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 1999 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving at 60 MPH the driver applied the brakes upon entering a reduced speed zone. The pedal went to the floor without resistance and the brakes failed to engage. No warning lights or other indications to suggest a problem. Driver pulled the emergency brake to prevent hitting traffic ahead and spun 180 degrees across traffic slamming into a curb. Witness to the accident tried to apply the brakes several times at the crash site and the pedal offered no resistance for him. Powering the car on and off; brake pressure returned to normal. The vw dealer where the car was hauled to cannot duplicate the failure and the brakes checkout normal. Dealer has given little sense of security to make driver want to get in the car again. Said they could replace the master cylinder, but it checks out fine. One mechanic said he heard of a case with tires confusing the ABS with different wear. …
I own a 1999 vw Passat glx with 72,000 miles. Approximately one month ago, the ABS light, the brake light, the oil pressure indicator, and the tachometer began to behave erratically. Two weeks ago, the right front caliper stuck in the extended position, starting a wheel fire at the rotor. I replaced the caliper, rotor, and pads. A non-vw service center replaced the remaining rotors and pads, replaced the master cylinder, and flushed/bled the entire system. The problem with the lights and alarms persists. The lights and alarms are usually absent when the vehicle is completely cold, then usually appear after several minutes of driving. The lights and alarms can disappear while driving, then reappear during later driving. I have not contacted vw directly, because I'm concerned what the estimate might be to attempt repair.
My ABS light has been flashing for months .....I am told by dealership that it is an ABS sensor....brakes not really affected....however I hit the brakes at 10mph while taking a slight turn...brakes failed, then locked; hit curband brushed tree.vw needs to address this.....brakes checked and looked fine...no explanation for the behavior of the brakes.
I am one a large and growing number of persons with Volkswagen's and Audi's who have ABS (automatic braking systems) that have stopped working after the car has been driven only 40,000 - 50,000 miles. The extent of the problems can be discerned by a web discussion group devoted to people with this sole problem (bentley publishers at http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?forumname=Volkswagen.b.b5&threadid=6316 ). With this many people having found the website, one can only imagine the large quantity of other people who have this snafu. Our experience has been that vw/Audi appears to refuse to acknowledge the problem. Lately, several persons have said that the problem is generally being caused by the electrical unit in the ABS module. Yet at this point, vw and Audi are having users replace the entire unit. This cost is prohibitive for many of us ($2600 in my case). …
Just before the expiration of my 100,000-mile, 6-year extended warranty at 99,938 miles (and 23 days before the end of 6 years) I took my 1999 1.8l turbo Volkswagen Passat (b5) to the dealership. I requested that they perform the 100,000-mile service and to thoroughly check the car for any repairs that May be required since it would soon be out-of-warranty. Five weeks and 3000 miles later (and out of warranty) I was driving home from work when on two occasions my ABS and brake warning lights turned on and three beeps sounded (the first instance occurred at 103,085 miles). Both times the warning lights went off within seconds. Upon researching this problem on the internet, it appears that this is related to a failed ABS control module, apparently a known problem that should have a recall associated with it since it fails prematurely. …
In my 1999 Volkswagen Passat there is a control module known as the ABS control module. I belong to a nationwide Passat group known as www.passatworld.com/forums and this is a major issue. It seems in early model passats (1998-2001) the ABS control module gets extremely hot over time since it is placed directly next to the engine block. This causes the unit to malfunction. When this unit malfunctions it causes the ABS breaking system to fail. Also, it flashes multiple check engine lights on the dashboard that are extremely distracting. Volkswagen of America does not have this under warranty, or recall. Dealerships across the country are charging 1,200$ to replace this unit that takes 20 minutes to change out. The hard part is trying to re-build the module. I believe this is a huge safety factor that should be addressed. …
The ABS module on my 1999 Volkswagen Passat failed. This is not an uncommon occurrence as I've found on vw chat boards, conversation with other vw owners, and comments from vw repair shops. Not only does this vehicle part have a propensity to fail, it is more costly than most vehicle parts. The dollar figure to replace this part places it out of reach for most people, resulting in many vehicles operating with a faulty ABS system rather than spend the money to fix the item. While more aftermarket vehicle parts can be remanufactured, this particular piece is not currently being offered as a remanufactured item. This is most likely because of; 1) the propensity for the item to fail and 2) the cost of the item to replace. Basically, many feel that the manufacturer and likely the vehicle dealer make a great deal of profit from this necessary item. …
I have a 1999 vw Passat v6 gls. I have 74, 270 miles on the car. My ABS and brake light came on about 1 1/2 weeks ago, then my check engine light came on, then my ABS/ brake and oil pressure light came on and were flashing. I brought it to vw dealer today, and was told my ABS module needed replacement for $975.00. I went online and found at vwvortex.com that quite a few people had similar problems with their Passat in my year range. I don't feel that I should be charged for a defective part that is jeopardizing my safety. In addition, I received a recall in 11/04 for vehicle control arms. I brought my car to vw dealer on 12/17/04, and was told that my control arms did not need to be replaced. At that time I had 61, 923 miles on the car. Today, I am told only 12,000 miles later that my control arms need to be replaced at my own expense because the recall is closed. …
The ABS control module, in my 1999 Volkswagen Passat has malfunctioned which is major issue. I have seen/heard of a lot of early model passats (1998-2001) having problems with the ABS control module. It is placed directly next to the engine block, which gets extremely hot over time. The heat causes this malfunction which could have been avoided by Volkswagen. When this unit malfunctions it causes the ABS breaking system to fail. Also, it flashes multiple check engine lights on the dashboard that are extremely distracting. Volkswagen of American does not have this under warranty or recall. Dealerships across the country are charging $1,200 to replace this unit that takes 20 minutes to change out. The hard part is trying to rebuild the module. I believe this a huge safety factor that should be seriously looked into by the office of defects investigations. …
ABS control module failure. My ABS control module failed causing the light to come on along with an audible alarm. I have communicated with many individuals with the same problem. The local dealerships recommended replacing not only the ABS control module but the instrument cluster as well. The control module costs approximately $1200 installed and the instrument cluster was about $500 installed. When approached about the many people having the same problem the dealerships as well as the vw service center claimed they knew nothing of the problem. There are some people who are being reimbursed by the vw/Audi service center for their repairs as if there is a silent recall but I was not given this option. I was forced to replace the module myself which solved the problem. At no time did anyone attempt to stand behind their product. …
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 1999 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 233 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, 35% of the model year's 664 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (66 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 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 1999 Volkswagen Passat brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths 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.