cracked plastic inside rear hatch (passat wagon)

[iampivot]

For some reason the plastic that holds the lock for the little pocket / door containing the warning triangle inside my passat wagon hatch has cracked. Has anyone ever seen anything similar? I don't think I've ever taken the warning triangle out even.

It looks like it's just been worn out, most likely due to the electric hatch closing pretty hard. Warranty runs out in three weeks time, am wondering if I can get this one covered?

[ope126]

Looks interesting...

Maybe you had the boot area full of gear and when the door shut closed it put pressure on the warning triangle, thus breaking the plastic component.

Worth a try with VW though...

Does it rattle or make a noise now?

Because if it doesn't and the warning triangle covers it up, should be no drama.

I remember when I had my Passat Wagon with Auto Tailgate, it would slam that boot lid down with such force!

[CaseySP]

Mine did the same thing, VW replaced the plastic panel (apparently it is one piece so the entire tailgate trim is thrown away) under warranty. I suspect that mine was due to fatigue from the auto tailgate slamming shut over the past 3 years. Mine had also never been opened apart from when the dealer showed it to me in the delivery hand-over.

Ope126 - when the latch breaks like this the triangle is free to swing down on its hinges so it's both a nuisance and unsightly - the way I noticed it was broken was when it hit me in the head as I reached in for a shopping bag.

[wai]

Good luck.

They will try and claim it is "normal wear and tear".

[iampivot]

Just went in this morning, they say it's not covered. $419 for new piece of plastic. Incidentally, the hatch close button, which sometimes jams up, is covered.

[ope126]

Just went in this morning, they say it's not covered. $419 for new piece of plastic. Incidentally, the hatch close button, which sometimes jams up, is covered.

Which dealer did you go to (PM if you prefer).

I would try all the local dealers and get their separate opinions...

[wai]

Just went in this morning, they say it's not covered. $419 for new piece of plastic. Incidentally, the hatch close button, which sometimes jams up, is covered.

Unfortunately, "standard wear and tear" is the revised version of "standard for this type of vehicle".

As has been suggested, you could try another dealer, but it is highly unlikely you will get a different result.

[CaseySP]

Well my dealer covered it, no questions asked. No way is this standard wear and tear - no different to a door handle falling off in normal use. It is a failure and consumer law should cover it.

The plastic in too thin and can't take the shock of the normal closing action of the auto boot combined with the weight of the triangle it is trying to restrain. Eventually it will succumb to fatigue and the catch will be pulled through the thin plastic.

VW need to redesign the latch - 1mm or two extra thickness or inlay some metal backing would probably do it.

[iampivot]

This is Cricks up in Maroochydore. There's always something not quite right when you're dealing with them. Unfortunately, my old dealer in Brisbane went into receivership (Bryan Byrt).

[JustCruisn]

Try this