1998 Volkswagen Passat: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 24, 2008 · Suspension · OH

The lower control arms on my 1998 vw passat are defective and dangerous according to my mechanic. Vw refuses to replace them even though there was a recall for these parts. The reasoning is that: - I brought my car in for the recall at their dealer in 2005 and at the time the parts seemed ok. - at this time, their dealer has reinspected the car. The vw dealer thinks that both lower front control arms on the car need replacement. However the parts are not about to fail and the car is still drivable and thus vw will not pay for their replacement. My mechanic states that the car need to be replaced and the car is dangerous to drive in this condition. Please advise whether vw is responsible under the "revised-vm (40g3) - december 2004" recall campaign to fix these. Thanks

Filed Sep 17, 2008 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · OH

Noise from left side control arm of a 1998 vw passat 1.8t.

Filed Jun 3, 2007 · Steering · 45,000 miles · ME

Steering: control arms. The vehicle was purchased used with approx 34k miles. Service has been maintained by owner and/or independent repair. At approximately 50k owner was notified by independent repair service that both upper control arms needed to be replaced. Owner chose not to do the repair at that time. During 2005 owner received a letter from volkswagen about a recall on the affected part(s). Two local volkswagen dealerships acknowledged the part was defective but denied to do the work under the recall notification. Both gave justification that because the owner could not document service checks at the recommended factory intervals the volkswagen company would not pay for parts or service. Owner called the volkswagen company directly and a customer service representative verified the policy. Owner has since replaced one control art, however the other side also needs repair.

Filed May 21, 2007 · Suspension · 197,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen passat. The contact heard a popping noise while driving 3 MPH in reverse. The front end of the vehicle slammed to the ground without warning. The vehicle was towed and a local mechanic replaced the lower right control arm. The contact has the failed component along with pictures. The manufacturer would not perform the repair for free. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 197,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2006 · Steering · 40,000 miles · ME

I am the second owner of a 1998 volkswagen passat VIN #[xxx], which has a safety recall for the tie rod ends. The local volkswagen dealer(s) have acknowledged that the front tie rods do need to be replaced, however, they will not honor the safety recall. The reason is that there is no record of factory recommended service checks. I have had the vehicle serviced on a regular basis by a couple of independent mechanics, however, I cannot produce the paper work for the recommended service checks between 35,000 miles and 60,000. I called volkswagen headquarters and they acknowledged that although it is a safety recall, they will not honor the repair unless I can provide proof of compliance. The symptoms have presented themselves for 3/4 years on an intermittent basis. I am in the process of having my current independent mechanic replace the ball joints. *nm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Suspension · 135,500 miles · WA · crash

Had a creaking sound in the front end of my 1998 vw passat 1.8t. Took it in to the dealer and was told the left front upper control arm tie rods were bad (and dangerous) and had to be replaced at my cost. Did this and 6 weeks later the upper control arm on the right front side failed while driving and caused me to have an accident. Dealer "fixed" this problem at no charge and now 4 months later the same sound is back and now the dealer tells me that the majority of the front suspension must be replaced and expects me to pay for it.

Filed Sep 14, 2005 · Engine, Suspension · 72,000 miles · CA

I am the second owner of a passat that had been driven 72000 miles. At that time the following defects were noted and had to be repaired: 1. Outer tie rod and cv boot. 2. Cooling system: all cooling hoses, oil cooler, water pump, radiator, & associated items. Vw of america refused to reimburse for the cost of these untimely repairs that were due in part to faulty information in the owners manual, that states that the cooling system was sealed and did not need any maintenance. These enormous and costly repairs at a mileage when comparable cars of other manufacturers need little or no repairs up to and way past 100,000 miles, are excessive in my opinion. (the first owner gets a warranty of 100,000 miles and 10 years, something that for the second owner is reduced to 50,000 miles/5 years. I wonder if the car is suddenly not as good anymore when somebody buys it from a previous owner?) consumer reports magazine lists repair records for engines and suspension systems of that year and model as being "worse than average," and I can see why. I would welcome to join others with similar experiences for a possible class action against vw.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Engine · MI

98 vw passat have had nothing but one problem after the other with this vehicle. Just had to replace my oil pump now my timing belt went and destroyed my engine. After I see that this has happened to several others I believe vw should take care of this expense. I have had to go through the expense of the front control arms, speed sensor etc. My car has been in the garage more than I have drove it. Problems with transmission

Filed May 18, 2005 · Suspension · 930,000 miles · NJ

The lower control arms on my 1998 vw passat are defective and dangerous according to my mechanic. Vw refuses to replace them even though there was a recall for these parts. The reasoning is that: - I brought my car in for the recall at their dealer in february 2005 and at the time the parts seemed ok. - at this time, their dealer has reinspected the car. The vw dealer thinks that both lower front control arms on the car need replacement. However the parts are not about to fail and the car is still driveable and thus vw will not pay for their replacement. My mechanic states that the car need to be replaced and the car is dangerous to drive in this condition. Please advise whether vw is responsible under the "revised-vm (40g3) - december 2004" recall campaign to fix these. Thanks.

Filed May 8, 2005 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · 00

My lower front control armes are very squiky and bolt joint boots are ripper. I was about to replace the myself but just before I called vw and found out about the recall on front lower control arms.*ak after 5 hours with my car they told me to come and pick it up. I discovered that only vacuum line was replaced and nothing was done to my control arms. I went over water and the squik was gone at the time the car was at the dealer. So they didn't hear anything. But the rubber boots are still turned appart!!! The manager and the guy who worked on it told me that we didn't see any problem with your control arms. And the recall has been performed. The squik came back the next day, and I know that ruber boots are still ripped on the control arms. Called vwoa and explained the problem. They said that they trust the diagnostic made by their authorised dealer. Because the dealier didn't see any problems with control arms the recall is closed now. They wouldn't reimberse the cost of replacement of control arms even if I go to the different dealer.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Suspension · CT

'recall campaign' for volkswagen passats front suspension lower control arms. *bf this problem had caused extensive damage.