1998 Volkswagen Passat complaints

PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN 1998 VW PASSAT. HAD RIGHT CONTROL ARM REPLACED AT 43,000 ALL FOUR REPLACED AT 68,000 AND NOW AT 111,000 NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. *JB

CONSTANT NOISE SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM FRONT END SUSPENSION. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH LEFT SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARMS LINK, SWAY BAR LINKS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. *MR *TS ALSO THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH DRIVER SIDE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

OIL PUMP FAILURE, FAULTY CD PLAYER, INOPERATIVE CRUISE CONTROL, IGNITION MODULE. MANY FAILURES FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. WARRANTY IS GOOD FOR 10 YEARS 100,000 MILES FOR ORIGINAL OWNER, 5 YORK 50,000 FOR SECOND. CAR WAS PLACED IN SERVICE 2/19/98 WE THERE FORE MISSED THE 5 YEAR COVERAGE BY 4 MONTHS. *NLM

FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TORN AND CREAKING. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE IF BUSHINGS DETERIORATE FURTHER.*AK

AIR FLOW METER O2 SENSOR. *NLM

CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED, CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. DEALER WILLING TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR $3000. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FAULTY LOWER CONTROL ARM . *MR THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *JB

THE TIMING BELT ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE FAILED AT 75,000 MILES STRANDING ME BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY VW. THE VW MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE BELT AT 105,000 MILES. VW DENIED MY WARRANTY CLAIM STATING THAT THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY TO THE FIRST OWNER. HOWEVER, MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND VW REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER, OPENED HOOD AND SAW VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. ALSO, THROTTLE BODY AND CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE STALLES, MISFIRED, AND IDLE FLUCTUATED FROM LOW TO HIGH. *AK

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. I AM GETTING CONSIDERABLE CREAKING NOISES FROM MY CONTROL ARMS IN MY FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ABNORMALLY OR HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WITH IT. *NLM

NAR 04/07/2003 MR. THE TIMING BELT, CYLINDER HEADS AND THE MASS AIR FLOW HAD TO REPLACED AND THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. IN THE PAST THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE 2 WINDOW REGULATORS, THE SUN ROOF OPENED AND CLOSED FOR NO REASON, THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 99 V 248 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

THE SEAT BROKE FROM THE BASE. THE CONSUMER HAD LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL OF THE MONIES SPENT ON REPAIRS/OTHER CHARGES FOR THE INCIDENT. SCC *JB

MY CAR DIED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 9. MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT. APPARENTLY THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO GO INTO THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE CYLINDER HEADS. MY LOCAL MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE PART. I HAD THE PART INSPECTED AT 55,000 MILES BY MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT TOLD OF THE PROBLEM OR ADVISED TO REPLACE THE PART. AT 66,000 MILES, THE PART FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE FAILURE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR, STATING THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *JB

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS DID NOT CLOSE.*JB

DEFECTIVE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AND LOWER INK ARM-N AND LOWER CONTROL ARM-N CAUSED POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS STEERING CONDITION AND MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISES.

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE ROD ENDS BEING DEFECTIVE. ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE NOW BUT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT HIS VIN #. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. TS

STARTER COIL FAILURE - FOR OVER A MONTH THE PROBLEM WOULD APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR. SOUNDED ALMOST LIKE THE MUFFLER FELL OFF, BUT WOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPLAINABLE AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED.

CAR STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AT ANY SPEED DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL SWITCH. ENGINE WORK VERY SLOWLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS THAT MY CONTROL ARMS HAVE FAILED. I HAVE A STOCK CAR, WITH STOCK SUSPENSION. THIS IS MIND-BOGGLING THAT CONTROL ARMS ON A 1998 CAR WOULD FAIL TWICE IN 1 YEAR. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. PLEASE, MY WALLET AND MY KIDS CHRISTMAS BEGS YOU, RECALL THESE CONTROL ARMS. PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I HAVE CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA 4 TIMES ON THIS AND THEY DO NOT CARE. I HAVE WRITTEN VW IN GERMANY, ALL I GOT WAS A GIFT CERTIFICATE. PLEASE, DO SOMETHING!! DT

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED RIGHT SIDE CV BOOT AND OUTER CV BOOT DUE TO THEM BEING WORN, AND ALSO THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED.

THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSIONS IS VERY NOISY OVER BUMPS, INCLUDING JUST PUSHING DOWN ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. AFTER TAKING THIS TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALER HERE IN FORT COLLINS WE WERE TOLD THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS AT A COST OF $750. I CALLED VW OF NORTH AMERICA TO COMPLAIN SAYING THIS WAS WAY BELOW INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR DURABILITY OF THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT. VW'S RESPONSE WAS SORRY IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE SINCE DONE A SEARCH ON THE NHTSA SITE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THE PASSAT. VW SHOULD RECALL THE PART & PROVIDE AN IMPROVED REPLACEMENT THAT MEETS INDUSTRY STANDARDS.*AK

LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HAD SHEARED OFF WHILE COMING TO A STOP, AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.*AK *JB

CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. ALSO GENERAL LOOSENESS IN STEERING THAT WAS NOT THERE WHEN CAR WAS NEW. CAR HARD TO STEER STRAIGHT AND VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CROSS WINDS AND TURBULENCE. DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

CONSUMER STATES AIR CONDITIONER IS BLOWING HOT AIR. AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDS REPLACING. *TT

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

WHILE AT DEALERSHIP FOR OTHER REPAIRS MECHANIC NOTICED EXTREME HEAT FROM TURBO CHARGER CAUSED DAMAGE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD. UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

THE VECHICLE IS HAVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, CONSUMERS WIFE FOUND WATER IN THE CAR ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, AND THEN TRIED TO START THE IGINTION, HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT START, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOK AT ALL REPAIR WAS PAID PULL. *MJ *CB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD GONE OUT, NOTHING IN VEHICLE THAT WAS ELECTRICAL MOVED AT ALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT VEHICLE.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION STEERING LOCK. ONE TIME SINCE THE REPAIRS THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOPPED WORKING FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. ALL COMPONENTS ARE OPERATING FINE NOW. *JG

LOWER CONTROL ARMS CREAK - CAUSE FOR A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK

IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THE PASSATS 1998'-1999', THAT ALL THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS FAIL WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS WITH AUDI A4, BECAUSE THEY BOTH SHARE THE SAME SUSPENSION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, AND ISSUE A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*AK

CREAKING CLUNKING IN FRONT END, WILL PROBABLY REPLACE MOST SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ON THIS CAR.*AK

SEVERAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITHIN 70,000 MILES. NONE HAVE YET BEEN CATASTROPHIC. BUT POSSIBLY BECAUSE AS A CAR GUY I AM ABLE TO DETECT THEM EARLY.*AK

LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND SWAY BAR LINKS FAILED AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THIS SEVERELY REDUCES STEERING CAPABILITIES AND POSES AN IMMINENT THREAT. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE ARMS IN LATER MODEL PASSATS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL.*AK

FRONT SUSPENSION MADE VERY ANNOYING CREAKING SOUND. *AK

PLEASE INVESTIGATE 1998-2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS FOR CONTROL ARM ISSUES IN FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAD TO REPLACE MINE AT ONLY 45000 FOR OVER $1,000!*AK

SUSPENSION WAS CREAKING FROM THE FRONT. PULLED WHEEL OFF OF CAR AND DISCOVERED THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING IS DESTROYED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERHSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

I HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES OF THE CONTROL ARMS. THE FIRST ONE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND ONE WAS NEVER RECREATED AND ACCEPTED BY THE DEALER UNTIL A YEAR OR SO AFTER IT WAS REPORTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 1999. THE MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTS. THE ISSUE WITH THE CONTROL ARMS FAILURE IS IT AFFECTS THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AN ALIGHNMENT AND CAUSES THE CAR TO WANDER ON THE ROAD. *AK

