Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of Volkswagen Passat - part 2

I own a 1999 vw Passat v6. I had noticed that noises were coming from the front suspension, and recently steering felt a little funny. I took the car to an independent auto shop to have it checked and for the state inspection, and I was informed that the front upper control arms had deteriorated to the point of making driving the car quite dangerous. I had them both replaced at a steep cost. I checked online and found several complaints regarding to this issue. I called vwoa to inquire whether they would be willing to pay for the repairs, but they declined. Control arms are not supposed to fail easily, certainly not have joints blown up as in my case. Almost all of my miles are highway miles, and I haven't been hitting potholes or drive off-road for the problem to be attributed to normal wear and tear. I am surprised NHTSA hasn't investigated the issue or order a recall, since this is such a common problem in Passats, the number of complaints so high, and a failure compromises road safety significantly (failure of the control arms can cause loss of steering and lead to crash or even death).

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Front suspension control arm bushings on 2001 (b5) Passat model are defective and fail prematurely at 30,000-50,000 miles. Failure is systemic and widespread. Failure of front control arm bushings can lead to the loss of vehicle control causing an accident, injury, and possibly death. Investigation on the internet has shown this problem to be widespread both in europe and the us, yet vw has not taken any ownership of this serious product defect. Corrective action being taken is to install aftermarket components that have been strengthened to eliminate the defect and are manufactured by meyle of germany. As this model ages, the defect problem will increase.

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The event that led up to the issue, was traveling on the interstate when the car began to shake violently and the car began to completely sway to one side. The car almost seemed as if it lost its alignment immediately. I brought it to a repair shop and they immediately informed me that the control arm on the upper right side was shot. I had to then take a used car that was purchased less than six months old to the dealer to replace the part at a price of 1100 dollars.

Vehicle is at 40,000 miles. At 40000 service, dealer reported that the control arms are failing and must be replaced. Because I do not want the control arms to completely fail, leading to a loss of steering control, and potentially resulting in a crash, I will be paying out of my pocket for an independent mechanic to replace the defective control arms. There have been many complaints about control arms reported over internet forums such as vwvortex. Com and clubb5. Com. Volkswagen refuses to issue a recall for an obviously defective critical suspension component.

Control arms required replacement at substatial cost.

A grinding noise was heard when driving 5-30 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the control arm bushing needed to be replaced. The grinding noise was first noticed 1 year prior to repair. The noise was extremely loud when the vehicle at low speeds, there was a squeaking noise in the front suspension, and the vehicle needed front and rear pads, rotors. The glove box was broken.

As a result of a persistent rattling in the front right end of my 4 cyl. 1999 vw Passat, I took my car in for investigation. I have been advised by two independent repair shops that both upper control arms on both sides of the car as well as the tie rod ends must be replaced to the tune of $1200. If they are not replaced, I have been advised that one could break and I would have no steering. Obviously at a high rate of speed this could be dangerous or deadly. I have spoken with vw and even though they acknowledge issuing a TSB on this defect, they refuse to cover its repair. This is a safety issue that must be addressed sooner rather than later. Thank you for any help you can provide in this area.

The control arms on my 1999 Passat are wearing out and making a loud noise. I did research and saw that this is a serious hazard and that several other people have had this same problem. This issue should be taken care of by vw since it places people in danger.

I own a 1998 Volkswagen Passat and I'm the original owner. I have done all [even more than] the recommended maintenance on the Passat. I had the control arms replaced once already 2 years ago [not under recall or reimbursed for this procedure]. I am once again getting considerable craking noises from my control arms in my front suspension. I do not drive my Passat abnormally nor had any accidents with it. I feel that this happening to my Passat is not a normal wear and tear issue, but something else - bad design or materials?.

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Control arms on 2000 Volkswagen Passat are failing. The car has 55,000 miles; arms also failed at 36,000 and were replaced. This is not acceptable; I have also heard of people who had the control arms break while driving. This problem has happened to many, many owners.

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I've had a clunking sound in the front suspension whenever I hit a bump. It has gotten progressively worse for the last several months. The dealer tells me it is the front upper control arms and ball joints and that there is a TSB on such. This is a common well known problem with this model and poses a safety issue.

