NHTSA Complaint #10163261 — 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

THE FAILURE OF LOWER CONTROL ARM HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON THE CITY ROAD WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN (APPROXIMATELY AT 5 MPH SPEED). RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM SHEARED IN TWO PIECES, LEAVING A FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPENED ON ANY HIGHER HIGHER SPEED, CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE DEADLY. I RESEARCHED THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND FOUND THAT VW ISSUED A SERVICE ACTION FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON 1999 PASSAT. HOWEVER, VW SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THE SERVICE ACTION DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. VW'S EXPLANATION WAS THAT IT ONLY COVERS PARTS FROM CERTAIN SUPPLIER (ACCORDING TO REPRESENTATIVE, VW USED TWO DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM). I BELIEVE THAT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, AS THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM, DRIVE SHAFT AND WHEEL LINER (AND, POSSIBLY SOME OTHER PARTS WHICH WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE CONTROL ARM FAILURE) AT MY EXPENSE. I BELIEVE, VW SHOULD COVER AT LEAST SOME OF THE EXPENSE, AS IT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF A FACTORY DEFECT. *NM