Common Volkswagen Brakes Problems

  1. ABS Failure

    VW owners have had a lot of ABS complaints over the years, and rightfully so. Not only are their ABS modules failing early, but they also fail at the most inopportune time like when slamming on the brakes to avoid an accident. And the repai…

    Continue reading article "ABS Failure" Dash cluster with ABS warning light on
  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue Dash cluster with ABS warning light on

Where Brakes Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Recent Brakes News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. It's been a bad week for 2017 Volkswagens. First there was a tiny recall for seized up engines in the 2017 Jetta.

    Now the 2017 Passat is being recalled to replace leaking brake lines.

    "Engineers traced the brake fluid leaks to end flares of the brake lines that were damaged during manufacturing, causing the seals to be faulty. A low brake fluid warning light will activate when the fluid reaches a certain level."

    Details on this recall are still coming in.

    keep reading article "Leaking Brake Lines in the 2017 Passat"
  2. Volkswagen has a BS problem. Wait ... I mean an ABS problem.

    Volkswagen engineers found a fault inside the anti-lock brake system control module that can cause the module to fail whenever the electronic stability control or ABS system activates. A driver will notice warning lights for the brakes, the anti-lock braking system and the electronic stability control system.

    The issue can lead to a sudden loss of control in the 2009-2010 Jetta, 2009 Jetta SportWagens, Eos, GTI, Rabbit, and the 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6.

    keep reading article "Volkswagen Recalls Cars that can Lose Control"
  3. A judge has denied Volkswagen's motion to dismiss a regenerative braking lawsuit for Jetta Hybrid owners.

    Turns out VW can't stop their cars or litigation – zing!

    "Plaintiff Peter Bryan Burra filed the Jetta Hybrid lawsuit alleging the “regenerative braking system” in his 2013 Jetta is defective and doesn't predict how much time or distance he will need to make a safe stop."

    According to Mr. Burra, the hybrid's unpredictable stopping distances have led to two accidents. That's something others owners have complained about too.

    VW says "the plaintiff agreed to enter arbitration according to the sales contract concerning a dispute about the Jetta Hybrid" and that the case shouldn't be heard in front of a jury. The judge, however, disagreed and will allow the case to move forward.

    keep reading article "Jetta Hybrid Regenerative Braking Lawsuit Continues"
  4. A missing c-clip in some 2011-2016 VW Touaregs and Porsche Cayenne SUVs could allow for some brake pedal mayhem.

    The missing clip can cause the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge. From there, a driver will need to find unique methods of applying the brakes without a brake pedal.

    The c-clip stands for circlip, but I'm thinking it could also stand for crap. As in, "ahh, crap --- my brake pedal just fell off."

    keep reading article "Missing C-Clip Could Lead to Brake Pedal Mayhem"
  5. **Re

    ember the good ole days? Baseball on the radio, lemonade at Grandma's house and cars that could make it to their first oil change before getting recalled? These days it feels like every new car that rolls off the lot needs to roll right back in to the service station.

    The 2015 VW Passat, for example, has just been recalled for a faulty brake line connection that can allow fluid to leak. That fluid is critical to your stopping power, so as it leaks out the car will need longer and longer distances to stop.

    VW says workers used a busted torque wrench during assembly.

    keep reading article "Leaking Brake Lines in the 2015 Passat"