Late in April, 2013 I installed a passenger side control arm on a 1998 VW Jetta tdi. The control arm was purchased from autozone ( their part # 520-782) as an assembly with the ball joint installed. The car ran fine for about 2 weeks. Then while driving it began pulling to the right. On examination, 2 of the 3 bolts which hold the ball joint on the control arm were missing, and the third was easily removed by finger. When it was installed all 3 were in place. The one bolt remaining did not have any locking compound, nor did it have a mechanical locking device, such as a lock washer or lock nut. I installed 3 hardened bolts with locking compound, and the car has been fine for the past 5 days. If the third bolt had fallen out, the vehicle would have been impossible to control, and the probable result would have been a crash.

- Fargo, ND, USA

I purchased a used 1998 Volkswagen Jetta glx several years ago. Within a year of purchase, the front driver side window failed to opperate properly. I had the regulator replaced. A year later the front passenger window failed. That regulator was replaced. A year later the front driver side failed again. Before I could get it fixed, the rear diver side window failed as well. Both regulators are being replaced. The total cost of these repairs will be over $2000. I find it appalling that the same problem can occur multiple times in the same vehicle. I have learned that this is a common problem for VW vehicles and yet nothing is being done to correct it - be it a design flaw, manufacturing problem, etc. Failed regulators are both a safety and security problem. I hope that NHTSA takes these complaints seriously and investigates the problem.

- Washington, DC, USA

The power windows on my 1998 VW Jetta III failed. I've experienced this occasion 4 times since I've had my car. Currently both passenger and driver side windows are not functioning. The powers windows would not roll up or down. I have not had them repaired since its a very expensive rapair. I've searched the internet and it seems that a lot of 1998 volkswagon Jetta owners experience the same problems I have. I brought my car to the volkswagon dealer and they said that this was a common problem with the type of car I have.

- Hayward, CA, USA