Let down by VW Head Office

[Declanny]

I bought a brand new Jetta, and after one month, they had to replace the transmission, under warranty of course. Although I am very disappointed with the level of service I received, and it wasn't until I got hold of the Dealer Principal that some action started to happen. I'm also going to write a letter to both the dealership and the head office, not sure whether anything will happen though.

Buying a VW for the first time, I would've expected a level of service much higher than how I was treated.

[Mountainman]

I'm glad I bought a manual Golf.

[n3mi]

Did you try another dealer?

The dealer I use has replaced my DSG and my Mechtronic unit on separate occasions almost without question.

I went to the South Yarra dealer and I dont think they even know what DSG is.. Then I went to the Moorabin dealer and explained what the problems are.

They've given me a report which states that all these issues are normal with the R32. LOL! (im thinking of sending this report to head office)

So from what i see its the Mechtronic unit? Any of u guys know what exactly you said to get it replaced? The problem is that these noises don't happen all the time and its hard to convince them that there's a fault..

[bazzle]

I went to the South Yarra dealer and I dont think they even know what DSG is.. Then I went to the Moorabin dealer and explained what the problems are.

They've given me a report which states that all these issues are normal with the R32. LOL! (im thinking of sending this report to head office)

So from what i see its the Mechtronic unit? Any of u guys know what exactly you said to get it replaced? The problem is that these noises don't happen all the time and its hard to convince them that there's a fault..

So... what exactly do you think is wrong with yours?

What are the sympoms and noises??

VW are pretty good nowdays at fixing DSG issues. They DO know what constitutes a problem...

Bazzle

[n3mi]

So... what exactly do you think is wrong with yours?

What are the sympoms and noises??

VW are pretty good nowdays at fixing DSG issues. They DO know what constitutes a problem...

Bazzle

These are the issues I have on the service report and apparently they are normal with the R32..

1. Loud bang upon ignition.

2. Clunk sound when changing into 2nd and 6th gear - louder when engine is colder

The noises started around 6 months ago, but only happen every now and then..

Iv also had the drivers door speaker replaced since it failed. Iv told them about it and they said it was fine, until i had to personally turn on the radio/cd.. turn up the volume and put their head next to the speaker, so they agreed it was faulty.

So im not really sure, that they know what constitutes a problem..

[Frances]

I'm having a similar problem with my R32 except the clunk/bang/ gear crunching noise happens intermittently on ignition similar to what someone else reports. No joy from Barlow world Five Dock who say they cannot diagnose the problem unless it happens there and I should wait untill the problem is happening "every day" before they'll be able to help.
This is a new car! What a joke.

A couple of days ago the car refused to respond to acceleration from standstill. It was in gear and the handbrake off. On the third try to accelerate it clunked into gear. Maybe Julia (PM) will give me some money for it. No other car I have ever owned has clunked like that.

I now consider the problem dangerous as I have never had to use an accelerator to get a car in gear.
the car's booked in but I am expecting more of the same run around from VW.

Someone please reply if you have succeeded in solving a similar problem. I don't know why I should have to do their work for them and try to solve this but I have little choice.

I have posted a few threads, regarding the problems that I have been having with my 2008 GTI/DSG.

To cut a long story short, my car has been in and out of the VW Service centre in Bunbury WA, with various problems. The main one being what I consider a jerky and erratic take off in first and reverse. Also, when I start the engine and pull away I get a clunking noise, as something engages, this happens at about 22km/h. They say it is the ABS engaging (pigs ass) I of course contacted VW Australia, they have been in contact with Bunbury and have been told by the technician that all is within specification. VW Australia have been in contact with me and wiped their hands of the matter.

I have test driven a couple of MkV Golfs from the dealer, including a 2008 GTI/DSG, I also had a 2005 GTI and none of them had a clunk when starting off.

I am contemplating writing to the VW Head Office in Wolfsburg, Germany and would be grateful for any advice.

[Maverick]

I'm having a similar problem with my R32 except the clunk/bang/ gear crunching noise happens intermittently on ignition similar to what someone else reports. No joy from Barlow world Five Dock who say they cannot diagnose the problem unless it happens there and I should wait untill the problem is happening "every day" before they'll be able to help.

Why don't you leave the car with them for a few days to test drive?

This is a new car! What a joke.

R32 has been out of production for over 2 years now.

I now consider the problem dangerous as I have never had to use an accelerator to get a car in gear.

Perhaps you should open the manual and learn how the DSG operates because you can't get the car to engage the clutch without using the accelerator from standstill.

the car's booked in but I am expecting more of the same run around from VW.

Keep a logbook of the problems with details of when they occur, what happened and anything else that may be of use and if need be talk to VW and/or find another dealer. Ranting without any specific details will get you nowhere as will not knowing how the gearbox operates.

[n3mi]

I'm having a similar problem with my R32 except the clunk/bang/ gear crunching noise happens intermittently on ignition similar to what someone else reports. No joy from Barlow world Five Dock who say they cannot diagnose the problem unless it happens there and I should wait untill the problem is happening "every day" before they'll be able to help.
This is a new car! What a joke.

