Warranty repairs - who's got the biggest lemon?

[Spinal Fusion]

Hi guys

This is my first official post and I thought I'd start with something a little controversial.

I own a 2006 MY07 Passat V6 sedan and I really do love it! It's just about to come out of warranty and, thanks to this forum, I'm now kitted out with an additional 3 year warranty at a bargain price! As you'll see, this is a really important issue for me!

Here's a list of all my warranty repairs carried out over the last 3 years.
From newest to oldest work (and problem):
Replacement control arms front suspension (squeaking sound going over large bumps)
DSG basic settings reset (the dreaded clunk/lurch syndrome)
Replacement Gear Selector (flaking silver trim cut my finger!)
ABS recoded (would come on during light braking after going down/up a dip in the road)
Replacement front right wheel bearing (worn out!)
Battery cable replacement (model recall)
Replacement Park break control unit (wouldn't come off sometimes)
Replacement ABS control unit (see above)
Replacement catalytic converter (noise)
Replacement MFD instrument cluster (would go blank, especially in hot weather)
Installed break calipers (low speed noise)

Can anyone beat this?

Cheers
Spinal Fusion

[dubrav]

i own Passat 2007 MY08 125kw since october last year and at the moment has 99560km on the clock and in 6 months of ownership this is what has been done to it:
1.mechtronics unit replaced
2.loss of coolant - cylinder head replaced and i thought i was lucky because they replaced timing belt as well which should save me some $
picked up car just before Easter after 6 weeks with the dealer only to find that car has lost a lot of power (around 3000 rpm) and it was shuddering at those RPM's and also had a oil leak so it went back to a dealer following week.Picked up car last friday and they've told me that oil leak was just loose clamp and that they are talking with VWA about new engine and or turbo.Got home and next morning oil leak was still there and when I checked the dipstick oil level was way up from max,I'm calling dealer again today to let him know that they've overfilled the engine and that there is still oil leak and to get an update from VWA. And also when they gave me first loan car(Jetta wit 1500 km) it broke down on me after couple of days, see my post here :http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f27/...uch-41643.html

[tryingavw]

hi spinal

what did the extended warranty cost? I have checked and cannot beat $1700

[OilBurna]

not trying hard enough should be around $1300 mark do a search for VW extended warranty. First quote I got was $2,200

[Spinal Fusion]

hi spinal

what did the extended warranty cost? I have checked and cannot beat $1700

I got it for $1300 from Denlo at Parramatta. Southern Classic Cars came very close too. There are a few threads on this.

Given my repair history it seems like a great investment!

[OilBurna]

I agree no faults yet, although in for 3 items on next service, DSG stalling, whirring noise from rear left, topped up with oil 3 times since last service.

[dubrav]

i own Passat 2007 MY08 125kw since october last year and at the moment has 99560km on the clock and in 6 months of ownership this is what has been done to it:
1.mechtronics unit replaced
2.loss of coolant - cylinder head replaced and i thought i was lucky because they replaced timing belt as well which should save me some $
picked up car just before Easter after 6 weeks with the dealer only to find that car has lost a lot of power (around 3000 rpm) and it was shuddering at those RPM's and also had a oil leak so it went back to a dealer following week.Picked up car last friday and they've told me that oil leak was just loose clamp and that they are talking with VWA about new engine and or turbo.Got home and next morning oil leak was still there and when I checked the dipstick oil level was way up from max,I'm calling dealer again today to let him know that they've overfilled the engine and that there is still oil leak and to get an update from VWA. And also when they gave me first loan car(Jetta wit 1500 km) it broke down on me after couple of days, see my post here :http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f27/...uch-41643.html

Hi all
Well, my car is gone faulty again ,this time its the oil cooler and i'm fed up with this car, as soon as it gets fixed i'll try to get rid of it and i'm not going to even look at or park next to another VW . This is what i got from a dealer "oil cooler is split and therefore causing oil and coolant to mix, Price to replace oil cooler and flush system is $1190.00."
Following is a list of thing that have gone wrong since October 2009
1.DSG
2.Coolant loss which was traced to cylinder head which was replaced
3.Two or three days later oil leaks,car went back and I was told that some clamps were loose and that it is all good now.
4. Few day later oil leaks were still there and car went back in again and leaks were traced to some seals and also boost pipe was replaced
5.Oil inside expansion bottle which was traced to split in "oil cooler" and since car has 108000 km on the clock it is not covered under manufacturers warrranty and also i was told that Inchcape warranty that came with the car doesnt cover it either.Dealer said that he will submit a "goodwill" in and we have to wait for the response from VWA
As one of the posts said " i used to love my Passat" but now there is nothing but anger left towards the Brand.

[Mountainman]

I wonder what % of VW buyers have problems like these that we don't hear about? It's the sort of things that have kept me away from European cars for the last 28 years after 5 frustrating years with a Mk1 Golf. So far my new Golf has been trouble free up to 7000km except for drinking 2L of oil, but I'm hoping that is only the running in stage.

I notice all the usual diehard VW fans have been very quiet on this thread.

[mebius9]

I wonder what % of VW buyers have problems like these that we don't hear about? It's the sort of things that have kept me away from European cars for the last 28 years after 5 frustrating years with a Mk1 Golf. So far my new Golf has been trouble free up to 7000km except for drinking 2L of oil, but I'm hoping that is only the running in stage.

I notice all the usual diehard VW fans have been very quiet on this thread.

I think European cars are fragile period.
those who argue that European cars are less reliable because of the new technology should look at Lexus
and shut up.

[OilBurna]

mine has been the most reliable car I have had coming up to 4 years and never let me down, although still likes a drink of oil between services..

[Angryman]

Bought a 2007 GT Sport TDi from new in Nov 07. Six weeks into ownership it broke down on me. Towed to VW and had the crank angle sensor and ecu replaced. Just broke down again yesterday and its on a tow truck this morning. So hasn't been a bad run with 92k on the clock. I'm thinking its another ecu malfunction

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Transporter]

Four VW's here and not real problem.

Comparing to other cars, we still have 1999 Subaru Forester and Forester needed rear wheel bearing (left) every 50,000km approx. had leaking engine oil pump seal (replaced with timing belt, it was leaking from 60,000km). And don't get me started on the Jeep Cherokee.

So, are the European cars less reliable?
Not the one that we own.

[anthony]

It is not only Volkswagens.Suprise suprise.

Five months ago I bought a MY11 Honda Accord Euro to replace a very much loved but written off MY07 Jetta,and it has been a huge lemon.

Faulty drivers seat,needed new door seal,intermittant rattle coming from right/B pillar...has been in 4 times for this,last time was for 3 days,and now a vibration coming from left front door when going over cats eyes ...

Going in next week for a week.

I cannot wait for the new Jetta to be launched,it will be lovely to have a reliable car again....lol.

[Mountainman]

My cars usually get serviced at a dealer who is a Subaru/VW dealer. Talk to the staff and mechanics there and they will tell you which of the two brands has by far the biggest warranty claims and problems - and it isn't the Jap brand. All brands have lemons and cars with some problems but you are more likely to have trouble with a VW than a Subaru. At 201,000km my Forester has been faultless, even still on its original brake pads. I hope my Golf that I love is as good.

[little beast]

Mmm, seems that K's in the odometer are not necessarily the reason for breakdowns. Hopefully my recently bought Golf 08 with 9 months warranty and barely 15K in its reading holds up or show its "true colors" before warranty runs out. But will definitely purchase extended warranty for peace of mind.