Electronic Handbrake problems

[tommo_mk7]

Can anybody HELP - had my MK7 GTI (white, performance pack, sunroof) since November - however last Thursday got in the car after work to be met with warning messages on the dash that the Electronic Hand Brake had failed
Turned it on and off / googled it (lots of Passat problems but not Golf issues that i could find) - called VW assist who sent RAC
Brilliant Bob from the RAC plugged lots of things in, but to cut a long story short, ended up taking the back wheels off, manually releasing the handbrake by taking the motors off which then allowed me to drive it home and to the VW garage (of course the car beeped like crazy as it still thought i was driving at 55mph with the handbrake on).

I was able to get a courtesy car from the garage Friday - but I havent heard a thing from them since (purposefully waiting for them to contact me as I dont feel i should be chasing them!).

Therefore interested is it just me and i have been unlucky, or have others had problems?

Thanks in advance

[KyleB]

I think MonkeyHanger has had a problem with the electronic break like you have although I don't think his was as severe as needing to take the wheels off and manually remove the breaks. Not a good thing to have to do.

[monkeyhanger]

I think MonkeyHanger has had a problem with the electronic break like you have although I don't think his was as severe as needing to take the wheels off and manually remove the breaks. Not a good thing to have to do.

I had a message that the handbrake and hillhold had failed, mid journey. Everything was working again on the next ignition off/on. A few sensors were replaced with a software update also.

[Stevie35]

I know of 3 people with Audis who have had problems with this, one actually failed and rolled into his garage wall. Personally I think all this electronics for a handbrake is just asking for trouble. There was nothing wrong with a lever and cable.

Hopefully VW will be able to find a fix for you.

[monkeyhanger]

Always leave your car in gear just in case, but i'd doubt if the latest incarnation could just loose off and allow the car to roll. The brakes don't just clamp on, they are wound on (you can hear this when the ignition is switched off). They''d have to wind off again, which should only happen when the ignition is turned back on.

[matt2]

There was nothing wrong with a lever and cable.

Previous car of mine the handbrake cable snapped and it rolled across the drive. I don't have a strong preference either way but at least an electronic system can tell you that it has or will fail - a cable needs manual inspection (just saying, for the other perspective).