VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[SusiBus]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Following a conversation with VW Customer Services Manager on Friday 27 Sept, the current position with the implementation of the new roof corrosion repairs is that German VW technicians and translators are coming to the UK during October to train VW UK body shop personnel in the new procedure. He expects the repairs to commence by the end of the year (2013). Here’s hoping :!: As to where these body shops will be, he said he didn’t know at present.

 

[calikev]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Great work thank you

 

[robo]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Appreciated.
rob

 

[RichardP]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Reported the blistering to JCT600 in York yesterday. They said that they were awaiting the repair instructions from VW Germany and did not know when that would be. They also said they have 6 other California's awaiting repair.

 

[mario+jill]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

We have a 2008 California, and can confirm Vw have accepted the claim for corrosion
to the roof panel, and the information given to me by them is the same as Susibuses thread.Hope this helps.

 

[Dylan]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

My Cali, a 2012 180 DSG with 7K on the clock, had it's first annual service today. I reported the steering knock problem and they were suggesting the usual replacement of the steering column until I showed them all the messages from the forum. Eventually, they contacted VW Customer Services, which I had done 2 days ago, and now have issued a TPI registering the fault on my Cali.

Customer Services were fully aware of the problem and that previous solutions had not been successful. They tell me that if there is no apparent damage, wear or scuffing of components, then re-greasing or replacement of the column is not the recommended procedure. A proper fix is being sought.

I also have the dreaded blistering paint fault on the front roof panel. The dealer suggested repainting the affected area until I showed him all the messages on the forum. They again contacted VW Customer Services and received the same advice that I had 2 days ago, not to do any rectification as there is now a factory approved solution. They have issued a TPI for my Cali to register the problem with VW. I actually saw the VW internal message instructing the dealers to proceed in this way.

The current talk within VW is that the trained technicians from Germany held a workshop recently in Milton Keynes to instruct selected dealers to do the work, but the general consensus was that the procedure was too advanced to be carried out in this way. They are now considering setting-up a central facility to carry out the work.

Without the forum, we would all be in the soup, because individual dealers do not know the full picture on these issues. Well done everyone.

 

[Custardtart]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Aaargh!

Thought I'd escaped but washing the Cali today I noticed the first blisters on the front roof panel.

I've sent an email to VW Commercial Customer Services to find out whether the local VW Bodyshop is authorised to carry out the repair. I thought I'd check with them before approaching the local bodyshop in case they're not authorised and aren't aware of this issue and think I'm mad when I try to explain what I've learned on this forum.

 

[crossa]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

I have just this morning discovered that my 2012 Olympian Blue Bus has the dreaded roof panel blisters.

 

[Derek Patton]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Aaargh!

Thought I'd escaped but washing the Cali today I noticed the first blisters on the front roof panel.

I've sent an email to VW Commercial Customer Services to find out whether the local VW Bodyshop is authorised to carry out the repair. I thought I'd check with them before approaching the local bodyshop in case they're not authorised and aren't aware of this issue and think I'm mad when I try to explain what I've learned on this forum.

Keen to hear the result of your enquiry ...still waiting for an update from the boys at SMG, Cowfold.

 

[Custardtart]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

VW cust services were familiar with the issue. They say they have a solution and will be training some of the bigger bodyshops. They logged my details and said they would contact me with details of the nearest authorised (ie trained) shop when they were ready.

 

[DavidofHook]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

When we took ours in Alex thought that it would be December before he heard anything about the process from VW so we are quietly waiting……… December won't be long now!

 

[Cody]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Mine is now booked in for a review to put on the system on Thursday but has now developed a 2" inch crack in the paintwork where the 'bubbles' used to be. Anyone else?

 

[dayslikethis]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

I see that there are so many comments on this but I'm wondering what the actual scale of the problem is? Some 700 Californias sold in the UK every year I'm told yet maybe a dozen or so complaints here?

As I'm about to purchase I'm just hoping they've resolved this at source by now.

 

[gamort]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Some 700 Californias sold in the UK every year I'm told yet maybe a dozen or so complaints here?

More than a dozen, currently 93 responses to the survey.

 

[DavidofHook]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Some 700 Californias sold in the UK every year I'm told yet maybe a dozen or so complaints here?

More than a dozen, currently 93 responses to the survey.

And, assuming that the 700 figure is approximately correct then this is about 13% of those sold.
It seems that VW have two jobs to do, one is to give all of us who need it a satisfactory repair and secondly to ensure that the problem stops occurring in new vehicles sold.

 

[muttley]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Sorry to rake up this old chestnut again, but does anyone know where we stand in terms of getting a repair now? Recent posts have suggested that there is a planned rollout by VW of an official repair procedure, but is this ready to go in most VW repair centres yet?

I have mentioned it to my local dealer, but I haven't taken it further than that yet. I planned to have the repair done over the winter when I won't be using the Cali, but there is no point booking it in if the 'approved' repair isn't ready yet. Thanks.

Simon

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Nothing will be happening until the end of this year at the earliest. You would realistically be looking at next year for a repair.

Cheers

 

[muttley]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

That's a nuisance, but thanks for the update.

Simon

 

[777111]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Hi all,

Took delivery of my new Cali just this week & was well aware of this problem before hand. Really unimpressive that this has happened to so many vehicles - have they fixed it yet on new vehicles? Servicing so many warranty claims makes no sense...

What I have heard and seen is blistering paint running down the long side of the pop up roof on a 2012 plated Cali. I was told this is the exact same issue as on the front roof panel and that it is caused by a change in paint formula to be more eco-friendly. As is already well understood painting aluminium is not easy but surely they have changed paint type for new vehicles and warranty repairs?

What a shame to have this happen to such a prestige, high quality and otherwise superb vehicle.
Will obviously be keeping an an eye on mine.

 

[Dave_T]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Just to add my name to the list....

I've taken my van in to be looked at (Chelmsford dealer) and they've contacted vw who have told them that they are aware of the problem and they will let them know when there's a proper fix for it. No timescales given unfortunately.

All pretty consistent with what's been reported elsewhere.

 

[BMVS-Camper-Hire]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

I have just been informed by Breeze VW Commercial vans, that the repair is now out for this. Apparently they are replacing the complete front nose cone of the roof, and also the bellows? Ive been told it is a very long job, 30hrs+. The new part comes in ready painted for the vehicle.

We are now waiting for a reply as to when we can get our vehicles sorted.

I suggest you contact your local dealer for more info

 

[slowcoach65]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

This raises the issue again of, if you have had the "paint-job fix" already, will VW offer this permanent fix as well or do we have to wait for the first fix to fail and if so, what is the time limit :crazy

I think the answer for those of us who have gone down this route will be to wait until others are getting the permanent fix done then ask about ours.

Andy

 

[Nottledim]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

Do you know whether the repair is limited to a number of specialists with body shops or will it be done by all commercial van dealers?

I live in the depths of Shropshire so most California dealers are some distance away.

 

[Dave_T]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

30+ hours... That's a big repair! That's going to cost vw a lot of cash to replace pretty much every cali out there.

 

[BMVS-Camper-Hire]

Re: Blistering Paintwork Front Roof Pannel

30+ hours... That's a big repair! That's going to cost vw a lot of cash to replace pretty much every cali out there.

I believe he said the book time was something like 20 hrs, but their master tech took 30+ to do the first one!