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 updated 05/22/08.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

The failure of lower control arm happened without any warning, during normal driving on the city road when making a right turn (approximately at 5 mph speed). Right front suspension lower control arm sheared in two pieces, leaving a front passenger wheel completely separated. If this should happened on any higher higher speed, consequences would be deadly. I researched this safety hazard and found that VW issued a service action for the lower control arm on 1999 Passat. However, VW service representative informed me that the service action does not cover my vehicle. VW's explanation was that it only covers parts from certain supplier (according to representative, VW used two different suppliers for the lower control arm). I believe that lower control arm was a defective part, as this type of failure could not be a result of normal wear and tear. It is a safety hazard. I have to replace lower control arm, drive shaft and wheel liner (and, possibly some other parts which were damaged as a result of the control arm failure) at my expense. I believe, VW should cover at least some of the expense, as it happened as a result of a factory defect.

- Columbus, OH, USA

1 - normal use - only 55,000 miles 2 - failure of lower control arms - must replace 3 - required to replace at cost of $400

- Rochester, NY, USA

Lower control arms recall vm. Wanted to charge me $325 for the recall. VW dealerhip said the recall was not valid unless 40K service was performed. Do not see the correlation with having some filters and fluids changed (40K service) with a suspension recall. Prior to 40K I had cvs changed and had filters and fluids changed. My car had a lot of problems with it and was worked on by VW dealership over 20 times between 32-49K. I was told the 40K service was not needed because of work done at 36K. Was told $240 on 40K service check was not needed because of previous work and was over priced not not smart to do. If there is a malfunction with the car, and their is a recall, the owner should not have to pay for it. If their was decent logic for me paying for this recall I would have no problem with it, but I cannot find it. It just seems a loop hole for me to pay for the manufacturer's poor workmanship. This loop hole should be closed, there is a lot of exceptions to why 40K was not performed.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

I have a 1999 VW Passat, 1.8L turbo. I received a service action from VW related to a lower control arm issue and took the car to the dealer. The dealer looked at it five weeks ago and told me there was nothing wrong with it despite the creaking and groaning I'm getting in the suspenion. I took it in today because the creaking an groaning have gotten worse and the service guy at the dealer is telling me that both lower control arms need to be replaced and they quoted me $1400. He told me that lower control arms fail over time due to the weight of the car, age and wear. This sounds like an engineering failure on the part of VW. I'm waiting to find out whether this is safety related, the service guy is going to call me back. I've been looking online and a lot of people thought a complaint should be lodged, so that's what I'm doing here. I shouldn't be having suspension issues at 70,000 miles.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Normal use of '99 VW Passat with an odometer reading of 99,650 lead to the failure of ront contorl arms and tie rod ends. Replacement control arm set with tie rods retails for $1,700. Purchased a set for $495 and an additional $198.75 in labor.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

Volkswagen of America sent me a letter to check/replace front suspension lower control arms 1998-2000 Passat vehicles. VW dealer informed me they will fix the control arms at no cost to me but as a result of the work performed the vehicle will now need an alignment which is not covered as part of the recall. This is absurd. I paid for an alignment 5 months ago and prior to the recall my vehicle obviously does not need an alignment but as a direct result of fixing the control arms my car now needs an alignment which I have to pay for. The alignment should be covered as part of the recall for the control arms!!!

- Oakland Gardens, NY, USA

The front suspension lower control arm makes a squeaking, thumping noise as if there are no shocks.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

Control arms on my 99 VW Passat have been replaced twice now.....they are expensive ($650+) and obviously poorly engineered as others have had te same problems.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

Submission of complaint re VW of America feel he has been over charged for numerous & extensive repair bills for his 1999 VW Passat. The consumer stated he is still experiencing problems with the front suspension. The front stabilizer was repaired and the lower control arm was repaired, however the problem recurred. The rear brake pads were worn. The front doors creaked when opened. The cruise control was intermittent. The consumer requested assistance of all the matters.

- Rochester, NY, USA

While merging off the highway, a loud noise came from the left front of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealership. The left lower control linkage had broke. The dealership replaced the part. The failure has recurred 3 additional time on the other control arms.

- Newbury, MA, USA

The lower front and rear passenger side control arms needed to be replaced because they were starting to make noise, and will potentially fail. The dealership indicated that this could result in steering failure while driving. The noise was coming from the right side of the vehicle. The front control arm was replaced along with the rear control arm bushing.

