Brand new Black Jetta 103TDI

[anthony]

HOT looking Jetta,

ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY.

[Declanny]

So I've had my new Jetta for a month now. Everything is perfect, except....

Whenever the car at a complete stop (e.g. at a traffic light), and I lift my foot off the brake, before I go to accelerate, there is a shudder, as if the DSG is trying to put itself into gear. Sometimes its not as bad, but on two occasions (which is two too many), its actually stalled on me, which was a bit embarrassing.

So yesterday I bought it in to the service department as it had just clocked 2000kms so it was due for the oil levels check, and I drove the car around the block with one of the technicians who definitely said it was a problem. So I had to book it in for a service proper, and they are going to have to keep it for two days.

Hopefully it's just something minor, as I'm happy with everything else bar this problem. But I certainly didn't expect to need to book it in so soon!

[Bizi]

How's your Jetta DSG after the service?

[Declanny]

I only dropped it off this morning, so I'm not sure yet. But the shuddering was getting worse, I was getting atleast 1-2 stalls a day.

On the other hand, they gave me a Transporter T4 as a courtesy car, cos that's all they had. Interesting drive to say the least...

[Declanny]

Wow, such dramas.

So when I booked it in, they said they'll need it for two days, so I accepted that. So I dropped it off in the Thursday morning, and I get a call late that afternoon saying that there's a problem with the transmission, they'll have to take it out and diagnose the problem. I said fine, but I need to know soon whether I can pickup the car on Friday (the next day) as I'll have to organise with work to finish a little earlier. She said she'll call me back by lunchtime.

So 1pm comes and I don't get a call. I call them, somebody answers but says they'll call me back. By 2:30pm, I don't get a call back, so I ring up again, and the original girl I spoke to answered. Now, she is just a trainee, so she was very vague on what was actually going on. But she was saying that there was a problem with the transmission (what? I dont know), they sent a letter to head office, they replied saying they had to replace the transmission with a new one. I said fine, but in the meantime, what will happen with my car. She hesitantly said I can pick it up, and I'll have to rebook for a service for when it comes in, but then she said she'll have to double check with the technician.

So she calls back, and says the car isn't driveable, the transmission is still out, but I have to return the loan car. At this stage, I was fuming, and I said that's not possible. I am not going to return the loan car unless you can give me my car back, or another replacement loan car. She had to speak to her manager, so we hung up. She called back again and said I could have to loan car til Monday. I said you dont understand. I NEED a car. Unless you can provide me with another car I'm not even fathoming the idea of returning the loan car. She says she'll see what she can do.

At this point, my blood was boiling. So I rang up the Salesman who sold me the car originally, and he said he didnt have the authority to do anything, but I should call the Dealer Principal, and he should sort it out. So I spoke to him, and he was actually very helpful, and said he will get me a replacement car for Monday, and figure out what's going on.

So at this stage, I'm still a little peeved off at the situation. Firstly, its a BRAND NEW CAR!!! I shouldn't be treated like this. And it's incredibly hard speaking to a trainee who obviously knows little about what's going on. I'll just have to see what happens on Monday.

In the meantime I'm driving a massive T4 Transporter. So if anybody is moving house, I've got the vehicle just right for you...

[spiff]

I feel your pain. You would think a new car shouldn't come with problems, but sometimes (not often), they do.
Good that you didn't return the loan vehicle. The trainee really needs training. Don't expect too much. It doesn't sound like she knows what's going on...just the messenger. Maybe bypass and speak to the service manager directly - if not the dealer principal.

Anyways, as long as they fix everything at no cost to you and get the car back to you in tip-top shape.

[Declanny]

Ok, so yesterday (Monday) I rang the service department, and they still weren't sure whether they'd have a vehicle ready for me. So I rang back the Dealer Principal again, and he said he'd call me right back. He said the Head Office was freighting another Jetta from interstate over to me as a loan vehicle until my Jetta was all fixed up. But that wouldnt be ready til today (Tuesday), and that someone would call me as soon as it came in.

So today they called me to say the vehicle had arrived, so I very gladly exchanged the T4 Transporter for a brand new Silver Jetta 103TDI, temporarily of course until my car was ready. It had only done 171 kms when I drove it away. It was definitely nice to drive a problem free Jetta, made me love the car again.

So I await patiently until my car is ready. Atleast the loan car is exactly the same as my car, so it was very easy to get used to again after driving a van.

I'm just wondering if this would have happened if I hadn't kicked up a stink with the Dealer Principal, and whether I'd just be stuck without a car for however long it took.

[anthony]

Well at least you have the use of another brand new Jetta...

[Declanny]

So the estimated time that my car will be ready is 25/10, 18 days after I first dropped it off.

I've been telling a few people my situation, and they say I should've asked for a brand new replacement car, seeing as this was only a month old.

Is this even viable? Would they have even considered it if I gave them enough grief?

At the end of the day, I still love the Jetta, so hopefully the transmission replacement is the only trouble I'll have.

[jessv3]

Check with consumer affairs it differs slightly with each state. But im fairly confident they dont have to replace the car and if its not the law then they probably wont as it costs them a lot less to put in a new transmission then replacing your car. Vag are renowned for having poor after sales service.

[Declanny]

Can anyone tell me, by replacing the whole transmission, should it just be like a brand new car as it should be, or will there always be something not quite right about it?

[99_FGT]

If the transmission problem is fixed with the first repair, no, they don't have to replace the car. There was a proposal to adopt an OS concept called Lemon Laws, but I'm not sure what came of that, if it goes wrong again see where you stand with a motor trades association or get legal advice. The dealer at least is *trying* to do the right thing by you. Good luck
Al..

[DionM]

There is no legal obligation to replace the vehicle; it would be goodwill if anything.

Replacing the transmission should not make any difference to the feel of the car.

I would ask them to confirm it is a brand new unit though, not an exchange or remanufactured; given your car is brand new.

[Declanny]

FINALLY getting my car back today, 19 days after I first dropped it in.

Here's praying that everything will be back to normal.

[Bizi]

We're all crossing our extremities that it's perfect this time.