Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
99V131001VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCfrom 10/01/1997 to 02/28/1999V (Vehicle)8812110/09/1999ODIVOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC05/21/199901/21/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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 SummaryThis condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesOwner notification began october 9, 1999.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vw at 1-800-822-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
TSB-45-08-0411/19/200810028008Audi: abs activates during light brake application . control noises are heard from the abs unit at low speed without brake application. *pe02/26/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TSB-45-08-0411/19/200810028008Audi: abs activates during light brake application . control noises are heard from the abs unit at low speed without brake application. *pe02/26/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
TSB-45-08-0411/19/200810028008Audi: abs activates during light brake application . control noises are heard from the abs unit at low speed without brake application. *pe02/26/2009

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE02008VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC01/23/200207/12/2002BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
 Allege bracket that attaches the brake and clutch pedals to the instrument panel fractures while driving

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
02/01/200574000
 Antilock brake system (abs) control module is apparently failing or has failed. both the abs and brake lights on the dashboard illuminate irregularly accompanied by three loud warning tones. both lights likewise turn off without warning. dealer claims that no code is being returned from abs unit. advised that sometimes abs will be available and sometimes not. cost to replace abs control module was quoted at $2,400. advised to ignore warning lights and sounds if cost was unreasonable.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
09/22/20031200009/29/1998
 Complaint 1) heated steering wheel would burn hands in selected locatios before turning off. dealer indicated to me they were aware of this and if i wanted it fixed would have to purchase a new steering wheel as my car was out of warranty. i feel this is a safety issue that should be handled by audi with replacement. complaint 2) rear brake pads replaced three times on car with 50,000 miles. this does not make sense as front brakes take most of wear. at my last repair on 9/22/03, it cost me $418 dollars to replace rear pads and rotors. it appears something may be of bad design with replacement 3 times in 50,000 miles for rear brakes. front replaced only once and not due to wear, but heat spotting creating noise.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
11/05/20091200001
 Dear dot, i've a 1998 audi a6 quattro. my abs system shows warning yellow abs light and red flashing brake light at all time. i've taken my two shops and they both indicated that the abs unit is defective and needs replacement. they tested all 4 wheel sensors on the car and also mapped out the electrical system. the conclusion was a defective abs unit. i've done some research and other audi owner from 1998 - 2001 also have the same issues. if this system is known to be defective, it should be recalled in all fairness. i am pretty happy with this car, but the abs is an uncomfortable experience. it cost about $2000 to replace the abs unit and audi does not want to admit the problem. references: http://audi-vw-abs-recall.blogspot.com http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/audi_a4_avant_comments_and_complaints_65-34245-1.html
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
08/08/2006114000108/08/2006
 Abs/brake light on all the time. i got my brakes changed, my mechanic checked it, and told me the abs system is malfunctioning. *jb
03/19/20058400212/04/2003
 I have a problem with the abs light that comes on often.is too expensive to pay for all this .can somebody do somethng about . thanks.*ak
08/15/2004103000801/15/2001
 Intermittent abs/brake light 1998 audi a6 quattro 2.8l, audi dealer says it has faulty abs module which would need to be replaced. cost: $2,148.00 plus labor. nothing was done to correct the failure. dealer says it is a common problem. *jb
05/19/2000205/01/2000
 This was my first day with heavy rain. braking delayed (almost not working), as i approached a line of traffic. a bit scary, but the car did stop just not near the kind of responsiveness i would normally expect. *ak
02/18/20002
 Braking system malfunctions when on slippery surfaces, driving straight and the brake pedal is lightly pressed. a single brake locks up, causing the car to spin out of control. *ak
02/18/20002
 Braking system malfunctions when on slippery surfaces, driving straight and the brake pedal is lightly pressed. a single brake locks up causing the car to spin out of control. *ak
01/21/20000
 When stepping on the brakes brakes malfuncioned, resultin gin increased stopping distance. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
10/01/200512500015010/01/2002
 1998 audi a6 with 130,000 miles; abs/brake lights on dash illuminate with piercing tones, first intermittently, now upon startup and drive off. manual states this is an emergency situation, and driver could possibly lose control of vehicle. dealer states repairs $1500.00+ for complete abs replacement...audi owner forums include many others with identical problems...no other repair options were offered by the dealer. *jb
03/25/20051
 The abs braking light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. driver noticed that while applying the brakes the pedal went to floor, slowing down and then stopping. driver took vehicle to the dealer, and the mechanic placed the vehicle on a diagnostic machine, and determined that the abs control unit module needed to be replaced. *ak
01/04/2005105003
 Abs computer malfunctioned. searched internet and found many similar problems with other owners of simiilar cars. *ak
01/01/19011
 The vehicle's abs controller failed after less than 70000 miles. *nm the consumer requested assistance from the manufacturer but was denied. *nm
08/01/200470000104/01/2002
 I own a 1998 audi a6. this vehicle has been driven approx 75 000 miles. several months ago the abs control unit (brakes) failed. i was quoted a price of $1085 by the dealership where i purchased the vehicle. there are no used parts available. when i made an appoitment to have the unit replaced i was informed that audi no longer manufactures the origional replacement part at a cost of $1085. rather, audi has remanufactured the replacement part and the new cost is approx $2000.00. i verified the cost of the remanufactured replacement part by calling a few dealerships. my complaint is that i believe that audi recognized that the original part was defective and that once the abs control unit failed it made abs braking inoperable and therefore unsafe. rather than recall the 1998 a6 to replace the defective abs control unit, they allowed consumers to either drive with an unsafe control unit that could fail at any time ot pay almost $2000 to replace the defective part.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
1
 Consumer hears a grinding noise from the left front brakes. *slc
 While driving vehicle accelerates without warning. brakes failed to stop vehicle, vehicle was put into park to gain control. please give any further details. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
01/09/1999112/01/1997
 After slowing for a left turn from main thoroughfare to side street, my brake pedalfailed to depress to slow the car down. i had to allow the car to coast to a slower speed and then to a stop. after clearing snow from the wheel wells and allowing the car to sit with the engine off for approximately 20 minutes, the brake pedal unlocked and i was able to depress the pedal once more.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
10/12/1999
 Manufacturer's recall # ku brake booster and nhtsa recall( 99v248000),tie rods. contacted manufacturer on october 12th. dealer had no parts available for brake booster and tie rod recalls. this could result in a crash. after numerous calls to dealer's maintenance department to schedule service, consumer could not be told when parts would be available. service department was informed that the vehicle was driven in temperatures mentioned in recall. *ak *yc
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
 Brake booster vacuum can not completed due to lack of parts. nlm