- White Plains, NY, USA

The control arms in the 1999, 2000, and 2001 Volkswagen Passats are defective. According to the dealership if these are not repaired one can lose steering control. The upper control arms in my 1999 Passat had to be replaced in November 2003 and now the lower control arms need to be replaced. The dealership indicates that this problem is common in 1999, 2000, and 2001 Passats, and I have spoken with other owners who are having the same problem. This safety hazard warrants a recall on these vehicles.

- Madison, WI, USA

Control arm made a clucking sound when the vehicle was driven at low speeds. Dealership indicated that the noise occurred because the control arm was loose, and if this part failed, the ball joints could break will driving. The control arm on the front driver side was replaced, but the failure occurred on the front passenger's side.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Both control arms failed on 1999 Passat glx @ 60000 miles on left and right side of the car. Repair covered by VW extended warranty to the tune of $689 per side of the vehicle, but these control arms should not be failing! steering, control, and tire wear suffer serious impairment as a result of these failures.

- Allentown, PA, USA

Problems with front suspension arms on 1999 Passat. The right lower control arm was replaced under warranty at 23500 miles and the dealer suggested that there were earlier problems before the current owners. The suspension part were design defective.

- Washington, DC, USA

Bushing has dried out on lower control arm on one side resulting in frequent loud creeking / squeeking noises. When making appointment with dealer I asked if it was a safety problem and should I rush the car in. They said "no, it's probably just a dry bushing" and scheduled me for 10 days later. When I learned of the $1200 repair cost and the need to keep the car overnight, I had to reschedule the appointment. Again, another 12 days wait (yet to come). If this is truely not a safety issue, then fine, but info on this site is to the contrary. Besides, why do suppose they call them "control arms"" if they mal function could that mean loss of control" hmmm. 85K miles on this car, but in retrospect, the noise started a long time ago and the dealer attributed it to lack of steering fluid. The noise returned and came back. This car has a lot of highway miles. I'll bet the failure is time based rather than milage based. These rubber busing can only take so much exposure to the elements. VW - change the material for your bushings, right!!

- Arlington, MA, USA

Control arm's of '1998-'2000 Passats are failure prone much earlier then the norm for passaneger automobiles. (a fact they recognized by a redesign of the control arms on '2001 and up Passat's. I purchased my car in 7/99. I drive 70 miles a day, mostly freeway, which as all know is actually very easy on an automobile. Yet with-in 2 years (40K) my front suspension was showing signs of premature wear. I get many "creaks" and "clunks" that are easy to hear at low speeds. After researching in popular internet forums for the car, (www.clubb5.com, www.vwvortex.com) I found out this failure is very common for this automobile. Vmoa (Volkswagen of America) has not issued a recall yet (even though they have received thousands of complaints) as of this late date. (6/04) the response from vwoa and your dealer network has been inconsistent, to say the least. Some dealers will not even look at the car, some will look at it and say nothing is wrong, and some will say that it is the control arms, but will not help out the owner when the time comes to contact the customer care center at vwoa. Vwoa is not much more help, promising to get on the problem and telling you they will callback, only they donT. or if they do, it is, sorry we cannot help you.. so what happens is that many of the owners that are out of warranty, must pay for a costly repair out of pocket. A repair that should have never happened. (I have never had control arm bushing failure in my previous 13 automobiles!) repair costs run over $700 for parts, and the same amount in labor. I am purchasing my car from the bank soon. Overall it is a great car. I must replace the control arms very soon. I dont look forward to that and the high cost it will run me. I wish for vmoa to treat its customers like a modern customer focused company. Bad designs happen. They owe it to their customers to make it right. Thank you. John E. tami.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

"99 VW Passat VIN [xxx] has loud creaking sounds from right-front suspension. Tie rod ends were replace in earlier recall. Ball joints are not worn. Lube of control arm and other bushings does not solve problem. Vibration corresponding to creaking can be felt in lower control arms. Updated 07/30/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Rocky River, OH, USA

My VW passaat developed excessive play and noise in steering and front suspension. Car would wander on road and would not track straight on a highway. This was a safety issue. My local VW dealer said to bring car in immediately. Dealer said 4 control arms had failed and needed replacement at cost of $1400. Car had been maintained well and driven gently previously. Defective control arms on this vehicle are a safety issue.

- Loudonville, NY, USA