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2017 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems

12 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

12
Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2019Dec 2020
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Brakes Recalls (2)

RECALLCampaign #18V536000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

RECALLCampaign #17V075000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. Brake fluid may leak slowly from the some of the brake line connections, resulting in a low brake fluid level.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47N3.

Owner Complaints (12)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2025

Your vehicle started making a grinding noise, and the brake pads came completely off. You also discovered that the wrong calipers were installed on your front brakes — they're mounted upside down and backwards, and they don't match your vehicle's specifications. This requires removing the incorrect calipers, installing the correct ones in the proper orientation, and replacing the brake pads.

NHTSA #: 11702816
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that he became aware that brake fluid had leaked from an unknown location and that the brake fluid reservoir needed to be refilled. The contact stated that after driving for a few blocks, he had to refill the reservoir again. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V075000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) as a possible cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10.

NHTSA #: 11517645
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, his brake pedal had locked upon slight depression of the brake pedal with the brake pedal warning symbol on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure occurred for a brief moment as the vehicle came to a sudden stop. The contact stated that the vehicle resumed normal operation after the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA #: 11457277
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2021

ABS Wheel Speed Sensors have failed on 3 different wheels in the 28.200 miles the car has been operated since new. The left front at 19,241 mile. The left rear at 23,195 miles. Finally the right rear at 28, 200 miles. The cost at the dealer for replacement of an ABS wheel speed sensor is around $350. I have had to pay for 2. The first was under warranty. When a speed sensor fails the ABS warning light activates, the Air Bag warning light activates, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light activates and the steering is lacking in stability, the steering warning light activates, and finally the low tire pressure warning light activates. Upon replacement of the failed ABS wheel speed sensors it was noted that the new sensors had an updated part number to a -B from a -A. I believe an unsafe condition exists with all of these systems inoperative after an ABS wheel speed sensor failure and that VW should supply an updated, reliable sensor to all VW Passat owners.

NHTSA #: 11433435
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Apr 2021

MY CAR SHAKES AND BRAKES ARE REALLY TOUCHY DUE TO THE FORWARD ASSIST

NHTSA #: 11413863
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE ASSISTANCE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO OBJECTS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM ELLIS VOLKSWAGEN ATLANTA (5901 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, CHAMBLEE, GA 30341, (770) 458-6811) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN PROVIDED NO INFORMATION TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA #: 11384579
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2020

THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE AI HAVE LEASED THE VEHICLE EW IN 2017. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIME BY A VW SHOP AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS NORMAL.

NHTSA #: 11362712
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2019

THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) 'FEATURE' IN MY 2017 VW PASSAT ENGAGED THIS MORNING AT APROX 10:30AM MST, WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO AN EMPTY STREET, AFTER TURNING WESTBOUND ONTO 8TH AVENUE, FROM NORTHBOUND COLORADO BOULEVARD IN DENVER, COLORADO. BASED ON THE TIME OF DAY, THERE'S NO WAY SUNLIGHT COULD BE A FACTOR AS I WAS HEADED WEST AND IT WAS WELL BEFORE NOON. THE CAR PASSENGERS AND I WERE ALL VERY STARTLED BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING UP AND THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGING SO SUDDENLY AND SEVERELY, WITH NO ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE AEB FEATURE ENGAGING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, I DON'T RECALL THE FIRST TIME SPECIFICS, OTHER THAN THE SUN WAS BEHIND THE VEHICLE (IT WAS AFTER 4PM, AND I WAS HEADED EASTBOUND) I HAVE ZERO IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE AND THE AEB FEATURE ENGAGING WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS THIS AND THE PREVIOUS TIME. NOTE, HE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED/ENGAGED DURING EITHER OCCURRENCE. ALSO NOTE, THE AEB FEATURE HAS ENGAGED PREVIOUSLY, ACCURATELY, APPARENTLY AND REASONABLY FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA #: 11268081
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT BRAKES MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. SHEEHY VOLKSWAGEN OF SPRINGFIELD (6601 BACKLICK RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150, (703) 544-2973) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 11191463
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2019

