Out of the blue, my car starts "dinging" and I look down to see the ABS light on, along with a flashing brake light. I did a search and the first thing I see is that you should check the sensors at each tire. This makes me think about the fact that just before my problem occurred, I had just had my tie rod ends replaced. Was wondering if maybe the sensors had been damaged/broken when those things were replaced, but who knows. Doubtful that the mechanic that did that work would own up to that anyways. Upon more research, everyone is pointing to the ABS control module and quoting anywhere from $100-600 for rebuilt modules to $1500-3500 for brand new ones. My husband wants me to drop the money on something that's not guaranteed to work. There are so many complaints, thought I'd add to this with my own complaint. I'm calling Volkswagen Monday to see what they're going to say.

- Monroe, GA, USA

The ABS control module is dead on mt 1999 VW Passat. This renders the ABS useless. This is a known problem with the Passats. I just hope they have a recall because it is big dollar repair.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

ABS module is faulty, resulting in no ABS braking system.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

VW Passat 1999 - failing ABS module (ABS, oil, brake lights on). Internet research showed hundreds of similar complaints. VW should at least fix this for original owners. My light has been on for over a year. I was quoted $1400 to repair yet it is a bad solder joint on the ABS circuit board. VW needs to replace the module. So mush for VW safety.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

ABS module failure nothing lead upto the beeping and flashing of the ABS light (solid lit) and brake light (flashing). Occured after routine driving, simply pulling into work parking lot as usual, after short trip to eating. After some searching and browsing online leads me to believe the ABS module has failed as on many other Volkswagen/Audi models. Repair has not been done. Remanufacturing of module is around $200 and oem dealer replacement is said to be well over $1,000 dollars.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

ABS/brake light flashing; beeps initially when ignition is turned on. After having service center replace oil pressure sending unit, diagnosis determined to be failure of ABS control module. Not aware of this occurring in any other makes, and learn from complaints within and from forums and other internet sites that this is a common problem in 1999 VW Passat. Oil light, now, also comes on when brake pedal is applied, but goes off when pedal is released. Oil pressure & pump okay, as is oil level, but source of oil light/brake pedal issue cannot be determined.

- Richmond, VA, USA

While driving on the freeway, my 1999 VW Passat's ABS light lit up and the brake light flashing in the instrument cluster follow by 3 loud beeps. I later bring it to an auto mechanic shop and was told that my ABS module does not work any more. The mechanic further stated that this is a normal occurrence with VW ABS system.

- San Jose, CA, USA

ABS lights on, oil light, brake light on. Diagnosed as failure of ABS control module.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

Car ABS brake module quite working causing tires to lock up and lose control of vehicle.

- Omaha, NE, USA

This regards a 1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T wagon @ 97,500 miles. Beginning 03/20/2007 the ABS and brake warning chime and light on the dashboard suddenly came on and then off again. The vehicle was inspected by two separate mechanics. The ABS and brakes are working properly, but the ABS control module is faulty causing the warning chime and lights to intermittently come on and off. The warning chime and lights come on and off again at least once daily, some days repeatedly and at random. The cost to replace the ABS module is $900. Research on the internet proves that this is quite a problem with Passat and comparable Audi vehicles, many with much less mileage. I have placed a call with Volkswagen of America, but they refuse to acknowledge that a problem exists with the module. The cost is quite excessive for a problem that continuously causes concern for the driver and is a pure annoyance. Can anything be done to remedy this situation?

- Carmel, CA, USA

ABS indication light was on consistently. Searched online and found a large number of complaint existed regarding the ABS control unit but not yet have the vm/Audi recall action activated. Brought to the dealer for diagnosis and noted "found no communication between ABS and instrument cluster, ABS control unit has failed". was charged for over $1000 to replace the ABS control unit. This should be a manufacture defect and it is not reasonable for the consumers to bear the cost of replacing the ABS module.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

1999 VW Passat 1.8 turbo. ABS light came up on 74000 mile for no reason. Light was coming and going. Now it is always on. Reading codes says: "no communication" between control module and computer. Diagnose was: Bad control module. Module cost $700 us dollars, and dealer is asking for $700 to replace( for me it will take 15-20 min). Still, this is too much for bad designed and in a wrong spot placed module.

