1999 Volkswagen Passat: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 19, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 90,000 miles · NM

I own a 1999 volkswagen passat in which the control arms, tie rod ends, ball joints, and bushings are failing. Based on some internet research, this is a common failure for similar makes, models, and years. The problem occurs every day, and if left unattended, results in safety problems at higher speeds. Parts will be replaced in the near future and old parts will be retained, if it is feasible.

Filed May 3, 2009 · Brakes · GA

Out of the blue, my car starts "dinging" and I look down to see the ABS light on, along with a flashing brake light. I did a search and the first thing I see is that you should check the sensors at each tire. This makes me think about the fact that just before my problem occurred, I had just had my tie rod ends replaced. Was wondering if maybe the sensors had been damaged/broken when those things were replaced, but who knows. Doubtful that the mechanic that did that work would own up to that anyways. Upon more research, everyone is pointing to the ABS control module and quoting anywhere from $100-600 for rebuilt modules to $1500-3500 for brand new ones. My husband wants me to drop the money on something that's not guaranteed to work. There are so many complaints, thought I'd add to this with my own complaint. I'm calling volkswagen monday to see what they're going to say.

Filed Sep 14, 2008 · Body, Driver assistance · 180,000 miles · MD · crash

I was driving approximately 25 miles a hour by my house while I was driving a big click noise sounded on my front right wheel the car swerved and fell in a ditch the police came and the car was towed to a mechanic and he told me it was your tie rod and axle broken I had to change them. Plus my ABS system is not working and it needs a new module and it seems like every passat out there have no problem and the dealer wont help or vw hotline plus my two front windows just fell and the windows need a whole new actuators and on the internet alot of the passat have that problem and the dealer wont help there is five recalls on passat and the dealer don't want to do but 1 of them so please help me.

Filed Aug 4, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 87,000 miles · CO

On my vehicle, the passenger front lower control arm is failing at the ball joint. There are loud screeches at low speeds when passing over bumps coming from the ball joint evidencing the inappropriate wear. This was addressed and replaced according to service bulletin "vm" with volkswagen in early 2005, but the part is wearing improperly again. Failure of this part could cause loss of steering and could be fatal at highway speeds.

Filed May 16, 2008 · Steering · 39,466 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. While driving at any speed, the contact heard a thumping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. She did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior to hearing the sound. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the tie rods were replaced. The federal safety agency campaign id number 00v414000 (steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting) was referenced. The current mileage was 65,829 and failure mileage was 39,466.

Filed May 8, 2008 · Suspension · 228,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. While driving 30 MPH, the front end of the vehicle lowered to the ground without warning, which caused the vehicle to stop. The tow truck driver stated that the front lower control arm broke. As of may 8, 2008, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that he received service action bulletin for the front lower control arm in november of 2004. The dealer inspected the vehicle however; they did not make any repairs. The contact stated they he was able to replace the front lower control arm. The current and failure mileages were 228, 000. Updated 05/22/08 *bf updated 05/22/08.

Filed Dec 15, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 60,023 miles · NY

Tie rod ends excessive wear. Required replacement prior to issuance of nys inspection @60k in 07. Tie rods previously replaced by dealer under recall in 2001@ 19k. Different recall in 05 @ 50k for inspection/replacement of control arms resulted in inspection only. Dealer did not find excessive wear of control arms or tie rod ends. I doubt dealers integrity or that the service tech was aware of previous tie rod replacement. Obviously the acceptable wear would be greater had the parts been in service longer. Defective control arms lead to excessive wear of the steering linkages and ball joints. The vehicle has very low mileage for its age and has been used less than 6k a year since purchase in 05. Cost for the replacement was $150 parts (moog tie rod ends), $90 labor, $75 for the required alignment and nys tax = ~$330. This is safety concern and excessive wear for a part that should have at least a 60k life expectancy. It would be normal for a vehicle to travel 20k between inspections. For the dealer to ok at 50k and an independent inspection facility to condemn at 60k is suspicious. The parts were visibly worn and defective by personal inspection.

Filed Nov 28, 2007 · Suspension · 88,010 miles · OK

Control arms making noise.. Needs replacement..wv manufacturing defect... Most such vehicle has the problem and its a safety issue. Wv need to do a recall in this.

Filed Jun 13, 2007 · Steering · 62,800 miles · ME

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. The vehicle failed inspection due to the tie rods. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the tie rods were replaced. The contact stated that the steering was loose. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency recall # 00v414000 nor # 99v248000 (steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting). The current mileage is 63,000 and failure mileage was 62,800.

Filed May 23, 2007 · Steering · NY

Refer to the federal safety agency recall # 99v248000. 1999 volkswagen passat tie rods or steering linkage. I have had to replace them 3 times at $1500.00 to $2000.00 each time since 2005. Suncoast volkswagen in sarasota fl repaired it 2 times, most recent in 10/06. Now, northtown volkswagen in amherst ny was replacing them again. I referred to this recall and volkswagen customer service said VIN did not fall within their recall numbers. Your recall information claimed the extent of models affected was unknown. Please help me in this issue. The dealer gave me excuses each time.

Filed Feb 27, 2007 · Steering · 75,000 miles · WI · 1 injury

While having new tires installed on my vehicle approximately one year ago (not at my vw dealer), I was informed that my tie rod ends were "loose" and required replacement. Three weeks ago, I brought my vehicle in to my dealer to have the cv joints replaced, and to have the tie rod ends inspected. The dealer confirmed the previous diagnosis, adding that the tie rod ends were now "dangerously loose." I proceeded to have them replaced at a cost of approx. $700 including the front-end alignment that necessitated. I had done some research on the internet and learned that the tie rod ends had had two recalls for my model year vehicle. However, my dealership service manager told me unequivocally "there was no recall" on my tie rod ends for this vehicle. Subsequent research on the federal safety agency web site revealed that my VIN number falls slightly outside the VIN ranges covered by the two recalls. As a mechanical engineer, and as a matter of common sense, it seems utterly unreasonable for such a critical (steering) component to have failed in such a short period of time. A review of the facts involved in the above recalls, it is obvious that vw's design was defective for the recall class, and certainly seems to have remained defective on vehicles produced after the recall VIN range covered under the recalls. Unfortunately, I failed to have the dealer provide me with the replaced components.

Filed Jan 8, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 75,959 miles · NY

Front upper control arms and outer tie rods had to be replaced for the second time. First time at 55,552 miles and second time at 75,959 miles. That's only 20,407 miles difference for the $1200.00 repair to be done again. Absurd. Called the vw customer care and they refuse to reimburse in any way stating the 2 year warranty expired. This defect would never fall within the warranty period so they have no excuse. I already absorbed the cost for the 1st repair so in all fairness they should cover the 2nd time. This is a very common problem with vw's. I'm not going to pay $1200 every 20,000 to have my car repaired. I will go legal and forward this complaint to consumer reports, the bbb, and the attorney general.