and got no signal. They also got not signal when they tried to access to engine computer, indicating that the ABS computer has a short (the engine computer worked fine after they disconnected the ABS computer.) I confirmed this diagnosis over the phone with ftizgerald vw in frederick, md. I later tested the braking on a wet road -- there was no ABS, although the conventional brakes worked fine. The 1998 car, which we have owned since new, has been scrupulously maintained, as the regional vw factory rep can attest (from a drivetrain warranty repair done 5,000 miles ago). The car now has 69,000 miles on it. The wsc mechanics tell me that they see numerous ABS failures in late '90s passats, the web seems to confirm this. The widespread, premature failure of ABS systems is a significant safety issue. Since the repair costs $2,500, many owners will simply disconnect the ABS computer to avoid the annoying lights and sounds, and avoid the expensive fix. Having become accostomed to ABS, how many will adjust their braking accordingly, especially the need to pump the brakes to avoid skidding?
On my 1998 passat with 86,000 miles the ABS light goes on intermittently and the ABS does not work. The dealer states the problem is the ABS module 8e0-614-111-q which will cost $2,036 plus labor of $111. Upon research, a large number of other vw owners have the same problem. This causes a safety hazard.
Abs system failure on 1998 vw passat. Warning lights came on. Dealer diagnosed problem as ABS unit failure and said repair would cost $2500. Search of internet message boards indicates that this an increasingly common problem.
Abs and brake warning lights flashing. Brakes work but ABS may not. Dealer quotes $1450 for repair part alone, plus labor. This is a very common problem for these cars and vw refuses to either recall or cover repair cost.
At 105,000 miles the ABS and brake warning lights began to come on intermittently on my 1998 vw passat. I took it to a vw mechanic who diagnosed as a failed instrument cluster. Replaced cluster for $600, didn't resolve brake problem. Research indicates the problem to likely be ABS pump electronic system (integral to ABS pump). The installed part is 8e0614111p, vw prescribes replacing with 8e0614111q (upgraded part). List price for the "q" part is $2400. Complaining because: 1) problem is likely failed electronic components which are sold only integral to mechanical pump, thereby gouging purchasers, 2) research on the internet and discussions with part dealers and service shops indicates that this problem is common and basic to passats and audis; vw should either pay the total cost or make it cheaper to repair. See: http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=2447&start=0&tstart=0.
Abs controller failed on my 1998 vw passat. The vehicle has only 70k miles on it. This apparently is quite a common failure on the vw/audi vehicles.
Abs light and brake light comes on intermittently indicating ABS failure.dealer said it is a bad ABS computer $1500+ 2 to 3 hours of labor. This started this month and goes on and off .
1998 vw passat: heard loud clanking noises especially when turning vehicle. Reported to vw service department local dealership. Advised the the upper control arm joint is worn and need replacement. Further, both left and right tie rods are totally shot and need replacing. Checked and found that the tie rod problem was recalled by the federal safety agency sep. 1999 (99v‑248) but that my vehicle was not included in recall. Do not know why as the problem described is the same. Additionally, numerous complaints about the control arms have been noted on this site, yet vw of america, who advised me are aware and sensitive to the problem, refused assistance in repairing the vehicle. Also the recalled tie rods replacement was refused to be fixed by them. Please follow up and investigate vw of america for these very important safety issues since I was told that they can cause serious driver accidents. I am also wondering why the brake rotors needed replacement when new brakes were installed. Do not trust vw to be a safe vehicle at this time.
Abs light began blinking along with brake light on dash, took it in to volkswa gen to be diagnosed. They told me "the ABS control module and pump failed. There is no signal between the control module & pump with the computer in the car. The module is supposed to send back a signal saying everything is fine or telling what the problem is, but in my case, there is no communication at all. The only thing that can be done is to replace the ABS control module and that should 'most likely' solve the problem." and the estimate - $1885 - about $1500 for the part and about $300 for the labor - plus tax. Vwoa refused to assist with costs, even though I only have 67, 000 miles on the car, and this problem is rampant and there are tons of people in the same situation. Not sure what justifies a recall, but if there are a lot of people out there with the same problem, who have paid for a car with ABS brakes, why shoudl we have to cough up that kind of money to replace something that is obviously faulty just to get our ABS working again?
Abs warning light illuminated on dash. *mr the consumer was told the problem was the ABS control module and could be repaired for 1400.00 plus labor *sc
Abs light in my 1998 passat glx will come on intermittantly along with the brake and low oil lights. Wrote president of vw of america and was told they would not help. They want to replace ABS module at $2200. The web is full of folks with the same problem. The part must be defective...there should be a recall.
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