VehicleVerdict

1999 Volkswagen Passat brakes problems

The 1999 Volkswagen Passat has 250 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

250

Brakes complaints

29%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Passat brakes complaints by model year250 complaints1990: 3 complaints1991: 3 complaints1992: 5 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 15 complaints1996: 13 complaints1997: 7 complaints1998: 103 complaints1999: 250 complaints2000: 219 complaints2001: 69 complaints2002: 77 complaints2003: 46 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 5 complaints2006: 51 complaints2007: 17 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 4 complaints2010: 5 complaints2012: 12 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 8 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 17 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 13 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 5 complaints2022: 3 complaints
Passat brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

99V131001BrakesMay 21, 1999 · 88,121 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Remedy

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 3, 2006 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1999 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA has 250 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Passat brakes — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 99V131001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.