VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[777111]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

I received a letter today from VW Commercial vehicles (actually two copies of the same letter with different dates!). Part of the letter says :

As previously advised our factory identified the root cause and made changes to the production of new vehicles. For existing vehicles the relevant paint warranty has been extended from three to six years and where warrantable corrosion occurs on the front panel a new repair process has been provided.

That makes it pretty clear that this is being handled as a paintwork defect and the warranty is being extended to 6 years, although is this just for the roof or for the entire vehicle? It's not being covered under the 12 year bodywork warranty.

The letter goes on to list the repair centers, how the vehicle will be taken to and returned from the body shop and that it will take about 2 weeks. The body shop allocated the repair, which may be any of them, will be in contact directly.

Richard,

This is interesting - thanks for posting this. This is information that goes beyond the original statements.
However, call me picky, but it is also still ambiguous - and unsurprisingly so. Specifically - WHAT "root cause"? And WHEN were " changes to the production of new vehicles" And VW don't specifically mention anything other than the front panel? Is the entire roof subject to a 6 year paint warranty or just the front panel? Am I reading this correctly and in context? Difficult to be certain - sorry.

I appreciate you wont have answers to these questions but just feel they are questions worth an answer - an answer from VW.

 

[oldmtber]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

We've just had a similar letter from VW Commercial Vehicles.
Apparently claims have to be re-submitted again by van centres. I rang the given no to query this to be told that claims have timed out hence the requirement to re-submit; but there was no requirement for me to do anything myself.
The letter also confirms that there is no guarantee that the vehicle will go to the nearest body shop. Our nearest - Shorade of Cannock is not even a VW specialist so what chance of them knowing much about the peculiarities of a Cali?
I asked how long would I have to wait for contact from one of the four body shops but was told that if I had heard nothing in the next month to call again.
I feel this is going to be a very long and frustrating process and really do not think VW are doing themselves any favours over the way it is being handled.

 

[Custardtart]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

I've just noticed that blisters have started forming on another part of the front roof panel.

I feel a bit like King Canute watching the tide coming in and powerless to stop it.

Not what I was expecting when I bought my first VW - thought it was going to be bomb-proof.

Hopefully they'll figure out a proper fix and start working through us soon.

 

[calidub]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Washing my van this afternoon I have found I dont just have bubbles on the front panel but also on the roof panel itself, I had not noticed it before as it was hidden by the wind out awning. Anyone else had this? Its along by the rubber seal

 

[Andy]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Yes I have it under the rubber roof seal. VW customer services said this can be rectified at same time as the blistering is done.

 

[Trotters]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Me too, blistering in several places next to the seal on the elevating roof ... quite big bubbles

 

[Andy]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Mine is under the seal & can not see it till you peal the seal off. There are several patches of bubbles around the roof.

 

[ROB]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

mine too are under the roof rubber seal, logged 2 months ago how long do we wait does anyone know?
thanks

 

[RichardP]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

If it was logged 2 months ago then you're probably about 100th in the queue. So probably at least 6 months if they start now. Has anyone had theirs done using the new procedure yet?

 

[owen_h]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Am I right in thinking that the current thoughts on the underlying cause is a the wrong 'grade/composition' of aluminium alloy used on the front panel. Lot of cases being mentioned where there cant be a galvanic reaction between metals.
If this is the case is there any point in removing the whole roof and strengthening frame to fit a rubber gasket? It would surely be an easier and just as good a fix to 'just' replace the front panel with one of the correct alloy.
I've not heard anything from VW or Bristol (the bodyshop who apparently will be doing mine) since it was re-reported 6 weeks ago. Maybe there is no definitive fix yet.
Just a thought...

 

[David Bennett]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

I also have bubbling on the actual roof now aswell in three places aswell as the front panel, my initial inspection was at VW Leicester was for just the front panel, does this mean I need to go back to have it checked again? ( 2 hour round trip) Also I thought the problems was due to a reaction in the metal so why is it happening to the actual roof now? :cry:

 

[thesquirrelpatrol]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

It appears the fault has not been rectified on new Cali's as mine is a week 16 build and I've just noticed a blister about an inch long just above the windscreen in the roof panel

 

[Custardtart]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

It appears the fault has not been rectified on new Cali's as mine is a week 16 build and I've just noticed a blister about an inch long just above the windscreen in the roof panel

Uh oh - that's bad news

:cry:

 

[RichardP]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Week 16, that's only 4 weeks ago!!

