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.

- Stanford, CT, USA

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.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

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.

- Honeoye Falls, NY, USA

Daily driving conditions the ABS light comes on with audible warning and the brake light blinks continuously. Root problem is the ABS electronic module that is malfunctioning. This is a very common problem as much web research has been conducted through online Passat forums.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

1998 Passat both front control arms needed to be replaced due to defective.

- Washington, DC, USA

Both front control arms defective which caused the vehicle to fail inspection. The consumer's daughter received a recall notice but the dealer refused to repair the vehicle until she provided them with maintenance records.

- Washington, DC, USA

I own a 1998 Volkswagen Passat and I'm the original owner. I have done all [even more than] the recommended maintenance on the Passat. I had the control arms replaced once already 2 years ago [not under recall or reimbursed for this procedure]. I am once again getting considerable craking noises from my control arms in my front suspension. I do not drive my Passat abnormally nor had any accidents with it. I feel that this happening to my Passat is not a normal wear and tear issue, but something else - bad design or materials?

- East Wenatchee, WA, USA

Contlor arms on my car have been damaged. The rubber used to produce tie rods is too soft and the car makes noise while driving over bumps. The failure also does not allow to perform aligment on my vehicle until fixed. Cost of repair over $600. This is a well known problem on the suspension for VW, Audi and car owners.

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

The consumer stated that the control arm broke and it was noticed when the vehicle was being towed. The consumer was unable to drive the vehicle and it was no longer under warranty. The consumer was told by the dealer that he would have to wait until this problem was under recall before they would do anything.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

Our 1998 Passat has only 50,000 miles on it, and yet all of the expensive front control arms are starting to go bad. They are getting play in the ball joints, which are only replaceable by replacing the whole control arms. Since there are a total of 8 control arms, the cost of repair is potentially very high. And if they are not replaced, the potential for hazard and injury becomes very great if the joints get so sloppy that they affect the handling of the car and eventually come apart. VW should not be allowed to get away with building such an under-engineered suspension system.

- Madison, WI, USA

Mechanic is telling me all four tie rod assemlbies and control arms need replaced. I have been hearin a loud crunching noice everytime I go over a small bump or turn a corner.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

Upper control arm failure on my 1998 VW Passat. Dealer quoted me $1200 repair, even though I bought the car "certified". my Passat had only 55, xxx miles on it at time of failure. My concern is the repair- I don't have the money, so the parts wear more and more becoming more and more unsafe. Why isn't there a recall?

- Muskegon, MI, USA

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.

- Waltham, MA, USA

Constant noise seems to be coming from front end suspension.

- Scarborough, ME, USA

Front control arm bushings torn and creaking. Possible safety issue if bushings deteriorate further.

- Somerville, NJ, USA

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.

- Antioch, TN, USA

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.

- Calgary, AK, USA

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!

- Walpole, MA, USA

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.

- Denver, PA, USA

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.

- Littleton, CO, USA