2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,386 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 2000 Volkswagen Passat:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Jul 072005

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
The ABS control module on my 2000 VW Passat 1.8L turbo is bad. I discovered this because the light indicating a problem with my ABS came on the dash. The car fishtails if breaks are applied sharply going faster than 50 mph, even when driving straight. I tested this in a safe place to see if the ABS was really not working. Now I have no ABS and the replacement part costs so much that I will have no ABS for awhile. And the breaks on cars that are built to use ABS don't work properly without it. I am reporting this because I have seen a number of forums with many people who have had the same problem. Also because I bought this car because it was safe, one of the safety features being ABS. Hopefully there have been enough people who have complained about this that it can be taken care of before it causes too many accidents or any injuries. By the way, Bosch made this ABS control module and it is the same one used in the Audi A4 and A6. I think they have come out with a new one that they recommend replacing the old ones with but they still haven't admitted they screwed up and now the consumer is paying for it.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 172005

Passat

  • miles
ABS module needs replacement at 53000 miles on 2000 yr. Model Passat. My research shows this to be a "normal" problem.

- Belmont, NC, USA

problem #14

Dec 152004

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
2000 Volkswagen Passat developed ABS module failure.** answer required***.

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #13

Apr 292005

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
(1) no disernable events prior (2) ABS module failure (3) none many Audi and VW models manufactured starting in the later '90S and continuing to present, use the Bosch 5.3 ABS controller, which is prone to catastrophic failure, ostensibly due to defective design. This module controls multiple brake-related functions including the ABS which is important for winter driving, but the most critical function of this module is probably the electronic brake force distribution, or ebd. These vehicles are designed such that if the ebd is inoperative, the proportion of hydraulic force applied to the rear brakes during emergency braking is as great as it is during moderate braking effort when there is minimal transfer of vehicle weight to the front wheels. The ebd is supposed to adjust the front/rear braking distribution dynamically according to the measure of the deceleration, so that the rear wheels will not lock up during emergency braking. If this module should fail during emergency braking on dry pavement, the rear wheels could lock up and cause an accident which could easily include fatalities. This is an expensive repair for owners, costing roughly $2000, and many owners have probably put off the repair indefinitely. Evidence which can be found through a simple web search, suggests that the problem is widespread, and that if it has not already led to serious accidents, it is only a question of time. This problem is genuine, and VW/Audi should be compelled to take immediate corrective action."

- Havertown, PA, USA

problem #12

May 102005

Passat 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,170 miles
ABS module (P/N #8E0 614 111 ah) failure in 5 year old vehicle with only 70,181 miles. Volkswagen of America refuses to acknowledge this is an issue despite hundreds of similar posts I have found with a simple web search for VW Passats (1999 - 2005) and Audi A4S (1997-2001) that have the same control module. VW will not cooperate on replacement of this $1,600 module despite the obvious safety risk of failed ABS systems.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #11

Mar 252005

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,698 miles
ABS control module on a 2000 Volkswagen Passat is out, we also had A2001.5 Passat that had this same problem, we traded it in. So when our second car came up with this same problem we took it to a local V.w, repair shop and the man there said his personal car had this same problem and V.w. replaced it at no charge. In called V. w. and they said they know nothing of the sorts. I started researching this and it seems alot of people have this problem. Bottom line is that it makes the car unsafe, causing the rear wheels to lock up under heavy braking situations. V. w does want to replace it tio the tune of $1400 and with a different model number which tells me that the first model # is deffective.

- Rosewood, IN, USA

problem #10

Mar 072005

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
ABS and brake light warning message on dashboard readsstop service manual brake fault. Car taken to mechanic, computer check revealed code 18057 databus missing message from ABS control module. Expense to replace estimated at over 1500dollars. Car has 62000 miles, not covered under warranty. During this failure traction control is disengaged along with ABS system, could possibly result in an accident. Auto mechanic explained that there are 13 modules in the vehicle and he cannot replace, vehicle must be taken to a dealer for repair. This occurred within one month after car was at dealer for 60000 mile service before warranty expiration and for a front steering linkage recall. Dealer stated at that visit that Passat needed new brakes and rotors, the "second opinion" mechanic stated that there is zero wear on front brakes and rotors. Mechanic suggested I check recalls because this is the 4th vehicle has has had with this problem with similar mileage. Mechanic states that this brake module failure is common.

- Northampton, PA, USA

problem #9

Nov 012004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 62,000 miles
In early November 2004 my ABS started to failed in my 2000 Passat gls. The dealer said it would cost nearly $2200 to fix this. After doing much research on the problem and trying to diagnose exactly the problem I stumbled on some information from forums.vwvortex.com/ and www.passatworld.com/forums/ also myvwlemon.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimate.cgi all of these site had numerous owners of Volkswagen Passats with the same exact problem I was having. I wondered why VW has not had a recall since there were so many problems with the ABS control modules. I eventually found a company that rebuilds the ABS control modules for $350. After getting it rebuild everything works fine. I still think this issue is an error on VW's the company and the should pay for it! the ABS failing is one thing but the cost of the fix is outrageous.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #8

Nov 292004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The ABS check light remained on the vehicle. Taken to dealer, and was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #7

Dec 022004

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
While routinely driving home from work, the ABS light and the asr indicator lights turned on, and a few seconds later the dashboard computer said "ABS fault". these lights have remained on constantly since then. I took the car in to the dealer the very next day and was informed that the ABS control module had failed, which is a $1200 part with an accompanying $500 or so in labor. Despite the car having only 33000 miles and the numerous consumer complaints about this commonly occurring failure, the dealer and VW of America were both unwilling to do anything to take responsibility for these repairs. The vehicle does not have ABS anymore, which represents a safety risk. The vehicle is a 2000 VW Passat glx V6, purchased December 1999.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 142004

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,500 miles
After random intervals the ABS warning occurs, sometimes it will end but most of the time the error will continue until the car is turn off and restarted after 5 minutes. After the first ABS warning I took the car into the dealer. The dealer determined the the unit (Bosch ABS and controller) would need replacing. After researching online, I found that several companies buy back these particular units for remanufacturing due to the common failure of this part. Since this part is common on 1996-2001 Audi A4's, A6's and VW Passat and is failing consistently that several companies are now in the business of remanufacturer these units, I find it hard that such a vital component to the safety of the vehicle can fail so consistently. In addition, sunnyvale volkswagon dealer said that VW no longer sells the ABS controller seperate from the ABS pump due to the fact that when replacing a failed controller it was common for the pump to fail within several months.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #5

May 152004

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,428 miles
While driving on the freeway my ABS light came on. The display read"stop, brake failure immanent". after talking on my cell phone with my regular VW mechanic he said it would be safe to drive except I would not have any anti-lock braking capability. I had to take the car to the dealer and they diagnost the anti-lock brake controler and pump. The diagnostic cost me $90 and later when they found the part that bill was $1580.85. Why is a safety item like that not payed for by the manufacturer? the car is 4 years old and has 70,000 miles on it. Seems a little to soon to be replacing such a seldom used and expensive part.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #4

Mar 132004

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,185 miles
ABS module failure on a 2000 Passat with 55,230 miles.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #3

Nov 032003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,893 miles
Bosch ABS control module fault causes ABS, brake, and traction control warning lights to come on despite there being no actual ABS fault.

- Novato, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 262003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
The vehicle's ABS module malfunctioned without warning. Please provide any additional information.

- Alhambra, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 192003

Passat

  • miles
Malfunction in ABS module ABS brake lights on also traction control light on.

- Elkhorn, WI, USA