The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of two brackets used to bolt the front suspension control arm in front of the vehicle to the body structure May not have been welded sufficiently.
The risk
The control arm could gradually loosen and ultimately separate from its bracket in normal driving which could cause the vehicle to be difficult to control or result in loss of control. As the bracket loosens, loud metallic knocking sounds in from the vehicle will be heard.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the bracket and if the welding is insufficient, will replace the control arm.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V-280 (00V280000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper arm |
| Report date | September 20, 2000 |
| Owners notified | September 15, 2000 |
| Vehicles affected | 4,218 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the suspension
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V-280 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the bracket and if the welding is insufficient, will replace the control arm.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 4,218 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.