The defect
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.
The risk
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Audi A4 | 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Audi A6 | 1998, 1999 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1998, 1999 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A4 | 1997 | 98 | 6 |
| Audi A4 | 1998 | 258 | 4 |
| Audi A4 | 1999 | 190 | 4 |
| Audi A6 | 1998 | 130 | 10 |
| Audi A6 | 1999 | 217 | 9 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1998 | 331 | 4 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1999 | 664 | 5 |
Other service brakes, hydraulic recalls in 1999
39 of the 392 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1999 concerned the service brakes, hydraulic; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC filed 204 campaigns in all.
| 99V357000 17 Dec 1999 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 99V340000 13 Dec 1999 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 99V341000 2 Dec 1999 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 99V165006 23 Nov 1999 | REXHALL INDUSTRIES |
| 99V165002 16 Nov 1999 | FOREST RIVER, INC. |
| 99V165007 11 Nov 1999 | AIRSTREAM, INC. |
| 99V165004 3 Nov 1999 | NEWMAR CORPORATION |
| 99V262000 21 Sept 1999 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1999