Potential Class Action re Thermostats/Water Pumps

[kevvie]

After replacing one water pump on my Mk7 R due to a leaking thermostat at 40ks, just over 20ks later it is leaking again. At almost $2k per pop this is a great ongoing revenue stream for VW and their dealers, and doesn’t seem like anything they intend to fix.
In the US there has been a successful class action on this issue, with warranty being extended to 8 years, and refunds to people that have paid to replace in the past. I’ve spoken to a legal firm that might be willing to pick it up in Australia if there is enough interest - please let me know if you have been impacted and will sign up. I don’t think there’s any specific action required other than confirmation of having been affected.

[genebaby]

8 years? How about for the life of the car. I've never replaced parts like these before.

It hasn't affected my GTI yet, but it's only a matter of time.

Should be easy win with the outcome in the US, but it should be for life until they fix a problem that no other manufacturer has, or they will keep getting revenue beyond that time frame.

They could do it, they just don't want to.

[ArdiL]

Hiya Kevvie,
Just had the 2015 comfortline serviced where they also replaced the (gear shift) trim free of charge.
They also noted that there was a slight water pump leak and quoted around $1200 for the repair.
At only 47K I asked if there was any good will they could consider. They asked VW and after 2 days I was informed sorry do to age being 7yrs.
So will need to have it done soon as summer is fast approaching.
Not sure if it will help but you can put me down for it.

Cheers

[fuzion]

After replacing one water pump on my Mk7 R due to a leaking thermostat at 40ks, just over 20ks later it is leaking again. At almost $2k per pop this is a great ongoing revenue stream for VW and their dealers, and doesn’t seem like anything they intend to fix.
In the US there has been a successful class action on this issue, with warranty being extended to 8 years, and refunds to people that have paid to replace in the past. I’ve spoken to a legal firm that might be willing to pick it up in Australia if there is enough interest - please let me know if you have been impacted and will sign up. I don’t think there’s any specific action required other than confirmation of having been affected.

Best you get on the FB groups, i am sure you could easily get another 10-15 people without an issue. (myself including)

[kevvie]

Is there a particular one for VW's in Aust?

[Arteonuser]

Possible water Pump failure at 180000

After replacing one water pump on my Mk7 R due to a leaking thermostat at 40ks, just over 20ks later it is leaking again. At almost $2k per pop this is a great ongoing revenue stream for VW and their dealers, and doesn’t seem like anything they intend to fix.
In the US there has been a successful class action on this issue, with warranty being extended to 8 years, and refunds to people that have paid to replace in the past. I’ve spoken to a legal firm that might be willing to pick it up in Australia if there is enough interest - please let me know if you have been impacted and will sign up. I don’t think there’s any specific action required other than confirmation of having been affected.

Arteon with Possibly the highest KM in Australia is going in for a service 27/09/2022 for a possible Water Pump failure. Heaps of people on the GOLF R FB page that has the same issue & that's how I found out about the water pump failure. Everyone knew the moment I mentioned coolant leak. Arteon is being used as a highway cruiser between Brisbane GC & Toowoomba and this is the first time its thrown a fit after 180,000KM & its for a water pump.

[curly747]

After replacing one water pump on my Mk7 R due to a leaking thermostat at 40ks, just over 20ks later it is leaking again. At almost $2k per pop this is a great ongoing revenue stream for VW and their dealers, and doesn’t seem like anything they intend to fix.
In the US there has been a successful class action on this issue, with warranty being extended to 8 years, and refunds to people that have paid to replace in the past. I’ve spoken to a legal firm that might be willing to pick it up in Australia if there is enough interest - please let me know if you have been impacted and will sign up. I don’t think there’s any specific action required other than confirmation of having been affected.

My 5 year old B8 passat just had a water pump fail with 27K on the clock. Dealer has quoted $2250 including timing belt. I have asked the dealer to check if VW will contribute although i'm not optimistic. I would be happy to join any complaint.

[kevvie]

My 5 year old B8 passat just had a water pump fail with 27K on the clock. Dealer has quoted $2250 including timing belt. I have asked the dealer to check if VW will contribute although i'm not optimistic. I would be happy to join any complaint.

Thanks, I think I need about 3-4 more. I posted on the FB pages and didn't get much response

[LimestoneR7]

I had a leaking thermostat at around 40,000.00 too. It was fixed in April by the dealer. I paid full cost, didn't ask the dealer about any contribution and they didn't offer anything either. You can put me down.

[curly747]

Thanks, I think I need about 3-4 more. I posted on the FB pages and didn't get much response

Update on this. VW contributed 50% parts cost and i think i got special warranty type rates on the labour. The dealer warned me that VW can take a week to reply to requests to contribute but we got an answer overnight. Anyway the water pump replacement only cost me about $570. I guess it was because car had only done 27K. I also decided to get the timing belt done at same time since its due in 2 years. They didn't help with parts cost for that but there was no extra labour cost. So i guess in the end i don't have so much to complain about.

[genebaby]

Nothing to complain about? Guess how many water pumps and such I've done in any of my other cars over my driving lifetime?

[Ali007]

After replacing one water pump on my Mk7 R due to a leaking thermostat at 40ks, just over 20ks later it is leaking again. At almost $2k per pop this is a great ongoing revenue stream for VW and their dealers, and doesn’t seem like anything they intend to fix.
In the US there has been a successful class action on this issue, with warranty being extended to 8 years, and refunds to people that have paid to replace in the past. I’ve spoken to a legal firm that might be willing to pick it up in Australia if there is enough interest - please let me know if you have been impacted and will sign up. I don’t think there’s any specific action required other than confirmation of having been affected.

Count me in! I am up to my third repair for this and they are not coming to the party to cover the cost. Every 2 years it starts leaking.

[Lucas_R]

I bought my Mk7 GTI with 48,000km's on it and not long after the purchase, I started to smell coolant on occasions. Getting the car up on ramps confirmed coolant was leaking as you can see it running down the front of the engine and crystalizing into a pink powder.

$1,000 later the waterpump and thermostat have been replaced by my independent VW specialist mechanic with an aftermarket OEM brand (Geba). Lets hope its more reliable than the factory VW unit.

[curly747]

Nothing to complain about? Guess how many water pumps and such I've done in any of my other cars over my driving lifetime?

Yeah don't get me wrong. I think a water pump should last 100K +. My previous Toyota and current Mazda both had over 140K with no water pump replacement. This is the 21st century. VW should have mastered making a pump that circulates water by now. However my case is not great for a class action because they have already settled me pretty much in line with how the US case was settled.

[genebaby]

So the US case is finished and that's the outcome? Seems poor for an issue of their making that affects so many cars so often?

It's like 3rd gear in some manual Mitsubishi's. They will repair under warranty but then it comes back and after warranty you're apparently on your own. That would tick me off, luckily we got the auto and then began hearing of the manual woes.