1998 Volkswagen Passat Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 90about this part
- Share
- 27%of 331 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 90 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, 27% of the 331 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Contlor arms on my car have been damaged. The rubber used to produce tie rods is too soft and the car makes noise while driving over bumps. The failure also does not allow to perform aligment on my vehicle until fixed. Cost of repair over $600. This is a well known problem on the suspension for vw, audi and car owners.”
NHTSA complaint #10081067, filed 2004-07, 84,000 miles“I took my car to jim ellis Volkswagen of atlanta to get the tie rods replaced as part of the recall campaign on my 98 Volkswagen Passat. The dealer tells me that this work has already been marked as completed in their system by another dealer . I have never taken my car to the other dealer. Please advice.”
NHTSA complaint #10053095, filed 2004-01, 98,000 miles“Had a creaking sound in the front end of my 1998 vw Passat 1.8t. Took it in to the dealer and was told the left front upper control arm tie rods were bad (and dangerous) and had to be replaced at my cost. Did this and 6 weeks later the upper control arm on the right front side failed while driving and caused me to have an accident. Dealer fixed this problem at no charge and now 4 months later the same sound is back and now the dealer tells me that the majority of the front suspension must be replaced and expects me to pay for it.”
NHTSA complaint #10152692, filed 2006-03, 135,500 miles“I purchased a pre-owned 1998 vw Passat sedan with 36,000 miles on it in 2002 which was a great deal!! Or so I thought. Since that time I have started hearing a noise coming from the front right tire.. Or suspension .. Like a creaking, crunching, knocking noise. I took it to a vw dealership and was told that the control arms on the right and the tie rods needed to be replaced. I found out that the tie rods had been recalled and the ones on my vehicle had been replaced under that recall in 2001, but had again worn out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080540, filed 2004-07, 71,315 miles“Mechanic is telling me all four tie rod assemlbies and control arms need replaced. I have been hearin a loud crunching noice everytime I go over a small bump or turn a corner.”
NHTSA complaint #10060112, filed 2004-03, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10011593Dec 1, 2004Check/replace front suspension lower control arms. *tc this supercedes the vm service action dated november 2004.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 7% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1% |
| 2013 | 13 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 16 | 3% |
| 2001 | 25 | 6% |
| 2000 | 36 | 7% |
| 1999 | 118 | 18% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat
90 complaintsSteering
52 complaintsEngine cooling
39 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology