3.6
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 34,962 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
All 4 upper control arms failed at 62,500 miles. Oem control arms are unfit for purpose as designed and should be recalled by vwoa.
- Gaithersburg, MD, USA
I own a 2001 Volkswagen Passat station wagen and have had nothing but trouble with it since I bought it. I had to replace the engine due sludge and Volkswagen of America would not reimburse me because I was missing one oil change receipt the lights keep coming on in the car telling me I have engine problems once again, and I bring it in for regular repairs and check ups. Currently the suspension part of the car has gone and that will cost another $2000 on top of the $7000 I already put into it. That does not include new tires and other things that have gone wrong with this idiot car. Volkswagen does not stand by its customers at all and I will never ever buy from them again and will tell people I know the car is a piece of crap. The place I bring in my car to for repair already knows that. Do not bring it into a Volkswagen repair place to have it fixed> they are the biggest ripp offs and so totally dishonest!!!! I bought the car from jack daniels in fairlawn, NJ and have had it repaired at trend motors, in denville,
- Montville, NJ, USA
Upper left control arm bushing failure at 35,000 miles. Needs replacing.
- Memphis, TN, USA
While driving 5 mph, the upper control arm snapped. This caused the consumer to lose steering control. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
- Austin, TX, USA
Despite light use of the vehicle, both the upper and lower control arms on our 2001 VW Passat wagon have failed and required replacement. Although the company recognized a defect with the lower control arms and replaced them at its expense, we were charged $600 by the dealer to replace the upper control arms -- even though the vehicle had fewer than 25,000 miles at the time.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Front suspension control arm bushings on 2001 (B5) Passat model are defective and fail prematurely at 30,000-50,000 miles. Failure is systemic and widespread. Failure of front control arm bushings can lead to the loss of vehicle control causing an accident, injury, and possibly death. Investigation on the internet has shown this problem to be widespread both in europe and the us, yet VW has not taken any ownership of this serious product defect. Corrective action being taken is to install aftermarket components that have been strengthened to eliminate the defect and are manufactured by meyle of germany. As this model ages, the defect problem will increase.
- Portland, OR, USA
Upper control arm on both sides worn out. I noticed this when I started to hear squeaking sounds when I would make tight turns from left to right and vice versa. Had to have them both replaced.
- White Plains, NY, USA
Upper control arms on both sides are worn out. Tie rods are worn out on both sides. Catalytic converters needed replaced. I paid for the tie rods, warranty covered converters, and I have not had the upper control arms replaced. Oil leaks on engine. Interior lights do not activate when drivers door is opened.
- Olmsted Township, OH, USA
Upper control arm bushings ripped causing future failure of front suspension leading to possible death or injury if traveling at any speed. Brand new car with only 25000 miles should not have major problem like this. Please contact manufacturer and issue recall based on possible future deaths and/or injuries resulting from this malfunction.
- Pensacola, FL, USA
- Bellingham, WA, USA