I purchased a pre-owned 1998 vw Passat sedan with 36,000 miles on it in 2002 which was a great deal!! or so I thought. Since that time I have started hearing a noise coming from the front right tire. . Or suspension . . Like a creaking, crunching, knocking noise. I took it to a vw dealership and was told that the control arms on the right and the tie rods needed to be replaced. I found out that the tie rods had been recalled and the ones on my vehicle had been replaced under that recall in 2001, but had again worn out. I find it hard to believe that tie rods would wear out over a 3 year period since the car barely has 70,000 miles on it. I have viewed this website and found over 200 complaints concerning this problem and am curious what vw plans to do. . Wait until someone dies when a control arm snaps? vw needs to recall this item now!.

The consumer stated that the control arm broke and it was noticed when the vehicle was being towed. The consumer was unable to drive the vehicle and it was no longer under warranty. The consumer was told by the dealer that he would have to wait until this problem was under recall before they would do anything.

Contlor arms on my car have been damaged. The rubber used to produce tie rods is too soft and the car makes noise while driving over bumps. The failure also does not allow to perform aligment on my vehicle until fixed. Cost of repair over $600. This is a well known problem on the suspension for vw, Audi and car owners.

Steering was making a funny noise - broght car in for service was told it was unsafe to drive it home. Had to replace all control arms (4) dealer said this was common on this vehicle. Car had 60,000 miles on it. These items should not fail so soon - cost $1600 to repair.

Daily driving conditions the abs light comes on with audible warning and the brake light blinks continuously. Root problem is the abs electronic module that is malfunctioning. This is a very common problem as much web research has been conducted through online Passat forums.

Creaking and groaning noises were heard coming from the front of the vehicle (1999 Passat station wagon with 43,000 miles) while slowing and turning at low speed. Dealer confirmed loose sway bars/control arms and attempted to clean up, but noise persisted following service. At the next service the dealer replaced both lower control arms (conversion kit) and links. Vw customer care (?) center refused to acknowledge any responsibility for a defective design or parts, claiming that this is normal wear and is beyond warranty coverage.

I began to notice an occasional creaking/knocking noise coming from the front end of the car about six months ago . About a month ago the noise became bad enough for me to take it to the dealership to try and diagnose. I described the noise in great detail. Service dept says they drove the car and didn't hear anything, but that the noise was probably due to my brake pads being worn down so far I had metal against metal. New brake pads and rotors: $1250. Cha-ching. Next day driving to work I still hear the creaking/knocking noise. I take it back to the dealership, very irate. They say they'll drive it again and give it another listen. This time they do hear something and inform me that it's "just a loose control arm, " that it's "expensive to fix" and that "[they] don't even have the parts on hand. " but the guy assures me that the noise is only an annoyance issue and not a safty concern. The noise is consant now and very, very bad. I was actually getting a toasty, smoky odor coming from the car when driving across town the other day.

The control arms, tie rod, and one cv boot failed. The consumer received recall notice for 1999 vw Passat after repairs were done. The consumer requested reimbursement. The consumer claim for reimbursement was denied. The manufacturer stated the consumer did not have the necessary maintenance performed when required.

No accidents ever, severe creaking in front left and right suspension. Left control arm replaced (at my cost although under warranty), creaking stopped from left side, but right side still creaks severely.

Our 1998 Passat has only 50,000 miles on it, and yet all of the expensive front control arms are starting to go bad. They are getting play in the ball joints, which are only replaceable by replacing the whole control arms. Since there are a total of 8 control arms, the cost of repair is potentially very high. And if they are not replaced, the potential for hazard and injury becomes very great if the joints get so sloppy that they affect the handling of the car and eventually come apart. Vw should not be allowed to get away with building such an under-engineered suspension system.

