2000 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 VW PASSAT SINCE 2006 AND HAVE HAD ONLY REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR UNITL ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I WAS DRIVING ON 95 IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FL MOVING AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND PUSHING BRAKES TOOK ALL I HAD TO TRY AND SAFELY STEER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP CROSSING OVER 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE BREAK-DOWN LANE. ONCE I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS WERE OR AT LEAST SEEMED TO STILL BE WORKING (IE: DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, WINDOWS) THE VEHICLE DID THIS 4 MORE TIMES WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. I TESTED ALL THE FUSES AND THEY ALL WERE IN WORKING ORDER AND THE NEXT SET OF SYMPTOMS OCCURRED A WEEK LATER. I WAS TRYING TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE AND THERE WAS NOT CONNECTION BEING MADE BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE CAR, I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE DIDNT START OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER. ALL DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AS WELL AS THE RADIO, HOWEVER, I HAD LOST THE POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, TRUNK, GAS LID AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHT FUNCTIONS. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE BEING LOOKED AT AND HOPE TO GIVE AN UPDATE WHEN I FIND OUT THE ISSUE. UPDATED 12/1/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10592205

Incident

May 4, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

STEERING TIE RODS AND FRONT SUSPENSION ARE WORN OUT ON VW PASSAT MAKING STEERING VERY INACCURATE AND IN A STATE OF CONSTANT STEERING INPUT TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT DIRECTION OF VEHICLE. AFRAID THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. CAR HAS ONLY 82,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HEARD OF SUCH COMPLETE IMPENDING FAILURE OF A FRONT SUSPENSION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS COMMON IN PASSATS. IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10161541

Incident

Jul 2, 2006

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 60,000 MILES HAS 2 SERIOUS AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS FIRST ONE WAS WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD POPPING NOISE ON BUMPS AND STEERING WAS VERY UNSTABLE ON BUMPS. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CONTROL ARMS AND TIE ROD ENDS AND THAT BOTH WERE DEALER ITEMS. SO UPON GOING TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED $90 DOLLARS BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN LOOK @ IT. SO I SAID NO BUT HOW MUCH ARE THE PARTS AND TURNS OUT THERE MORE THAN $500 DOLLARS. THREE WEEKS LATER MY ABS LIGHT AND ASR LIGHT COMES ON AND IT READS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH TO STOP! BRAKE FAULT SO READING THIS WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER FIND OUT WHERE THE NEAREST VW DEALER IS AND ASK THEM TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM. WELL THAT WAS EASIER SAID THAN DONE FIRST THEY WANTED THE $90 DOLLARS AGAIN BEFORE THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO! NOTHING THEY CAN DO!! THAT'S CRAZY!! AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM ON WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT IT BUT IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THEY SAID THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE PROBLEM ITS OK TO DRIVE BUT IT COULD BE THE ABS MODULE OR THE DASH CLUSTER ITS SELF. SO I ASKED THE PRICE ABS $1200 DOLLARS NEW DASH OVER $700 AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING LABOR.. SO SORRY TO SAY BUT VW LOST A CUSTOMER WITH ME AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE CAR IS JUST TO NEW FOR THIS TYPE OF STUFF TO HAPPEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE. AND JUST TO ADD, MY OLD CAR WHICH I HAVE TO DRIVE NOW SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VW IS A HONDA PRELUDE WITH 185,000 MILES AND STILL NO PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10150012

Incident

Mar 10, 2003

PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE. LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS ARE PREMATURELY WORN RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD IN BREAKING, PARTS NEED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, BALL JOINTS, 1/2 SHAFTS. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $1678. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142790

Incident

Nov 15, 2005

Mileage

95,000 mi

MY 2000 VW PASSAT, WITH 38,000 MILES, HAS WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND I MENTIONED I HAD BEEN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT WHILE DOING 3 POINT TURNS OVER THE PAST MONTH. MY MECHANIC (NOT A DEALER) THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. UPON CHECKING, THE RECALL WAS FOR 1999 PASSATS ONLY. SINCE THE 2000 MODEL IS THE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE 1999 MODEL, WHY WAS THIS RECALL NOT EXTENDED TO THE 2000 CARS? I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE ACTION ISSUED BY VW IN NOVEMBER 2004 DID NOT INCLUDE THE TIE RODS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10132074

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

37,000 mi

UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS (4 UPPER CONTROL ARMS, 2 PER SIDE) ARE TORN AND SUSPENSION HAS PLAY COUPLED WITH LOOSE STEERING RESULTING IN NOISE.

NHTSA ID

10116030

Incident

Mar 28, 2005

Mileage

55,000 mi

WE TOOK OUR 2000 VW PASSAT IN TO THE VW DEALER FOR STATE SAFETY AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND THAT THE PASSANGER SIDE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON ALSO. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE WAS SHOCKED HOW BAD OF CONDITION THEY WERE A YEAR 2000 AND HAVING 55,000 MILES. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD END; LINK ROD; AND LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT TOTAL COST WAS 370.00 AND WE WILL NEED TO DO THE SAME SOON FOR THE LEFT FRONT SIDE VERY SOON. I AM APPALLED THAT VW IS AWARE OF THESE COMPLAINTS IN THE 2000 MODEL AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID

10112680

Incident

Dec 30, 2004

Mileage

59,795 mi

UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE FAILING AND DANGEROUS, WHICH IS LEADING TO THE TIE RODS FAILING. I AM TOLD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VW QUOTED ME $1100 TO MAKE MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM PUZZLED THAT VW IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE SEEN MANY WEBSITES ASKING FOR OWNERS TO CONTACT NHTSA ABOUT THIS ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10110661

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

Mileage

61,000 mi

2000 VW PASSAT WITH ONLY 42,000 HAD WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER MAINTENANCE/SERVICE WORK. THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S COST. VW REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE TWO RECALLS FOR TIE RODS ON 1999 PASSATS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #99V248000 AND 00V414000). VW ALSO JUST ISSUED A "SERVICE ACTION" IN NOVEMBER 2004 FOR CHECKING/REPLACING FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS SERVICE ACTION DID NOT INCLUDE TIE RODS. I BELIEVE VW IS ATTEMPTING TO CIRCUMVENT A RECALL BY ISSUING THIS "SERVICE ACTION" BULLETIN, AND BY NOT COVERING PROBLEMS WITH TIE RODS IN THIS SERVICE ACTION MAINTENANCE. SINCE THE PRIOR YEAR OF PASSAT (THE 1999 MODEL) HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND THE RECALL WAS AFTER THE 2000 PASSATS WENT ON THE MARKET, IT IS MOST PROBABLE THAT THE SAME PROBLEMS WERE STILL PRESENT IN THE 2000 PASSAT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10104641

Incident

Dec 28, 2004

Mileage

42,275 mi

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10101878

Incident

Nov 20, 2004

REAR BRAKES REPLACED/TIE ROD BOOTS/ FRONT AXLE RUSTED/REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10080750

Incident

May 21, 2004

FAULTY OUTER TIE ROD END SEAL FOR VW PASSAT 1.8T. CAR WITH ONLY 46000 MILES ALREADY NEEDS NEW OUTERS TIE ROD END DUE TO PREMATURE/FAULTY BRAKAGE OF SEAL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10072637

Incident

May 14, 2004

HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND TIE ROD ENDS ON MY 2000 PASSAT GLX 4-MOTION WAGON. FIVE OUT OF 8 CONTROL ARMS WERE IN VERY POOR CONDITIONS WITH TORN BOOTS OVER THE BALL JOINTS. THE BALL JOINTS IN THE CONTROLL ARMS WERE TORN AND BALL JOINS WERE DRY AND NOISY. THE TIE ROD BALL JOINS WERE WORN OUT AND MAKING NOISES. THE CAR HAS NOT BE WRECKED OR DAMAGED OTHER WISE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10063718

Incident

Jan 10, 2004

Mileage

48,000 mi

THE CV BOOT COVER HAS FAILED ON BOTH CV JOINTS. THIS ALLOWED GREASE FROM THE CV JOINTS TO SLING ONTO THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO OPERATE WITH MUCH LESS STOPPING POWER. THE CV JOINTS ARE NOW DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10056759

Incident

Nov 15, 2003

Mileage

51,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT END WOBBLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10057549

Incident

Jan 29, 2004

Mileage

39,000 mi

TIE ROD ENDS FAILED ON 2000 PASSAT EFFECTING THE STEERING CONTROL. PRIOR TO 44000. DEALER STATED THIS IS CONSIDERED NORMAL FOR PASSAT . TIE ROD ENDS WERE RETURNED TO ME AND THE SEALS WERE NOT PROTECTING THE SWIVEL BEARING. *AK INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THERE HAD BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL IN 99 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. WE BELIEVE VOLKSWAGEN MAY HAVE THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE WITH TIE ROD ENDS ON ADDITIONAL AUTOS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10050966

Incident

Dec 4, 2003

Mileage

40,000 mi

2000 VW PASSAT WAGON- LESS THAN 50 THOUSAND MILES- MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE SHOT. CONTACTED VW WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE RATE OF FAILURES OF MANY PARTS OF THIS CAR. THESE FAILURES ARE WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED PREMATURE. VW ASKED ME TO BRING IN VEHICLE FOR A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND CONFIRMED TIE ROD FAILURE- REPLACEMENT TO BE AT MY EXPENSE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10046010

Incident

Oct 16, 2003

Mileage

50,000 mi

AT 62K MILES 3 CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS AND TIE ROD END HAVE FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AUTHORIZED DEALER'S MECHANIC SEEMED SURPRISED THAT THIS PART FAILED SO EARLY. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2000 PASSATS (AND AUDIS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO USE SAME PARTS), AND THE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN SUPPOSEDLY ISSUED FOR IN GERMANY. WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN ADDRESSED HERE IN THE U.S. IF IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SAFETY RISK? *LA

NHTSA ID

10041012

Incident

Sep 30, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN BUT THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 60000 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL (99V24800) ON THE INTERNET WHICH DESCRIBED THE SYMPTOMS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WITH THE TIE RODS. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *PH *NLM

NHTSA ID

10029401

Incident

Jun 16, 2003

Mileage

59,000 mi

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS TIE RODS AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 414 000. BUT, IT'S MODEL/ YEAR, AND VIN NUMBER NOT INCLUDED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10032075

Mileage

40,000 mi

(2000 VW PASSAT) MECHANIC INDICATED EXCESSIVE TIE-ROD-END WEAR DUE TO SEAL FAILURE -- IDENTICAL TO FAILURE SUBJECT TO RECALL IN 1999 MODEL. VW WAS NOTIFIED ON 7/7/2003 AND DECLINED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ID

10025632

Incident

Jul 7, 2003

Mileage

51,000 mi

TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARMS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE, I.E. BUSHINGS BECOME WORN AND WILL TEAR AFTER TIME. THE BUSHINGS ON MY VEHICLE FOR BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS (CURRENTLY @ 48000 MILES) ON BOTH SIDES AND TIE RODS HAVE STARTED TO CRACK AND TEAR. *JB

NHTSA ID

10017047

Incident

May 5, 2003

Mileage

48,500 mi

THE BOOT COVERING THE BALL JOINT FOR THE TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH FRONT AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE BOOT FAILING HAS CAUSED THE BALL JOINT TO FAIL CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE WHEELS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VOLKSWAGEN RECALLED THE PARTS DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE FOR 1998 & 1999 PASSATS, SO THEY SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE 2000'S. DT

NHTSA ID

769830

RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED DIRECTLY AFTER 40,000 MILE TUNE UP AT DEALER. I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM OF WHEEL STICKING WHEN TURNING. FEELS LIKE RACK IS NOT ALIGNED WITH RACK AND PINION. HAVE HEARD OF ONE INSTANCE WHERE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SO MYLSELF AND OTHER ARE NOT IN DANGER OF LOOSING STEERING WHILE DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ID

760134

Incident

Feb 1, 2002

THE SHIFT LEVER CANNOT BE SHIFTED PAST REVERSE DUE TO FAULTY GEARBOX. NLM

NHTSA ID

8006392

Incident

Mar 22, 2002