1999 Volkswagen Passat: brake failure

Filed Oct 10, 2011 · Brakes · NJ

I was driving down the road and stepped on my brakes. I noticed my car was not stopping and the brake was very low to the floor. I got so scared. Thank god I was going at a very very slow speed. My brake light came flashing on and beeping like crazy. This car seems to be a lemon lately. I already have issues when I start my car. At times it just doesn't start so I have to keep the key in the ignition and wait about 35 seconds and finally the car turns over. Also I have gray smoke that comes out of my tail pipe upon driving at times. Also my sun roof, the material got caught and its all ripped. And. My oil disappears on me. I can put two new quarts of oil in my car with in two weeks its gone bone dry with no oil leaks. Very very weird. Can someone help me out. Are there any recalls for any of this. I already bought rotors, brake pads for the back brakes and buying calipers this week. Now this happens where I have no brakes. I am so depressed about this. Please help me! I could of gotten into a bad accident because my entire brake system failed on me today. Go volkswagen. Unreal. :(

Filed Jan 31, 2009 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · 00

While driving the car, had to apply brakes for emergency stop, left front flexible brake hose suddenly ruptured causing complete brake failure. The vehicle has been stopped using emergency hand brakes. Under inspection, right front flexible brake hose also shows signs of advanced deterioration. The vehicle has never been in a crash, hoses were original parts. Car is 1999 volkswagen passat 18.t automatic with 150,000 miles on the clock.

Filed Oct 5, 2007 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · MT · crash

Driving at 60 MPH the driver applied the brakes upon entering a reduced speed zone. The pedal went to the floor without resistance and the brakes failed to engage. No warning lights or other indications to suggest a problem. Driver pulled the emergency brake to prevent hitting traffic ahead and spun 180 degrees across traffic slamming into a curb. Witness to the accident tried to apply the brakes several times at the crash site and the pedal offered no resistance for him. Powering the car on and off; brake pressure returned to normal. The vw dealer where the car was hauled to cannot duplicate the failure and the brakes checkout normal. Dealer has given little sense of security to make driver want to get in the car again. Said they could replace the master cylinder, but it checks out fine. One mechanic said he heard of a case with tires confusing the ABS with different wear. Front tires are >95% and the rears are 75%. Nobody would document this theory however and repair will now leave car with 3 basically new tires with one rear at 75%. *jb updated 12/12/07

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Brakes · 72,389 miles · RI · crash · 1 injury

My ABS light has been flashing for months .....I am told by dealership that it is an ABS sensor....brakes not really affected....however I hit the brakes at 10mph while taking a slight turn...brakes failed, then locked; hit curband brushed tree.vw needs to address this.....brakes checked and looked fine...no explanation for the behavior of the brakes.

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Brakes · 74,250 miles · UT

The ABS warning light came on approximately one month ago, at first intermittently. The car was immediately taken to a mechanic, but problem could not be diagnosed. Since then, the light comes on and a audible warning sounds at every start-up. The car has been returned to the mechanic, who will perform another diagnostic. All four rotors and pads were replaced in the last four months. The mechanic has a nearly identical car with an identical problem and has diagnosed a faulty ABS module, a $950 part plus labor charges. Searches on the internet show anecdotal evidence that hundreds, if not thousands, of owners of similar models are experiencing this same problem. Other owners describe dangerous brake failures, including lock-up.

Filed Mar 7, 2004 · Brakes · 46,154 miles · WA

Abs brake failure.

Filed Apr 10, 2002 · Brakes · PA

While attempting to dis-engage cruise control while approaching toll booth, by tapping brake, vehicle suffered total brake failure. Pulled emergency brake, which worked as advertised, causing vehicle to enter 360 degree spin and cross 6 lanes of toll booth traffic ending up on right shoulder of highway. No contact with any other vehicle or object. Shut down engine and re-started and brake pressure returned to normal. Mehcanic at independent shop cannot duplicate failure and system tests ok.