11th Nov 2004, 21:30

My 2002 Passat V-6 5-speed wagon needed new rear rotors at 31,000 miles, in April 04. After having the car in for service today needs rear rotors again... 8,000 miles. Covered under warranty, but none the less, something seems a bit odd about this.

And I'm not driving around with the emergency brake on!

4th Jan 2006, 16:12

I have a 2003 Passat which just went in for service after a brake service indicator lit up on the car. The dealer called to tell my wife that the repair would be $924.00. I was surprised, as the car only has 32K mile and I've never felt a shimmy in the wheels. When I called the dealer to find out why it would be so much for pads, they told me that they only replace pads and rotors as a set. I called off the "repair" and I'm bringing it to a garage to replace pads only.

Anyone with a similar experience out there?

13th Apr 2006, 06:56

I have a 2001 Passat Wagon, and I had to replace the rear brakes at 30k, The fronts brake still have 50% left.

20th Sep 2006, 13:29

Well, My mother has a 2003 4motion. She has had a few more problems, with the brakes. She Has replaced the rear pads 5 times and the rotors 3 times. She has 60k. Oh yes, the front pads and rotors were replaced twice. I, with all the comments I have just read here. Ah never mind, I just wish VW would be responsible and find a solution.

16th May 2007, 11:11

I have a 2004 Passat with 28K miles on it, and began hearing a grinding noise from the rear brakes recently. Seems like I am having the same issue as above. Does anyone know if it is covered under the warranty?

31st Aug 2007, 13:18

I have a 2002 passat and got my rear brake pads replaced at 52k miles for the second time. I drive a lot in LA traffic. The first time, I replaced it at 32k miles, but that included a lot of winter driving.

Strangely, the mechanic told me that the front brake pads are good for another 15-20k miles.

5th Sep 2007, 17:18

Just had 50K service done on my 2004 Passat with 52+K miles on the odometer. Dealer's sales rep said that the charge would be $464 for rear brake pads and rotors and labor, since pads were worn down to 2mm. I asked if rotors were scored. He said "not." I asked why he recommended replacing pads and rotors. He said that it was "the way it was supposed to be done, and that replacing only pads resulted in noisy braking." I asked if replacement pads included shims. He confirmed. I told him to put a box of replacement pads with shims on the front seat, and perform no break service, as I'd do it myself.

Incidentally, he explained to me that when I apply the brakes, the rear pads engage first, then the front pads, by design, in order to reduce nose diving on hard stops. Thus, the rear pads work more than the front and wear out faster.

24th Sep 2007, 07:09

2004 Passat GLS with 36,000 miles. The dealer told me I needed rear brakes to the tune of $550.00. I took it to my guy, with an estimate of $150.00 (50.00 for parts). He said the wear looks unusual, as if I'd been riding with the parking brake on for a year (I had not). He found the brake line to have a leak, called around for the part, the only one with the part was the dealer and they would not sell it. I took the car to toyota and traded it for a Corolla. I would never by another VW. The interior comfort is not worth the hassle and expense. Love my corolla and the Toyota dealer.

29th Oct 2007, 18:10

2003 Passat sedan brake issue:

The rear brakes wore down in less than 20,000 miles! I had the pads in hand and measured the pad depth & found them to be just out of the wear index.

VW would not cover the warped rotors that were caused by the frankly, lousy design.

Dealer charged $550 for the repair.

VW just needs to "fess up" to a safety issue.

2nd Mar 2010, 20:32

Fortunately I have not had brake issues, however I do commiserate with everyone who has had Passat problems. I too have a 2000 Passat. Didn't think I'd make it to my 10 year, 150K mile mark with this car.

First 5 years, I made too many visits to the dealer for service. O-ring replacements, control arm replacements, belly pan fixes (who knew it was fastened to the underside of the car with plastic pegs!?!?!), new catalytic converter, the works!

Before the Passat, I drove a used Nissan Maxima, which I bought when it was 7 and had 98K miles on it. I put 6 additional years and 100K more miles on it before that gave up the ghost, and it never gave me any significant problems.

I love how solidly the Passat drives, and how quietly it rides... but reliability and quality are shaky, so I probably won't come back to VW, even though I like the look and feel.

24th Oct 2010, 10:46

A different set of metering valves would fix the problem with the brakes.