- Glendale, CA, USA

The anti-lock braking system failed on my vehicle. The ABS and brake lights came on to warn me so I took it into the dealership. I was told that the ABS control module had failed and would cost me $1500 to repair. There are hundreds of posts online about this exact problem with Passats - in particular ABS Bosch 5.3,5.4, 5.7 control modules.

- Riverside, CA, USA

ABS control unit failure.

- Visalia, CA, USA

About a month ago the ABS and brake lights started intermittently flashing. I took the car to the dealer and I was informed that the ABS module had failed. I was told that it's not safe to drive with a failed ABS module as it communicates with other systems in the car. The dealer charged $912.08 for the repair. A month later the same problem started happening again. This time I was told that the ABS hydraulic system, and the dealer is asking $2372 for the part itself. I searched for more information on the internet and there are thousands of VW Passat owners who are plagued by ABS-related failures. Driving with no ABS is not safe in a car that is designed to work with the ABS system.

- Seattle, WA, USA

In August of this year, 2006, my 1999 Volkswagen Passat gls, which was purchased new by my family, begin exhibiting some troubling behavior. The behavior consists of the tachometer ceasing to function as both the "brake" and "oil" dashboard lights flash with accompanying warning tones and the "ABS" dashboard light comes on solid and remains on. When the "ABS" dashboard light is on, my car's ABS does not function. At first the problem was intermittent, but eventually became more frequent and has now reach a state of persistency. I have been working on Volkswagen vehicles since I was a child and, given my immediately family has owned over ten Volkswagen in the past 20 years alone, the rest of my family has as well; including a secondary relative who owns a Volkswagen repair business in amesbury, MA. Given the above described problem is common and well documented, the diagnosis of a faulty Bosch 5.3 ABS controller was straight forward. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has logged over 50 complaints alone with many hundreds more being affected. All instances are consistent with my own. Review of the individual testimonies as logged by the NHTSA makes it clear that this problem is caused by the premature failure of a key component of one of the most crucial automotive safety systems. The prohibitive cost of repairing this item and the refusal to acknowledge the problem component as defective and electively recalling it amounts to negligence and reckless endangerment on the part of Volkswagen. The defective component represents a danger to the driver of the affected automobile and everyone sharing the road with the affected automobile. The problem expressed herein is widespread and clearly documented as a problem and a hazard that is not typically experienced by other automobile owners with similarly functioning antilock braking systems. This unit should be recalled to ensure the safety of hundreds if not thousands of drivers.

- San Jose, CA, USA

ABS light and brake light flashing continuously. Dealer claims ABS module($1600). After researching, found hundreds of VW Passat owners with same problem VW does not want to assist or perform recall.

- Molinei, IL, USA

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.

- West Kingston, RI, USA

ABS, oil, brake warning lights intermittently come on and off over last few months with alarm sounds beeping intermittently also. Tachometer drops to 0 when this starts and stays on 0 as long as warning lights on. Other times no lights or anything when I start it up and drive for quite a time, then they start again. Took it to rusty wallis VW in garland, tx. They said ABS module not communicating was my problem===quoting $2687 to replace, and if I didn't replace it, chance was wheels would lock up if I had to brake hard. They did ask me to fill out a questionnaire on this ABS problem, like "constant light" or "intermittent", etc. I thought that was curious. I have seen so many complaints on this very same thing on internet, automotive discussion boards. I also have gathered VW is saying there is nothing they can do. This is a VW problem (also gather it's an Audi problem). It's a safety problem, and it's an expensive problem. I don't have almost $3,000 in my pocket for something that should be owned up to by VW. It's a safety problem with VW's and this ABS module going bad appears to be a very common problem with VW. I'll never buy another one. Thank you for your consideration.

- Sulphur Springs, TX, USA

ABS light comes on and brake light blinks. ABS electronic module failure - discovered problem at passatworld.com.

- Manchester, CT, USA