Phaeton E-Brake Failure: DIY Diagnosis Tips & Cost Guide

Had a similar brake failure issue on my 2015 VW Passat 2.0 TSI last winter. The electronic parking brake system completely stopped responding, showing the same warning lights and error messages. The root cause was a faulty brake control module combined with a damaged brake switch. After diagnostic testing, it turned out the brake sensor wiring had degraded, causing intermittent system glitches. The electronic motor in the brake caliper was actually fine, but the control unit was misinterpreting signals. This is considered a serious safety issue since it affects the parking brake functionality. The repair involved: Full diagnostic scan, Replacing the brake control module, Installing new brake switch, Recalibrating the entire system The repair took about 4 hours at the shop. Would recommend having this checked soon, as continuing to drive with brake system faults could lead to complete brake failure. A specialized workshop with proper diagnostic equipment is essential for this type of repair, as generic scanners often cant properly read these systems. Getting a second opinion from a certified shop that specializes in VW electronics would be worthwhile in your case.

Thanks for sharing your Passat brake repair experience. The symptoms do sound identical to what I experienced with my Phaeton. The brake diagnostics process you described makes sense, especially checking both the control module and brake switch. Question, do you recall roughly how much the total repair cost? My local shop quoted me 900€ for just the module replacement, which seems steep. Also, has your electronic parking brake system worked flawlessly since the fix or have you noticed any recurring vehicle safety issues? The wiring degradation you mentioned is particularly interesting since my car has similar mileage. Might be worth having them inspect that during the repair to prevent future brake fault codes.

Really appreciate you following up. Happy to report that my electronic parking brake system has worked perfectly since getting it repaired last month. The initial diagnosis matched what you described, but the actual problem turned out to be simpler than expected. The total repair cost came to 505€, which covered replacing the defective electric motor in the brake caliper. This was significantly less than the 900€ quote you received for a module replacement. Turns out the control module and wiring were actually fine in my case, the caliper motor itself was the culprit causing the system malfunction. The brake diagnostics revealed that the electronic brake failure was isolated to just that faulty motor component. Since the repair, all warning lights have disappeared and the parking brake engages smoothly every time. The vehicle safety systems are all functioning normally now with no recurring issues. Based on my experience, it might be worth getting a second opinion from another shop that can run a complete diagnostic scan. Sometimes what seems like a complex brake control issue can be resolved with a more targeted repair.

Thanks for the input. After visiting a certified mechanic shop, the problem turned out to be different than expected. The parking brake motor itself was functioning, but they found a damaged brake switch connection and corroded wiring harness near the control module. The repair ended up costing 650€ total, including: Complete brake system diagnostic, New wiring harness installation, Brake switch replacement, System recalibration The vehicle safety system is now working perfectly with no warning lights. The electronic parking brake engages smoothly and the brake control module shows no error codes. Definitely worth getting it properly diagnosed rather than just replacing parts based on assumptions. For anyone facing similar brake fault issues, I recommend finding a shop with proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact problem. My previous mechanic would have replaced the entire module unnecessarily, costing significantly more. The whole repair took about 3 hours and solved the issue completely. No recurring problems after 2 weeks of daily driving.