VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[AlanC]

I've got this problem on the front panel and roof! I've been waiting for 8 month for the repair and VWCS can't give me any idea when the repair will be carried out.
What's the best email contact to use to get things moving?

Hi Andy,

I would find out which repairer of the four approved ones you are assigned to and speak to them direct.
The dealer you registered the fault with initially will know where your van has been assigned for the repair.

Alan

 

[Barryjm]

Hello all - apologies if this question has already been asked/answered in this thread but I've done a search and can find no reference to it.

I have recently had my front panel and roof of our 2009 Cali repaired by AB Crush. As with other reports the service was faultless and the job very well done.

My only problem is that when the van was picked up we had three windows in the bellows and when it was delivered back to us it only had two. Are three windowed bellows not available any more and if not why? Has anyone else had similar issues and is it something I should just shut up about and be grateful for the new bellows and paint job?

I am a little disappointed as we had previously enjoyed panoramic views at our favourite campsite and I now have a funny looking cali-topper!

Any information gratefully received.

Disappointingly my 2009 Cali went in with 2 windows and came out with 2, I was so hoping it would gain an extra window! Actually I am just extremely pleased it has been repaired! It went to Bristol and they did an excellent job.

This has been mentioned before but I was 103rd on their list when I called them, because I did not need a replacement Cali I quickly moved to number 3 on the list. It took just over a week to pick up and then deliver back to me on an AA truck, they were excellent too and more than happy for me to thoroughly inspect the van before accepting it back.

BTW the roof rubber strip has not been stuck in place on mine and it is easy to remove. There was a conversation some pages back that stated that the strips were being glued in place. I pulled it back to check the paint job and it was wet under there, not surprisingly as it had been raining.

In my van at the mo, in Newbury, serves as a work stopover too. So brilliant!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Ambler]

Interesting re. the main roof repair. Mine came back with a piece of black electrical type tape attached all the way around the edge, finishing just shy of the top of the rubber seal (not glued down).

 

[shambly]

its interesting that each repair centre is dong something different with the main roof perimeter - especially as VW are warranting the work centrally.... you'd think they'd want some control over what they are warranting...... (BTW it took me about 3 months to get a letter out of VW stating what they'd repeatedly been willing to state verbally - that the warranty is underwritten by them and not the body centre doing the work (normally the case with warranty work)).

 

[robo]

Awful way to treat a customer when they have admitted fault.
Waiting for call from Head office today.
Not confident.

Glad you finally got yours sorted.

rob

Latest on my case. (Front panel and elevating roof corrosion) I now have the attention of VW Head office!

They want me to take the vehicle to a van centre to get the photos done again, so they can see how bad it has got and prioritise if they think its needed. They will reimburse my fuel expenses for this repeat trip, but not my time.

I cannot see why, having agreed the work required over a year ago, that I have to give them more photos.
He wanted to see if it had spread to other parts of the vehicle !

 

[mountainman]

An awful lot to read in this thread, so I'll be as brief as possible. My van is due at Benfield, near Newcastle and they have booked to confirm the replacement van and timing mid May for the repairs to the front panel. They have advised me to check the roof and make sure that I have any required repairs to that authorised before the van goes to Benfield. There is no visible corrosion on the roof but they have told me to remove the seal and check. I tried this yesterday but the seal seems almost bonded to the roof. Should I persist and remove the seal? If so how is it attached? I am slightly reluctant to interfere with something that seems OK!

 

[Martin]

An awful lot to read in this thread, so I'll be as brief as possible. My van is due at Benfield, near Newcastle and they have booked to confirm the replacement van and timing mid May for the repairs to the front panel. They have advised me to check the roof and make sure that I have any required repairs to that authorised before the van goes to Benfield. There is no visible corrosion on the roof but they have told me to remove the seal and check. I tried this yesterday but the seal seems almost bonded to the roof. Should I persist and remove the seal? If so how is it attached? I am slightly reluctant to interfere with something that seems OK!

You do need to pull the seal quite hard to get it off, the best way to do it is raise the roof about 10 inches and pull the seal downwards just above the sliding door where it should be at is loosest

 

[mountainman]

I'll give it a go just now then. Many thanks.

