VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[kimballnewsam]

I have the same problem as everyone. Not heard from VW. Issue remains. I'll begin the process of chasing it up.

 

[Pineweasel]

I have a 2012 Cali, and was made aware of the problem at COTF 2013. By late 2014 some corrosion had appeared on the front section, so I had it inspected at my local van centre in early 2015. After a few months I'd not heard anything so I rang customer services and was assured I was on the waiting list for the repair. I've not heard anything since and given recent events I expect I will be returning for another inspection shortly.

 

[Custardtart]

2012 Van bought new.
Bubbling paint on front section and elevating section reported November 2013.
Been waiting ever since.
Current status - another round of photos taken and claim resubmitted (for 3rd time) but not yet accepted.

So now nearly 3 years since first claim, no repairs carried out, not currently accepted by VW, no date for any type of repair and no offer of anything by way of compensation for living with this for 3 years.

I don't think the VW marque is what it used to be. Great shame.

 

[HUGHIE]

I have waited over 2 years, and this summer when I inquired how much longer,Iwas told I had to come back to Preston for new photos and re-submit my claim.I have not had any communication from vw or dealer to date. Needless to say, I am not happy!

 

[tanto]

I have the same problem as everyone. Not heard from VW. Issue remains. I'll begin the process of chasing it up.

So we all have the same story with minor variations, ie some get treated before others who where waiting their turn. My 2010 van corrosion was reported 2.5 years ago and is due to to have something done to the roof next week at Twickenham (but from past performance I have had dates before) . It is however impossible to establish what is involved and how it will solve the problem.

I do not think it is the dealers fault or VW customer services. The problem lies further up the company. Customer services and VW garages are the poor front guys having to deal with the highly dissatisfied and angry customers. They are as confused as we are. The problem lies either with VW UK or Hanover. I suspect it is VW UK as I understand all German customers got theirs fixed .

The question that we collectively need to know is how to do get VW to take this issue and the mess they have got into seriously. The situation goes from bad to worse.

May be its time to stop talking between ourselves and look at combined action. Suggestions please.

Tanto

 

[Graham]

Mine is a 2007, owned since 2010, with a 5cm patch of bubbling on the leading edge of the front panel and a smaller bubbling on the trailing edge of the front panel adjacent to the roof rubber. I've tried reporting on 2 previous occasions, the first before the official repair scheme opened (no joy) and the second after it opened (vehicle too old). After a short, vigorous squabble along the lines of "but you are aware of the problem on my van and it clearly pre-existed the repair scheme" (which I lost), I gave up and have decided to live with it.
Over the last 18 months, the problem appears to have pretty much stabilised - and was in any case previously progressing so slowly I can't tell whether its getting worse. The paint is still intact and I'm in no hurry to disturb it or interfere with the 'wounds'. All this said, I'm pretty disappointed with the attitude of VW and sympathise with the affected community.

 

[Hubby]

Have been waiting for 2 years and 6 months now, it's a disgrace. Dealer has taken two different sets of photos in 2014 and 2015 and now I've had to send photos to them from my phone last month. I've chased up the dealer, VW customer services and the bodyshop supposed to take my van being Heritage of Bristol and I'm still chasing people to this day. I spent ten years in the motor industry working with five prestige manufacturers and have never seen such bad organization or such poor communication with customers. I cannot fathom how VW have got it so wrong, completely hopeless.

 

[Hubby]

This is how I roll at the weekends in my pride and joy.......

 

[Adamvanman]

Is it worth is all contacting BBC Watchdog? Their new series starts in the autumn and are possibly looking for stories?

 

[snowy55]

"May be its time to stop talking between ourselves and look at combined action. Suggestions please."

Until somebody gets some proper paid for legal advice nothing will get done.

The way I see it-

You didn't buy the vehicle from VW Germany.
You didn't buy the vehicle from VW UK , so you can't claim from either of these two.

1-If you paid 100% cash you claim against your supplying dealer.
2-If you used finance for all or partof the purchase you claim against the finance company, that is who you purchased the vehicle from.

The 2015 changes in the consumer legislation I don't think can be used retrospectively, so depending upon when you purchased the vehicle the legislation at the time applies.

