Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach & SE ?

[helmguy]

Hi all,

I'm picking up our beach on Saturday. It' was first registrered in April 2014 with 4500 miles on it. Should I be concerned at all regarding the roof corrosion issues I've been reading about on the forum or do they not affect newer vans? Is there anything I should check when picking up the van?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[calikev]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Your beach should have been sorted from new. if not you have 6 years warranty

 

[helmguy]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Thanks, good to know.

I did drop the dealer an email asking if it could have a problem but based on other questions I've asked I'm expecting to get a reply along the lines of "what corrosion?, we've never heard about any corrosion problems with the californias".

Mark

 

[calikev]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Thanks, good to know.

I did drop the dealer an email asking if it could have a problem but based on other questions I've asked I'm expecting to get a reply along the lines of "what corrosion?, we've never heard about any corrosion problems with the californias".

Mark

Yes I bet that's what they will say :laugh2 which dealer is it :?:

 

[helmguy]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Bristol. Reading on here it sounds like they might be one of the main dealers for any corrosion issues? So they SHOULD know what I'm talking about I guess.

Mark

 

[snowy55]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Our Jan14 has corrosion/bubbling under the perimeter seal on the elevating section of the roof.Partly raise the roof stand on the drivers or passenger door step and slide a foot/18 inch section of seal off and have a look.

It's now in a 2 year yes you read that right a 2 year que waiting to be repaired.

An absolute disgrace from a supposed "quality" vehicle manufacturer.

This is what it looks like.

 

[Ambler]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Our March 14 had the same. It was repaired via the local dealer within 2 months of it being reported. To my knowledge the main roof problem can be repaired locally, not necessarily at one of the 4 dealers approved for the front panel repair.

Make sure you inspect both sides + front and back. Ours was only corroded down one side, although they "repaired" all 4 sides.

The seal is a tight fit but is not glued down, it pulls off and goes back on again, just do part at one time.

 

[helmguy]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

OK looks like I need to spend some time when picking it up looking over the roof.

Is there something documented somewhere that show the 6 year extended warranty from VW on the roofs?

 

[calikev]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Yes we have written confirmation from vw about 6 year warranty but only on the front panel
Above the windscreen but I think yours should have a new updated one from new

PS sorry I got it wrong 6 years on entire roof

 

[snowy55]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

viewtopic.php?f=36&t=8549

Think it's in this lame excuse of a response.

 

[helmguy]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

I did read all 3 pages of that letter but can't find any mention of the 6 year warranty.

So the guys on this forum with 2014 that have corrosion - if the front panel is now sorted then I guess this is on the main roof - which is still only 3 years warranty?

Sorry for all the questions and I can see it's a complicated issue that you have guys have been dealing with for some time.

 

[Alex443057]

Re: Roof Corrosion on 2014 Cali Beach?

Just read this post and gone outside to check ours, pulled down the rubber seal and low and behold we have a row of bubbles.

2014 June 180 SE

 

[helmguy]

Ok so sounding more likely there could be a problem on a newish cali and something I should try to check when picking up on Saturday.

Now, what should I do if I find anything? Walk away? Ask them to immediately put in a claim to have it fixed?

I'm waiting to hear back from the dealer as I asked him to confirm a) if it's been checked and b) if it's covered by 6 year warranty.

If they aren't playing ball it would be great if i can show them the documentation stating it's a known issue and that there's a 6 year warrenty. Where can I find this documentation? I've looked in the 3 page letter but it's not there.

Mark

 

[snowy55]

Ok so sounding more likely there could be a problem on a newish cali and something I should try to check when picking up on Saturday.

Now, what should I do if I find anything? Walk away? Ask them to immediately put in a claim to have it fixed?

I'm waiting to hear back from the dealer as I asked him to confirm a) if it's been checked and b) if it's covered by 6 year warranty.

If they aren't playing ball it would be great if i can show them the documentation stating it's a known issue and that there's a 6 year warrenty. Where can I find this documentation? I've looked in the 3 page letter but it's not there.
Mark

http://www.vwcaliforniaclub.com/roof_corrosion.php

This is what I was looking for.

