NHTSA Complaint #741567 — 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

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.*AK