Just got my info from Mike on my car. Check out the history with the steering shaft and heated seat. And the intake gasket didn't even make it two years. Knock on wood they don't come up again.
CLAIM HISTORY
R.O Date R.O Number Type Labor Operation Odometer Reading
04/12/2006 216956 # C7167 - MODULE, CONTROL HEATED SEAT FRONT - LEFT - REPLACE 35870 miles
01/16/2006 124230 # E7700 - SHAFT, STEERING INTERMEDIATE - REPLACE 32917 miles
01/16/2006 124230 # C7171 - HEATING ELEMENT, LEFT FRONT SEAT (BOTH) - REPLACE 32917 miles
01/16/2006 124230 # Z7910 - 1-WAY SHUTTLE COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 32917 miles
12/30/2005 123832 # Z7910 - 1-WAY SHUTTLE COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 32420 miles
10/25/2005 852200 # Z2084 - ROADSIDE SERVICE (FLAT TIRE) 30000 miles
01/04/2005 113612 # J0255 - GASKET, INTAKE MANIFOLD (UPPER) - REPLACE 19530 miles
06/01/2004 107370 # E7700 - SHAFT, STEERING INTERMEDIATE - REPLACE 12533 miles
10/29/2003 101082 # V1038 - 03034 - REPLACE THROTTLE BODY NUTS/ADD COOLANT PELLETS 6483 miles
03/18/2003 A77261 I Z7000 - PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION - BASE TIME 0 miles

My folks have a black on black 2000 SSEI, they have had the SAME things fixed, excpet for the upper intake gasket.. The SSEI'* don't have that issue. But, the steering shaft and heated seats... same thing.
BTW, I'm waiting for my Mom to get the itch to get a new car.. That 2000 SSEI has 30K miles on it.. dang.

Grimm...good news your upper was replaced...bad news..you still have the lowers from the factory.

I think you missed that only the upper Gasket was replaced there Bill. Still on borrowed time for the UIM failure.