10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
91,535 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Jun 182008

Passat

  • 105,556 miles
I got in my car one morning and started the ABS lights and brake lights come on the instrument panel and has pretty much been on since and I have noticed without ABS my car doesn't stop near as fast as it used to the dealer said it was the ABS computer failed and the manufacture would have to send me anew one but that it was really pricy to fix and a group that I am with also drive the same cars a large number of them and there's has failed just like mine did.

- Mcalester, OK, USA

problem #4

Oct 182007

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles
ABS, brake, and oil light come on intermittently. It started today, and it looks like from my research it will continue until I spend close to 2K on an entire module when only one small chip solder failed.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #3

Dec 152006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Solid ABS light/flashing brake light.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #2

Oct 302006

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the ABS, oil, and brake lights illuminated and then flashed. There was a beeping noise as a warning signal prior to the illumination of the ABS, oil and brake lights. The tachometer also failed. This problem was intermittent and worsen over a two week period. The vehicle was taken to a independent repair shop who indicated there were no codes after the diagnostic testing. They recommended the vehicle be taken to the an authorized dealer. While looking through the owner manual, the contact observed a warning statement that the illumination of the ABS and brake lights could result in the locking up of the rear brakes under hard braking. While driving 65 mph on a highway the rear brakes locked causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. There was no hard braking when this occurred.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #1

May 152006

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,121 miles
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.

- Seabrook, TX, USA