A couple of days ago the car refused to respond to acceleration from standstill. It was in gear and the handbrake off. On the third try to accelerate it clunked into gear. Maybe Julia (PM) will give me some money for it. No other car I have ever owned has clunked like that.

I now consider the problem dangerous as I have never had to use an accelerator to get a car in gear.
the car's booked in but I am expecting more of the same run around from VW.

Someone please reply if you have succeeded in solving a similar problem. I don't know why I should have to do their work for them and try to solve this but I have little choice.

I have the same problem on ignition, don't bother with VW.. They will just tell u that the noises are normal.

If only I knew that before I spent about $60k..

[n3mi]

Why don't you leave the car with them for a few days to test drive?



R32 has been out of production for over 2 years now.



Perhaps you should open the manual and learn how the DSG operates because you can't get the car to engage the clutch without using the accelerator from standstill.



Keep a logbook of the problems with details of when they occur, what happened and anything else that may be of use and if need be talk to VW and/or find another dealer. Ranting without any specific details will get you nowhere as will not knowing how the gearbox operates.

Mate, log book is a good idea.. Gona get onto that!

[CCBroke]

Similar problem with Passat CC - Clunk as vechicle slows into 1st - 2nd gear.

They are using the line that the clunk is normal and within specs and tell me that they can't just go ahead and change a gearbox, without VW's permission

I have a 2010 CC passat that had a left hand drive shaft replaced at the 7,500 KM service. After replacing it, a "clunk" appeared in the right hand side that they have been unable to find. The car has not clocked 10,000 KM yet. No problem under acceleration, only appears just prior to stopping.
The car has now been off the road for 17 days and they are no closer to resolving the problem. The service department knows it's not normal, but I feel that they also want to wash their hands of it. They also stated I should drive it until it breaks or gets a lot worse so they will have a better idea of the problem. So much for any sort of priority for the Warranty work.

[Frances]

I love my new gearbox

Why don't you leave the car with them for a few days to test drive?

Yes I tried that but as the problem only happens on ignition driving it around does nothing but put K's on my car and lets the mechanics have fun driving it while i take the bus as I refused to take a replacement car with a $2000 insurance excess on it for days at a time



R32 has been out of production for over 2 years now.

It was still bought as a new car with no K's on the clock thanks



Perhaps you should open the manual and learn how the DSG operates because you can't get the car to engage the clutch without using the accelerator from standstill.

The gearbox continued to intemittently freeze from standstill, the car would start but not respond to acceleration, pressing the accelerator O so gingerly would produce the massive clunk and then the car would move off. After the first two experiences I did not try this as it was dangerous and instead turned of the ignition and restarted. This provoked the clunk and acceleration was then possible and it was a safer way to go.



Keep a logbook of the problems with details of when they occur, what happened and anything else that may be of use and if need be talk to VW and/or find another dealer. Ranting without any specific details will get you nowhere as will not knowing how the gearbox operates.

This was the only useful advice, the problem never occured when they had it but I documented and sent emails to the complaints department every time. In the end I indicated that i would be reporting the problem to the insurer of the vehicle and asked what was going to happen to my purchase agreement in the case that the insurer refused to reinsure the car. Shortly after this VW head office sent out a new geabox for the car. Since the replacement the problem has not occurred one single time and I finally got the "new car experience" I paid for. This of course does not replace the stressful time I had when my problem was dissmissed and ignored and I was belittled for not knowing how to drive the car.

---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------

I now have a new gearbox!!!

[ckouso]

My golf 07 r32 has the similar symptoms more so in D. I find that it is less or pretty much non- existent in S and M mode.. it seems the R32 is know for its gearbox noises...Even the initial reviews from the press highlighted this... I would also check DSG gearbox mount while you are at it..

[kaanage]

Then I went to the Moorabin dealer and explained what the problems are.

They've given me a report which states that all these issues are normal with the R32. LOL!

Try another dealer. Both myself and another member here had problems trying to get this dealer to perform any warranty work.

[Frances]

Just like to say that since I have had the new gearbox the problem of the weird clunk on ignition has not occurred one single time. I tried to get VW to extend my warranty ie to cover the new gearbox for two years from the date of install but they were not into that. Now that I hear the warranties are being extended to ten years in Europe I will go back and try again. This clunking noise is NO WAY normal and it is random. Does not matter if car is hot or cold parked on slope or level, brakes on or off in park before handbrake on or the other way around makes NO difference. However when you start the car and put your foot on the accelerator with normal pressure and nothing happens you have a big problem. If you increase the pressure past normal starting acceleration pressure the car may suddenly take off. This happened to my daughter. Normally people get confused when this happens and turn the car off and on again. This is a predictable way to get the clunk. The clunk will happen when you do that as whatever is jammed in the gearbox lets go and releases. The stupid clunk happened intermittently from new but the failure to accelerate from standing happened three or four times and that was when I was certain I had a serious problem. In the beginning you think its something you are doing wrong or some random freak noise, and some people suggest you are not driving the car correctly but it is an actual gearbox problem and if I had it I would not let anyone else drive the car who might just jump on the accelerator if the car failed to move off from start.

[thezoneR32]

I'm out of breath just reading that.