Polo GTI MY12.5 Problems

[mathemagician]

Hi guys,

I searched the forum and the "New Polo problems - register" thread on some of my problems but couldn't find anything, so here it goes:

1) REMOTE LOCKING ISSUE - DOESN'T LOCK ON FIRST BUTTON PRESS
Ever since I bought my GTI in June 2012, I've had a problem with locking the car using the lock button on the key (both keys have the same issue). Whenever I park the car after a drive and want to lock the car - it never locks on the first press of the button. I always have to press 2 or even 3 times for the car to lock - or hold the button for some 2 seconds. If I then unlock it, I can immediately lock it again though. My friend Eddie (fastlane in the forum) has the same problem on his white MY12.5 Polo GTI.

ATTEMPTED FIX: Burwin VW tried recoding both my keys and some other configuration stuff on the car - but to no avail. They said that VW Australia was aware of the problem and that they were working on a software fix. That was late last year and I haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone know more?

2) CREAKING FRONT SEATS
Within the first 2000 km both the driver and the passenger seat started creaking. The driver seat more so, probably since I don't take passengers that often. Over the next few thousand kms it became so bad, that at every bump it sounded like a 200-year-old antique wooden chair.

ATTEMPTED FIX: Burwin VW first tried lubing up all the joints in the seats but that didn't help. They then replaced both seat bases on another occasion, which fixed it. BUT GUESS WHAT! IT'S BACK! During the last 1000-2000 kms or so, it has started again! It's not as bad (yet) as right before Burwin replaced the seat bases, but it's slowly worsening. Burwin VW was surprised to hear about that and the service guy said he would research the issue and get back to me. Eddie's seats creak too, but only a little when going over bumps, and from what he told me it's not getting worse. Did anyone else have that problem? If so, how did you fix it for good?

3) STRANGE SQUEAK/RUBBING NOISE FROM BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX, MAINLY ON TAKE-OFF
For a few thousand kms now, but mainly since the weather got warmer, I have this strange noise coming from behind the glove box that sounds as if rubber was rubbing against something, or as if something was being overstretched. It comes at any take-off, at the beginning of the drive and at traffic lights. I even heard it sometimes when driving over some mild road irregularities. Burwin VW had a look and confirmed that it's coming from behind the glove box. However, since they were busy replacing my seats, they ran out of time to check it properly. They said it might be right behind the glove box, which would be an easy fix, but if not, then they would have to literally remove the entire dash - which I'd never have them do since that would probably introduce 5 new rattles. Did/does anyone else have this problem?

ATTEMPTED FIX: Nothing yet.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Cheers,
Martin

PS: Burwin VW service is nothing short of awesome. Reliable, honest and taking any issues seriously. Haven't been brushed off once.

[readerr0r]

I've had the remote locking issue too! But I keep forgetting to ask VW about it. I've just sorta gotten use to sub-consciously pressing the button a tonne of times at the moment.

The AC unit sits directly behind the glove box with some foam padding separating the two, I wouldn't be too surprised if the padding isn't sitting right or something. I've got a bunch of cables going through there (Amp wiring, GPS cable, RVC cable) and nothings made a peep.

[alexaescht]

Polo GTI MY12.5 Problems

To be honest, you probably could have asked those questions in the Problems forum, but I'm sure someone here will be able to give you some help.
I've done just over 56,000 km and none of your issues are present.

[jayc29u]

My front seats creak as well and when i brought it in to get all my rattles and creaks fixed, i was told that they couldnt do anything about it cause it was how the seats were mounted. My creaks dont sound as bad as yours but mine still does creak on take off.

Luckily i have 2 VW dealerships in canberra so im going to go to the other one and see whether they can do anything about the creaks and rattles cause the one i went to is absolute sh*t!

