2018 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 28%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,853miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, 28% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,853 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“Abs intermittently comes on when brakes are being used under regular pressure. Sometimes when trying to stop at a light or slowing down when a car is turning in front of me, the ABS comes on and the car does not stop as it should. I have almost hit the back of a car in front of me because the ABS came on when the car normally would have just stopped as usual. This problem has been intermittent for roughly 6 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11327705, filed 2020-06, 4,000 miles“I purchased my car as a certified pre-owned vehicle. Within four days, I noticed that the front brakes get excessively hot during normal stopping. I have replaced the brake pads & rotors, and the condition still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #11404415, filed 2021-03, 34,853 miles“While going through a curve, if attempt to slow down, my brakes seem to make some type of scraping sound and I can feel the scrape or vibration of the problem through the pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #11352058, filed 2020-08, 46,000 miles“Upon inspecting the brakes for wear I found they needed to be replaced, I chose to go to pep boys for the brake pads. These pads came with a wear sensor installed, so I called Volkswagen to verify with the parts department my vehicle indeed needed the wear sensor they confirmed utilizing my VIN however, my vehicle is not equipped with the wear sensor. I took the vehicle to the dealership and was informed that I should just cut the wear sensor cable and install the brake pads as this would be what the technicians would do as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11300512, filed 2020-01, 57,000 miles“I am at the burger king drive thru jan 23, 2021, there are a few cars ahead of me. I sit at driver thru with foot on the brake about 3 to 5 minutes, when the car in front of me moves closer to pick up his food, I let off of the brake and drift forward as I get closer to car in front of me , I press the brake and the pedal goes all the way to the floor. I press harder and my car bangs directly into the back of a 2015 camara that has been garaged kept and has only 3,000 miles on it. I give the driver my phone number. Very minor damage to his car and only damage my license plate area. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389957, filed 2021-01, 40,235 milesRelated recalls
- 18V369000Jun 1, 2018DO NOT DRIVEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2018, Audi SQ5 2018, Volkswagen Atlas 2018 +6 more
- 18V536000Aug 15, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2017–2018, Atlas 2018
Related service bulletins
- 11036878Aug 27, 2026Repair or Replace Information
- 11026177Nov 6, 2025Warranty Instruction and guidance
- 11026174Nov 3, 2025Alignment sheet submission.
- 11016584Mar 12, 2025Brake Repair or Replacement Information
- 10239637Jul 13, 2023Brake repair or replacement instruction.
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10214771Jun 22, 2022Vibration / Pulsation or Noise when Braking. Update to include model year and worksheet.
- 10214748Jun 22, 2022Brake repair or replace worksheet.
- 10207832Feb 3, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
- 10205519Dec 8, 2021Bake Vibration, Pulsation, Noise when braking during PDI
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 2018 Volkswagen Passat
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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