Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Anybody else had to go this far with VW on warranty disputes?
From a standpoint of performance, fit and finish, comfort, yadda, yadda, yadda, like most, we couldn't be happier with it. Having had VWs before, I knew going in that repairs tend to be fairly high due to specialized training/parts/whatnot and pretty much accepted that.
Up until now, it hasn't really even been a maintenance problem (like most, a bit on the pricey side for maintenance and a few electical glitches, but nothing debilitating). However, recently the clutch has started to slip. We took it in and, of course, they are calling it a "wear item" (which it is) covered for only 12k miles/1year (which it is) and now I'm stuck with a $1500 repair on a car that is still under warrenty that isn't even paid for yet.
I realize that legally I don't have a leg to stand on here and that they are totally within the rules of the agreement I made at purchase, but I still can't help but feel a little screwed here. In my mind a $1500 "normal wear" item should last one whole hell of a lot longer than 40K miles and 2 years, am I wrong? This car replaced a Saturn SC1 with over 120K miles on it that was still on it's first clutch and the Saturn SL2 I still have also is on the first clutch at over 120K. In fact, the only car I've ever had that threw a clutch before 100K miles was an old 1984 Jetta. Am I being unreasonable to expect a little more out of VW on this?
Again, I do realize that cars break and things wear out, but major items like this that just don't hold up are of a major concern to me. I like the car's performance and safety, but bottom line is I don't want to dump huge sums of money into a depreciating asset. There are a lot of good, safe cars to choose from. If this is an unusual circumstance, then I would think it would be right of VW to make good on the claim (or maybe split the difference). But if they are telling me that this is just a normal occurance, then I say that I've bought my last VW.
What do you all think?
I am a little confused though. First you say that the clutch is still under the 1yr / 12Mo warranty, then you say it has 40K miles on it. Which is it?
I just feel that an owner has a right to expect more than 40K out of a clutch. I agree that clutch wear has a lot to do with use, but this car has a ton of highway miles, it's our main family car for trips and the like. It is being used exactly the same as it's two predecessors, the remaining one of which still has it's original clutch after nine years and 122,000 miles, the last two of which have been exlusively as a daily commuter in DC traffic (since we got the Passat).
If this is the normal state and I'm going to be putting a clutch in this thing every 40k, then I'd like to know now, so I can either plan around it or replace the car. If it is not, then it is an anomoly and it would seem logical to me for VW to show some concern/good faith.
As it turns out, they are not going to do a thing after two days of running me around in circles and really just don't seem to care. That more than anything makes me greatly doubt I will be buying another VW nor will I likely be recommending them to anyone in the near future either. Maybe I am unreasonable to expect anything above and beyond the minimum on a nearly $30K purchase, but such is the price of indifference.
With the Accord, it's a rare event, but it still happens.
Steve - the problem with the manual transmission, is that there are so many different driving styles that can lead to premature transmission wear. Things like:
* Riding the Clutch at the stoplight instead of shifting to neutral.
* Grinding the tranny when making improper shifts.
I'm not saying that you don't know how to drive a manual - just that car companies tend to assume user error first. It's harder for them to duck out of their responsibilities with an automatic - because it's almost impossible for an owner to make the same mistakes on them as compared to a manual.
Still, 40K is really low - considering that your car sees more highway miles (less shifting) - try to work with your mechanic to see if there were any signs of premature wear and see if you could use that as an ammunition to get VOA to help shoulder the cost. Reminding them that losing a customer and the corresponding bad word-of-mouth it may generate may also help you.
Bottom line - Say all you want about the Passat's reliability (or that of any VW) - but I'll take the VW's safety over the reliability of any Japanese tin can auto any day of the week.
Reliability is fine, but it doesn't do you any good if you wind up in a pine box as a result...
The Merc and Honda owners also got out of the crash in one piece. How well or badly a car deforms during an accident isn't always translated to how well the occupant survives it. The fact that the Merc also absorbed the brunt of the force is indicative on the damage dealt to it.
