The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
What owners are reporting
5 most recent
brakes
· filed 12/29/2021
I was driving down the road and the wheel locked up and I lost control of the car. I thought it was just a flat tire. I noticed the tire was flat and brake caliber was lying on the inside of the rim. There was extensive damage to the vehicle, tire, rim, suspension components and brake components. There was no warning and it just happened suddenly. My family and other drivers safety were at risk.…
brakes
· filed 12/03/2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen passat. While driving 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. After the failure, the brake fluid warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to vyletel Volkswagen Buick GMC (located at 40555 van dyke ave, sterling heights, mi 48313,…
brakes
· filed 08/22/2025
ABS sensor warning lights are coming on showing there is an issue.
brakes
· filed 08/13/2019
Front brakes makes whistling noise when activated. Slippage occurs in rainy conditions. The front brake discs are not visually smooth.
brakes
· filed 06/26/2018
I bought this vehicle on june 8, 2018, from heritage vw. The car already had a safety recall for brakes which was issued on may 25, 2018. The dealer failed to inform me about it before purchase. Later after my purchase on june 22 a do not drive was issued on this vehicle, they asked me to drive the vehicle to their dealership stating that it is fine to drive it.
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 31,951 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Volkswagen/Passat.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.