NHTSA recall 99V131001

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

Campaign
Published by	NHTSA (United States)
Campaign number	99V131001
Manufacturer's number	UH/KU
Manufacturer	VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Reported	1999-05-21
Owners notified	1999-10-09
Component	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Units potentially affected	88121

What is wrong

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

What can happen

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 9, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Vehicles this campaign lists
1997 AUDI A4	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.
1998 AUDI A4	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.
1999 AUDI A4	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.
1998 AUDI A6	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.
1999 AUDI A6	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.
1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT	Built 1997-10-01 to 1999-02-28.

A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.

Investigated as RQ99008

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

NHTSA investigations that led to this recall
RQ99008	Recall query, opened 1999-06-01, closed 2000-11-14. POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
TT450654	2023-07-05. Service bulletin. To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding value from the tables below. Note that the first table is only applicable to 2.8L V6 equipped vehicles WITHOUT a CAN-Bus. All 1.8L Turbo vehicles and those 2.8L V6 vehicles that are equipped with a CAN-Bus should use the second table.
TT230628	2023-07-05. Service bulletin. For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from the vehicle and replace with known good diesel fuel from a reputable source. If the complaint still exists, check fuel pressure and injector timing.
TT 45-06-54	2019-04-08. Service bulletin. Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding value from the tables in this document.
TT 45-06-54	2019-04-01. Service bulletin. Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding value from the tables in this document.
TT45-06-54	2016-06-13. Service bulletin. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
TT-45-06-54	2013-02-26. Service bulletin. VOLKSWAGEN: UPDATE TO INFORMATION. PROVIDING CORRECT CODING VALUES FOR ABS CONTROL MODULES ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHOUT CAN-BUS. MODELS 1998-2002 PASSAT. *PE
TSB-45-08-04	2009-02-27. Service bulletin. AUDI: ABS ACTIVATES DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION . CONTROL NOISES ARE HEARD FROM THE ABS UNIT AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. *PE
0517	2005-08-19. Service bulletin. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE WARRANTY REPAIR PROCESS. *TT

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.