Steering Column problems of the 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora

Dear sir: I have a 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora that I purchased new, with a delivery date of 09/22/1999. The car is used primarily by my wife with approximately 78,000 miles on the odometer. We have kept the car up and now find a very expensive repair that we feel is neither of our doing nor a normal ware item. In the past two (2) year the steering column has become loose internally. Today at the dealership, the service writer says the steering column needs to be removed to tighten the three (3) bolts that holds the column assembly together costing $540. 00. My wife is having other items worked on today at the dealership, but is very reluctant to perform the steering column work because she believes, as I do, that this repair should be a safety item gm should pay for. We understand there have been other cars with the same problem, but there has not been any recall notice. Under the present recall atmosphere, I am asking that gm repair the steering column as soon as possible for safety reasons. If there is a failure of the steering column it could result in damage and injury. As a follow-up to the statement above, today I have just finished speaking to an oldsmoble customer representative and have been told gm will not pay for the repair due to the age of the car.

I am hearing a poppping noise from the front end of car 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora. There is also times when I apply the brakes when turning that it vibrates in the pedal and steering column, also I have been noticing water under passenger front seat in which this is ruining my carpet and leather seats not to mention the electric wiring system under the seat. I can give you the VIN. # 1g3gr62c9x4111759, so you can pull info on car and let me know what info and outstanding recalls there are. Thank you for your time.