You are correct though, in noting that VW does have a STELLAR safety record - better than most other manufacturers. VW models have performed very well on the 5MPH bumber crash tests, and your real world experience seems to bear this out.
Again, I am glad that your loved one is safe and sound - I am certainly glad that mine is also in one!
Are you saying in your final comment about warranty disputes that VW warranty is not picking up the transmission replacement under the 4 year/50K miles warranty?
Just put 3rd set of tires on: Energys lasted 30K; replcd with 16" wheels & Dunlop SP5000s which are also down to wear bars - excellent performance, short tread life! - and have just remounted oem 15" wheels with new Mich HydroEdges (205/60/15) as "winter tires."
Other than tire wear (hardly the car's fault), major complaint is how prone the paint is to chipping - front of hood looks like a battle zone unless kept up on frequent basis - although overall the paint still looks great - even the hood looks fine from 3ft + distance (it IS taken care reasonably well). Have one TINY crack in wood trim in center of dash - most people would never notice it - and the leather on the driver's seat is beginning to show signs of wear, although, again, only upon fairly close inspection.
Windshield, like hood, seems to have been through a mild sandblasting, although a coat of RainX has helped, and there are other minor indications of age/wear, & several 'rough road' squeaks & rattles; but the car was hit in the rear hard enough to warrant a new bumper, which probably didn't help matters.
Brake inspection while putting HydroEdges on shows that it is nearly time for new pads, and the car has "always" used 1/2 qt of oil or so between changes (5000 miles) - as is "promised" by the owners manual. Beyond this, have had few glitches, and remain very happy with the purchase - and hope for several more years of driving fun (with several kids waiting for it to be passed along!).
I've been using 94 octane since I purchased the car, which is recommended. I've even gone to different gas stations for fear that I was getting poor quality gas. The car has been to the dealership 3 times now (in addition to regular scheduled maintenance) and their diagnostic system doesn't detect a problem. The problem occurs at 4-5 times a month (and the car is only used as a weekend car).
Would like to hear from those with similar problems and from a technical guru that can give me some advice about what could be happening here.
I bought a 03 Sedan which has been driven for 4,300 miles. Very nice car, but the fit and finish has proven to be unacceptable. Since the purchase the dashboard has assumed a life of its own with creaks, squeaks, and rattles (in idle, when driving above rough payment, when hitting bumps, etc).
Two trips to the dealer resulted in very visible silicon spray being applied liberally to the dash, including ugly streaks around the instrument cluster, but nothing was fixed. It looks like the dash has a fundamental fit problem, especially since this problem has gotten worse with increasing milage. Has anyone experience with a dashboard exchange?
Also dissapointing is the fact that the driver door is visibly sagging in its hinges and started to produce a rattle, as did the rear headrest section.
The dealer response has been basically: "We cannot hear a thing", and after a joint test drive "things were not really that bad". I moved and will use a new dealer, but assuming the problems will not get fixed what are my options?
Thanks,
Frank
I haven't visited this board for a little while--new computer, trip out of state, etc., so I didn't see your post.
To clarify: VW has taken care of the transmission problems under the warranty terms, BUT . . . I recently discovered that in 2001, in the first pair of repairs, VW Techline decided to install a remanufactured transmission in my car. I hadn't noticed the 'X' in the part number on the original repairs until after this latest transmission was installed. In a car with 2,245 miles that we'd had for a week! And this after I was assured in 2001 by the Service Manager at the dealer that a NEW unit was being installed. It's no wonder the second transmission failed after 32,000 miles. Remanufactured parts do not EVER have the service life of a new component, particularly one as complicated as a transmission.
