VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[Rich20]

That's disgraceful. A very amateur solution with a large dollop of black sealant that will always remind you of what is underneath. Cheap and quick no doubt rather than designing a proper solution that gives an OEM appearance.

 

[Brianc26]

Well mine is still waiting at the bodyshop in glasgow as they don't have the tools to complete the work since it's the first one in scotland to be done. Do you guys know vw are watching this forum ? As I was told today ! Anyway I want my roof repaired 100% so I am not convinced this method of repair will be the answer

 

[jts46]

@fantic so what model and year is your van?

 

[jts46]

@Brianc26 Yes we know they watch it, they have done since the roof problem raised its front panel

 

[Brianc26]

They assure me vw glasgow know how to carry out the repair to the roof as they have done lots… to me then telling customer care they don't even have the specialist tools required as they are on back order

 

[WelshGas]

That's disgraceful. A very amateur solution with a large dollop of black sealant that will always remind you of what is underneath. Cheap and quick no doubt rather than designing a proper solution that gives an OEM appearance.

They did have a proper repair method but it took over a week, cost £5000 and a loan vehicle for 2 weeks. If those pictures are accurate then that is pathetic.

 

[jts46]

According to the german article, they cut out the offending part. Then glue the panel on.

 

[larrylamb]

Do you guys know vw are watching this forum ?

Hopefully they will notice that people are starting to take more action, watchdog first.

 

[Brianc26]

Well mine is still waiting at the bodyshop in glasgow as they don't have the tools to complete the work since it's the first one in scotland to be done. Do you guys know vw are watching this forum ? As I was told today ! Anyway I want my roof repaired 100% so I am not convinced this method of repair will be the answer

What do you disagree with ?

 

[WelshGas]

Why are you people bleating about your roofs going on watchdog is in my opinion a stupid thing to do it will just tell the whole world there is a problem with Californias then watch the values plumit i phoned Heritage to find out where i was on the list and they said 18 months if i wanted a California as a loan vehicle if not 6 weeks so i took that option that was last November the roof was done in January this year
They had already done 100 roofs and my repair was done to a high standard i have a motor trade backgroud so i know crap work when i see it altho i was very unhappy with the way heritage kept my van in a compoud for a week when they promised it was going straight into the workshop i extracted compensation from them as Californias in compounds can get damaged and i dont really think they gave a poo about that untill i blew up at them explaining i didnt spend £40k for them to let some yop schemer drive my van around a compound and get the panels dented
Im sure people can get it done quicker if they dont need a Cali loan vehicle you can with Heritage anyway
Watch Dog wont solve anything it will only highlight an issue to general public the problem is to big there arent enough man
hours to speed it up and only 4 qualified body shops owners need to calm down and be patient and thats my point really

You obviously haven't read the recent posts regarding the New Repair method which just involves rubbing down, primer and paint and then covering the front roof spoiler with a plastic cover. NOT what you had done by a trained bodyshop but instead by the closest bodyshop and taking a day with no loan vehicle. A cheap and poor quality repair in comparison.

 

[snowy55]

Cheap and quick no doubt rather than designing a proper solution that gives an OEM appearance.

The worrying thing is they are the OEM

 

[WelshGas]

I think quite a few people are burying their heads in the sand, this corrosion spreads slowly and the last thing you want is to find it after the warranty expires.

I don't think anyone is burying their heads in the sand, but there is no point checking until the 3rd year, or if you believe VW the 6th year. I don't believe VW so when my vehicle gets to 2yrs and 11mths then I'll take lots of hi-def photos with the rubber seal removed and proceed from there. No point doing it before.

 

[Kirk]

This is totally unacceptable, it is like wallpapering over a damp wall, again this is VW treating us and our vans like we are all builders who don't give a hoot, the Cali is now averaging over £50k we really deserve better than this. If this is not resolved correctly I will be joining the queue of people that are never buying another Volkswagen.

