I have a 2003 VW Passat, GLS, 1.8T, manual transmission, Wagon I bought new in Feb. '03.

Since new, when backing out of my driveway, after about 20 feet, I hear a "crunching" noise from the brakes. It sounds like I've run over a small icy piece of snow. It also sounds like I've just run over a soda/pop can. Just that fast and it is gone. It may be related to the parking brake.

When I called the service department at the dealership they just said that has something to do with the brake setting itself, or something like that. He sounded familiar with it, and alluded it was nothing, and nothing to be done about it. I later recalled how the salesman told me there was no need to pull the parking brake up very hard.

Anyone else "experiencing" this? It happens every time. Dealer shoving me off on something that should be fixed?

It's been a few months now, no replies? No one with this problem? No one has an idea on this?
(opinions needed)

Still having this! Any help? I'm not sure this is coming from the brakes. Sometimes I've just been stepping on the clutch as this occurs,

Still having this! Any help? I'm not sure this is coming from the brakes. Sometimes I've just been stepping on the clutch as this occurs, and I can feel this 1-second vibration in my left foot.

Is it likely in the brake system? Drive-train? Other?

... Someone please comment...

Another late model Passat owner on this forum had more of a clicking noise that turned out to be rear pads, they are fairly short-lived on Passats.

... but this began within a week or two of when I bought the car.
Something else?

Strange. Has the dealer taken things apart to really look or just doing a quick glance with the wheel off?

They have not looked at. They simply said it was "common". I think now I will have them look closely at it. Thank you Boschmann.