1990 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the brakes of the 1990 Volkswagen Passat, 9% of the 34 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine stalls when I apply quick brakes at 50 MPH. Also, when I leave the highway, reducing vehicle speec to 30 MPH, upon applying braking the engine frequently stalls. This is an dangerous driving condition which can cause accident/crash. This also happens when I apply quick brakes at 30 MPH. The lack of vaccum present due to engine stalling causes the power brakes to fail, requiring excessive foot pressure and emergency brakes engagement in order to stop the vehicle. This vehicle had an recent tune-up without any success to the problem*ak.”
NHTSA complaint #721370, filed 2000-04“Abs:told by dealer, entire ABS needs replacing;aligned, owner got air into system while changing pads, ruined whole system;Volkswagen willing to pay for half.”
NHTSA complaint #971422, filed 1995-08Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 25% |
| 2018 | 13 | 28% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% |
| 2006 | 49 | 9% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 42 | 7% |
| 2002 | 72 | 11% |
| 2001 | 63 | 15% |
| 2000 | 207 | 41% |
| 1999 | 233 | 35% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1990 Volkswagen Passat
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology