VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[SusiBus]

How about suggesting they do a proper repair and replace the front panel with an aluminium one like they did originally.

 

[clarinetbcn]

How about suggesting they do a proper repair and replace the front panel with an aluminium one like they did originally.

"Mine was done one year ago. Corroded portion of front cap cut out but cap not removed, since the cap is only the small visible part of a structural piece which extends down the sides to reinforce the roof, and VW has deemed replacement too expensive."

Quoted from my post #4,209 above.

 

[KGCali]

How about suggesting they do a proper repair and replace the front panel with an aluminium one like they did originally.

That'll be my next step if this cowl fix fails.
I'd like to find out if anyone else has had these black spots first, the more amunition the better!

 

[Rozzie50]

I am still waiting for mine to even start the process!!!!!! It’s been about 7 years I have been waiting!!

 

[Dyddi]

Not one for gloom and doom but ...
The original repair to my van roof front cowl was done in a few days after a two year wait. Bristol dealer very apologetic.
Two years after the repair the cowl sprang open along the join - unseen at first but reported to VW after a heavy rain storm. They called this work a rectification not a repair. I, foolishly, assumed they would want to correct their poor materials/workmanship as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
Van went into their dry storage until the work could be done.
Five months later, yes, five months, after much prevarication and many many phone calls and e-mails and HQ involvement and promises, and more promises, the van was returned.
Exit, sobbing ...
PS Yes, I also saw black shavings/powder on the inside of the roof and assumed it was filings/tooling to check the fit. That was the least of my problems.
What doesn't destroy you makes you stronger.

 

[TripleBee]

I am still waiting for mine to even start the process!!!!!! It’s been about 7 years I have been waiting!!

Oh, and VW only pays for full repair and paint if the van is less than 7 years old.
So you will be paying for the paint repair.

 

[aclowes]

I took my 2008 California to VW Preston in 2014 to be told that my van was 6 weeks older than the 6 year guarantee offered by VW but given their record on problem solving I should not have been suprised. So I've ignored the paint blisters and just given them the occasional polish. What is this 7 year cover about? Ive not read all the 211 pages on this issue!

 

[Ch1pbutty]

So do newer vans have a different roof design, or, is it likely to happen to all VW roofs over time?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I took my 2008 California to VW Preston in 2014 to be told that my van was 6 weeks older than the 6 year guarantee offered by VW but given their record on problem solving I should not have been suprised. So I've ignored the paint blisters and just given them the occasional polish. What is this 7 year cover about? Ive not read all the 211 pages on this issue!

Our 2012 was serviced late last year (first service under our ownership) so outside of warranty period. Recall work was flagged by dealer and they added us to waiting list so seems to be more of a goodwill gesture; But after reading various posts I'm now questioning if its a good idea to let them fix it!

Have a few tiny bubbles, so might just live with it; It would put me off buying new though new if the problem still occurs in newer vans.

 

[WelshGas]

So do newer vans have a different roof design, or, is it likely to happen to all VW roofs over time?

Apparantly the Front panel alloy was changed for MY2014, if you believe that. My 2014, MY2015 is clear.

 

[danvan]

I have some corrosion on the main part of the roof on my MY2013 SE which only appears to have emerged over the last 8 months. Can I still get that looked at by VW?

 

[WelshGas]

I have some corrosion on the main part of the roof on my MY2013 SE which only appears to have emerged over the last 8 months. Can I still get that looked at by VW?

I believe the extension for the front panel was 6 yrs from 1st registration, but you are eligible for the recall relating to the edge “ corrosion “ on the Elevating Section.

 

[TripleBee]

I believe the extension for the front panel was 6 yrs from 1st registration, but you are eligible for the recall relating to the edge “ corrosion “ on the Elevating Section.

But they will only apply the clear tape for free. The paint repair will be at your expense.

 

[WelshGas]

But they will only apply the clear tape for free. The paint repair will be at your expense.

I don’t think so, in the U.K. if there is corrosion present on the edge of the elevating section, minor corrosion is dealt with at the Dealership and major at a body shop before the tape is applied. There is No Cost for any repairs required.
Apparantly all California’s from 2010 onwards are covered, in the U.K.

 

[TripleBee]

Then you are more lucky than me.

 

[KGCali]

Oh, and VW only pays for full repair and paint if the van is less than 7 years old.
So you will be paying for the paint repair.

@TripleBee I didn't pay for my paintwork repair ... On my 2010 Cali I had the elevating roof edge corrosion done in August, lots of corrosion under the seal so the bodyshop got additional VW approval to remove the whole roof for a total respray, fit edge tape and new rubber, great job that took 4 weeks (including a week for VW to approve the full respray) and NO COST TO ME.
In September I noticed water ingress in the headlining and noticed the old 2017 front roof cowl repair sealant had cracked so went off to another bodyshop in late October to have the old plastic cowl removed and a new one fitted and bonded with a newer stronger sealant (since 2019). The bodyshop also noted two small areas of rust by the bottom of the scissors and on the underside of the roof frame and have just got VW approval to also repair and respray these areas so my Cali is due back in a couple of weeks and again NO COST TO ME.
So far VW have been excellent dealing with these issue on my 10 year old Cali. Fingers crossed that all will be fine now

 

[danvan]

Forgive my ignorance on all this, but if I want the corrosion looked at, presumably I get in contact with my nearest VW dealer specialising in Calis? In my case, SMG Tonbridge.