Under the terms of the warranty, VW may at its discretion install remanufactured parts, but it was a bit ridiculous to use a remanufactured part in a one-week old car. Plus I'm a little miffed that I was misled by the service manager about the transmission installed two years ago. And get this--about a week after getting the car back with the "new" transmission (now the car's third), I discovered that the tie rod ends (there are 4 of them) had mangled/torn boots from using a pickle fork to separate the control arms from the strut as part of the transmission removal/reinstallation. The tech must have thought I'd never discover his booboo until after the warranty was gone. The dealer had to replace all four tie rods, but now the front suspension creaks and groans when turning or braking. By the time I get that rectified, we will have had five separate repair attempts for the one problem.
I've handed it over to a lawyer to get a replacement or repurchase. It's in the Federal "Magnuson" warranty enforcement act.
I would take it to another VW shop and try and get them to fix it. Having an inaccurate fuel gauge is inexcuseable at this day and age - let alone potentially dangerous if you run out of gas in the middle of a freeway.
I am seriously regreting buying this car now because off late its been at the dealer four times for the check engine light.
Parts replaced till now from Sept 2003 till Nov 2003
1. Oxygen sensor front
2. Oxygen sensor rear
3. Turbo Pressure sensor
4. Temperature sensor
5. Mass air flow sensor
6. Front vacuum hose
7. 2 Rear vacuum hoses
8. Water pump
The total expenses incurred were $580+ $152+ $300 for 3 trips i had to make to the dealer.
Are VW's that bad.. it is debatable.
or there arent any dealer with enough technical expertise to get to the root of the problem.
I hope this benefits someone before one decides on buying a VW or for that matter even an Audi.
Good luck!
Is this something wrong with the Passat 1.8 turbo engine that needs attention? Or is that something that's just the way these engines work?
Thanks. BWT, only 1500 miles on the car so still under whatever warranties.
Is there anything like emissions warranty. Please advise.
There is a recall for Mass Air Flow sensors by VW, so i would recommend anyone having a 2000 VW Passat to check it out with the local dealer.
Of all the items i had mentioned in Msg 177 The water pump was the only part under the 100K transmission warranty.
I had the pay for all the rest of the sensors and hoses replaced
Here is the breakdown of the parts replaced
1st visit : Front vacuum hose
2nd visit : Rear O2 sensor, temp sensor, turbo press sensor
3rd visit : Rear vacuum hoses
4th visit : Front O2 sensor.
This appears to happen a lot from the posts I've seen here.
What should I insist on if I am to buy this car?
Are they saying it was bad gas that caused the light to appear?
If it is a VW dealer, I'd insist that the problem be fixed before touching that car. They've got diagnostic test equipment, make them use it.
Sorry - probably not what you want to hear, but that light is telling you something. Remember, "not responsible for warnings unheeded."
Personally, I'd continue shopping.
The next problem is my drive, park, 3rd, 2nd, reverse, and neutral lights on my dashboard all become highlighted when I take off from a stand still. This has only happened twice but it seems like some computer glitch and the only way to stop it is put the car in park, turn it off, and re start it. Any idea what this may be?
recently arrived giving the 2002 Passat V6 a top
check rating for reliability. Previous years were
average. Of 26 cars listed in Family Sedan category, the Passat V6 is listed first.
Now, I DO have to say that I've been very lucky otherwise (knock on wood)! I love driving the Passat and it has performed very well.
I've had only two other minor electrical issues:
1. A child window lock stopped working about a week after I got the car and that was fixed immediately under warranty.
2. The cigarette lighter (turned phone charger) stopped working and was also corrected under warranty.
I went to start the car and it wouldn't turn over but all the dash lights started flickering on/off like crazy while making a clicking noise. The radio and lights still worked. Tried to start it a few times and then it finally turned over the 4th try. Anyone have any ideas on this? It's started fine since.
Is this similar to your problem, or are yours just plain not working?
I think the Passat wagon makes more noise than some others due to the interior volume of the car. Same thing as blowing across the top of an open soda bottle. The greater the volume of air (versus fluid) the deeper and louder you can make the noise.
Just wondering if other people have had any thoughts about it. Common problems that crop up with a Passat which are covered (or not) by these warranties.
Also ... any recommendations for good VW mechanics in Minneapolis, MN
thanks
-jc