RoadVitals

2017 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Dec 3, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 109 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2025

said vehicle started making a grinding sound and all of a sudden the brake pad or shoe they'll completely off of the vehicle and the caliper for disc brake was the wrong calipers on my front end of my vehicle and now it's upside down and backwards and it's not the right calipers for my vehicle

NHTSA ID
11702816
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
Brakes
Filed Apr 18, 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 ID
11517645
Incident
Apr 17, 2023
Mileage
10 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 18, 2023

The following warning lights will randomly turn on & off while driving: Air Bag Malfunction, ABS Brakes, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front collision, tire pressure, power steering, blind spot detection, low Key Battery detected, and indicate they are not functional. It is a random and items will go back to work while normally driving. Key fob battery has been replaced multiple times...

NHTSA ID
11512585
Incident
Dec 14, 2022
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 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 ID
11457277
Incident
Mar 18, 2022
Mileage
41,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 18, 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 ID
11433435
Incident
Sep 9, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 25, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11413863
Incident
Aug 22, 2020
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 22, 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 ID
11384579
Incident
Jul 7, 2020
Mileage
35,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 16, 2020

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND GETTING READY TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE, A CAUTION LIGHT AND ALERT TONE SUDDENLY CAME ON. DISPLAY READ "FRONT ASSIST: NO SENSOR VIEW." NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED AND THE ALERT TURNED OFF AFTER A FEW MILES. THIS IS THE SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES THE BRAKES IF IT SENSES A POSSIBLE COLLISION. IF THIS SYSTEM WAS TO FAIL, THE BRAKES COULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH POSSIBLE DISASTROUS RESULTS. MANY VW OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW (DACK, ET AL., V. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC., ET AL.) FOR THIS ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN'S FAILURE TO ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE OR ADDRESS IT.

NHTSA ID
11383621
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
Mileage
60,656 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 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 ID
11362712
Incident
Jul 3, 2017
Mileage
1,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 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 ID
11268081
Incident
Oct 12, 2019
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed May 10, 2019

EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR PASSAT WE NOTICED ISSUES WITH ALIGNMENT AND UNEVEN BRAKING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY VOLKSWAGEN IN ALBUQUERQUE, WE LEARNED THAT OUR VEHICLE WOULD NEED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AFTER 40,000 MILES. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE FRONT LEFT PAD WAS DOWN TO 1MM, WHILE THE FRONT RIGHT STILL HAD 4MM LEFT. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USES A SOFTER METAL ON THE FRONT ROTORS SO IF THEY WERE VERY HOT AND THEN EXPOSED TO COLD WATER (LIKE GOING THROUGH A CARWASH) THEN THE ROTORS COULD GET WARPED. WE BELIEVE OUR VEHICLE ISSUE INVOLVED CALIPER BRACKET BOLT TIGHTNESS AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL #46H6.

NHTSA ID
11206810
Incident
May 7, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 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 ID
11191463
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
55,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 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 ID
11185546
Incident
Mar 9, 2019
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2019
Crash reported

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 ID
11165864
Incident
Aug 16, 2017
Mileage
2,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 24, 2018

SINCE I HAVE THIS CAR HAVING PROBLEMS VIBRATIONS I TOOK THE CAR ON VW DEALER FEW TIMES I EXPLAIN TO THEM MY CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES ALSO WHEN I CRUISE OVER 55MPH. THEY TOLD ME ALWAYS CAR IS PERFORMING TO MANUFACTURE SPECIFICATIONS SO NOW I HAVE 6500 MILES ON MY CAR I TOOK MY CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND OUT MY TIRES AR CUPPING. AND MY ROOTS ARE OUT OF ROUND AND ALIGNMENT WAS CORRECT TIRE BALANCING THEY DID FEW TIME TIRE ROATATION SO NOW I HAVE 6500 MILES ON THE CAR LESS THEN 1 YEAR OLD CAR. AND VW OF USA WE CANNOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY I REPLACE THE TIRES ON MY OWN AND THE CAR STILL VIBRATES IDK WHAT TO DO ANY FURTHER VERY DISAPPOINTED ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH FRONT ASSIST WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND LANE ASSIST NO RESPONSE

NHTSA ID
11113466
Incident
Apr 2, 2018
Mileage
6,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 17, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11102235
Incident
Jun 16, 2018
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA ID
10980503
Incident
Mar 8, 2017
Mileage
400 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .