The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. While driving at any speed, the contact heard a thumping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. She did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior to hearing the sound. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the tie rods were replaced. NHTSA campaign id number 00V414000 (steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting) was referenced. The current mileage was 65,829 and failure mileage was 39,466.

- Potomac, MD, USA

Tie rod ends excessive wear. Required replacement prior to issuance of nys inspection @60K in 07. Tie rods previously replaced by dealer under recall in 2001@ 19K. Different recall in 05 @ 50K for inspection/replacement of control arms resulted in inspection only. Dealer did not find excessive wear of control arms or tie rod ends. I doubt dealers integrity or that the service tech was aware of previous tie rod replacement. Obviously the acceptable wear would be greater had the parts been in service longer. Defective control arms lead to excessive wear of the steering linkages and ball joints. The vehicle has very low mileage for its age and has been used less than 6K a year since purchase in 05. Cost for the replacement was $150 parts (moog tie rod ends), $90 labor, $75 for the required alignment and nys tax = ~$330. This is safety concern and excessive wear for a part that should have at least a 60K life expectancy. It would be normal for a vehicle to travel 20K between inspections. For the dealer to ok at 50K and an independent inspection facility to condemn at 60K is suspicious. The parts were visibly worn and defective by personal inspection.

- Glen Head, NY, USA

Refer to NHTSA recall # 99V248000. 1999 Volkswagen Passat tie rods or steering linkage. I have had to replace them 3 times at $1500 to $2000 each time since 2005. Suncoast Volkswagen in sarasota fl repaired it 2 times, most recent in 10/06. Now, northtown Volkswagen in amherst NY was replacing them again. I referred to this recall and Volkswagen customer service said VIN did not fall within their recall numbers. Your recall information claimed the extent of models affected was unknown. Please help me in this issue. The dealer gave me excuses each time.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

While having new tires installed on my vehicle approximately one year ago (not at my VW dealer), I was informed that my tie rod ends were "loose" and required replacement. Three weeks ago, I brought my vehicle in to my dealer to have the cv joints replaced, and to have the tie rod ends inspected. The dealer confirmed the previous diagnosis, adding that the tie rod ends were now "dangerously loose." I proceeded to have them replaced at a cost of approx. $700 including the front-end alignment that necessitated. I had done some research on the internet and learned that the tie rod ends had had two recalls for my model year vehicle. However, my dealership service manager told me unequivocally "there was no recall" on my tie rod ends for this vehicle. Subsequent research on the NHTSA web site revealed that my VIN number falls slightly outside the VIN ranges covered by the two recalls. As a mechanical engineer, and as a matter of common sense, it seems utterly unreasonable for such a critical (steering) component to have failed in such a short period of time. A review of the facts involved in the above recalls, it is obvious that VW's design was defective for the recall class, and certainly seems to have remained defective on vehicles produced after the recall VIN range covered under the recalls. Unfortunately, I failed to have the dealer provide me with the replaced components.

- Middleton, WI, USA

Front upper control arms and outer tie rods had to be replaced for the second time. First time at 55,552 miles and second time at 75,959 miles. That's only 20,407 miles difference for the $1200 repair to be done again. Absurd. Called the VW customer care and they refuse to reimburse in any way stating the 2 year warranty expired. This defect would never fall within the warranty period so they have no excuse. I already absorbed the cost for the 1st repair so in all fairness they should cover the 2nd time. This is a very common problem with VW's. I'm not going to pay $1200 every 20,000 to have my car repaired. I will go legal and forward this complaint to consumer reports, the BBB, and the attorney general.

- Oakland Gardens, NY, USA

: the contact stated while driving 55 mph on the interstate, the right tire blew out without warning. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road. There were no obvious road hazards seen. The tire was replaced with a spare. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop, who determined both front tie rod ends were worn, lacked lubrication, were rubbing into the front tires, and needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 00V414000, regarding the steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 1/31/2007 -

- Tampa, FL, USA

1999 Volkswagen Passat tie rods and driver side airbag were bad. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for it's 40000 miles checkup when the problems were found. The air bag light was on when the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they refused to pay for any of the repairs. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility. The independent tech could not repair the air bag therefore the air bag light was still illuminated. The consumer looked on the internet and found out that 1999 Passats were recall for tie rod issues in 1999 and notification were sent out in October 1999, one month before the consumer purchased her vehicle. The consumer also found several complaints in reference to the air bag light illuminating.