 

[CaliforniaDAN]

My vehicle has just been repaired by Benfields and is due to be returned today. They have repaired the corrosion on the roof above the windscreen which was the main problem, but other California users have discovered corrosion on the elevating roof by pulling down the rubber seal on the elevating roof. It is easy to pull back once the roof has been raised about a foot. It is worth walking around and checking all four sides. The seal is way to pull back and return to its original position.
The general rule of thumb is if you have corrosion on the front panel, you have it on the elevating roof.

I will keep you updated on how good the repair work is. Just to let you know, the loan vehicle they sent to me has many scrapes in the paintwork on both sides of the van (from previous users), the fitted satnav on the van does not work (requiring the disc to be inserted, there is a big gouge in the kitchen csabinetand the red rear lens for the hi-vis brake light had disappeared. Also the van did not come with the safe key or the water tank key, so severely limited any chance of going away!

 

[mountainman]

Many thanks, that is really useful. I have now removed the roof rubber seal and although there was no corrosion visible above the seal there is some underneath:


It doesn't seem too bad but I imagine it'll only get worse in time. So, I'll get this repair authorised before it goes to Benfield.

I don't care about a few bumps and scrapes on the replacement vehicle but I will certainly need to put water in. Can do that from inside I suspect but rather inconvenient.

 

[Ewan]

I'm surprised you have a repair slot at Benfields before having the authorisation. My advice is to hold on to the slot and don't be fobbed off by your local van centre. This is the mistake I made last Autumn when I was at the head of the queue but VW Kirkcaldy insisted I needed a second authorisation for the corrosion to the main roof.

I've now been waiting 8 months to get a slot again - which has only been possible by dealing assertively with VW Customer Services and bypassing Benfields. Mine should be going to Benfields early May all going well.

 

[mountainman]

It has been booked into Benfield for at least a year now based on the authorisation for the front panel. My local VW body shop has just added the authorisation today for the roof as well, which was just waiting on me peeling off that rubber seal. They would have taken it this week if I hadn't needed the replacement vehicle. Now they say mid-may.

 

[slowcoach65]

And I thought I might get away with it! I had my front panel resprayed just prior to the new repair coming into force i.e just a cosmetic repair. I now have bubbling on this panel so will have to get it booked in.

 

[SallyL]

I have had my roof corrosion claim for a new pop up roof rejected by VW - they want to rub down and repaint. It’s a 2010 registered California and I have been chasing VW for almost two years - it’s been at the body repair place for almost two weeks now. It's so bad that I have a puddle of water inside the van when it rains!!! It's apparently the worst case the body shop have seen, so have logged an appeal for a new roof with VW customer services today - will let you know the outcome!

 

[jts46]

Whilst in Corsica met a couple from switzerland they did not know about front panel roof corrosion so i showed them mine and they will keep an eye on it.

John

 

[mountainman]

My vehicle has just been repaired by Benfields and is due to be returned today. They have repaired the corrosion on the roof above the windscreen which was the main problem, but other California users have discovered corrosion on the elevating roof by pulling down the rubber seal on the elevating roof. It is easy to pull back once the roof has been raised about a foot. It is worth walking around and checking all four sides. The seal is way to pull back and return to its original position.
The general rule of thumb is if you have corrosion on the front panel, you have it on the elevating roof.

I will keep you updated on how good the repair work is. Just to let you know, the loan vehicle they sent to me has many scrapes in the paintwork on both sides of the van (from previous users), the fitted satnav on the van does not work (requiring the disc to be inserted, there is a big gouge in the kitchen csabinetand the red rear lens for the hi-vis brake light had disappeared. Also the van did not come with the safe key or the water tank key, so severely limited any chance of going away![/QUOTE

Hope you got your van back? If so, are you happy with the repair?

 

[CaliforniaDAN]

Yes, I got it back 2 days ago. The finish looks very good with no obvious signs of having been replaced. Benfields tell me that my elevating roof has had a full respray. I have not pulled down the rubber seal as yet, I don't want to tempt fate!

I have had a brand new bellows fitted (including the third window).

One thing that surprised me is that the black plastic pieces that cover the hydraulic arms has some orange coloured goo type of sealant that has not set yet in a couple of holes for screws (I think) I found that out the easy way! I don't remember any goo being there before. The van was cleaned and washed and I have spent most of the day putting all my gear back in ready for my next trip.

