ŠKoda Octavia Recall R/1999/019: Possibility That An Incorrect Brake Vacuum Servo Has Been Fitted, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 14 May 1999
- Launched
- 746
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1999/019
- DVSA reference
Škoda recalled Octavia vehicles built between 1 May 1998 and 31 January 1999. On Skoda Octavia LX vehicles which are not equipped with ABS brake servo units designed only for ABS vehicles have been installed. The dealer will replace the brake servo unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
On Skoda Octavia LX vehicles which are not equipped with ABS brake servo units designed only for ABS vehicles have been installed. Due to the different performance of the brake servo units a risk exists that the brakes could lock under severe driving conditions (ice snow).
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBILITY THAT AN INCORRECT BRAKE VACUUM SERVO HAS BEEN FITTED Defect: On Skoda Octavia LX vehicles which are not equipped with ABS brake servo units designed only for ABS vehicles have been installed. Due to the different performance of the brake servo units a risk exists that the brakes could lock under severe driving conditions (ice snow). Remedy: Recall vehicles to replace the brake servo unit.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: possibility that an incorrect brake vacuum servo has been fitted.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the brake servo unit.
Are You Affected?
Octavia built between 1 May 1998 and 31 January 1999 may be included. Škoda estimates 746 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Škoda, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Škoda.
- Book with any franchised Škoda dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1999/019. See how to get a Škoda recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabia, Octavia, Rapid, SuperbReplacing TAKATA driver airbag | Urgent | R/2026/342 | |
| Citigo, Fabia, Octavia, Rapid and 3 moreTakata drivers side front airbag | Urgent | R/2026/002 | |
| Octavia, SuperbOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment | Urgent | R/2024/017 | |
| OctaviaCertain vehicles may be fitted with a wheel bearing housing containing cavities in the material | Book soon | R/2023/222 | |
| Citigo, Fabia, Kodiaq, Octavia and 3 moreOn affected vehicles from a certain production period there is a possibility that the gas generator cover could be damaged when the driver's airbag is activated | Urgent | R/2023/086 |
This is one of 61 Škoda recalls in DVSA’s data. The Škoda recall launched before it was R/1997/090 on 4 Feb 1998, for malfunction of air bag. The one launched after it was R/2001/060 on 11 May 2001, for passenger air bag concern. You can also see every Škoda recall, all recalls launched in 1999 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1999/019, launched 14 May 1999. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.