I received a recall for the airbag. No lights were on in my car, so I brought in in for the service. I picked up my car, it seemed ok. I went to the gym. When I restarted my car every single light was on on the dashboard. When I brought it back to the dealer they said "oh its the ABS module they just go" and they are expensive to replace. I think they broke the module when they did the airbag. They offered to get me a rebuilt one, so I had it put in. Now when it rains my tires are spinning even though the tread is like new. I have to bring it in tomorrow it's probably something with the module again.
Volkswagen Passat abs comes on
604 of the 7,709 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Passat describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 604
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,500
- typical mileage
- 81,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Brake failure 27Check engine light 13Airbag light 12Ball joint 10Warning lights 5Stalling 5Door locks 4Adaptive cruise 4
Trouble codes mentioned
P204F 1P1649 1
What owners say
I am reporting what appears to be a serious, chronic safety issue with this vehicle (not just this particular car, but all M/Y 2020~2022 (and possibly 2012~2019 as well if they use the same brake components). Since new, my car has had chronic brake problems and these ongoing issues keep arising, pointing to defective brake caliper design. They have not caused an accident (for me anyway), but should be investigated because they have the potential to do so. I'll list dates, mileage and details here because they are numerous: 05/22/2023 - 40,805 - Heard brake (dragging) noise. Found one pad in rear driver side completely worn with no perceptible wear on other rear pads or on front pads. Dealer diagnosed seized caliper on driver side and repaired under warranty. 02/05/2024 - 59,631 - During dealer inspection, dealer noticed passenger side rear caliper seized. Replaced caliper under warranty but I had to pay $220 labor. 11/23/2024 - 83,100 (approx.) - During another recent brake issue, dealer diagnosed a bad ABS module. Part was ordered and replaced on this day. 03/07/2026 - 115,275 - Heard early signs of brake wear so checked pads. Front pads still have zero wear on them (115,000+ miles and still has factory original pads -- no front brake actuation?). Rears are completely worn down. While checking, found guide pins on both front calipers seized as well as one guide pin on rear passenger side caliper. This vehicle has been stopping on only the rear brakes since new, and has chronic problems with seized calipers. I'm sure that it's not something limited to just my particular vehicle. I believe this brake caliper design is defective and all models using these calipers should be investigated for a potential recall situation.
ABS sensor has failed. Air bag sensor is faulty due to abs
The vehicle has been alerting error codes 16352 for failing to communicate with ABS module causing warning lights for ABS, brake and the ESC systems to illuminate. The brake system related vehicle stabilizing functions (ABS/ESC) is not be available, increasing the risk of a loss of vehicle control and could lead to a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Please reference Safety Recall Code: 45F2
ABS sensor warning lights are coming on showing there is an issue.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Def system failed- cel came on w def light stating xxx miles to no start, codes p204f & 18097, now unable to start or drive car safely, 18097 code may cause abs & steering to shut off while driving & p204f renders the car unusable. EPA mod was never performed on my car per dieselgate settlement rules- & now the manufacturer(vw) is refusing to fix their mistake car has been in shop repeatedly for 30+ days at a time since 2022 for the def system and not once was the epa mod mentioned to me VW refuses to fix the def system or do the epa required mod- meaning I was sold a stop sale car. Also claiming I’m not entitled to warranty even though per their own warranty I am the first owner that I can see other then a dealership Am now told by other TDI owners that are still under warranty that vw is refusing to fix anything to do with the p204f code
In May of 2023, I reported that the driver side rear brake caliper appeared to be sticking as one pad at that corner was completely worn down and making contact with the rotor, while the other pad at that same corner had no visible wear. Dealer replaced the rear left rotor under warranty (40,805 miles). Warranty also covered both rear rotors and rear pads due to rotor damage. In February of 2024, dealer inspection noticed the exact same issue on rear right brake caliper and replaced it under the extended warranty (59,631 miles). Although rear right rotor was damaged again, the extended warranty did NOT cover rear rotors or pads and I had to cover the cost out of pocket. In November of 2024 with approximately 80,000 miles, I performed a full brake inspection and noticed that even at this mileage, there was NO visible wear to the factory installed front brake pads (which at this mileage was odd and concerning), and while inspecting the rear pads I noticed that there was no visible wear to the rear left pads, but the rear right pads were worn down almost to the rotor. This uneven wear was shown to the dealer and after a day of "diagnosis", the dealer tech found no issues. They claimed fluid was flowing freely and the brake pistons were not sticking (pointing to the ABS module applying significantly more braking force to the rear right corner, in my opinion). I pressed the issue and after another day of diagnosis, they claimed the ABS module was defective and submitted the claim to the extended warranty. Claim was approved and part is no order, but I do not trust the braking system on this car with brake pads wearing unevenly down to the rotors every 20,000 miles and no perceivable braking force taking place on the front brakes. I, again will have to cover the costs to replace the rear pads and rotors due to continued related and warrantied part failures. I also raised the issue to VW Customer CARE, who created a case and is investigating with the dealer.
The following warning lights will randomly turn on & off while driving: Air Bag Malfunction, ABS Brakes, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front collision, tire pressure, power steering, blind spot detection, low Key Battery detected, and indicate they are not functional. It is a random and items will go back to work while normally driving. Key fob battery has been replaced multiple times...
Dashboard tire light repeatedly displaying and tires infated correctly. Abs and air bag light on .. Note all charging ports do not work. Stop driving light on. These warning start immediately when engine started. Last time around 2021 ABS or similar words light required front end work regarding suspension I believe.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
- Risk
- The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
Recall number 18V536000 · 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
- Risk
- A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.
Recall number 17V075000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
- Risk
- If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
Recall number 15V373000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.0l engine with 147 kw may have a vacuum line that may fracture and become disconnected at low ambient temperatures.
- Risk
- If this happens, the brake power assist can become inoperative, and the driver will experience increased effort to apply the brakes possibly increasing vehicle stopping distance. This could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the newly designed vacuum line. The recall began on january 12, 2007. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑893‑5298.
Recall number 06V472000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 f under certain driving conditions.
- Risk
- This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a vacuum by-pass system into vehicles operated in these states which is designed to provide sufficient vacuum for full brake assist under all weather conditions.
Recall number 99V131001 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Passat abs
Why does the abs come on in the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, check engine light and airbag warning light, and the codes they mention most are P204F and P1649.
Which Volkswagen Passat years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (198 complaints), 2000 (181 complaints) and 1998 (75 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 221 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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