VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[knightons]

Found this article recently...... View attachment 10543

Where did you see the article?

 

[David Eccles]

The article is in a back issue of VWBus 4/5+ a few months back
(I have to confess I am the writer...and from what people are saying on this thread recently their assurances to me at the time about clearing backog seem..well...over optimistic...? I do know they have thrown a lot of money into doing this (am not allowed to quote the figure but believe me its not peanuts) ...
I asked VW for paperwork re 3 years and was given it, also a detailed copy of invoice to VW dealer from bodyshop...about £4.5K ...

 

[marshian70]

I spoke with VW customer services on Friday. Seems they are about to announce that 2 new additional body shops have now been trained to undertake the repairs, so this will hopefully help reduce the delays for those of us waiting for repairs

 

[snowy55]

I spoke with VW customer services on Friday. Seems they are about to announce that 2 new additional body shops have now been trained to undertake the repairs, so this will hopefully help reduce the delays for those of us waiting for repairs

I wonder if these are the additional workshops they were going to announce "early" in 2015!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Freeley]

I wouldn't class myself as a queue jumper, all that happened in my case was my claim was accepted, I waited 6 months and heard nothing so took it upon myself to find out who my repair centre was and rang them. They asked if I needed a loan vehicle to which I said no, at which point they said they could probably get me in within a month.
I didn't moan or cause a fuss, just asked what was going on.
Anyone could do this - if I did need a loan vehicle I think I would be ringing once a month to keep on top of where I was in the queue rather than wait 2 years.

Sent from my Galaxy S6

 

[CannellWalker]

Trust me, we haven't just waited and not chased. But at the same time can't be bothered getting too stressed over it. We could do with confirming what warranty there will be on the repair though.

 

[Freeley]

Yeah I've no idea what the score is with that. Think i just want to get it done and hope for the best

Sent from my Galaxy S6

 

[CYCLOPATH]

Hi, I am looking to get a pre face lift T5. 2009 reg. The owner tells me it has no corrosion problems.
Did it start at face lift?
If it has non now, should it be immune?
I am off to look this week

Thanks, there seems to be a lot of expertise on the forum

 

[marshian70]

Hi, I am looking to get a pre face lift T5. 2009 reg. The owner tells me it has no corrosion problems.
Did it start at face lift?
If it has non now, should it be immune?
I am off to look this week

Thanks, there seems to be a lot of expertise on the forum

All T5 California's are/could be affected. VW are honouring roof issues up to 6 years of age so I am guessing the one you are looking at is just out of date, so check very carefully as repairs are very expensive

 

[jts46]

Hi, I am looking to get a pre face lift T5. 2009 reg. The owner tells me it has no corrosion problems.
Did it start at face lift?
If it has non now, should it be immune?
I am off to look this week

I presume you mean a preface lift T5 California?
Mine is a 2006 November, it had blisters on front panel in 2009 which was repaired not replaced. Blisters have now started to appear again.
VW did extend the warranty period from 3 to 6 years for this problem.

John

 

[Victor]

Make sure you check under the entire rubber seal of the pop up roof as well when you look at it.

 

[CannellWalker]

Well VWCS are categorically saying they won't offer 3 years warranty on the repair work and NEVER have done. Rather odd considering the number of people on here who believe they have got 3 years of cover on the repair.

 

[David Eccles]

Mine says "Following our conversation on 12 April I am happy to confirm the repair completed to the roof of your California will benefit from a 3 year paintwork and 12 months workmanship warranty." Dated 12 May. Which I take to mean it takes it slightly beyond the six year goodwill extension from new. So basically you get 3 years from date of repairs I think, so as long as you are in queue a longer wait may actually be better in some ways!

 

[SusiBus]

No it didn't start with facelift models, but it appears that in the period 2010/11/12/13, something changed, either in the construction, ie the alloy composition or the paints and primers. Vehicles from this period suffer from much more corrosion than the early ones. From build date March 2013, a gasket was inserted between the elevating roof section and the original Steel body work to stop the electrolytic action between the two dissimilar metals, but whether the problem with either the alloy or the paint was corrected, I don't know.

 

[mario+jill]

Ours is a 2008 California and we had the repair to the roof and roof panel done by Shorade one of the four specialists February of this year. Hope this helps

 

[storma63]

Hi knightons,
Sorry for late reply. I think it was in Vw T magazine, briefly spotted it while I was in Audi dealership getting replacement key fob after accidentaly running over mine with my lawn Mower!! Chopped it into tiny little pieces

 

[Alan]

No it didn't start with facelift models, but it appears that in the period 2010/11/12/13, something changed, either in the construction, ie the alloy composition or the paints and primers. Vehicles from this period suffer from much more corrosion than the early ones. From build date March 2013, a gasket was inserted between the elevating roof section and the original Steel body work to stop the electrolytic action between the two dissimilar metals, but whether the problem with either the alloy or the paint was corrected, I don't know.[/QUOTE
I have 2013 (delivery date May)
So far no signs of blistering anywhere
Not touched the roof gasket though

Alan

 

[CannellWalker]

Well, after a further conversation with VWCS they have stated that it is 12 months on the workmanship and nothing more. Apparently anyone who had a letter implying there was 3 years cover on the paintwork was a mistake on their part. They have said they are contacting people to inform them..?
Lets hope the repair is good.

