Why is the parking brake warning light on in the Passat?

[McKylie]

The reason for the parking brake warning light illuminating is that the vehicle's braking system lacks brake fluid, which affects braking safety. In this case, the vehicle should be sent to the nearest service station for inspection and repair. Additional extended information is as follows: 1. Overview: The Passat (PASSAT) is a mid-size sedan designed by Volkswagen AG in Germany. It is classified as a B-segment car in the Volkswagen lineup. Since its debut in 1973, the Volkswagen Passat has swept the global automotive market with its high safety standards, classic design, and top-tier manufacturing quality for over 40 years, with more than 20 million units produced and sold. 2. Others: The Passat surpasses the standard design of mid-range sedans in terms of power performance, overall design, safety concepts, driving and riding comfort, as well as durability and longevity. It perfectly integrates automotive design and technology to create a Passat sedan with superior value.

[Darin]

I've repaired quite a few Passats, and the parking brake light coming on is actually quite a common issue. It indicates there might be a problem with the braking system, such as insufficient brake fluid needing a top-up, or severely worn brake pads that require replacement. Sometimes, it's just dust clogging the electronic parking brake sensor causing a false alarm. Once, a car owner ignored the light and kept driving, resulting in significantly slower brake response and nearly causing an accident. My advice is to safely pull over as soon as you notice the light, then check if the brake fluid reservoir level is above the MIN line. If not, don't force driving—head straight to a professional repair shop to have them run a computer diagnostic for specific error codes to identify and fix the root cause. This isn't something to delay, as it directly impacts daily driving safety. Addressing it early brings much-needed peace of mind.

[McBrynlee]

My own Passat had a similar issue a while ago. The parking brake light came on inexplicably, and I felt some stiffness in the brakes while driving. I panicked a bit and pulled over to try releasing and reapplying the handbrake, but the light still wouldn’t turn off. I called a mechanic friend, who suggested it might be due to worn rear brake pads or a loose wiring connection. When I took the car to the dealership, they confirmed the brake pads were too thin and needed replacement—costing me a little over 300 yuan to fix. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to remind the technician to check the brake system during every service—simple and cost-effective. I’d advise you not to ignore it either. With a car like the Passat, the electronic parking brake is quite sensitive—minor issues can trigger major warnings. Getting it fixed promptly is good for the car and helps avoid road risks.

[McKing]

The parking brake light coming on is no small matter—it warns you of potential brake failure. Common causes like low brake fluid or worn brake pads can affect parking or emergency braking performance. Pull over immediately and check if the brake fluid reservoir is too low. If the fluid level is fine, try restarting the car to see if the light turns off. Do not continue driving to avoid brake failure at high speeds, which could lead to an accident. Regularly maintain clean brake fluid and inspect the system every six months. For Passat models with electronic parking brakes, even minor issues can trigger alerts—address them early for safety.