1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

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