[Tony_Mitchell_1983]

Hi guys,

1) REMOTE LOCKING ISSUE - DOESN'T LOCK ON FIRST BUTTON PRESS
Ever since I bought my GTI in June 2012, I've had a problem with locking the car using the lock button on the key (both keys have the same issue). Whenever I park the car after a drive and want to lock the car - it never locks on the first press of the button. I always have to press 2 or even 3 times for the car to lock - or hold the button for some 2 seconds. If I then unlock it, I can immediately lock it again though. My friend Eddie (fastlane in the forum) has the same problem on his white MY12.5 Polo GTI.

ATTEMPTED FIX: Burwin VW tried recoding both my keys and some other configuration stuff on the car - but to no avail. They said that VW Australia was aware of the problem and that they were working on a software fix. That was late last year and I haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone know more?

I've noticed this in a MY13 Polo Comfortline. I thought I just wasn't pushing the button properly. I'll be interested to see when / if a fix for this comes up.

[danielv10]

I noticed the key lock thing too. I have a feeling it may be to do with dead locking someone in the car perhaps?
I found that if I had just turned off the engine and immediately exit the car and try lock it, it'll take two presses (or a long press). But if I turned off the engine and got out but waited 30 secs or a minute or so, it will lock on first press.
Can anyone else confirm this?

[JonP01]

I have the key lock problem too, but it will always lock within two attempts at most.

[mathemagician]

@readerr0r:
Thanks for the AC unit hint! Will tell Burwin VW about it.

@Tony_Mitchell_1983 & JonP01:
Another confirmation that it seems to be a general Polo issue. I'll ask Burwin VW next time if there is an update to fix this.

@jayc29u:
Clearly your dealership simply couldn't be bothered thoroughly investigating the creaking. Another bit of evidence for the vast differences in customer care quality across different VW dealers... You should definitely go to the other one! Good luck with that!

@danielv10:
I don't think it's related to the deadlocking function. The Golf VI TDI they gave me as a courtesy vehicle twice has practically the same key (at least it looks the same) and it locks immediately on the first press.

[Polo_GTI]

I have the key locking issue with mine as well... takes two locks to lock it when I first shut off the engine.
I think it's normal if it's happening to everyone.

Does your MFD come up with a message re locking when you first turn off the engine? Mine does, but I can't remember what the exact message is but it might have something to do with the double key press lock.

And rattles.... Wow I had none and now I have a few. The worst one is the one coming from my dash above the centre vents it appears. It sounds like morse code repeatedly. Driving me insane.

I plan on taking the car to VW soon with a list of issues/problems I want fixed.

[fastlane]

Yep like Martin said. Please note the seat noise is from the alcantara packaged seats..

I've also found after closing the drivers door after parking, then opening up the boot then closing, allows you to lock first time.

Martin, I also had a new black TDI MK6 Golf that didn't have this locking issue. Was this Burwin Passenger or Commercial Service Centre?

[alexaescht]

Polo GTI MY12.5 Problems

Strange... My seats don't make noises, the car locks immediately with one push of the button and my dash is squeak free.
Must be something to do with the MY 12.5

[readerr0r]

Strange... My seats don't make noises, the car locks immediately with one push of the button and my dash is squeak free.
Must be something to do with the MY 12.5

Thats because you don't have either the Sport or Alcantara seats. Which is where the complains come from. The Alcantara seems to be the biggest squeaker though, possibly due to their construction or the seat heaters.

[alexaescht]

Polo GTI MY12.5 Problems

Thats because you don't have either the Sport or Alcantara seats. Which is where the complains come from. The Alcantara seems to be the biggest squeaker though, possibly due to their construction or the seat heaters.

Ok that's fair enough, what about the door locks though?

[readerr0r]

Ok that's fair enough, what about the door locks though?

Some sort of change of software it seems. Probably when they changed that deadlock message

[alexaescht]

Polo GTI MY12.5 Problems

Some sort of change of software it seems. Probably when they changed that deadlock message

Yeah I noticed that message on mine after the 15,000 service but it still locked just the same.