 

[helmguy]

Yes, I see that page but that's on the forum - not on VW's website. Where is the documented proof of the warranty or do they only give it verbally over the phone if you call?

 

[snowy55]

I don't think Vw will commit anything in writing for fear of litigation, so we have to put up with second hand hearsay information. Thanks Vw.

 

[helmguy]

Ah I see. From reading posts on here I thought it was confirmed about the 6 year warranty and that some documention existed to prove that.

Mark

 

[helmguy]

Thanks, I guess I just wait and see what the dealer says.

Mark

 

[snowy55]

I have a letter it goes something like this
Dear Mr
I am writing further to our previous discussions regarding the corrosion on the front
roof panet or your Volkswagen California.


As previously advised our factory identified the root cause and made changes to the
production of new vehictes. For existing vehicles the relevant paint warranty
been extended from three to six years and where warrantable corrosion occurs on Volkswagen commercial Vehicles
the front panel a new repair process has been provided. is o division of volkswosen Group
we have also delivered additional and specific training at our head office to four United Kingdom Limited
approved Paint and Body Shops and authorised them to complete the repair on
behalf of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Volkswagen AG
For your information the four body shops are: Resistered office;
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Heritage - Westbury Jil[il"'o?''*
Milion Keynes
Benfield - Newcastle MKl4 sAN
Regislered in Englond
AB Crush Panelcraft - Canterbury No 5l480e
Shorade - Cannock
We have requested that said dealer I re submit the claim for the
repair required on your vehicle to our central Warranty team. They will in turn
ensure that the claim is processed promptly and forward the claim information along
with your details to one of four specialist repair body shops.
The body shop will contact you directly to arrange a booking and confirm
replacement vehicle details. For logistical reasons we may not complete repairs at
the closest body shop therefore we will arrange for specialist transportation of your
California to and from the body shop.
The repair will take approximately two weeks and it may not be possible to confirm a
repair date in the immediate future however, please be assured that we are
committed to completing this on your vehicle at the earliest opportunity.
We have of course ensured that our authorised network have been advised of this
process however if you have yet to receive the initial contact from one of the
appointed body shops please notify your Van Centre or myself if you prefer.it

This letter doesn't mention the elevating section of roof it refers only to the front section.

 

[Ambler]

I stored this in my computer for future reference. To me it reads 6 years on the main roof.

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

FWIW when we had ours repaired the local dealer agreed it was a 6 year warranty, as did VWCS in Manchester (after some prodding)

 

[shambly]

I have an email from the executive office which states

"as discussed the paint warranty on the pop up roof has now been extended from three to six years of age."

Why VW couldn't make any such official statement in their official forum response - or indeed anything of substance whatsoever - god only knows.....

 

[Martin]

We have received a few messages from people with corrosion on 2014 Cali's, one as late as July 2014 !!

So I suggest everyone keeps checking their roof ( Elevating roof under the rubber seal )

-

 

[Martin]

Just to confirm the warranty has been extended to SIX YEARS on both the front panel and the elevating roof

-

 

[helmguy]

OK so I've just had the call to say all is set for me to pick up my Cali tomorrow morning. As its' a 2014 I guess I ignore the corrosion issues for a few years and just go enjoy the thing.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[andyrob]

Evening all,

I am a newbie and just about to order a new cali. I have asked the dealer (sales) to confirm that VW have now provided a 6yr warranty on the whole roof, however after a little assuring me that all was now in order, I mentioned the forum, to which he went off to check with his warranty department and his response is below.

The vehicle comes with a 3 year paint warranty, 10 year paint perforation warranty.
VW have been addressing issues 6 years back on the roof paint issue which we believe has now been resolved.

I would like to order the Cali tomorrow or at the latest next Monday, but the response still skirts the issue.

Your input/ help would be greatly appreciated, and ideally, I wanted to know if the forum has one document from VW that captures the 6yr extension to cover the whole roof with regard the specific issues with the roof.Or a specific document to the same.

Many thanks
Andy