- Irving, TX, USA

Tie rod failure diagnosed by VW dealer.

- Rye, NY, USA

Recall campaign 00414000 dealer notice too much play in upper control arms and tie rods. Recall campaign# 99V248000. The consumer was told that the VIN was outside of the VIN range. The second issue was with the output stage control module which was replaced due to the vehicle losing power and shuddering.

- Olney, MD, USA

The contact received a recall 99V248000 concerning tie rods a couple of years ago. The dealership claimed there was 21,604 miles on the car then. She took vehicle in to the dealership. The contact's service slip did not show any repairs. She was really not sure what was done concerning the recall. About 3-4 weeks ago, she heard a rubbing, screeching noise when turning the steering wheel in any direction. Had the front tie rods replaced on 8-30-05. The manufacturer told the contact that they had made a decision not to reimburse her for the cost of this repair because of the mileage on vehicle, which ha 74,000 miles on it. The contact stated the car has been very well maintained.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

On 9/7/05 in the am, I brought my car into the herzog-meier dealership in beaverton, Oregon to be serviced for a radiator issue. Around 2 pm in the afternoon, I received a voice message from the service rep at the dealership indicating that in addition to the issue I brought my car in for, the mechanic had indicated the front tie-rods were completely destroyed. I left a message with the service rep back to get more information. In the interim, I researched and found my vehicle had a recall for tie-rods, indicated as you campaign id numbers of 99V248000 and 00V414000. I contacted VW customer care regarding this issue. VW customer care would only tell me there was "no outstanding recalls". when I was able to talk with the service rep, he told me these recalls had been performed back on 3/13/01. I contacted VW customer care to ask them to re-repair these tie-rods because the parts installed from the recall had failed. VW has said they would only repair the tie-rods the 1 time and felt no obligation to repair again. The reason for my complaint is the parts installed after the recall have failed. Now I am being asked to pay $500 out of my own pocket to fix. Additionally, VW has no recommended replacement or maintenance for tie-rods listed on their website or in my owners manual for my vehicle.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

Petition (2cys) for extension of the Volkswagen (VW) recall on Passat vehicles for the replacement of left and right side tie rods to cover her vehicle a 1999 Volkswagen Passat wagon. (99V248000)

- Olney, MD, USA

1999 Volkswagen Passat had both inner and outer tie rods replaced because they were loosening. The consumer experienced the problem as stated in the recall, however the vehicle identification number was not included. The consumer requested that the recall should be expanded.

- Olney, MD, USA

Comments concerning recall campaign 00V414000 on the 1999 Volkswagen Passat regarding the steering linkages (tie rods). Have had problems with the steering feeling loose but my vehicle is not included in the recall due to VIN.** answer required***.

- Unknown, DC, USA

Consumer requested inclusion in the recall campaign 99V248000 for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat.** answer required*** the tie rods on both the driver and passeneger sides of the vehicle were a problem.

- Norristown, PA, USA

I am having the known issue with the upper and lower control arms on my VW Passat. Volkswagen so far will only cover the lower control arms if they fail or appear damaged. Many other people are having problems with the upper control arms that are not covered. The steering tie rod ends also need to be replaced. These tie rod ends appear to be failing at a very high rate in VW Passats. I am having this replaced at a very high cost. Volkswagens must be too expensive to maintain. It was my mistake was taking this issue to a VW dealership. I assumed VW would be able to work with me.

- Shelby Twp, MI, USA

Vehicle goes to the right and there is a noise coming from the right side. Dealer states the tie rod is defective.

- Boise, ID, USA

1999 Passat upper control arm recall have too much play. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer in response to a recall, the were no problems found with the lower control arms, but the tie rods had too much play, the consumer was told her vehicle identificatin number was not included in the recall.

- Olney, MD, USA

Consumer stated tie rod wore out prematurely. A recall was issued, however this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle was later taken to an independent dealer who indicated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.

- Olney, MD, USA

As a result of a persistent rattling in the front right end of my 4 cyl. 1999 VW Passat, I took my car in for investigation. I have been advised by two independent repair shops that both upper control arms on both sides of the car as well as the tie rod ends must be replaced to the tune of $1200. If they are not replaced, I have been advised that one could break and I would have no steering. Obviously at a high rate of speed this could be dangerous or deadly. I have spoken with VW and even though they acknowledge issuing a tsb on this defect, they refuse to cover its repair. This is a safety issue that must be addressed sooner rather than later. Thank you for any help you can provide in this area.

- Raleigh, NC, USA