1998 Volkswagen Passat suspension problems
Owners reported suspension problems in 99 complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, 21% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 99 21% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When suspension problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 22 suspension complaints that report mileage, the median is about 72,000 miles, and 23% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash.
What owners wrote
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.
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.
Other problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat
- Brakes 103 complaints
- Steering 59 complaints
- Engine 41 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 32 complaints
- Electrical system 29 complaints
- Fuel system 21 complaints