So it looks like we're all on our own with individual cases and I reckon VW know this.

If anyone knows anything differant I'm happy to edit this post!

 

[snowy55]

Double post deleted.

 

[Bjohnson]

I haven't been on here for a while, but we still have our 2012 Cali and we are still awaiting a roof corrosion repair. We've been on 'the list' for 2 years now. We had a letter from a body shop a year ago to say we would be contacted for the work this year, but that never happened, so we contacted VW local dealer direct.

Numerous phone calls have taken place, can you believe that the body shop were calling us to tell us they could not contact our local VW dealer and could we make contact!!! It's a good job my wife dealt with this, I immediately blew my top when she explained what had been going on!!!

Current position, our dealer has told us to expect a repair in the new year and we have to take the Cali to them, so no loan vehicle and no collection which was the previous advice.

 

[Custardtart]

I have some legal services as part of various memberships so will explore what the options are there.
If I come up with anything useful I'll let you know.
I am happy to write a letter to BBC Watchdog if that's what we agree to do.
Post the emissions scandal it might make good TV so they could be interested.
I think I'll also call Trading Standards tomorrow and see what advice they have. I'm sure there are guidelines about the time the consumer has to give for remedial action.

 

[Dyddi]

Time to go to the media?

My 2012 Beach seen by Heritage, Bristol in August 2014. Corrosion in front panel photographed and checked with some sort of meter. They reported it to VW HQ and Heritage contacted me the following day to say that VW would carry out the repair and it could take a year of waiting. August 2016 I phoned VW HQ and asked, a) "Was my vehicle listed?" - "Yes." and b) "When might it be repaired? - "We have no timescale for this." I then told them I did not need a replacement vehicle if this would help speed things up. ..."We have no timescale for this."
The slight bubbling of 2014 has become a blister which looks ready to separate from the metal below.

I suggest an approach to the media because in conversation with a Skoda franchise manager who noticed the bubble he said he was unaware of the problem. Really? For someone in the trade, and part of VW's wider brotherhood? So, maybe all loyal owners have been keeping it too quiet.

Newspapers, radio and tv do like some facts and figures so the number of vehicles and the years of waiting should be newsworthy. They also like 'human interest' so any particularly awful repercussions of this problem which an individual would be willing to talk about will be music to their ratings.

Do we have a blogger with direct access to, or works within, the media?

 

[Wind Witch]

Anybody making any progress with their repair?

My local van centre in Middlesbrough (who don't sell Californias) have now disowned the problem and told me to go to JCT600 in York. I have rang JCT600 multiple times and never been able to get hold of the body shop. There is never anyone available. Pathetic.

Have you tried Lookers in Newcastle? They do sell California and seem to have had good reviews for repairs, etc,on here. We are buying our new Cali from them so haven'y yet experienced the servicing side.
Best, Wind Witch

 

[Wind Witch]

Have you tried Lookers in Newcastle? They do sell California and seem to have had good reviews for repairs, etc,on here. We are buying our new Cali from them so haven'y yet experienced the servicing side.
Best, Wind Witch

Actually, please ignore this well-intentioned suggestion (made before I had read to the end of the current postings). Sounds as if it's all well beyond simply finding a more receptive dealer

 

[jeff]

Replying to email 2008 Cali no corrosion on front panel had windscreen replaced when it was about 9months old might of made a difference not sure.
Main roof small amount of blistering on one back corner.
perhaps just been lucky. Van is kept outside all year polished twice a year.

 

[jmg21]

I must be one of the few who got their Cali repaired. 2012 se front panel, complete roof and canvas replaced. Van was shipped from my home in N.I and I was left a new Cali for the two weeks it took to have the repair completed. At first VW were going to repair the roof but I argued and asked for a new roof. My advise to anyone is to stand up to VW, argue your case and take plenty of pictures. My Cali was delivered back but was damaged in transit. Luckily had photos before it left. This did not please VW who had to pay for all wheels to be refurbed......
Luckily I have now sold the Cali, was tempted by a new T6 but might wait to see if he problem has been sorted...

Good luck to those waiting for a repair....