 

[bournemouthbeach]

Well it seams we have the roof problem now back edge of front panel where roof meets it...

SOOOOOOOO pissed VW used to known for great paint work but now it's wee wee poor...

Only thing i NEVER wanted doing to JED was paint work so my battle with VW will start today...

Very Unhappy

Shaun

 

[snowy55]

Well it seams we have the roof problem now back edge of front panel where roof meets it...

SOOOOOOOO pissed VW used to known for great paint work but now it's **** poor...

Only thing i NEVER wanted doing to JED was paint work so my battle with VW will start today...

Very Unhappy

Shaun

Have you checked under the rubber seal on the raising section of the roof ?

 

[3wolves]

I have posted to watchdog today, this is what I reported:
"I have a 2008 VW California owned from new and have had roof front panel corrosion repaired twice by VW at 2.5 years old and then 4.5 years. Early 2015
I noticed the corrosion not surprisingly had returned again but was reassured to hear there was now a "proper" fix available. VW have however refused to repair the vehicle as it was now over 6 years old. Numerous phone calls and letters followed before I instructed a solicitor to act on our behalf. They threatened action under the sale of goods act however VW HQ claimed it was not their responsibility and pushed us back Bristol Heritage where we bought the vehicle. I felt we were going around in circles and it was going to cost us more money to chase further."
Let's hope en masse we will get results

 

[snowy55]

I have posted to watchdog today, this is what I reported:
"I have a 2008 VW California owned from new and have had roof front panel corrosion repaired twice by VW at 2.5 years old and then 4.5 years. Early 2015
I noticed the corrosion not surprisingly had returned again but was reassured to hear there was now a "proper" fix available. VW have however refused to repair the vehicle as it was now over 6 years old. Numerous phone calls and letters followed before I instructed a solicitor to act on our behalf. They threatened action under the sale of goods act however VW HQ claimed it was not their responsibility and pushed us back Bristol Heritage where we bought the vehicle. I felt we were going around in circles and it was going to cost us more money to chase further."
Let's hope en masse we will get results

That truly is appalling behaviour by a large corporation.
Fix it twice, still no good tell the customer to sod off!
Brilliant.

 

[DavidofHook]

Done.
Even if your roof has been repaired you still need to contact watchdog, or is it a case of "mine has been repaired so i will keep quiet"

I am not the sort of person who keeps quiet.
My complaint can only be that the design was bad.
If I am asked how I was treated I can only say that it was very well. That is going to look pretty silly and will not, I suggest, help the cause. It may even detract from it, as it would show that VW have treated the issue properly in some cases and would not help those who do have a problem.
I have very sympathy with those who are having problems but I cannot say what I do not believe.

 

[Custardtart]

I have posted to watchdog today, this is what I reported:
"I have a 2008 VW California owned from new and have had roof front panel corrosion repaired twice by VW at 2.5 years old and then 4.5 years. Early 2015
I noticed the corrosion not surprisingly had returned again but was reassured to hear there was now a "proper" fix available. VW have however refused to repair the vehicle as it was now over 6 years old. Numerous phone calls and letters followed before I instructed a solicitor to act on our behalf. They threatened action under the sale of goods act however VW HQ claimed it was not their responsibility and pushed us back Bristol Heritage where we bought the vehicle. I felt we were going around in circles and it was going to cost us more money to chase further."
Let's hope en masse we will get results

That is unbelievably callous - refusing to fix a known design fault when their own initial repairs fail.

The last time I spoke to VWCS I mentioned that, apart from worrying if I'll ever get a repair at all, my other big concern is that my 6 year warranty will be largely used up by the time any repair is done and the new quick-fix repair only carries a 12 month warranty. Given I could probably get a repair with Halfords rattle cans to last for 12 months it left me very concerned.

