Two problems related to radiator have been reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
Car only has only 31,000 miles yet radiator was leaking causing temp. Light to come on. No visible exterior damage to radiator. Cost to replace was over $700. 00. Vw of America refuses to help pay, even though radiator was defective. Worse yet consumer helpline refused to let me speak with a supervisor or give me number for corporate office.