Multiple warning lights on and/or blinking including ABS, brake light, and oil light.
1999 Volkswagen Passat brakes complaints
Page 5 of 9: complaints 101 to 130 of 233, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I had a flashing ABS light in my gauge cluster that wouldn't stop. Went to dealer to check fault code for light. Told that my ABS control unit is bad and needs replacing....shouldn't drive car without replacing unit. Cost for unit and r & r $1.000.
Abs warning light flashes constantly with chime sounding each time the car starts. Probably been ongoing for the last 6-8 months. Was told by independent repair shop the problem was just electrical, but now reading numerous other complaints I believe it to be the ABS module failing in so many other cars. Seems like volkswagen needs to take care of this issue.
In my 1999 volkswagen passat there is a control module known as the ABS control module. I belong to a nationwide passat group known as www.passatworld.com/forums and this is a major issue. It seems in early model passats (1998-2001) the ABS control module gets extremely hot over time since it is placed directly next to the engine block. This causes the unit to malfunction. When this unit malfunctions it causes the ABS breaking system to fail. Also, it flashes multiple check engine lights on the dashboard that are extremely distracting. Volkswagen of america does not have this under warranty, or recall. Dealerships across the country are charging 1,200$ to replace this unit that takes 20 minutes to change out. The hard part is trying to re-build the module. I believe this is a huge safety factor that should be addressed. On our website we have a list of people who's ABS control module has failed, along with the date and mileage on their vehicle when it happened. If you would like this information please contact me.
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.
The ABS warning light and brake warning light flash.
Vw passat 1999 - failing ABS module (ABS,oil,brake lights on). Internet research showed hundreds of similar complaints. See http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=2447&start=30&tstart=0 for additional details.
Dt: the contact stated the ABS light came on and the brake lights were flashing. He took the vehicle to the dealership ,who stated, the control module was not communicating with the computer, which was a sign that the ABS control module failed and needed to be replaced." there have been no repairs made due to the extensive expense.
At 52k miles, had intermittent episodes of ABS light remaining lit and brake light flashing. Over the course of a couple weeks, had >100 such incidents. Also of note, vibration was felt upon braking at low speed. Service mechanic at dealer reported faulty ABS control module, which was replaced at exuberant cost. Apparently, hundreds of such complaints have already been reported on this problem, and vwoa have taken no effort to recall such prevalently faulty parts.
Abs failure.
Abs control module failure. This failure has been reported by many owners, as reported on various online forums (vwvortex, etc). The failure is well known and frequent enough that there are businesses that sell rebuilt/remanufactured part.
I own a 1999 vw passat and had to have my ABS control module replaced in july of 2005 at a cost of $1,300. I have been in touch with many other volkswagen passat owners who have also had their ABS control module go bad and have had to replace it. Since this seems like a very common problem I feel that volkswagen of america should issue a recall on this part and financially reimburse those of us who have already paid out of pocket to replace the ABS. It is a very costly expense and was surprising to me that it needed replacement at only 75,000 miles, in my car's case. Thank you.
Abs control module failure on volkswagen passat 1999 1.8t gls.
Abs controller on my vw passat 1999 failed.
The vehicle is a 1999 volkswagen passat. Abs and brake warning lights come on periodically with increasing frequency and no apparent cause. This is a common problem with passats and audi a4s. I found around 40 similar complaints on the federal safety agency web site and the frequency of the problem is well documented elsewhere on the internet. The problem is reported to result in lack of ABS and inactivation of the normal braking distribution mechanism. The lack of ABS, while serious, only reduces braking to that of many other vehicles. The alleged effect on distribution of braking power is a potentially more serious problem, as it could result in poor performance of even the conventional braking system.
Dt: the contact took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs. Upon inspection the technician noticed the steering assembly came loose. The vehicle was being repaired at the dealership. They replaced both lower control arms and both tie rods. Also, the dealership also found there was an oil leak and the ABS was defective. *ak the technician discovered the steering rack assembly was loose to the point it could have fallen of from the frame. Updated 11/29/05.
