2017 California Coast - 2 weeks old - water leak from roof

california2 · Feb 28, 2017

Hi everyone,
I haven't posted much on the forum but have been constantly reading all the very informative posts in preparation for the delivery of my California.

I took delivery of my new 2017 California Coast on 14.1.17. and just absolutely loved it from the moment I set eyes on it. What a fabulous vehicle to drive and I was so pleased with my decision to purchase it.

Two weeks later, after a night of heavy rain, I discovered water all over the top of the kitchen glass worktop dropping down from the roof and on closer examination there was water coming out of most of the interior panels in the vehicle on every side, in the cupboards, in the wardrobe etc. I couldn't believe it - I have the photos to prove it.

Long story short, according to my dealer there was a 5mm hole in the roof (which is supposed to be there he tells me) but which wasn't sealed and the water leaked through. This unsealed 5mm hole has been in the vehicle since it was built so water has been getting in obviously since then.

According to my dealer its a warranty issue - its a two weeks old California - they will not replace it and VW tell me my contract is with the dealer and they won't do anything. The dealer tells me I have to take it back as they have repaired the hole. What about the water ingress during the time it was built until I took delivery of it - the dealer tells me they're satisfied its perfect.

I'm still in shock to be honest that I could pay so much for a brand new vehicle with a fault from build and neither the dealer not VW will do the honourable thing and replace it.

We have had to employ a solicitor to fight our case.

If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated.

Hotel California · Feb 28, 2017

Sorry to hear your story , we sure would love to hear/see in picture where the hole was .
If it was/is under the pop-top , witch i probally think it was the wateringress would be a one time only when you used it the first time in the rain , as the roof is waterproofed when closed.
However they test it roof up for waterproof in the factory , seen it with my own eyes while visting the factory myself. Mabey yours got thru without that test...? You will never know .
Pretty obvious they won't "replace" it and fix it . Still this should not happend and i would want all this on a paper singed by VW for further investigation and warrenty problems
Keep us posted on the futher story.

Edit on waterproof when roof closed:
The drains in the roof where the roofbars slide in do have a waterdrain could be one of those.

california2 · Feb 28, 2017

Thanks hotel california, from what they have told and shown us it is in the integrated rail in the roof.
I am determined to fight this all the way until they do the honourable thing and replace it with a new vehicle.

california2 · Feb 28, 2017

If someone could tell me how to post a photo I will try.

california2 · Feb 28, 2017

Under the circle is where we are told the unsealed hole is

kave · Feb 28, 2017

I am sorry for your problems, but isn't this why we have warranty in the first place? In Sweden the seller has three tries to fix a problem in reasonable time before you can halt the buy.
I guess you will wait until next summer before you can enjoy it if they let you.

WelshGas · Feb 28, 2017

california2 said:
Hi everyone,
I haven't posted much on the forum but have been constantly reading all the very informative posts in preparation for the delivery of my California.

I took delivery of my new 2017 California Coast on 14.1.17. and just absolutely loved it from the moment I set eyes on it. What a fabulous vehicle to drive and I was so pleased with my decision to purchase it.

Two weeks later, after a night of heavy rain, I discovered water all over the top of the kitchen glass worktop dropping down from the roof and on closer examination there was water coming out of most of the interior panels in the vehicle on every side, in the cupboards, in the wardrobe etc. I couldn't believe it - I have the photos to prove it.

Long story short, according to my dealer there was a 5mm hole in the roof (which is supposed to be there he tells me) but which wasn't sealed and the water leaked through. This unsealed 5mm hole has been in the vehicle since it was built so water has been getting in obviously since then.

According to my dealer its a warranty issue - its a two weeks old California - they will not replace it and VW tell me my contract is with the dealer and they won't do anything. The dealer tells me I have to take it back as they have repaired the hole. What about the water ingress during the time it was built until I took delivery of it - the dealer tells me they're satisfied its perfect.

I'm still in shock to be honest that I could pay so much for a brand new vehicle with a fault from build and neither the dealer not VW will do the honourable thing and replace it.

We have had to employ a solicitor to fight our case.

If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated.

I'm sorry you've had this problem and unless you're Consumer Laws are very different to those widespread within the EU then the advice you receive will not be what you want to hear. VW have a Warranty for just these sort of problems. And are under no obligation to replace the vehicle per se.
Now in the U.K. Consumer Law allows you to reject a vehicle on certain grounds but that is not the same as VW replacing the vehicle.
Of course if you are able to reject the vehicle, and I'm no legal expert so you will have to take advise from your solicitor, you will then have to reorder a replacement vehicle from scratch. This is not the same as VW replacing the vehicle. Unfortunately if you read the T's and C's of your contract with the Dealer and the same for the Warranty then the Dealership and VW are within their rights to repair the vehicle and do not have to replace it.

snowy55 · Mar 1, 2017

In England we have the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
With the act you can get a FULL refund on ANYTHING that is faulty within the first 30 days.
We recently returned a T6 California due to roof corrosion using this piece of legislation and got a FULL refund.
Check your consumer legislation or get a solictor who is a specialist in that field.
Good luck :thumb

california2 · Mar 1, 2017

Thank you for all the comments.
Snowy apparently in Ireland we still work under the old Sale of Goods Act and the 2015 EU Consumer Rights act which I think has been adopted in the U.K. has not been adopted here as yet or so we are advised. I will check it out further. Many thanks for that advice.

california2 · Mar 2, 2017

Update
Dealer writes to us stating "We are completely satisfied this issue has been permanently resolved".

They were so confident they agreed to replace the California if any water ingress/dampness issues arose in the next twelve months. We asked for it in writing and they retracted the offer !!!!!

What a dishonest, disgraceful dealership !!

snowy55 · Mar 2, 2017

california2 said:
Update
Dealer writes to us stating "We are completely satisfied this issue has been permanently resolved".

They were so confident they agreed to replace the California if any water ingress/dampness issues arose in the next twelve months. We asked for it in writing and they retracted the offer !!!!!

What a dishonest, disgraceful dealership !!

Very difficult to get anything in writing from a Vw dealership that might compromise them at a later date.
All telephone calls are recorded so make a note of the time and who told that information. You will also have your telephone call records to prove you made that call.
Whenever I speak to VW I always make notes- time ,date, name and what was said. It may come in handy at a later date.
Trying to get a paper trail - emails - is difficult due to their reluctance to put anything in writing - letters is hugely time consuming as they take weeks to respond.
Keep on at them.

california2 · Mar 2, 2017

Thanks so much Snowy for the encouragement. I intend to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to get satisfaction.

Velma's Dad · Mar 2, 2017

california2 said:
Thanks so much Snowy for the encouragement. I intend to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to get satisfaction.

Very sorry to read about your problem, it must be really frustrating. I hesitate to write this, but from the sounds of things (and unless the law is very different in Eire), if satisfaction for you can only involve a replacement van, I think you're highly likely to end up disappointed.

It may be hard to look at it through a different lens while you can only see the injustice and crap attitude of the dealer, but you could take a view that once the repair is done it's pretty unlikely that your Cali is actually going to be significantly compromised.

I'd be more inclined to seek some decent goodwill gesture from VW (others here with experience can advise what's realistic).

You'll have your own view on this, but one of my principles of a happy life is never get lawyers involved in anything, unless it's a matter of life and death. And probably not even then.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

california2 · Mar 2, 2017

Hi Velma's dad,
I couldn't agree more with you about trying to sort it out without solicitors but unfortunately in our case we have a dealership who have been completely dishonest with us and VW who do not want to know about the problem.
As for the repair - they say they fixed the hole in the roof that wasn't sealed but how can they assess the subsequent water damage without removing the interior panels?
We have been motorhoming 13 years and have seen the damage water ingress and dampness can cause.
Thank you very much again for your advice Velma's dad and hopefully someday soon I will be a happy California Camper again.

thehorse · Mar 2, 2017

california2 said:
Hi Velma's dad,
I couldn't agree more with you about trying to sort it out without solicitors but unfortunately in our case we have a dealership who have been completely dishonest with us and VW who do not want to know about the problem.
As for the repair - they say they fixed the hole in the roof that wasn't sealed but how can they assess the subsequent water damage without removing the interior panels?
We have been motorhoming 13 years and have seen the damage water ingress and dampness can cause.
Thank you very much again for your advice Velma's dad and hopefully someday soon I will be a happy California Camper again.

