Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am concern with the front suspension of my car. I took in the car for an 80,000 mile Volkswagen recommended check up. I explained to service technician that there is a noise in the frot suspension. That noise had been there since I got the car at around 65,000 miles. I explained to the technician that I had called Volkswagen of America because through carfax I found out that there was an issue with the fron suspension of the 1999 Volkswagen passan 1.8 turbo gls. Volkswagen of America told me that they had not issued a recall yet. So I told the technician to check for me again to see if there was a recall issued to the fron suspension. He said no and he mentioned that to fix the suspension problem I will have to replace the suspension steering linkages and other components. He gave me an estimate for the fix at around $1200.00 dollars. …
On 9/7/05 in the am, I brought my car into the herzog-meier dealership in beaverton, oregon to be serviced for a radiator issue. Around 2 pm in the afternoon, I received a voice message from the service rep at the dealership indicating that in addition to the issue I brought my car in for, the mechanic had indicated the front tie-rods were completely destroyed. I left a message with the service rep back to get more information. In the interim, I researched and found my vehicle had a recall for tie-rods, indicated as you campaign id numbers of 99V248000 and 00V414000. I contacted vw customer care regarding this issue. Vw customer care would only tell me there was "no outstanding recalls". When I was able to talk with the service rep, he told me these recalls had been performed back on 3/13/01. …
While having new tires installed on my vehicle approximately one year ago (not at my vw dealer), I was informed that my tie rod ends were "loose" and required replacement. Three weeks ago, I brought my vehicle in to my dealer to have the cv joints replaced, and to have the tie rod ends inspected. The dealer confirmed the previous diagnosis, adding that the tie rod ends were now "dangerously loose." I proceeded to have them replaced at a cost of approx. $700 including the front-end alignment that necessitated. I had done some research on the internet and learned that the tie rod ends had had two recalls for my model year vehicle. However, my dealership service manager told me unequivocally "there was no recall" on my tie rod ends for this vehicle. Subsequent research on the NHTSA web site revealed that my VIN number falls slightly outside the VIN ranges covered by the two recalls. …
Tie rod ends excessive wear. Required replacement prior to issuance of nys inspection @60K in 07. Tie rods previously replaced by dealer under recall in 2001@ 19K. Different recall in 05 @ 50K for inspection/replacement of control arms resulted in inspection only. Dealer did not find excessive wear of control arms or tie rod ends. I doubt dealers integrity or that the service tech was aware of previous tie rod replacement. Obviously the acceptable wear would be greater had the parts been in service longer. Defective control arms lead to excessive wear of the steering linkages and ball joints. The vehicle has very low mileage for its age and has been used less than 6K a year since purchase in 05. Cost for the replacement was $150 parts (moog tie rod ends), $90 labor, $75 for the required alignment and nys tax = ~$330. …
1999 Volkswagen Passat tie rods and driver side airbag were bad. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for it's 40000 miles checkup when the problems were found. The air bag light was on when the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they refused to pay for any of the repairs. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility. The independent tech could not repair the air bag therefore the air bag light was still illuminated. The consumer looked on the internet and found out that 1999 passats were recall for tie rod issues in 1999 and notification were sent out in October 1999, one month before the consumer purchased her vehicle. The consumer also found several complaints in reference to the air bag light illuminating.
Front upper control arms and outer tie rods had to be replaced for the second time. First time at 55,552 miles and second time at 75,959 miles. That's only 20,407 miles difference for the $1200.00 repair to be done again. Absurd. Called the vw customer care and they refuse to reimburse in any way stating the 2 year warranty expired. This defect would never fall within the warranty period so they have no excuse. I already absorbed the cost for the 1st repair so in all fairness they should cover the 2nd time. This is a very common problem with vw's. I'm not going to pay $1200 every 20,000 to have my car repaired. I will go legal and forward this complaint to consumer reports, the bbb, and the attorney general.
As a result of a persistent rattling in the front right end of my 4 cyl. 1999 vw Passat, I took my car in for investigation. I have been advised by two independent repair shops that both upper control arms on both sides of the car as well as the tie rod ends must be replaced to the tune of $1200. If they are not replaced, I have been advised that one could break and I would have no steering. Obviously at a high rate of speed this could be dangerous or deadly. I have spoken with vw and even though they acknowledge issuing a TSB on this defect, they refuse to cover its repair. This is a safety issue that must be addressed sooner rather than later. Thank you for any help you can provide in this area.
Dt: the contact received a recall 99V248000 concerning tie rods a couple of years ago. The dealership claimed there was 21,604 miles on the car then. She took vehicle in to the dealership. The contact's service slip did not show any repairs. She was really not sure what was done concerning the recall. About 3-4 weeks ago, she heard a rubbing, screeching noise when turning the steering wheel in any direction. Had the front tie rods replaced on 8-30-05. The manufacturer told the contact that they had made a decision not to reimburse her for the cost of this repair because of the mileage on vehicle, which ha 74,000 miles on it. The contact stated the car has been very well maintained.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the interstate, the right tire blew out without warning. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road. There were no obvious road hazards seen. The tire was replaced with a spare. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop, who determined both front tie rod ends were worn, lacked lubrication, were rubbing into the front tires, and needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 00V414000, regarding the steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 1/31/2007 -
I am having the known issue with the upper and lower control arms on my vw Passat. Volkswagen so far will only cover the lower control arms if they fail or appear damaged. Many other people are having problems with the upper control arms that are not covered. The steering tie rod ends also need to be replaced. These tie rod ends appear to be failing at a very high rate in vw passats. I am having this replaced at a very high cost. Volkswagens must be too expensive to maintain. It was my mistake was taking this issue to a vw dealership. I assumed vw would be able to work with me.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals May not seal properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals May not seal properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rods.
NHTSA investigations
Alleged premature tie rod failure
On August 2, 2005, odi received a petition submitted by ms. Miriam schneider of olney, md, requesting an investigation of allegedly defective tie rods in certain model year (my) 1999 Volkswagen passat vehicles not included in two previous safety recall campaigns (identified henceforth as the subject vehicles).in a September 1999 letter, Volkswagen of America, inc.
Steering complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, 11% of the model year's 664 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volkswagen Passat steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-414 (connecting, Dec 6, 2000); NHTSA recall 99V-248 (connecting, Sep 13, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Passat steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.