Passat Towball Recalled?

[nhand42]

Has anybody heard about a rumour about the Passat (2011) Towball being recalled? I was going to buy one (Hayman Reece doesn't make an aftermarket towball for Passat 2006+). But the dealer said there's no stock due to a recall.

Anybody have extra info on the recall? Also is there another aftermarket brand worth considering?

[rotelman]

nhand42,

Your right. I was looking at upgrading my MY09 and asked for the towbar but was told by 1 dealer there is "wiring" issue and they can't supply towbars, was told this also affected the new Toureg. I went to 3 dealers for quotes and only 1 "honest" dealer told me the towbar would be "delyed" until they sorted out the issue.

Rotelman

[alleycat600]

Hi Volks folks,

For us it was a towbar "on back order" issue with the dealership. We had finished all our research and specified our requirements for our new Passat MY11 wagon only to be told one day before delivery that the tow bar was on "back order". When we arrived to take delivery we were very dissapointed (and peeved) to then find out that the the problem (CAN Bus / rear parking sensors related) was not rectified and currently (as of 13/Sep/2011) there is no recitification available. Apparently the new Touareg impacted as well. Have not taken delivery of the Passat and now following up with Volkswagen Australia to get answer in writing. To be honest don't care what the problem is - just want it resolved and a confirmed retro-fit date advised. Not good for the brand, VW dealers and most importantly new/existing cutomers.

alleycat600

[MJW]

Hi, I just saw this thread & wasn't aware of such issues. Does anyone know whether this problem has been resolved by VAG? I am due to take delivery next week & would be disappointed if I had to come back for the towbar given the 6.5 month wait for the car as it is.

[nhand42]

Hi, I just saw this thread & wasn't aware of such issues. Does anyone know whether this problem has been resolved by VAG? I am due to take delivery next week & would be disappointed if I had to come back for the towbar given the 6.5 month wait for the car as it is.

It's all sorted out. My father got his genuine VW towball fitted last week. The dealer had just received the software upgrade.

[Umai Naa!!]

Just to clear this up, there was no recall as such.

There was a wiring kit available for the new Passat and Touareg upon release, but it was found to not cooperate with certain functions on the car. VW Australia subsquently withdrew all wiring kits and towbars for these models until the issue could be resolved. In November 2011, revised wiring kits were released, and any affected customers were contacted immediately, to arrange installation.

As far as I know, none of the faulty wiring kits were ever sold to the public. The issues were found during accessory product testing around the same time as the release of these models.

[neo]

Does anyone know how much it would be to install from VAG after car has been purchased? MY11

[Umai Naa!!]

A fair bit. It's a labour-intensive job.

[richdave]

Does anyone know how much it would be to install from VAG after car has been purchased? MY11

around $1500 I believe

[neetbix]

around $1500 I believe

Yes. EXPENSIVE is right. I was quoted $2100 for my Passat MY12 from Barloworld Moorabbin. I don't think I need it that much...

[Scullers]

Yes. EXPENSIVE is right. I was quoted $2100 for my Passat MY12 from Barloworld Moorabbin. I don't think I need it that much...

I had mine fitted two weeks ago $1800 with LED simulator (quoted at $200)

[AndrewC]

I just had my tow bar fitted today to my R36 and got out of it rather cheap.

I Bought the bar from the dealer ($440) then had aranda towbars fit it and they then supplied and fit their canbus wiring module as well.

Their costs were $350, so total cost of towbar installed was only $790. Can't complain about that!

[Woogler]

Just checked the workmanship of mine fitted upon delivery 6 weeks ago. Huge gaping hole cut away to the left of the mounting bar. Unreal......

[Umai Naa!!]

Yes, that's so you can get your hand in there to pull the pin out.

Check the other thread on someone else's towbar fitment woes, and compare.

[Woogler]

Thanks mate. No problem then!