Air Conditioning - Compressor Break Down

[I Ellis]

I have a 2007 Golf GTI that has been faultless through the 3 year warranty. Now 10 months out of warranty, the air conditioning compressor has collapsed and I have an estimate of either $2169 (genuine VW parts) or $1738 (non VW parts) to replace it (this is a minimum, extra if broken bits need flushing from the system).

I have learned that the compressor used by VW during this period has failed repeatedly. Is their any other members that have experienced this problem? Did you receive any assistance from VW Australia?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[sugilun]

I had a similar quote from the dealer. However the dealer mis -diagnosised the issue in my car. Instead of the air con compressor, it was my alternator which caused the problem. The quote for the alternator was 2000. However I bargain it down to 1800.

[adamk]

a friend of mine with another white gti said they had an air con issue just out of new car warranty but had it covered on thier extended warranty.

there's a letter in this months wheels mag about vw's and the out of warranty blues

extended warranty looking like a need item not a want item now

[Tony_Mitchell_1983]

This happened to me a few months out of warranty also. I took my car to Austral Volkswagen (where I had my car serviced when it was still under warranty).

It is a common problem with the mkV. Austral applied to VWA (Volkswagen Australia) and they replaced it for me, I just had to pay the labour. All dealers should know this is an issue and should do the same for you. If not, contact VWA and explain your situation, explain the precedent has been set on replacing broken compressors out of warranty and you would like the same service. My car certainly did not have extended warranty. They did it outside of any warranty period, so don't let them tell you otherwise.

The labour cost me about $300 I think.

[TomC]

My compressor and cruise control stalk both went when the car was about 1 month out of warranty (after being faultless throughout, just like you!). I took it in to the dealer, they diagnosed the faults and applied for a "goodwill" repair from VWA. They ended up paying for the whole compressor and 90% of the stalk. It helped that I had had the car serviced there since new and that both of these problems were/are common for this model Golf. If you have a good relationship with your dealer then I think you should be able to apply for a goodwill repair. The process might take time though - it was over a month and 3 trips to the dealer for me (the dealer did stuff up the repair twice though!).

[ian]

I have a 2007 Golf GTI that has been faultless through the 3 year warranty. Now 10 months out of warranty, the air conditioning compressor has collapsed and I have an estimate of either $2169 (genuine VW parts) or $1738 (non VW parts) to replace it (this is a minimum, extra if broken bits need flushing from the system).

I have learned that the compressor used by VW during this period has failed repeatedly. Is their any other members that have experienced this problem? Did you receive any assistance from VW Australia?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Buy one from the UK

GENUINE VW GOLF MK5 AIR CON COMPRESSOR - 1K0 820 803 S (eBay item 400157185634 end time 20-Feb-11 23:47:50 AEDST) : Vehicle Parts Accessories

[Lima]

The compressor on our Aug 06 build GTI died, but fortunately during the warranty period. FWIW the new system has been fine.

[gareth_oau]

I recently replaced mine on my 8L S3, which set me back $1600.

might be worth having a look ex UK or US or even via a wreckers, but these come with less peace of mind

[MariusGT]

my 1999 golf's compressor just died. 140,000kms and 11 years old.

can't believe a NEW model has parts which fail so quickly- very disappointing.

i've heard the theory that products are made with a shelf life... maybe it's true.

[I Ellis]

Update on Air Conditioning - Compressor Break Down

Thanks for your advice guys. I visited the Lennox Motors Service Centre in Canberra (where I bought the car) and they have agreed to inspect the car and if it is a faulty compressor, refer the claim to VW Australia. They tell me it's VW Australia's ultimate decision on whether they assist with the replacement.
The only problem is they can't book the car in for inspection until 24 March.
Anyway the wheels are moving slowly.

[jessv3]

This happened to me a few months out of warranty also. I took my car to Austral Volkswagen (where I had my car serviced when it was still under warranty).

It is a common problem with the mkV. Austral applied to VWA (Volkswagen Australia) and they replaced it for me, I just had to pay the labour. All dealers should know this is an issue and should do the same for you. If not, contact VWA and explain your situation, explain the precedent has been set on replacing broken compressors out of warranty and you would like the same service. My car certainly did not have extended warranty. They did it outside of any warranty period, so don't let them tell you otherwise.

The labour cost me about $300 I think.

When your car was out of warranty did you still get it serviced at VW dealer? My car has been out of warranty for about 1-2 yrs now and the last few services Ive just had them done at an independent specialist, my a/c is working fine at the moment but im worried if it does fail vw Australia wont replace it because i haven't had it serviced at their dealership recently.

[Tony_Mitchell_1983]

When your car was out of warranty did you still get it serviced at VW dealer?

I think I was as it was only just out of warranty. It would be pretty low of them to refuse to replace a faulty unit just because you hadn't had it serviced by VW.

[jessv3]

I think I was as it was only just out of warranty. It would be pretty low of them to refuse to replace a faulty unit just because you hadn't had it serviced by VW.

I think this is what the "good will" scenario falls under.. but i could be wrong

[Rob Burns]

extended warranty looking like a need item not a want item now

I think VW are crazy for doing goodwill repairs out of warranty. Why should the people who didn't think ahead get the same coverage as the people who did and forked out he couple of grand for extended warranty?

I also don't understand why people don't buy extended warranty. It's something like 5% of the purchase price of the car for another 3 years of somewhat worry free motoring. The only reason I can think of is if they don't think they'll own the car beyond the warranty period of the car.

[TomC]

Goodwill warranties are used by many car manufacturers and makes good marketing sense. It shows that they take the quality and reputation of their brand seriously.

As for the extended warranty, I’m sure there are repairs that VW would not extend goodwill for, at which point the extended warranty comes in to play. But every VW owner has the ability to ask for goodwill repairs, so I guess it’s up to each owner whether they take the risk and rely solely on this or "fork out" for the extended warranty. There is no compulsion from VWA for owners to get the extended warranty.