DSG woes in The Age

[The_Hawk]

I think they do know what's causing the sudden shutdowns

I don't know that that is the case. I agree that a total recall would be prohibitively expensive, but if they know what the problem is and how to fix it, surely then fixing and/or replacing the small (in relative numbers) number of effected vehicles would be the better option.

Of course the concept that it could be one of several known issues each of which requires a different part could be correct, but surely there would have to be some way to test each part for the possible faults (preferably in situ). It might be time consuming, but if there is a known issue and a known fix surely there is a known diagnostics procedure.

Essentially I'm thinking they really can't pinpoint what exactly the issue is.



On a side note, I do wonder if there is a standard ODB port logging piece of hardware which could be plugged into customer cars to log parameters to hunt down the cause (assuming there is no error codes to help with that).

[wai]

Essentially I'm thinking they really can't pinpoint what exactly the issue is.

That may well be the case. If it is, they need to come clean. After all, owners have paid large sums for the product. Be up front and accept there is an issue and that they will work with owners to resolve it. In the meantime, extend the warranty. Keep the lawyers out of it. All they do is inflame the situation.

All owners want is some assurance that they will not be left out in the cold. You don't buy a VW to get a refund.

[Hail22]

Drive continues to attempt to make contact with VW...inlcuding VW Germany to no avail:

Drive.com.au - Volkswagen remains quiet on recalls, fixes

[elephino]

VWA are stuck now. Because they've essentially denied any quality issues and not responded generally to media calls, they have to remain quiet until they have something positive to say (i.e. not a "we're looking into it" message, which is what they should have done at the start).

Ideally, they should have been on top of the problem rather than fobbing it off and hopefully they'll learn from this mess. But it is more a PR issue than a car issue now, thanks to the overreaction of the media. I can't remember if it was Fairfax or News Ltd, but they said they'd received about 140 calls from owners with issues. That's not really very many people when you consider the number of cars sold, as at least some go back to Mk5 Golfs (so up to 8 years ago).

I expect there will be internal policy changes within VWA to handle this type of issue in future, likely not officially announced, and hopefully these will be useful for the customer.

[pologti18t]

Ideally, they should have been on top of the problem rather than fobbing it off and hopefully they'll learn from this mess. But it is more a PR issue than a car issue now, thanks to the overreaction of the media. I can't remember if it was Fairfax or News Ltd, but they said they'd received about 140 calls from owners with issues. That's not really very many people when you consider the number of cars sold, as at least some go back to Mk5 Golfs (so up to 8 years ago)..

The other issue is separating owners that had an issue that was eventually (even if it took too much time) resolved from those with ongoing and repeated issues.

[wai]

In a global sense, VW do not have anything to fear from the Australian market. The sales volumes are low. What makes it difficult for VW is if a relatively small market can get VW to respond, imagine what a relatively big market would do to them.

Unfortunately, the strategy has been appalling. But nothing will change as the strategy has been been approved by senior executives who are unlikely to admit an error.

They have handled it very badly, and getting lawyers involved was a huge mistake.

[spikeyboy22]

I am all for the fix, but not for trolling and rudeness. Your car can stop or start slowing down for many reasons and you can get scared, you can get the puncture (people get it more often than the DSG fart) and it could get even worst, so should we recall all the wheels until we find a safer alternative?

I think just many more people are making noise than there are affected cars, but hey it's OK when they like the sensations and steer up the problems making them look bigger than they are that's fine with me. I'm not worried about my work at all, even if they would stop selling the VW in Australia I still have enough work.

...and if the resale value goes down, it doesn't affect me because I keep my cars longer than 10 years. The cost of the new cars going down because of the media involvement, well that'd be a good for the enthusiast they could get into a new VW cheaper than ever before, so my friends keep trolling.

I dont know about people trolling here transporter, but I think a lot of people have good points and there seems to be good imput from members

There is always more then one idea.

You have said before that you can get a puncture, which is very true problem when you drive, but a lot of these problems and there seems to be few different ones, some have been solved by recalls overseas, whcih will stop that problem for that owner, but VWA just dont want to believe there are problems ..

[team_v]

I dont know about people trolling here transporter, but I think a lot of people have good points and there seems to be good imput from members

There is always more then one idea.

You have said before that you can get a puncture, which is very true problem when you drive, but a lot of these problems and there seems to be few different ones, some have been solved by recalls overseas, whcih will stop that problem for that owner, but VWA just dont want to believe there are problems ..

Where is the proof that the recalls overseas have solved the issues?
And what are the recalls specifically for?

Again, poor reporting in the media leads to mass confusion which makes the issue worse for everyone.

