Failure of multiple front control arms in 2001 VW Passat. Was given quote of nearly $2100 to repair control arms. Was told this is a "wide spread" problem with VW Passats and nothing has been recalled as of yet.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

I own a 2001 Volkswagen Passat station wagen and have had nothing but trouble with it since I bought it. I had to replace the engine due sludge and Volkswagen of America would not reimburse me because I was missing one oil change receipt the lights keep coming on in the car telling me I have engine problems once again, and I bring it in for regular repairs and check ups. Currently the suspension part of the car has gone and that will cost another $2000 on top of the $7000 I already put into it. That does not include new tires and other things that have gone wrong with this idiot car. Volkswagen does not stand by its customers at all and I will never ever buy from them again and will tell people I know the car is a piece of crap. The place I bring in my car to for repair already knows that. Do not bring it into a Volkswagen repair place to have it fixed> they are the biggest ripp offs and so totally dishonest!!!! I bought the car from jack daniels in fairlawn, NJ and have had it repaired at trend motors, in denville,

- Montville, NJ, USA

Despite light use of the vehicle, both the upper and lower control arms on our 2001 VW Passat wagon have failed and required replacement. Although the company recognized a defect with the lower control arms and replaced them at its expense, we were charged $600 by the dealer to replace the upper control arms -- even though the vehicle had fewer than 25,000 miles at the time.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The lower control arms have failed and the VW dealer recommends replacement at just 67000 miles. This is premature. I understand it is a common problem and a safety risk.

- West Olive, MI, USA

Front suspension control arm bushings on 2001 (B5) Passat model are defective and fail prematurely at 30,000-50,000 miles. Failure is systemic and widespread. Failure of front control arm bushings can lead to the loss of vehicle control causing an accident, injury, and possibly death. Investigation on the internet has shown this problem to be widespread both in europe and the us, yet VW has not taken any ownership of this serious product defect. Corrective action being taken is to install aftermarket components that have been strengthened to eliminate the defect and are manufactured by meyle of germany. As this model ages, the defect problem will increase.

- Portland, OR, USA