47 problems related to front suspension control arm have been reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Front end knocking started at 35,000 worse when turning. Brought to dealer front right and left lower control arms needed to be replaced not certain of saftey risk if problem left unfixed. Dt.
Have contacted vw customer service and requested for coverage since this is quite a common problem on Passat. However, vw refused to cover, not even half the cost! other Passat owners have at least got all parts covered by vw! the total cost sum up with up to $1000. The main problem happening is basically I heard consistent clunking noise when turning under low speed, going over a bump, and occasional braking. According to what I have heard, this is called the "lower control arm failure" and there's a bulletin in vw that this is recognized as a problem and service providers are infomed to install particular components to fix the problem. I think this is quite a critical part for the car as we don't want the car to lose control expecially turning. And the most thing that pissed me off is that vwoa refused to cover some costs! I know at least an owner got it all covered by contacting vwoa! the first noticing of the noise was at around 40000 miles but sunnyvale vw referred that this is a noise coming out from the engine pump which is leaking at that time. Noise of course didn't resolve and I didn't even bother to ask as they can't detect it. Hopefully, I can get some help from NHTSA. Thanks.
Increasing "grinding" sound and increased "play" and movement in front suspension caused by failing control arm bushings-diagnosed by dealer (stated it was a known and common problem). 2nd. Vw Passat with same problem ('98 model and '99 model) repair partially covered by vw on '98 model outside of original warranty. Concerned about safety as bushings continue to wear.
Bushing failure on all 4 front lower control arms. These bushings gradually became loose and began squeaking, accompanied by clunking over low-speed bumps. This is a common problem on these cars. Vw has refused to officially acknowledge the defect and do a recall, even though they are paying for part of the costs for some people's repairs and they have redesigned the bushings in question. Furthermore, the relatively inexpensive bushings can be replaced without replacing the entire control arm, but dealerships refuse to do that, instead to force most customers to pay for the much more expensive control arm assembly. These bushing failures pose a danger if they fail severely enough. The only reason they aren't causing wrecks is that the failure is gradual and most owners replace them before the bushings get too bad. But this is still a safety issue and the repair is hardly optional. Dt.
The controle arm bushings are bad on my car and started to go at 5500. This should not happen on a car this new, and dealer service person said so too. Volkswagen will not pay for this since it is out of the warranty. I did a search on the internet and found many Passat owners experiencing the same problem with the control arms. There must be a way to make vw owe up to the problem.
Suspension control arms deteriorating. Common issue. Bushings drying out and disintegrating. Symptoms include creaking and clunking at low speeds. Vw is starting to pay 50% for some people with this issue, but no more.
Clunking in front end going over imperfections in road at low speed. Seems like possible control arm failure.
Consumer has multiple problems with vehicle. Received recall 00v414000 for tie rods. Vehicle would shake and make noises at times. Also, supension was squeaking enough to take vehicle to dealer. Lower and upper control arms and tie rods had to be replaced. Consumer had a foreign automobile shop to verify problem. It was unbelievable that a 2 year old vehicle would have this problem. Consumer was responsible for $1400. 00 to repair it. Dealer has no explanation why it was like this.
Vehicle was making a funny noise, and consumer took vehicle to dealer. They said that upper and lower ball joints would need replacing. Consumer felt ball joints were wearing out too fast and feared that a wheel may fall off as a result of control arm.
Control arm bushings are failing on the Audi a4, they share the same front suspension.
Steering wheel has a lot of play inside of vehicle, and ball joints are making lound and poppy noises.
Recall letter for replacement of tie rods on 1999 Volkswagen Passat. The front end of the vehicle squeaked. The technician found lower and upper control arm damage, the control arm boots were torn open with no lubrication which caused the squeak noise. There was also a cam shaft tensioner gasket leak which was removed and replaced. . The consumer took the vehicle to have the rods replaced after receiving the recall, however, the dealer called the consumer back and informed him, the vehicle had been inspected and it was not necessary for the work to be done, even though the recall letter stated it they would be replaced to prevent future problems.