LATE IN APRIL, 2013 I INSTALLED A PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON A 1998 VW JETTA TDI. THE CONTROL ARM WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE ( THEIR PART # 520-782) AS AN ASSEMBLY WITH THE BALL JOINT INSTALLED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN WHILE DRIVING IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ON EXAMINATION, 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS WHICH …
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LATE IN APRIL, 2013 I INSTALLED A PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON A 1998 VW JETTA TDI. THE CONTROL ARM WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE ( THEIR PART # 520-782) AS AN ASSEMBLY WITH THE BALL JOINT INSTALLED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN WHILE DRIVING IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ON EXAMINATION, 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM WERE MISSING, AND THE THIRD WAS EASILY REMOVED BY FINGER. WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED ALL 3 WERE IN PLACE. THE ONE BOLT REMAINING DID NOT HAVE ANY LOCKING COMPOUND, NOR DID IT HAVE A MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE, SUCH AS A LOCK WASHER OR LOCK NUT. I INSTALLED 3 HARDENED BOLTS WITH LOCKING COMPOUND, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE FOR THE PAST 5 DAYS. IF THE THIRD BOLT HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AND THE PROBABLE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511820
84,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
SteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MADE A NOISE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST NEARLY $500. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING RACK WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MADE A NOISE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST NEARLY $500. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING RACK WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MECHANIC ADDED STEERING FLUID AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL LEAK, WHICH WAS WORSENING. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE LEAK WAS $1,084.84. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10249004
156,000 miles · Jun 19, 2006
SuspensionWheelsCrash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY, BRAKES, RIM AND TIRE WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.*AK UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THE BEARING ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND WORN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10160152
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2004
Suspension
SWAY BAR WAS PUT IN UPSIDE DOWN, OBVIOUS DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067665
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2003
SuspensionWheels
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING RIGHT REAR WHEEL LUGS:NUTS CAME OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER STATED THAT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038197
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2003
Suspension
THE SUSPENSION STRUT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER REDESIGNED THE SUSPENSION STRUT BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS CHANGE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020511
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001
SuspensionCrashFire
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONT END CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #885840
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2001
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING HEARD POPPING SOUND AND STEERING WHEEL MOVED UP, LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN. *AK THE DEALER INDICATED THAT CONTROL ARMS WERE BACK ORDERED NATION WIDE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #879499
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingStructure
VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL AND IGNITION CABLE THAT HAD SHORTED OUT DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERMITTENT ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. *MJS
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
No summary supplied.
PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
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