[Golf7]

It never ceases to amaze me what ardent enthusiasm Fairfax has for attacking VW... And now they're onto head office back in Germany. Imagine what is going to happen to resale values... 4 year old Mk.6 Golfs for 11 grand probably...

[RoknRob]

It never ceases to amaze me what ardent enthusiasm Fairfax has for attacking VW... And now they're onto head office back in Germany. Imagine what is going to happen to resale values... 4 year old Mk.6 Golfs for 11 grand probably...

Fairfax has reported a VW as Car of the Year on numerous occasions - heck, they even reported a Golf as the best hatchback last week, despite the current issues. I'm not sure they are particularly biased.

I do see them performing a good public service at the moment, because, again, this is not a mere annoyance or an inconvenience, but a safety issue - relevant to all road users.

[pologti18t]

You have said before that you can get a puncture, which is very true problem when you drive, but a lot of these problems and there seems to be few different ones, some have been solved by recalls overseas, whcih will stop that problem for that owner, but VWA just dont want to believe there are problems ..

Have there been recalls in Europe for any of these issues?

Are the recalls in China, Singapore, Japan just a way of resetting the perception of VW in those markets? I can't see what specific fix they have for those countries that hasn't been applied elsewhere.

[Barracuda]

As much as I love my VW's, I wan't Fairfax to keep attacking because it's just going to put more and more pressure on Volkswagen Australia to (hopefully) bite-the-bullet and issue a recall. Hopefully the Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg will pressure VW Australia to do something before they damage the brand too much. Although, they're approaching the point of no return when it comes to brand reputation... Very unfortunate.

[RoknRob]

Where is the proof that the recalls overseas have solved the issues?
And what are the recalls specifically for?

Again, poor reporting in the media leads to mass confusion which makes the issue worse for everyone.

Very good questions! Why DON'T we know this?

Is it the media that is poor in reporting this? Or VW not being forthcoming?

Drive.com.au - Volkswagen remains quiet on recalls, fixes

[wai]

Have there been recalls in Europe for any of these issues?

Are the recalls in China, Singapore, Japan just a way of resetting the perception of VW in those markets? I can't see what specific fix they have for those countries that hasn't been applied elsewhere.

It could be that VW just rectified things when they happened in Europe.

The political systems in China, Singapore and Japan will have required a completely different response to Australia.

Our consumer protection laws are very weak. As I discovered, a manufacturer can do anything they want, as long as you are told this SOMEWHERE. It is up to the consumer to make sure that they explore thoroughly to find where these terms and conditions exist and are updated.

I raised this precise issue with the ACCC, and as far as they are concerned, unless it is a safety related item (and the complainant must show this to the satisfaction of the ACCC), the ACCC simply consider this to be a dispute between a buyer and seller, and that is not something they can act on. In any event, it is the Department of Infrastructure and Transport who initiate a recall, and it has to be safety related.

With the incidents reported, no one has yet been able to show this. Sure there are instances reported, but you need to show why it is VWs item to fix. No one has been able to show this.

The state departments of fair trading can only act where a seller or provider has done something that the consumer could not have discovered in the trading terms and conditions. This is NOT a breach of that so contacting the departments of fair trading is a waste of time.

VW know this and are acting accordingly. We do not jail company directors, so there is no imperative to do anything to avoid this.

From what I understand the mecatronics units have failed because of temperature and a reaction between the metal and lubricants "in some markets".

It comes down to the consumer demonstrating (with repeatability) the problem and what is causing it.

So, here's one. Why is the NRMA/RACV/RACQ/RACWA/RAASA (sorry I don't know what it is in Tasmania ) not doing its own tests? Surely those with the problem would be willing to offer their vehicles as guinea pigs? If these bodies do not have the funds or capacity, there are the various commercial units attached to universities that could investigate this. Heck, I can see a PhD in this. After all, VW don't know what's going on, so any research would be original and it would be extending the knowledge in the field. That is what is required to be awarded a PhD. Surely someone wanting to be known as Dr has a VW that has this problem? Ok, the car may not be worth much at the end of it all, but think of the money you would earn as a Dr.?

[spikeyboy22]

Where is the proof that the recalls overseas have solved the issues?
And what are the recalls specifically for?

Again, poor reporting in the media leads to mass confusion which makes the issue worse for everyone.

Starting to sound like a VW worker there .. wheres the proof, maybe us owenrs with problem or problem cars are just dreaming the problem .

Just went out to my 3 month polo and it wont start .. I will just go and dream a call to VW assist, who can take my car, and dealer can tell me I must have been dreaming when I coudl not start my car, thrid time now...

PS I also have VW golf GTI 2012 whcih I love .. but when these cars have problems they have problems ..

It might not fix the problem but it might .. I also have DSG problems.. but better then just sticking you head in the sand like they are doing..