 

[PaulnDi]

We have a 63 plate Registered Dec 13 and purchased as a pre reg in Feb 14. Have had no problems with the front panel but spotted some minor bubbling under the roof seal on the drivers side at the end of last year. This was logged with Sheffield Van centre JCT 600 whilst in for service and photographed by them, was told it would be sent to VW for decision and we would be on the waiting list.
When my vehicle was in for a recall on the high level brake light earlier this summer, I mentioned that I had seen on the forum that a new fix was now available and claims had to be resubmitted. One of the managers there was about to start photographing it again when I explained that it been photographed and was supposedly in the system. He then checked the computer and found the original photos on the system and assured me that I was in the system and explained (or claimed) that individual customers did not have to resubmit the claim but that VW had changed their admin system and van centres had to submit a new form that they (dealerships) were all very unhappy about because it was taking so long and he showed me the complicated form / spreadsheet. He reassured me I was in the system but reading some of the above stories I am not convinced.

 

[TOADY]

After hearing nothing for 2 years since I reported it I chased up as I had done at my annual service every year. Mine then went in and I got both he main roof and the front panel done. I got T6 bellows fitted and they collected and dropped off my van. The repair they have done is good but.....

While the paint has been done none of the aluminium pieces at the back of the roof where the mechanism attaches were touched and the underside of the front and back of the roof are also seriously corroded and they weren't touched. I consider it half a job. I'll go back to my van centre and let them know I'm not happy.

I had the pleasure of teaching their MD at one of my BBQ classes, so I know who to get in contact with.

 

[Lilostitch5]

I managed to squeeze my 2009 4 Motion California in for the roof corrosion work last October. They replaced the front panel (lip) and also repaired some bubbles towards the rear of the roof.
If you decide not to take a replacement vehicle, it makes the process a lot easier for VW. For those of you based in the south I would like to recommend AB Crush (Canterbury) as your repair specialist.
http://www.abcrush.co.uk/
I wonder what would happen if the corrosion comes back!

 

[Randwick]

Following yesterday's email from the Club I'll add my experience. I have been in the programme since January 2014, with Heritage at Westbury listed as my preferred repairer, and have contacted VW Customer Services a couple of times to check I haven't been forgotten, including letting them know I wouldn't need a replacement California while the repair was made in the vain hope it might speed things up.

After last months forum warning that the lists were being reset I contacted VW Customer Services again who are very helpful on the phone, ringing back several times to keep me updated, but still no progress. VW seem to have trouble getting dates out of Heritage.

I haven't lost any paint yet, still just bubbling, but in view of tales that the repair has been done but not worked and maybe VW have to come up with a better fix, I'm inclined to wait until they can get it right as long as I really am on a list!

Good luck to everybody!

 

[Dhougal]

Similar tale. 12 plate van. Problem/claim first logged with dealer Sept 14. No confirmation received until I chased VW Customer "Care" for confirmation of claim and got verbal that van would be collected ( from Aberdeen) and taken to benfileds Newcastle for repair ( loan van supplied meantime). I was told repair entilaed roof removal and replacement front panel). Chased in Oct 15 and got written confirmation that I was still in the queue. Last month got call from VW to say the repair claim process had changed and they would ask dealer to resubmit. Also advised they had qualified more repairers... nothing said about change to repair scheme. Called today and asked VW to confirm claim still in system. awaiting written reply.
Any lawyers on the forum ( Sale of Goods Act breach ??)... threat of class action..... I like the idea of media name and shame ( Watchdog or Radio 4 You and Yours)... Social media also very powerful.... lots of Facebook criticism hurts... but may devalue resale prices....

 

[Meoncoast]

This topic is hotting up.
Most seemed to accept the repair process. However since to "new" repair process has been announced and waiting lists have been "lost" and owner are expected to go again to a van centre for yet another photo shoot, owners have become really &^%$£+ off with the lack of care and fairness from VW. We love our Cali and the life style it brings we were pleased to have the "old" repair process undertaken at the start of the year but I really feel for how owners are being treated I am not sure I will buy another VW.

 

[AlisonM]

I live in Northern Ireland and have 2011 van, there is corrosion on the front panel. I asked at my local dealer which is the main VW dealer in the country. They knew nothing but thought someone in England knew something about it! How do I report it if my dealer 'knows nothing' ?