The advisor assured me that if the fix were found to be failing in the future that VW would not leave us in the lurch but would investigate and act appropriately. I asked for this to be put into writing - that if the repair later failed that VW would fix it, but was told that they wouldn't put that in writing.

Your experience (and others on this forum) suggest that VW are just playing for time until they can spin us off the end of the warranty with some half-baked coverup What on earth has happened to VW? I used to be such a big fan - they had everything - top quality, fantastic designs, great customer service - the lot.

 

[Colinclared]

Guys,



thanks for the advice since receiving you emails I have checked my roof and so far I have no corrosion.



I make a point of having the roof up and keeping the drain holes and the seals clean so I will keep a close eye on it.

Good luck with the campaign and I hope you get VW to take some notice.



Corrosion is one of my pet hates as far as vehicles are concerned, its very disappointing to have it associated with the VW brand especially on one of there most expensive vehicles.

I would suggest keeping an eye on it. My van is in a dehumidifier garage and kept very clean/ detailed but eventually the corrosion came.

I'd be interested to know if it affects non metallic colour vans as well as metallic though? I don't know if anyone has checked to see if there is a pattern here? What colour is your van?

 

[Colinclared]

That is unbelievably callous - refusing to fix a known design fault when their own initial repairs fail.

The last time I spoke to VWCS I mentioned that, apart from worrying if I'll ever get a repair at all, my other big concern is that my 6 year warranty will be largely used up by the time any repair is done and the new quick-fix repair only carries a 12 month warranty. Given I could probably get a repair with Halfords rattle cans to last for 12 months it left me very concerned.

The advisor assured me that if the fix were found to be failing in the future that VW would not leave us in the lurch but would investigate and act appropriately. I asked for this to be put into writing - that if the repair later failed that VW would fix it, but was told that they wouldn't put that in writing.

Your experience (and others on this forum) suggest that VW are just playing for time until they can spin us off the end of the warranty with some half-baked coverup What on earth has happened to VW? I used to be such a big fan - they had everything - top quality, fantastic designs, great customer service - the lot.

I was advised by Heritage Bristol there is one warranty claim only and the repaired sections benefit from 12months warranty which then over-writes the 6 year good will warranty from then on. So after a repair you benefit from 12 months protection only on the repaired sections. New corrosion is then not covered.

 

[blakeley]

Anyone having a problem using the online form like I was, you can also email them at watchdog@bbc.co.uk

 

[inthemidnighthour]

Ours was taken on Monday 3rd October for the new quick warranty roof repair and we were told it would be back the same week on the Friday.Nearly 2 weeks later and they are still not sure when it will be back as we have been told " we didnt realise it was the roof as well as the front cap with corrosion ".
thought this was all too good to be true

Dave and Lisa
( suffering with a crew cab as a loan vehicle as Calis no longer provided !)

 

[larrylamb]

Ours was taken on Monday 3rd October for the new quick warranty roof repair and we were told it would be back the same week on the Friday.Nearly 2 weeks later and they are still not sure when it will be back as we have been told " we didnt realise it was the roof as well as the front cap with corrosion ".
thought this was all too good to be true

Dave and Lisa
( suffering with a crew cab as a loan vehicle as Calis no longer provided !)

VW cs strikes again, hope it gets sorted soon.

 

[jts46]

I have posted to watchdog today, this is what I reported:
"I have a 2008 VW California owned from new and have had roof front panel corrosion repaired twice by VW at 2.5 years old and then 4.5 years. Early 2015
I noticed the corrosion not surprisingly had returned again but was reassured to hear there was now a "proper" fix available. VW have however refused to repair the vehicle as it was now over 6 years old. Numerous phone calls and letters followed before I instructed a solicitor to act on our behalf. They threatened action under the sale of goods act however VW HQ claimed it was not their responsibility and pushed us back Bristol Heritage where we bought the vehicle. I felt we were going around in circles and it was going to cost us more money to chase further."
Let's hope en masse we will get results

This also happened to me VW don't care, full stop.