MY 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING FOR OVER A YEAR. EVERYTHING I WENT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD SAY MOISTURE BUILD UP WAS THE ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I PARKED MY CAR IN A GARAGE. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE HEARD OTHER NEWER VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SQUEAK TOO SO IT HAS TO BE AN ISSUE BUT THEY NOT RECALLING EVERY CAR. FURTHERMORE, I JUST LEARNED THAT MY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH MY BRAKES AND PAD. NOW, I ASKED THEM WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND THEY SAID THE CALIPER ISN'T OPENING WHICH I LOOKED UP COULD BE A CAUSE OF LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I'M NOT SURE IF VOLKSWAGEN ACTUALLY RECALLED EVERY SINGLE CAR FROM 2017 THAT WAS AFFECTED BY THE FLUID LEAK. THE REPAIR MAN EVEN AT THE PLACE SAID THAT MY ISSUE UNUSUAL BECAUSE I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS. I CALLED OTHER VOLKSWAGEN SERVICES AND THEY WERE SURPRISED AS WELL. MOST OF THEM SAID ONLY 1 CALIPER THAT'S WEIRD. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE IS MORE PROMINENT THAN THE APPROPRIATE 1000 CARS OUT OF 60K OR MORE THEY SOLD IN THE US. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY USE ONE SUPPLIER/MANUFACTURER FOR AN APPROPRIATE 1000 CARS IN US. PEOPLE ARE SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR A VEHICLE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. MY BRAKE CALIPER COULD HAVE LOCKED UP AT ANY MOMENT AND I COULD HAVE HARMED SOMEONE OR MYSELF.

NHTSA #: 11185546
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Jan 2019

WHEN COMING OF THE FREEWAY TO AN EXIT TO THE RIGHT I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN THERE WAS A VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF ME ABOUT 1 CAR LENGTHS AWAY, IT WAS WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO MERGE OFF THE EXIT RAMP.I WAS ALREADY SLOWING DOWN AND I HAD THE BRAKES PRESSED, MY CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN BUT IT WASN'T STOPPING AND I PRESSED HARDER BUT IT DIDN'T STOP. THEN I HIT THE OTHER CAR MY VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER THE HIT BUT AS SOON AS THE OTHER VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD TO PULL TO SIDE MY CAR HIT IT AGAIN AND MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE, I PULLED MY E BRAKE AND MY CAR STOPPED. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR AFTER 6 MO THA OF PURCHASE TO DO THAT, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAD THE COLLISION BRAKING THING WERE THE CAR BRAKES FOR YOU IF YOU GET TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR. FIRST THE BODY WORK REPAIRS WERE DONE ON MY CAR THEN MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WERE THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE MY CAR PART TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND I WOULD BE CALLED WHEN THEY FOUND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, I WAS CALLED AND TOLD MY CAR IS FIXED NOW AND IT IS READY FOR PICK UP. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE WHICH THEN DIRECTED ME TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THE REASON MY CAR DIDN'T STOP IS BECAUSE I HAVE TWO FLOOR MATS AND ONE SLIPPED AND BLOCKED MY PEDAL, WHICH WAS CLEARLY NOT THE REASON. I WAS TIRED OF GETTING RIDICULOUS ANSWERS AND SURPRISING RIGHT AFTER ALL THIS HAPPENED MY ANTI COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM STARTS WORKING BUT NOT DURING ANY COLLISIONS BUT JUST REGULAR DRIVING. I COMPLAINED ABOUT HAT AND MY BRAKES AGAIN JUST RECENTLY AND I WA STOLE THAT MY BRAKE PADS ARE WORN OUT AND ROTORS AS WELL AND MY TIRES. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW 2017 AND IT ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT CRAZY OR HARSH. I HAD TO GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS.

NHTSA #: 11165864
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2018

LEAKS BRAKE FLUID. PURCHASE SATURDAY EVENING, SUNDAY MORNING NEED A CAN OF FLUID, SUNDAY AFTER NOON REPEAT. BAD LEAK

NHTSA #: 11102235

Other 2017 Volkswagen Passat Issues