Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 own a 1999 vw Passat wagon. There have been some recalls about the front end. I did have it checked at least twice by my dealer who said everything was OK. As I was nearing my home today at about 25 MPH the right front wheel suddenly collapsed upward into the wheel well and the car started skidding on the right side of the frame off to the right side of the road. Because I was going rather slow I was able to correct it and stop it before it went off the road. If I had been going 65-70 next to other cars on the interstate or even 40 on a two lane around town I'm sure things would not have been quite so benign and we (my family and I) May all have been injured or worse! When the wrecker lifted it the driver and I both looked at the a arm and the ends were cracked or sheared off. I did not hit anything before it happened, and did not hit anything while I have had the car. …
The failure of lower control arm happened without any warning, during normal driving on the city road when making a right turn (approximately at 5 MPH speed). Right front suspension lower control arm sheared in two pieces, leaving a front passenger wheel completely separated. If this should happened on any higher higher speed, consequences would be deadly. I researched this safety hazard and found that vw issued a service action for the lower control arm on 1999 Passat. However, vw service representative informed me that the service action does not cover my vehicle. Vw's explanation was that it only covers parts from certain supplier (according to representative, vw used two different suppliers for the lower control arm). I believe that lower control arm was a defective part, as this type of failure could not be a result of normal wear and tear. It is a safety hazard. …
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. …
I own a 1999 vw Passat v6. I had noticed that noises were coming from the front suspension, and recently steering felt a little funny. I took the car to an independent auto shop to have it checked and for the state inspection, and I was informed that the front upper control arms had deteriorated to the point of making driving the car quite dangerous. I had them both replaced at a steep cost. I checked online and found several complaints regarding to this issue. I called vwoa to inquire whether they would be willing to pay for the repairs, but they declined. Control arms are not supposed to fail easily, certainly not have joints blown up as in my case. Almost all of my miles are highway miles, and I haven't been hitting potholes or drive off-road for the problem to be attributed to normal wear and tear. …
Bushing has dried out on lower control arm on one side resulting in frequent loud creeking / squeeking noises. When making appointment with dealer I asked if it was a safety problem and should I rush the car in. They said "no, it's probably just a dry bushing" and scheduled me for 10 days later. When I learned of the $1200 repair cost and the need to keep the car overnight, I had to reschedule the appointment. Again, another 12 days wait (yet to come). If this is truely not a safety issue, then fine, but info on this site is to the contrary. Besides, why do suppose they call them "control arms?" if they mal function could that mean loss of control? Hmmm. 85K miles on this car, but in retrospect, the noise started a long time ago and the dealer attributed it to lack of steering fluid. The noise returned and came back. This car has a lot of highway miles. …
I began to notice an occasional creaking/knocking noise coming from the front end of the car about six months ago . About a month ago the noise became bad enough for me to take it to the dealership to try and diagnose. I described the noise in great detail. Service dept says they drove the car and didn't hear anything, but that the noise was probably due to my brake pads being worn down so far I had metal against metal. New brake pads and rotors: $1250. Cha-ching. Next day driving to work I still hear the creaking/knocking noise. I take it back to the dealership, very irate. They say they'll drive it again and give it another listen. This time they do hear something and inform me that it's "just a loose control arm, " that it's "expensive to fix" and that "[they] don't even have the parts on hand." but the guy assures me that the noise is only an annoyance issue and not a safty concern. …
I have a 1999 vw Passat v6 gls. I have 74, 270 miles on the car. My ABS and brake light came on about 1 1/2 weeks ago, then my check engine light came on, then my ABS/ brake and oil pressure light came on and were flashing. I brought it to vw dealer today, and was told my ABS module needed replacement for $975.00. I went online and found at vwvortex.com that quite a few people had similar problems with their Passat in my year range. I don't feel that I should be charged for a defective part that is jeopardizing my safety. In addition, I received a recall in 11/04 for vehicle control arms. I brought my car to vw dealer on 12/17/04, and was told that my control arms did not need to be replaced. At that time I had 61, 923 miles on the car. Today, I am told only 12,000 miles later that my control arms need to be replaced at my own expense because the recall is closed. …
Lower control arms recall vm. Wanted to charge me 325.00 for the recall. Vw dealerhip said the recall was not valid unless 40K service was performed. Do not see the correlation with having some filters and fluids changed (40K service) with a suspension recall. Prior to 40K I had cvs changed and had filters and fluids changed. My car had a lot of problems with it and was worked on by vw dealership over 20 times between 32-49K. I was told the 40K service was not needed because of work done at 36K. Was told $240.00 on 40K service check was not needed because of previous work and was over priced not not Smart to do. If there is a malfunction with the car, and their is a recall, the owner should not have to pay for it. If their was decent logic for me paying for this recall I would have no problem with it, but I cannot find it. …
1999 vw Passat. Front suspension problems. Refer to TSB 4001-01. I brought my 1999 Passat to the dealer regarding a noisy front suspension problem and informed them of a TSB on the vehicle. I was informed that vw provides a repair kit for this problem that requires the replacement of the lower control arm assembly. Which includes the defective ball joints (both sides). The dealer informed me that vw will not cover the repair and that the cost to me would be $875.00. Spoke with vw representatives on April 2 and was given a decision on 4/9 that they would not assist with the cost in any way since "this could also be caused by normal wear and tear". This assertion, in my opinion is bogus since a. Vw knows there is a problem, hence the TSB. Provide a "kit" to repair the defect. The case number is 30164333. …
Purchased my 1999 vw Passat 1.8t wagon in August, 2002. It had apprx. 53,000 miles on it. By September, 2003, there was a significant squeaking, creaking, groaning noise coming from the front end. At that time, car had approximately. 75K miles. Diagnosis was front end suspension parts including control arms, ball joints, bushings were dangerously worn and in need of replacement. Vw dealership provided me with a copy of technical service bulletin issued by Volkswagen of America dated May 31, 2001. It calls for installation of parts in repair kit no 3bo498 798a. Because of existence of the tech service bulletin for this problem, my extended warranty company (wynn's warranties) refuses to pay for repairs. Repairs still needed to tune of $1100. Front end is now so loose for safety reasons I will have to make repairs immediately at my own expense.
Suspension complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 118 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, 18% of the model year's 664 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volkswagen Passat suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Passat suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.