Volkswagen Passat Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Volkswagen Passat across 20 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (184). The words owners use most often: “abs module” (20% of reports).
- 605service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 16mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $2,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- ABS module: mentioned in 119 of 605 complaints (20%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Volkswagen Passat at $2,400, and half of them between $1,550 and $3,300.
Based on 137 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 434 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 605 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 7 an injury.
Volkswagen Passat service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Passat | 2 | 2% | 27,505 |
| 2016 Passat | 1 | 1% | 45,000 |
| 2015 Passat | 3 | 1% | 3,800 |
| 2014 Passat | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2013 Passat | 2 | 0% | 62,506 |
| 2012 Passat | 1 | 0% | 32 |
| 2009 Passat | 1 | 1% | 3,785 |
| 2008 Passat | 1 | 1% | 1,500 |
| 2007 Passat | 4 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2006 Passat | 26 | 5% | 21,526 |
| 2005 Passat | 3 | 2% | 20,000 |
| 2004 Passat | 11 | 4% | 22,000 |
| 2003 Passat | 28 | 4% | 26,628 |
| 2002 Passat | 47 | 7% | 54,000 |
| 2001 Passat | 48 | 11% | 68,400 |
| 2000 Passat | 160 | 32% | 72,500 |
| 1999 Passat | 184 | 28% | 87,000 |
| 1998 Passat | 70 | 21% | 87,900 |
| 1996 Passat | 1 | 3% | 76,279 |
| 1995 Passat | 11 | 12% | 136,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2017, 2018
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
Risk: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperDo not drive
Model years: 2018
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid; service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2017
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.
Risk: A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum; engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2015
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.0l engine with 147 kw may have a vacuum line that may fracture and become disconnected at low ambient temperatures.
Risk: If this happens, the brake power assist can become inoperative, and the driver will experience increased effort to apply the brakes possibly increasing vehicle stopping distance. This could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install the newly designed vacuum line. The recall began on january 12, 2007. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake pedal was depressed several times before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that he became aware that brake fluid had leaked from an unknown location and that the brake fluid reservoir…
Power brakes are not functional on startup when cold -- brake pedal is very stiff and takes a lot of pedal pressure to stop the car from moving while exiting driveway. Generally, braking improves within a minute or two of driving, but sudden stops in this condition are difficult and unsafe. The…
ABS module failure at 56,000 miles. Warning lights illuminated on dashboard are ABS, brakes, stability control, tire pressure and airbags. Local VW dealer inspected and confirmed failure of ABS module.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT OVERHEARD AND ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING A HILL AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volkswagen Passats have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 605 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Volkswagen Passat. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volkswagen Passat service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Volkswagen Passat?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,400 (half paid between $1,550 and $3,300), from 137 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Volkswagen Passat?
The most frequent phrase is “abs module”, in 119 of 605 complaints.
Other Volkswagen Passat problems
- Air Bags problems (1,652)
- Electrical System problems (1,136)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (847)
- Engine problems (643)
- Steering problems (570)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (471)
- Power Train problems (452)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (413)
See all Volkswagen Passat problems.