Regarding a campaign number 00V414000 for the steering linkages on the 99 VW Passat. I requested the dealer to check my vehicle for the recall due to the fact it has damaged tie rods. The manufacture claims my vehicle was not part of the campaign but the dealer has instructed me to have them replaced. I believe they should be replaced under the recall but the manufacture refuses to assist. What can I do ?

- Streator, IL, USA

I am concern with the front suspension of my car. I took in the car for an 80,000 mile Volkswagen recommended check up. I explained to service technician that there is a noise in the frot suspension. That noise had been there since I got the car at around 65,000 miles. I explained to the technician that I had called Volkswagen of America because through carfax I found out that there was an issue with the fron suspension of the 1999 Volkswagen passan 1.8 turbo gls. Volkswagen of America told me that they had not issued a recall yet. So I told the technician to check for me again to see if there was a recall issued to the fron suspension. He said no and he mentioned that to fix the suspension problem I will have to replace the suspension steering linkages and other components. He gave me an estimate for the fix at around $1200 dollars. 2 weekends ago I wento to a Volkswagen swap meet and found out that a few other Passat drivers were having the same issue with their suspensions. I have been a Volkswagen driver for 17 years. I have never had any suspension problems of this kind with any of the Volkswagen cars I owned. I truely belive VW has released cars with malfunctioning components and they want the consumer to pay for an expensive repair. I appreciate you guys taking the time to read my eamil and looking in to this matter for the safety of VW drivers and pedestrians a like.

- Edina, MN, USA

Approximately two years ago, our 1999 Volkswagen Passat developed a distinct creak. The creak has become very pronounced. Our dealer has advised us that it is a defect in the car's control arm, and that the defect is prevalent in 1999 Passats. The dealer stated that the defect can lead to a loss of steering capacity. This will cost us approximately $1,000 to fix.

- Wauwatosa, WI, USA

Car has had tie rods replaced under a recall, both C.V.joints replaced plus a wheel bearing fixed which I had to pay for.don 't understand why these problems have came up so early in car service life.

- Durham, NC, USA

Car had been recalled for repairing defective tie rod - once fixed the entire front end and tires have gone bad and the dealer estiimates $ 1500 for repairing tires. Manufacturer is adamant and obnoxious and thinks that this is normal wear and tear based on telephone conversation. At 38,000 miles front end failure needs to be investigated.

- Dayton, NJ, USA

Driving in downpour, from stopped position at stoplight, turned onto street free of any obstacles, steering jerked hard, right tire ripped, wheel rim bent, dealer says not covered by recall (?) 3 weeks, dealer can not fix car.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

Steering rack seal failed at 15K mi, causing loss of fluid and damage to rack. Dealer replaced under warranty. Driver side, passenger window (left rear) disconnected from electric motor (would not go up and down) at 45K mi. Hardly use window (no kids or passengers). Dealer replaced "pin" and charged 1hr labor for pulling door panel - not covered under extended warranty. Steering began to "creak" when wheel turned slowly at stop or near stop at 52K mi. Dealer investigated and could not find problem. Stated no safety problems. Driver side, passenger window (left, rear) disconnected from power motor again at about 75K mi. Did not contact dealer again as expected to pay $60 again so waited for a scheduled service. Driver window power motor failed at 83K mi - sounded like metal grinding. Had to manually push window closed. Took auto to different dealer (midwestern auto group, dublin oh, 614-889-2571) to examine driver window, driver side passenger window and steering "creak". new dealer stated driver window under extended warranty plan, driver-side passenger window not covered and missing "pin" totally, and steering "creak" is in any or all of the control arm/linkage bushings. Quoted $2000 to replace steering front end - suggested I just live with noise. No mention of tie-rod recall on 1999 Passats. I have no information on if my car qualifies for the recall, but my investigatiion online suggests I do. Have not received any notices, but have moved since original purchase and could have "lost mail" problem. Suggest power window design is bad - as I drive on hwys a lot for business in oh where summer requires ac, winter requires heat, I have no kids or passengers in back seats, etc.

- Columbus, OH, USA

The car has a pronounced groan when turning and the dealer says one of the tie rods needs to be replaced. There is an existing recall for this defect for cars manufactured prior to mine-it would seem that they did not correct the problem, it was more extensive than they originally thought or my car was constructed using the previous parts. The local dealer referred me to VW who say they can not "participate" or "assist" with this repair.

- Brookline, NH, USA