Upper and lower front suspension control arm bushing failure. (left and right).

- Holmdel, NJ, USA

The vehicle experienced a constant groaning and squeaking in the front end suspension when driving at low speeds. The dealer said the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The dealer indicated that this was not a safety problem.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

Lower control arm failure. Vehicle purchased from VW as certified like new with warranty to second owner. Vehicle had approx 30000 miles at purchase. Now has 67K miles. Appears to fit pattern relative to defective - should be recalled issue in which these parts fail every 30K miles. As noted on other incidents, no other vehicle exhibits this type of failure making this unique to VW and Audi. Therefore more indicitave of factory defect and creation of hazardous driving situation.

- Ashland, MA, USA

Lower control arms did not "fail" but were significantly worn at 21000 miles and they required replacement`. VW covered 100% of replacement cost. *****dims 11 IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over*****757901.

- Wauwatosa, WI, USA

I am experiencing a creaking sound coming from the lower control arm bushings on both sides of the vehicle. From the NHTSA site, I have now learned that failed lower control arms and bushings are a common problem in the Passat. The vehicle was just purchased "certified" used from VW four months ago with 34,000 miles. I returned the car to the dealer, who said that the lower control arm bushings were "just dry from road salt", and proceeded to hose the bushings down with an aerosol can of lubricant. He said that if this did not eliminate the noise (it didn't) then I might wish to return in a week or so for them to investigate further. It is obvious from the other complaints I have read what the problem is. If this vehicle's lower control arms fail as frequently as other owners on this site have indicated, with the only warning being a dull creaking noise, it is conceivable that most ordinary drivers would never have the problem investigated. Those that do would find that the repair is extensive and expensive. It is likely that some of these may choose to delay or neglect the situation. Both scenarios pose a unique and serious safety threat to the operators and occupants of the VW Passat. There are tens of thousands of these vehicles on the road, and all apparently share in what is an obvious design flaw that creeps up every 25 to 40 thousand miles in spite of very expensive replacement. Failure of a lower control arm could easily cause a crash. VW should do the right thing by acknowledging this engineering failure and voluntarily recall these vehicles immediately for the safety and well being of its customers.

- Hudson, OH, USA

Driver's side lower control arm (front suspension) bushing/link has worn out at only 62K miles, a common problem on VW Passat and Audi A4 w/quadralink front suspension, unheard of on other vehicles. This is a potential safety issue. There ought to be a recall. This car has 8 control arms in total. The premature failure of these parts is by now well known, quite expensive, and potentially hazardous, not to mention inconvenient to VW customers. VW has done very little to address this potential safety issue. The only recourse is to pay exorbitant sums, repeatedly, over time to replace the defective parts with equally defective parts which also fail prematurely; there is no permanent solution to this problem. There needs to be a recall or at the very least VW should be fixing these cars for free each time, no questions asked.

- Malden, MA, USA

Creaking noise eminating from passenger side lower control arm bushing over low speed bumps. Can be reproduced by manually compressing front suspension while vehicle is parked. Dealer says VW doesn't consider failure of front control arm bushings to be a safety issue.

- Lewiston, ME, USA

Lower control arm bushing failure, causing erratic handling, degraded since.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

Right lower control arm sheared off wheel attachment, resulting in loss of control and crash.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

Lower front control arms have failed in less then 30,000 miles. A loss of control of the car is possible.

- Merrick, NY, USA

I have informed the dealer and I imformed them about the lower control arm failure and there was tsb call for the item they told me that I dont quailify for that problem. The problem is that their a bushing failure on both side of the lower control arm it made it loose and you can feel it in the wheels and steering wheel. It would be a easy fix if they just replace the bushing but they dont just sell the bushing they sell the whole lower control arm. I have technical knowlegde about the cars and I believe that this is a problem. Its a safety issue to anyone. If the person does not know what going on. They will continue driving their unsafe car. The suspension test on the inspection station will not detect the problem. It will affect the alignment and the drive shaft and steering.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

The lower right arm of the front suspension has failed. This is after only 25,000 miles. The bushing has apparently come loose from the arm. If allowed to progress far enough, this could lead to unsafe handling of the vehicle.

- Macedon, NY, USA