NHTSA Complaint #10557858 — 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

MY 2000 VW PASSAT GLS WAGON BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED BRAKE LIGHT ACCOMPANIED BY A SOLID YELLOW ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO AT THIS TIME THE INFORMATION HUD HAS "STOP, BRAKE FAULT, SERVICE MANUAL" FLASHING. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS FAILURE IS FAIRLY COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS, BUT NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I INTEND TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT AND DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT SHOULD BE AROUND $220 OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL IN EXCESS OF $1,000. GIVEN THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A CORE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL (INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE THE REPAIR). THANK YOU. *TR