 

[CYCLOPATH]

Thanks folks,
The 2009 did have bubbles on both sides of the front roof panel. I would not have seen it if you lot hadn't brought it to my attention. The owner said he had no idea.
So thanks again

 

[David Eccles]

The letter does not imply it, it clearly states it, so dunno where that stands legally...having something in writing to me would mean it would have to be honoured...
but hopefully it will never come to be tested in law! There seems to be a very weird conflict of info that comes out of VWCS depending on who is answering!
and whilst the cost of these repairs is a costing VW a lot ... it's peanuts compared to the billions of euros the media say VW could be facing over Emissiongate ...

 

[snowy55]

The letter does not imply it, it clearly states it, so dunno where that stands legally...having something in writing to me would mean it would have to be honoured...
but hopefully it will never come to be tested in law! There seems to be a very weird conflict of info that comes out of VWCS depending on who is answering!
and whilst the cost of these repairs is a costing VW a lot ... it's peanuts compared to the billions of euros the media say VW could be facing over Emissiongate ...

If Vw had tried this roof fiasco in America they would be facing a "class action" from disgruntled customers.
It's a shame a "no win, no fee" solicitor in this country hasn't got on board with this, as I'm sure there is money to made!!

 

[CannellWalker]

David, weird indeed. However we don't want to get too hung up on it and let it overshadow what is an awesome van. Just need to get it fixed still and hope the repair is good.

 

[AlanC]

In a letter from VW to the club dated 13th June 2014, VWUK clearly stated that the roof repair would be guaranteed for a further three years, see attached item 3.

The workmanship guarantee is also 3 years and not 12 months, as stated by VWUK in this letter.

I don't think they have a leg to stand on with this issue.

Alan

 

[Ambler]

In a letter from VW to the club dated 13th June 2014, VWUK clearly stated that the roof repair would be guaranteed for a further three years, see attached item 3.

The workmanship guarantee is also 3 years and not 12 months, as stated by VWUK in this letter.

I don't think they have a leg to stand on with this issue.

Alan

There is a later letter that confirms 6 years warranty to the main roof repair too.

Re: Roof Corrosion - Latest Updates

by SusiBus » 08 Aug 2014, 21:59

WARRANY FOR ENTIRE ALUMINIUM ROOF SECTION EXTENDED TO SIX YEARS

The timing of the article in VW Bus magazine may be a little unfortunate because today we have received a letter from VW which will be good news for all owners of Californias up to SIX YEARS OLD.

The salient points in VW’s letter are, and I quote:

..............“As you are aware, all repairs relating to the front panel section of the California roof are covered by our paint warranty policy, not body protection warranty. While we recognise issues relating to roof corrosion, it is not as a result of through-corrosion of the aluminium panel. As such, repairs are covered by the three year paint warranty policy. In an effort to offer our customers peace of mind, we took the decision to offer an additional 3 years goodwill, extending the terms of the protection from three years to six.

Following your most recent correspondence, we have again conducted a thorough review of the goodwill terms with our colleagues at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles HQ in Hannover. As a result, I can now confirm that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will extend the terms of the goodwill to cover the entire roof panel. Any cases of roof corrosion to the main roof panel will now also be covered under our good will policy for up to six years.

This enhanced support is linked to the individual Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and is therefore transferable upon sale of the vehicle.

We will be notifying our Van Centres of this additional enhancement. I would ask that you encourage any of your members who may be affected by this issue to visit their nearest Van Centre so that their vehicle may be assessed ............”

We had requested that VW “offer a twelve year bodywork warranty, transferable on sale, with the word “perforation” deleted in relation to the aluminium sections of the vehicle”, but VW replied:

“This has been reviewed however we are currently unable to do so”

There you have it straight from VW Head Office – if your vehicle is under six years old and you have roof corrosion, it will be repaired under warranty. Therefore, it is up to you to check your vehicle particularly under the rubber seal, and if you do have corrosion then contact your nearest van dealer.

I am not sure if this new warranty extension will be applied to countries outside the UK as VW appear to operate as separate entities in each country. Warranties terms differ even within the EU.

SUSIBUS

I can also add that when I had my main roof repaired I asked for warranty confirmation from the dealer (Hadwins) and they sent me a mail :-

"Hello Mr *********
, Just to confirm our conversation earlier, I have spoken to customer care regarding your concerns about warranty lenght after the rpair has been carried out on the roof of your Caravelle. They have reassured me that the first six years of the vehicle life the roof is covered for warranty, any work done in this time will be covered and the warranty will remain intact up to the vehicle being six years old. In your case the next five and a half years. I hope this helps. Kind regards Andrew Rattigan Marketing Service Advisor Hadwins Volkswagen"

Looks clear cut to me.

 

[Shaun]

Just received an email after many months of inactivity on behalf of VWCS
It's the first non forced communication I have ever received so I'm obviously shocked.
Things are really looking up !
It reads as follows

Dear
I am contacting you regarding the repairs that are needed on your Volkswagen California.
As you are aware, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have authorised a repair for the paint defect on the roof of your vehicle.
I wanted to take this opportunity to confirm that your details have been passed on to one of our six specialist body shops who
are completing the repairs and they will be in contact with you directly to arrange for the vehicle to be booked in. At this
time, I am unable to confirm when your vehicle will be repaired however, please be assured that we are committed to completing
the repairs as soon as possible.
I would like to take the time to thank you for your patience during this matter. If there is anything further we may assist you
with in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Customer Services on the details below.

Kind regards

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Tel Number: 0800 783 4909
E-mail: customercare@vwcv.co.uk