2015 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 12%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,938miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, 12% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,938 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“While braking on a hill the Passat made a clunking sound and a wrench service light illuminated. The brakes become soft and do not respond as quickly as before. In addition, when reversing, the brake pedal will become non responsive while the calipers hold the car in place. I am unable to move the car until I place it back in park and try again.”
NHTSA complaint #10864947, filed 2016-05, 4,164 miles“While exiting highway and traveling at near highway speeds, the epc light illuminated on the dashboard. Seconds later the braking system failed. I was forced to veer from crashing into the vehicle in front of me. I then put the car in neutral and pull on the emergency brake handle until I brought the car to a complete stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10731483, filed 2015-07, 1,370 miles“Previously car was recalled in march due to camshaft & was told it was good; hence the following: I was traveling on loop 303 at 65 MPH, then on bell road at 45 MPH, then turned into my community of sun city grand at 25 MPH when brakes failed approx 3 streets from my home”
NHTSA complaint #10893708, filed 2016-08, 8,932 miles“The emergency brake is locked on (in place) while the handle is down in the car causing the car to drive unbeknown to the driver that the brake is still on thus causing excess damage to the brake, caliper and rotor. I was told by my mechanic that it has been a problem with vw passatts and jettas and that the parts are scarce because of that. The amount to repair was greater than $600. If I had taken it to the vw dealership they were going to charge me double that.”
NHTSA complaint #11073564, filed 2018-02, 77,000 miles“I bought a 2015 Passat wolfsburg edition in february of 2015. Within the first 200 miles vehicle was shimmying when brakes were applied. Dealer refused to replace the brakes under the warranty saying its wear and tear. I called vwa they advised dealer and the rotors were replaced. Not even two weeks after brakes start squealing. I return to dealership and get told its nothing. Brakes continued to squeal until I had them replaced somewhere else at 26350 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10928692, filed 2016-11, 120 milesRelated recalls
- 15V373000Jun 15, 2015Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2015
Related service bulletins
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10207832Feb 3, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
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 2015 Volkswagen Passat
88 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 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