 

[jmg21]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

My van left for England on Wednesday evening (N.Ireland is home) to have the roof repair completed. It is away for three weeks. Before it left I was asked by the dealer to check under the rubber strip on the roof panel for any corrosion. Blistering has been found on this edge and it will be repaired whilst the van is in the body shop. It is a separate fault and needs to logged as one. I rang customer services asking as to what actions they have in place for the additional roof blistering. They are only aware of problems with the front panel. Asked if it was easier to just replace the complete roof as once corrosion has started it is hard to rectify. I also don't want to be in the position of having my van away for another repair at a later date if the corrosion returns.
They are getting back to me as they are unaware of an additional problems even though it was the dealer who highlighted the problem to me.

 

[thesquirrelpatrol]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

My mistake it's on the panel above the windscreen below the roof and looks like this;


Picked the van up on Friday. At least the way things look at the moment I won't be keeping this one as it's a factory misbuild with no air con so I should be getting a replacement

 

[thesquirrelpatrol]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Or is that just badly applied paint?

 

[ROB]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

i phoned customer services, re waiting times , however they told me they were waiting for the go ahead to start repairs , so no help really

 

[David Bennett]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Mine was registered February 2014, are the new ones that are being made now OK?

I think this is terrible :cry:

 

[Andy]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

My van left for England on Wednesday evening (N.Ireland is home) to have the roof repair completed. It is away for three weeks. Before it left I was asked by the dealer to check under the rubber strip on the roof panel for any corrosion. Blistering has been found on this edge and it will be repaired whilst the van is in the body shop. It is a separate fault and needs to logged as one. I rang customer services asking as to what actions they have in place for the additional roof blistering. They are only aware of problems with the front panel. Asked if it was easier to just replace the complete roof as once corrosion has started it is hard to rectify. I also don't want to be in the position of having my van away for another repair at a later date if the corrosion returns.
They are getting back to me as they are unaware of an additional problems even though it was the dealer who highlighted the problem to me.

Customer services should be aware of the blistering under the roof seal as I have sent photos of mine to my contact there, who said it could be repaired at same time as the panel above the windscreen. Maybe I will call Customer services again tomorrow to make sure of this as like you, I do not want to have it in & out of a paint shop.
Did they collect your cali & leave a loan cali for you as has been agreed ??

 

[jmg21]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Yes the collect and pick was well organised. Lovely 13 plate fitted with all the toys arrived to replace our 2012 van. Everyone very helpful but I just hope that this big fix will be the end of it.

 

[777111]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

It appears the fault has not been rectified on new Cali's as mine is a week 16 build and I've just noticed a blister about an inch long just above the windscreen in the roof panel

Uh oh - that's bad news

:cry:

yep, and that's an understatement!
So looks a lot like we are looking at a single fault concerning the entire roof and the gasket fix on just the front panel turned out to be insufficient and possibly just inappropriate.
I have always had real difficulty accepting these as 2 separate faults however VW want them logged - way too coincidental - surely?
Previous speculation about why the delay in starting repairs may actually be that they don't have a tried & tested fix at all?
Wonderful. A tremendous mess with an absurdly drawn out attempt at a fix and all held together by the the most vague communication possible.


I wonder why not just have done and arrange a replacement of the entire roof as a complete swap? Expensive yes, possible the discarded roof can be recycled (into coke cans perhaps?!) but if/when they can identify a 100% effective solution credibility to at least some degree may be restored.
However, I firmly believe this will end well and it is just a van.

 

[Andy]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

Yes the collect and pick was well organised. Lovely 13 plate fitted with all the toys arrived to replace our 2012 van. Everyone very helpful but I just hope that this big fix will be the end of it.

Excellent, good to hear that is happening as we have been told. I look forward to hearing whet the do & how it all goes.
When did you report the blistering to VW ?




I'm trying to be positive & NOT to speculate. The last thread on this topic was / is full of speculation.

 

[Martin]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

I have been speaking to VW this morning to get an official statement from them on behalf of the club.

Current concerns are:

- Is the problem now resolved on all new vehicles leaving the production line

- Bubbling paintwork is now starting to appear on the actual roof itself, does this need to be a separate claim and have they got a fix for this yet

Please let me know if there is anything you would like added to the email

 

[777111]

Re: Blistering paintwork, on panel above windscreen.

I have been speaking to VW this morning to get an official statement from them on behalf of the club.

Current concerns are:

- Is the problem now resolved on all new vehicles leaving the production line

- Bubbling paintwork is now starting to appear on the actual roof itself, does this need to be a separate claim and have they got a fix for this yet

Please let me know if there is anything you would like added to the email

Thank you Martin - that is very helpful. And as long as they can avoid being ambiguous that is probably all that needs to be asked.
Some honest and clear information would surely be welcome by most owners and some expectations about what warranty coverage (e.g. 3, 6 12 years?) and expected time scale for associated remedial work.