1999 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 233about this part
- Share
- 35%of 664 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,212miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 233 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, 35% of the 664 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,212 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving like every other day, when the ABS light on my 1999 Volkswagen Passat. I took it to my mechanic thinking my brakes are worn out. The mechanic told me the brakes and rotors are perfect and that the ABS control module is not working. I search the internet for a reasonable price to find that many other people are having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10261044, filed 2009-03, 12,000 miles“Vw Passat 1999 - failing ABS module (ABS,oil,brake lights on). Internet research showed hundreds of similar complaints. Vw should at least fix this for original owners. My light has been on for over a year. I was quoted $1400 to repair yet it is a bad solder joint on the ABS circuit board. Vw needs to replace the module. So mush for vw safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10217349, filed 2008-02, 80,566 miles“Abs light, oil light, blinking and the brake light blinking are simultaneously on. I can hear beeping and the air conditioning unit turns off (but the fan still runs) when approaching a complete stop, then the oil light stops blinking then when accelerating, I can hear the AC unit click back on and the oil light starts blinking again. Major recall needed from other similar responses online.”
NHTSA complaint #10331880, filed 2010-05, 140,000 miles“I drive a 1999 vw Passat sedan turbo. Out of no where one day my ABS and brake lights started flashing, they are always on now everytime I drive and do not go off. I am worried something may be wrong with my brake system but do not have any more money to put into my car at the moment since I have put thousands in since it was purchased.”
NHTSA complaint #10224247, filed 2008-04, 108,000 miles“The anti-lock braking system failed on my vehicle. The ABS and brake lights came on to warn me so I took it into the dealership. I was told that the ABS control module had failed and would cost me $1500 to repair. There are hundreds of posts online about this exact problem with passats - in particular ABS bosch 5.3 ,5.4, 5.7 control modules.”
NHTSA complaint #10178036, filed 2007-01, 119,000 milesRelated recalls
- 99V131001May 21, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1998–1999, Audi A4 1997–1999, A6 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10238568Sep 12, 2014For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from the vehicle and replace with known good diesel…
- 10238620Dec 16, 2012To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding value from the tables below. Note that the first table is only applicable to 2.8L…
- 10157760Nov 16, 2012Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding…
- 10156161Nov 16, 2012Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding…
- 10070773Nov 16, 2012Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10051242Nov 16, 2012Volkswagen: update to information. Providing correct coding values for abs control modules on certain vehicles without can-bus. Models 1998-2002 passat.
- 10016037Jul 14, 2005Anti-lock brake system (abs) control module warranty repair process.
Brakes: 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 1999 Volkswagen Passat
118 complaintsEngine cooling
86 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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