 

[KGCali]

Forgive my ignorance on all this, but if I want the corrosion looked at, presumably I get in contact with my nearest VW dealer specialising in Calis? In my case, SMG Tonbridge.

Yes, SMC should sort you out.

 

[GSX1300R]

I have some corrosion on the main part of the roof on my MY2013 SE which only appears to have emerged over the last 8 months. Can I still get that looked at by VW?

What is it you mean by the main part of the roof? The roof corrosion problem was mainly under the rubber seal and the front panel.

 

[RevJames]

2014 T5 California.

Having read the feedback from everyone who has been affected by the corosion issue and the nightmare of trying to put it right, the million dollar question is if there's currently no evidence of corosion, how likely is it to occur?

I've read that this issue was rectified in 2013 (?), however it appears that owners of newer models are still experiencing the problem.

If it does occur, what are our options and is this an unsightly visual (paintwork) issue rather than a structural one? The thought of joining a lengthy waiting list and endless correspondence with the local dealer is not the experience we've been dreaming of

Thank you for your advice

 

[WelshGas]

2014 T5 California.

Having read the feedback from everyone who has been affected by the corosion issue and the nightmare of trying to put it right, the million dollar question is if there's currently no evidence of corosion, how likely is it to occur?

I've read that this issue was rectified in 2013 (?), however it appears that owners of newer models are still experiencing the problem.

If it does occur, what are our options and is this an unsightly visual (paintwork) issue rather than a structural one? The thought of joining a lengthy waiting list and endless correspondence with the local dealer is not the experience we've been dreaming of

Thank you for your advice

Don't confuse the 2, separate problems.
Front Panel, above windscreen, corrosion Apparantly fixed MY 2014 with change in alloy used.
Elevating Roof section with corrosion under, and due to, rubber and metal edge seal, Not Fixed. However, from My? 2017 a plastic edge tape applied, in factory, under edge seal.
All, Californias from 2010-2017 can have have this tape applied and any edge corrosion repaired free of charge.

 

[clarinetbcn]

2014 T5 California.

Having read the feedback from everyone who has been affected by the corosion issue and the nightmare of trying to put it right, the million dollar question is if there's currently no evidence of corosion, how likely is it to occur?

I've read that this issue was rectified in 2013 (?), however it appears that owners of newer models are still experiencing the problem.

If it does occur, what are our options and is this an unsightly visual (paintwork) issue rather than a structural one? The thought of joining a lengthy waiting list and endless correspondence with the local dealer is not the experience we've been dreaming of

Thank you for your advice

Have you gently pulled down the rubber seal around the roof edge to see if the paint is bubbling underneath out of sight? I hope it's not, but I didn't see it on my 2014 Beach until I looked under the seal in 2018. What I saw made me check the front deflector very carefully, and a small spot was emerging above the windshield. So, both roof and deflector were affected. It was more visual than structural but with the passage of time would have gotten worse. I suppose that the difference in my case is that a month after taking it to the VW agency in Barcelona, the repair was authorized by VW Germany and under way without charge. I honestly think the years of waiting lists in the UK are not real and a simple tactic to avoid doing the work. As far as I have been able to read on Tx.de, Germany, where my van spent its first 4 years, doesn't have these waits of years. Considering the problems many have had with the repair, there's a good argument for skipping VW entirely and having the paint corrected at a good body shop, and then dealing with it again after a few years when it comes back.

If you have checked and there is no corrosion, you have been fortunate. But considering the history here, there is a likelihood that at some point the steel inner reinforcement of the rubber seal will wear through and start corroding the outer aluminum edge of the roof, and for first claims after six years I don't think VW is offering any coverage.

 

[RevJames]

Don't confuse the 2, separate problems.
Front Panel, above windscreen, corrosion Apparantly fixed MY 2014 with change in alloy used.
Elevating Roof section with corrosion under, and due to, rubber and metal edge seal, Not Fixed. However, from My? 2017 a plastic edge tape applied, in factory, under edge seal.
All, Californias from 2010-2017 can have have this tape applied and any edge corrosion repaired free of charge.

Thank you for this helpful reply.

If I quote the VIN number to VW, would they be able to tell me if the vehicle was constructed with the new alloy above the windscreen? It's registered in January 2015 so do you think it's likely to have been constructed in 2014?

With regards to the problem with the elevating roof, are we talking about flaking paint or deterioration in the aluminium frame that could with time compomise the integrity of the roof? The tape solution sounds a very primitive fix for such an expensive vehicle but if it works, so be it. Has anyone had any recent experience with waiting times?

Excuse my ignorance and daft question but what does 'MY' mean?

Thank you again for sharing your experience and knowledge.

 

[GSX1300R]

This is what it looked like on mine at about 3 years old. Not the same all around but some areas worse than others.

 

[clarinetbcn]

This what my 2014 looked like at 4 years.