Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Earlier this month (10/2004), the ABS brake failure warning (light and sound) on our 1998 vw Passat gls started coming on sporadically. On oct. 20, I took the car to wheaton service center, a vw-only independent shop. They hooked the unit up to the diaganostic computer and got no signal. They also got not signal when they tried to access to engine computer, indicating that the ABS computer has a short (the engine computer worked fine after they disconnected the ABS computer.) I confirmed this diagnosis over the phone with ftizgerald vw in frederick, md. I later tested the braking on a wet road -- there was no ABS, although the conventional brakes worked fine. The 1998 car, which we have owned since new, has been scrupulously maintained, as the regional vw factory rep can attest (from a drivetrain warranty repair done 5,000 miles ago). The car now has 69,000 miles on it. …
I owe a 1998 vw Passat gls( 77,000 miles). ABS and brake light came on a month ago. I contacted vw dealer and they asked me to bring the car in. But before I did that I almost had an accident with that car because of the ABS problem. It was raining and I had to brake so the ABS turned on. It blocked brakes and steering wheel and the car kept sliding. ABS was clearly not working. The car kept sliding for about 30 yards and I almost ran trough the red light and hit another vehicle because I had absolutely no control over the vehicle. When the car finally stopped I've noticed that the car had shut itself down. Seven month pregnant wife and my two year old daughter were with me in the car and we almost lost our lives because of this problem. I took the car to the dealer and I was told that the ABS module must be replaced and that it would cost me about $2000.00. …
1. Events: ABS light would intermittently go on and off while driving. Now the ABS light stays on all the time and the brake light now flashes with 3 beeps and stays on. 2. Failures: I have no working ABS in the car. 3. Correction: have been advised by an independent vw repair shop that the ABS module is not communicating with the diagnostic computer and must be replaced. This module is a dealer-only part ($2,038). Note that this cost is for the part only and does not include labor. I've contacted 3 other independent Volkswagen/Audi repair shops and they've advised that they've repaired an in ordinate number of these ABS systems in volkswagens. One shop indicated he repairs/replaces vw ABS at least 4 times a month, which would mean that vw dealers are likely doing a lot more of these repairs, yet there hasn't been any recall effort on vw's part. …
Our 1998 Volkswagen Passat gls 4 cylinder sedan (80K miles) had intermittent warning lights go on for the ABS system and the brakes. The manual states that when the warning lights go on the ABS system is disabled and that the car should be serviced immediately. There was no regular pattern to the lights coming on, but once it started it happened virtually every trip at different times. I drove for about a week with the light on with no apparent loss of braking ability. I did experience a failure of the ABS system while the light was on (on a hill on a rainy day) and so determined it should be repaired. We took the car in to the local dealership and they could not diagnose the problem until the warning lights were on. We came back with the warning lights on and they told us we needed to replace the ABS control module at a cost of $2600. We went ahead and did the repair. …
1998 vw Passat wagon 2 wheel drive 4 cyl. 1.8 l engine. Manual transmission VIN: [redacted] things broken on this vw. Blinking ABS light on dash indicating ABS malfunction. It intermittently goes off once or twice a year for a couple of minutes, indicating function properly. Temp. Gauge on dash reads no temperature or 0. It intermittently comes back on and functions properly. I need to pull sending unit wire and clean connector. Driver's auto door lock button malfunctions. Window switches on drivers door doesn't work well. Stereo plays cd without pushing the button. (goes on buy its self) left rear passenger door does not open from inside.. Moon roof malfunctions. Maybe won't close after opening. Brake light's don't light up right away when you step on the brakes. Outside door locks stick. When it rains, water gets into the lock and makes it difficult to turn the key inside the lock. …
I am the original owner of a 1998 vw Passat, 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual transmission automobile. The ABS brakes warning light came on (February 27, 2005). I consulted with my independent mechanic and he said the ABS brakes were necessary in wet or icy weather in emergency situations. The problem did not result in any accident or injury. I took the car to the dealer on March 21, 2005. The dealer performed diagnosis and determined the ABS pump needed replacing. The dealer (new century Volkswagen in glendale, ca) quoted a price of $3125, parts and labor, to fix. I am unable to repair the car at this time due to the expense. Research online and in discussing with independent vw mechanics reveals that this is a very common problem with this model vw. …
ABS light began blinking along with brake light on dash, took it in to volkswa gen to be diagnosed. They told me "the ABS control module and pump failed. There is no signal between the control module & pump with the computer in the car. The module is supposed to send back a signal saying everything is fine or telling what the problem is, but in my case, there is no communication at all. The only thing that can be done is to replace the ABS control module and that should 'most likely' solve the problem." and the estimate - $1885 - about $1500 for the part and about $300 for the labor - plus tax. Vwoa refused to assist with costs, even though I only have 67, 000 miles on the car, and this problem is rampant and there are tons of people in the same situation. …
I drive a 1998 Volkswagen Passat. After about 2 weeks of annoying warnings that something was wrong with my ABS system I took the carto my independent mechanic. He hooked a scanner up to it and checked the brake system all day, and found nothing wrong with the car, other than the fact that the brake fluid was overfilled. He fixed that minor problem, but did not fix the original issue. After another week, I finally broke down and took the car to the dealer - heritage Volkswagen on reisterstown road in owings mills, md. They hooked a scanner up to it as well, and found that I needes a new ABS control unit. This was a part that, they said, would cost $3,000 just for the part! After doing my own research, it seemed this was one of many Volkswagen passats that experienced the problem, but every one was being charged $1,500 for the part. …
My ABS light intermittently comes on followed by the brake light flashing> upon researching this on several various forums on the net. This appears to be a commonly defective part on several model years from 98-01. The oldest posting I found was done in 2000 and the vehicle was a 99. From researching this it appears even vw dealers are unable to get correct problem codes on this issue. I saw postings from many owners stating they were told everything from ABS modules needing replaced to instrument clusters to wiring issues. It appears no one is absolutely sure what the issue is as some owners after the dealer recommend replacements did not fix the issue. In the short time I looked into this I feel that vw should be well aware of this issue and have taken steps to resolve it. I saw literally years worth of postings a on this issue on bentley publishers website. …
At 105,000 miles the ABS and brake warning lights began to come on intermittently on my 1998 vw Passat. I took it to a vw mechanic who diagnosed as a failed instrument cluster. Replaced cluster for $600, didn't resolve brake problem. Research indicates the problem to likely be ABS pump electronic system (integral to ABS pump). The installed part is 8e0614111p, vw prescribes replacing with 8e0614111q (upgraded part). List price for the "q" part is $2400. Complaining because: 1) problem is likely failed electronic components which are sold only integral to mechanical pump, thereby gouging purchasers, 2) research on the internet and discussions with part dealers and service shops indicates that this problem is common and basic to passats and audis; vw should either pay the total cost or make it cheaper to repair. …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, 27% of the model year's 331 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Volkswagen Passat brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V131001 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, May 21, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Volkswagen Passat brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.