Overall I would give them a 9 out of 10, with the loss of one mark as they didn't keep me updated whilst the repair was under way.

 

[mountainman]

Yes, I got it back 2 days ago. The finish looks very good with no obvious signs of having been replaced. Benfields tell me that my elevating roof has had a full respray. I have not pulled down the rubber seal as yet, I don't want to tempt fate!

I have had a brand new bellows fitted (including the third window).

One thing that surprised me is that the black plastic pieces that cover the hydraulic arms has some orange coloured goo type of sealant that has not set yet in a couple of holes for screws (I think) I found that out the easy way! I don't remember any goo being there before. The van was cleaned and washed and I have spent most of the day putting all my gear back in ready for my next trip.

Overall I would give them a 9 out of 10, with the loss of one mark as they didn't keep me updated whilst the repair was under way.

9/10, that is very reassuring. Without opening the roof, I seem to recall there is a certain amount of sealant visible around those black plastic covers at the front of the lifting mechanism. Benfield tell me they are calling me this week (not much time left) to arrange for pick up and drop-off of the replacement vehicle. I wonder if that's the one you had. Probably, given the timing, in which case, I'll ask for the water filler key before they set off. I can only ask, I certainly won't allow that to delay things.

 

[Ian]

I am new to this forum and about to collect my new Cali next week.
I know this issue has been covered a few times on this forum but I thought I would give a quick account of my recent experience with VW.

I have spoken to my dealer and now to a brand advisor about potential roof corrosion and this is the email response I got:

"I can confirm that we have had notification from the Product Marketing Team that all Californias built after March ‘2014 do come with the new specification roof and have the normal 3yr manufactures warranty."

In other words although they say the problem is fixed they are not going to guarantee the fix.
When I spoke to the Brand Advisor she advised that if I have a problem with my roof out of warranty I should speak to them again, behond that she couldn't comment.

If they have fixed the problem I don't see why can't they offer a six year warranty for peace of mind.
However as there has been a considerable history of problems, if the problem continues with the new vans, then I guess there would be a good case to argue, I hope!

Throwing caution to the wind I collect my new California on Tuesday.....

 

[WelshGas]

To be expected, if they have fixed the problem. I see no problem with their decision. However, if it should appear on the more modern vehicles then they would be in hot water.

 

[SimplyDubs]

Tend to agree with WelshGas, the 6 year repair is technically a "good will gesture" and not a warranty.

Extending this to vehicles that have had the modification would be saying they are not convinced they have fully resolved the issue. That would not be a good thing to do from a commercial perspective.

As such very unlikely.

Still, don't worry about it. Should anything happen it's cosmetic after all... get the van... get out and enjoy that fantastic world of campering

 

[Nick CB]

The bods who are going to do the recall for the front top bit ,have just phoned to say " get your VW dealer to check if there is any roof seal corrosion"
Apparently this is another warranty recall. Any info on this gang?

 

[Andy]

The bods who are going to do the recall for the front top bit ,have just phoned to say " get your VW dealer to check if there is any roof seal corrosion"
Apparently this is another warranty recall. Any info on this gang?

None of this is a recall. Recalls are only done for safety faults like brakes. For a recall the manufacturer contacts registered owners & informs them of recall, inviting them to take vehicle to local dealer to get a fault rectified.

The roof repairs are something member Susibus (Graham) worked very hard, on our behalf, to get VW to do these repairs. This is not something VW wanted or offered to do.

 

[eanni]

I had my roof repaired at Benfields and they were excellent. I told VW that I am not an expert on paintwork and there was no way I was going to check the elevating roof. I could see the obvious blistering on the front panel. I took it to my local VW body shop for the them to do and they found blisters along the rear of the roof just under the rubber seal. The onus should be on them to get it expertly checked.

 

[eanni]

I should have added I had a replacement Cali from Benfields - it was blue 63 plate. There was water in the tank but I don't think it's been cleaned properly - I poured some clean water down the sink and then went to empty it - only to find it was already open. When I closed the valve, the smell in the van was almost unbearable I mentioned all this when I returned it.