There is no insulation in the Cali, so you shouldn't have any water ingress issues.

california2 · Mar 3, 2017

Through pressure from the dealership and needing transport to bring my kids to school, yesterday I had to take back my two week old California Coast.
The contempt with which the dealer has dealt with us is evident in the condition of the interior when it arrived (see photos of damp patches in ceiling). According to them "we're completely satisfied with repairs to your vehicle".
VW Ireland and this dealership should be utterly ashamed of themselves!

california2 · Mar 3, 2017

Hotel California · Mar 3, 2017

If my ceeling looked like that coming from waterleak due to factory missbuild i also would not look happy....
You never told us this in the beginning of this tread!
Is that still wet or dryed up?
They sure need to sort this out under warrenty .
I had no idea it was this bad , feel for you oh boy...

Anthony Murphy · Mar 3, 2017

What VW garage did you buy your california from ,Name and Shame .

california2 · Mar 3, 2017

This appears to be dried up but I plan to have it looked at by a Motorcaravan engineer early next week.
Tom Murphy Car Sales in Waterford is the shameful dealer.

kave · Mar 3, 2017

That is another story, I would definately require a new roof if it looks like that.

california2 · Mar 3, 2017

Thank you all. I really appreciate the support.

Mervyn kennedy · Mar 4, 2017

california2 said:
Hi everyone,
I haven't posted much on the forum but have been constantly reading all the very informative posts in preparation for the delivery of my California.

I took delivery of my new 2017 California Coast on 14.1.17. and just absolutely loved it from the moment I set eyes on it. What a fabulous vehicle to drive and I was so pleased with my decision to purchase it.

Two weeks later, after a night of heavy rain, I discovered water all over the top of the kitchen glass worktop dropping down from the roof and on closer examination there was water coming out of most of the interior panels in the vehicle on every side, in the cupboards, in the wardrobe etc. I couldn't believe it - I have the photos to prove it.

Long story short, according to my dealer there was a 5mm hole in the roof (which is supposed to be there he tells me) but which wasn't sealed and the water leaked through. This unsealed 5mm hole has been in the vehicle since it was built so water has been getting in obviously since then.

According to my dealer its a warranty issue - its a two weeks old California - they will not replace it and VW tell me my contract is with the dealer and they won't do anything. The dealer tells me I have to take it back as they have repaired the hole. What about the water ingress during the time it was built until I took delivery of it - the dealer tells me they're satisfied its perfect.

I'm still in shock to be honest that I could pay so much for a brand new vehicle with a fault from build and neither the dealer not VW will do the honourable thing and replace it.

We have had to employ a solicitor to fight our case.

If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated.

Hi there I can tell you now that employing a solicitor will only flustrate you and cost you money .
Open up all your presses put you Cali in to a garage and get a dehumidifier and let it work for two weeks then check that no pressed have swelled with damp the dehumidifier is the key .
You will not get a new camper no matter what you do .even if your engine went you still won't get one ..you are going to fight for nothing .at best you could look for an extended warrenty and you will probably get this .i have gone through all of what you are going to do paid out all that money and to get this .not happy and I don't blame you .i have an eye for what's right and very few things i buy is exactly what I expect .only after spending 10k on a machine took it off pallet and guess what it doesn't work .moral of this story is look for extended warrenty and talk to dealer principle not sales man ..don't do the roaring and shouting put your case forward and see what happens .i could write a book on all of this .

california2 · Mar 4, 2017

Mervyn as you said employing a solicitor should be the last option but unfortunately in our case it is what we have had to do. We tried being reasonable, did everything we could to try and resolve this without getting solicitors involved but this dealership has been dishonest at every turn. We plan to pursue this to the fullest extent of the law - not what we would wish to do - but what we will do.
I'm posting some photos of how the water ingress looked the day I came out and found the leaks - two weeks after taking delivery. From the photos you will see water coming out from behind panels in the California on every side of the vehicle. How could anyone accept this? Shame on Tom Murphy Car Sales and shame on VW Ireland !

I'm not sure how well these will come out but I have many more showing water coming out of the joins in the panels throughout the California on every side.
THIS IN A TWO WEEK OLD CALIFORNIA