1999 volkswagen passat 1.8t ABS module failure. Appears many other consumers have same problem with this expense safety device failure. Vw is ignoring the issue stating there is no history of failures or service bulletin 0517. Dealer wants to charge me $1750 to repair.
I own a 99 vw passat which has a failed ABS system. Upon researching this ABS and brake light indicator problem, I have learned that this is a common malfunction with vw and audi owners. Apparently, vw offered a recall for this problem but did not include pre-2001 vehicles. A definite indicator of their unwillingness to maintain the safety of their vehicles. When this system fails, the indicator lights up, however, this does not happen during 100% of my drive time. It happens intermittently and will likely cause a dangerous accident, since when lit I have no ABS. Please be aware that I am not alone in my complaint and hold vw liable for their faulty craftsmanship with this ABS system. The costs of repair are exorbitant and should not be required by the consumer. This is a universal problem with their vehicles!
Dt: 1999 volkswagen passat - in re: the anti lock brake system. A warning light had come on along with a beeping sound. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and they suggested that this was a common problem with the passat. The consumer researched this matter and realized that there were other similar complaints, then called the manufacturer. Thee manufacturer stated that there was no recall on this problem and had not fixed it as of yet. The consumer had not experienced any other problems except with the warning light and the beeping sound. *ak (12/08/05) the antilock brake system failed daily.
I own a 1999 vw passat 1.8t gls. At 69,000 miles, "ABS" and "brake" dash lights go on and off, indicating failure of ABS control module, and loss of ABS function.
1. Normal driving conditions; city as well as highway driving. 2. Random, intermittent warning lights appear on dashboard. Lights are: ABS - solid yellow. Brake - flashing red. 3. Nothing has be done to correct the failure as the dealer wants between $1,500 -$2,000 to fix the ABS module. Additional information: visited various volkswagon message forums. Many volkswagon owners are experiencing this problem since early 2004. Here is a link to one such site: http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=6316&start=0&tstart=0.
No abnormal events leading up to failure, just a normal commute on residential road at about 30 MPH. The failure was indicated by three loud electronic beeps and the appearance of the "ABS" light (steady) and "brakes" light (blinking) on the instrumental cluster. Consequence of failure is loss of ABS operation. No repair effected as yet, diagnosis shows failure of electronic ABS module.
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.
I own a '99 vw passat gls and have also had the problem with the ABS control module. I get a solid dashboard ABS warning light and blinking dashboard brake warning light when I start the car. Both lights stay on and the blinking light caused my car to fail inspection. I've done research on the internet and found hundreds of such complains about this problem, particularly because this is a $1500 - $4000 repair, according to the various dealer estimates I've read. This is a serious safety issue and well-documented manufacturer's defect. My vw service center acknowledged they know this is a problem and how much to charge for it (~$2400), but because of the expense I have not repaired it yet. Please take action! Both the ABS system and ignition system use bosch parts, which have documented failures. This should be a the federal safety agency recall item!!! More info can be found not just at bentley, but also this site: http://www.mycarstats.com/console.asp.
Failure of bosch ABS 5.3 controller leading to warning tones and lights and loss of traction control and ABS functions, a definite safety hazard. This is a widely reported problem as vw and audi cars get older due to a failure in the bosch hybrid module. Since the cars are out of warranty, vw and audi are not covering repairs which cost $1400 or more.
99 vw passat. Abs brake lights flash intermittently. It seems the ABS module needs replacement at 1500+ after some research it appears there are many people experiencing the same problem.
Abs unit failure on 199 vw passat 1.8 litre turbo wagon
1) ABS/brake light warning came on while driving 20 to 30 MPH 2) ABS failure 3) replace the ABS module
The ABS brake control unit of my 1999 passat has failed. Dealer quotes cost in excess of $1000. To replace a part that costs less than $100 to manufacture. I found a car forum where many, many people talk of this bosh part as failing in their passats and audis.
While I was driving, I hear three beeps, the ABS light turns on and the emergency brake light blinks. Now it happens everytime after about five minutes of driving. I researched this problem and it appears to be a common problem where the ABS control module fails. I have already fixed this problem and it is recurring.
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