Steering Rack Problems of Volkswagen Passat

The contact took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs. Upon inspection the technician noticed the steering assembly came loose. The vehicle was being repaired at the dealership. They replaced both lower control arms and both tie rods. Also, the dealership also found there was an oil leak and the abs was defective. The technician discovered the steering rack assembly was loose to the point it could have fallen of from the frame. Updated 11/29/05.

See all problems of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

New '03 Passat purchased in Dec. '02. Feb. '03 I noticed difficulty with steering when the wheel was turned to the extreme left or right. After several trips to the dealership in which power steering fluid was found to be low and refilled, it was determined that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. In Mar '03, the power steering rack was replaced by Volkswagen under warranty. Nov. '04, I again noticed difficulty with the steering in extreme left or right wheel positions. Dec. '04, vw determines that the power steering rack again needs to be replaced. They claim that there is no larger problem with the car leading to repeated failure of the power steering rack. Likewise, they insist that there is no intrinsic problem with vw power steering racks. However, I find it difficult to believe that two power steering racks from vw placed in the same car in a two year period just happened to be faulty.

See all problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

While driving and steering car would make a loud groaning noise. Went to dealer. Dealer found that steering rack was leaking and had to be replaced. At a cost of $930.

See all problems of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat 🔎.

After speaking withthe service manager, parts manager, and technician at dover vw in dover, delaware-they all agreed that the power stering rack had to be replaced due to battery acid draining onto the power steering rack. They all agreed this part should not have failed in a vehicle this new and re-routed the drain outlet for the battery so that this damage could not occur again. They all agreed that the drain was positioned by the manufacturer and tried to assist me in working with volkswagon America to reimburse me for the entire repair, $920. 16. After much debate with vw America, they would only offer 50% or $460. 08 supposedly mailed to me 7/26/01. I believe along with vw's own trained personnel at the dealership, that this repair should have been covered in its entirety by vw, as it is the way they designed the battery drain to drain away from the battery. It is my intention to raise this concern that in the event you can recover the balance of the repair, that would be phenomenol. I also want to alert other owners they may have a potentially dangerous and expensive repair lurking under the vehicle's hood. Because te acid dripped onto the steering rack, it caused a hole in the part, which caused me to loose all of my power steering fluid, which nearly caused me total loss of steering control of the vehicle. Please address this problem with vw America 800 822-8987 (3)they say they review these matters internally, but refused to let me know if there were other reports although no " campaigns " were ever issued for this defect.

Leaking power steering fluid, replaced reck.

The rack has to be replaced because the power steering fluid is leaking from it.

Steering rack failed.

Replaced power steering rack.