DESIGN FLAW IN TIE ROD ENDS AND PROTECTIVE BOOT. EXCESSIVE WEAR AND FAILURE OF JOINT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER. THIS MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND VEHICLE DAMAGE.*AK

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE. NOISES, CREAKING. COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MY YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO RECALL THE PARTS INVOLVED.*AK

CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE RECALLED BY MFG. FOR FREE REPLACEMENT - SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES-CHECK WWW.CLUBB5.COM. LOTS OF THESE ARE BEING REPLACED OUT OF POCKET BY OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US AND ORDER A RECALL ON THESE. MY FAMILY'S LIVES DEPEND ON IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

LEFT LOWER ARM LINK IS BROKEN AND CAUSES SOME NOISE WHEN DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER. AK

MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY STATION IN STUTTGART, GERMANY. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING A 1998 VW PASSAT FROM MILITARY SALES, IN MANNAHEIM, GERMANY. I HAVE ADVISED THEM OF RECALL LIST BEFORE PURCHASING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM READING INFORMATION FROM THE PAST OWNERS, THEY EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS. SINCE, I AM STATIONED IN GERMANY COULD I TAKE MY 1998 PASSAT TO GERMANY VW DEALERSHIP IN STUTTGART TO REPLACE ALL RECALL PARTS? I DO BELIEVE REPLACEMENT OF RECALLED PART. I STILL HAVE MY 1986 JETTA GL TODAY FROM YOUR PAST INFORMATION. HOWEVER, HERE'S THE INFORMATION: NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***763021 PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

1)TRUNK LIGHT STOPPED WORKING JUST PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, WIRING PROBLEM, COST TO REPAIR $200. 2)ABS LIGHT FLASHES CONTINUOUSLY, ABOUT 1 YEAR NOW,DEALER GETS 3 PAGES OF DIAGNOSTIC ERROR MESSAGES. CAN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM WITH LIGHT BUT ABS IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING. COST: 3DAYS CAR RENTAL, AND $300 OUT OF POCKET. 3)FRONT END SUSPENSION: CRUNCHING NOISE AND BOUNCE. BOUNCE CORRECTED-DEALER REPLACED STABLIZER BAR, $284. NOISE CONTINUES(6 MONTHS), DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM. GETTING WORSE, AFRAID FRONT END WILL CRASH INTO GROUND. 4)TIMING BELT BROKE, DEALER REPLACED ENGINE AT NO COST. 5)ENGINE REPLACEMENT CAUSED PROBLEM WITH RADIO. RADIO WILL NOT ACCEPT CODE. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 6)REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN WHEN INDICATED, FALLS DOWN A FEW MINUTES LATER. ALSO, DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. 7)SOMETIMES THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN WHEN STARTING CAR.*AK

BOTH FRONT BALL JOINT/LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 33000 MILES, WHICH IS FAR EARLIER THAN IT SHOULD BE. IT'S ALSO AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1998 PASSATS. ASIDE FROM THE $900 COST TO REPLACE THESE COMPONENTS, THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE CAR WERE IN MOTION. ALTHOUGH VW HAS REDESIGNED THESE COMPONENTS FOR LATER MODEL YEAR PASSATS, THEY'VE DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH 1998 MODELS. A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ON THESE COMPONENTS SO NOBODY DIES DUE TO THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. *AK

WHEN TURNING WHEEL THERE WAS NOISE AT THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK. CONSUMER STATES HE REPLACED THE TIE ROD END. *TT

THE AUTHORIZED VW DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ON 03/23/2001 AND RECOMMENDED 2 UPPER CONTROL ARMS BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED VW WITH THIS INFORMATION DURING THIS TIME (VW CASE CASE# 10272316). INSTEAD OF REPAIRING THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS VW REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CAR IS STILL IN NEED OF UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND VW WILL NOT COVER IT.