The vehicle is a 1999 volkwagen Passat. I took it in for regular maintenance at 48,000 miles and for my state safety inspection. Since I had just begun hearing noises in the front of the car, I asked that it be looked into. The dealer informed me that the car, albeit in excellent condition and routinely maintained, would not pass state inspection due to a serious problem with the control arms. If the problem was not corrected the car could lose control and crash. The dealer informed me that a recall had been issued (recall ul) for this exact problem on the same make and model and year of car. But, that for no explainable reason my VIN was not covered under the recall. I immediately contacted vw and they concurred but couldn't do anything about it. This is not only unethical, but vw is allowing people to drive around with cars that they know have a serious defect. Not only didn't vw cover all the applicable vins in their recall, but they did not inform their consumers ofthe potential problem. According to the dealer, this problem, if left uncorrected, could cause serious harm if the control arms failed at high speed. Vw will not recognize this problem. It should be noted once again, that this defect in the control arms occured at only 48,000 miles. Not only did I have to pay $1200 for a serious, and acknowledged, design defect, but the repair parts that were installed are exactly the same as the poorly designed ones. This problem will happen again. The only question is when. The government should look into this before someone gets seriously hurt or even killed. Vw refuses to stand by their product. The dealer has indicated that this is such a common problem that they stock the front end repair kit. If it is so common why aren't all the applicable vins covered?.

Mechanic is telling me all four tie rod assemlbies and control arms need replaced. I have been hearin a loud crunching noice everytime I go over a small bump or turn a corner.

The control arms on the front driver's side failed and the car collapsed to the ground on the driver's side. The repairs are costly. The dealership and Volkswagen are not receptive to paying the repairs or a discount.

It was determined that both upper and lower links on my 2000 Passat had failed with 48,000 miles on the car.

At 62k miles 3 control arms/bushings and tie rod end have failed for no apparent reason. Authorized dealer's mechanic seemed surprised that this part failed so early. On the other hand, it seems like it is a well-known problem with 2000 Passats (and audis which are supposed to use same parts), and the recall has already been supposedly issued for in germany. Why has it not been addressed here in the u. S. If it's a known problem and safety risk?.

Purchased my 1999 vw Passat 1. 8t wagon in August, 2002. It had apprx. 53,000 miles on it. By September, 2003, there was a significant squeaking, creaking, groaning noise coming from the front end. At that time, car had approximately. 75k miles. Diagnosis was front end suspension parts including control arms, ball joints, bushings were dangerously worn and in need of replacement. Vw dealership provided me with a copy of technical service bulletin issued by Volkswagen of America dated may 31, 2001. It calls for installation of parts in repair kit no 3bo498 798a. Because of existence of the tech service bulletin for this problem, my extended warranty company (wynn's warranties) refuses to pay for repairs. Repairs still needed to tune of $1100. Front end is now so loose for safety reasons I will have to make repairs immediately at my own expense.

Upper and lower front suspension control arm bushing failure. (left and right).

Constant noise seems to be coming from front end suspension.

Started to feel and hear a thumping, and creaking from my suspension. Took vehicle to a vw dealer and they said that I needed to have both upper control arms replaced on the left front of my Passat. I called vwoa and they said that they were not going to help pay for it b/c it is considered a wear item. A 99 Passat w/ less than 50k miles! and they consider that wear?!? from what I have researched, I am far from the only person that this is happening to. Now I have to dish out $500 easy to get it fixed. Buy another vw? not on your life. Vw has been hearing the complaints about this situation for years now and still will not help. I would hate to see something tragic to someone just for them to fess up.

Control arms and ball joints need to be replaced with only 43000 miles on the vehicle. Volkswagen went by recommendation of dealer not to help with the cost of repair.

Tie rod and control arms are prone to failure, I. E. Bushings become worn and will tear after time. The bushings on my vehicle for both upper control arms (currently @ 48000 miles) on both sides and tie rods have started to crack and tear.

Upper control arm failure on my 1998 vw Passat. Dealer quoted me $1200 repair, even though I bought the car "certified". My Passat had only 55,xxx miles on it at time of failure. My concern is the repair- I don't have the money, so the parts wear more and more becoming more and more unsafe. Why isn't there a recall?.

Control arms on this model are chronically failing. Every Passat owner I have talked to is having a similar problem. My vehicle is only at 40000 and the control arms are starting to crack and tear. Please investigate and consider a safety recall. A control arm failure at high speed could be fatal.

1999 vw Passat requires replacement of front suspension control arms at 64. 8k miles. Symptoms reported initially at 3 years/49k miles. Appears to be related to service bulletin 400101. Problem well known among Passat/Audi owners. Dealer asking $1200 for repair. Vwoa declines to help, stating that suspension is "2 year 24k mile component". Mileage, existence of service bulletin, and widespread experience with this problem suggest that this is a defective component and should be at least partially covered by vwoa.