V6 Passat Recall (inc R36)

[Cro]

I just got a letter from VW today that applies to all V6 Passat's.

Apparantly the Positive battery cable may corrode , and in individual cases break. They say that a check is necessary, and any repair work required would take 4 hours.

Keep an eye out in your letter box..

[Autopia]

Thankfully only a minor issue.

[theplanner]

Yes, and apparently VW's procedures are such that you take your car in for inspection. Pending the inspection they will order the part/s which means you have to take your car in a 2nd time to replaced the cable. All other recalls I have been involved with are done on the same day.

2 days after a 15k km service I was asked to book it in for the recall, now, I cant say I am please with VW's service and quality to date.

I have had other quality issues with my R36 such as faulty memory seating, faulty ignition, malfunctioning alarm ... wonder what other probs Im going to have. Although these are minor probs but its not the kind of probs one expects within 6 mths of ownership of a brand new car.

The car drives great but these probs are really starting to give me the sxxts!

VW better come up with some great cars in the future as its going to take alot of convincing for me to purchase another VW.

[Steve]

I'd like to hear more about your problems.

Our Q7, Golf GTI, and R36 have been fine since day one and have only made us bigger fans of the VW/Audi brand.

[theplanner]

Memory seating - memory setting did not work. I had to take my car in to be checked up twice b4 VW were willing to replace the faculty mechanism under warranty. Despite the fact, after the 1st visit they (mechanic) reported that the mechanism was faulty. But no VW wanted more tests done. So only on the 3rd visit did the mechanism got replaced.

Ignition - car does not start on hot humid days after engine is warmed up. Idles very low then drops out. After 3-4 restarts, and timing the restarts with a slight press of the accelarator then will the engine run fine. As long as the engine spins up high enuf its fine. VW still don't know what the prob is so I still suffer ignition probs because it is still summer. Cool days and cold starts dont seem to be affected. Also, A/C & Radio is all turned off pre ignition.

Malfunction Alarm - just simply did not work from day one. After the 1st visit, admittedly it was fixed but they could not provided any explanantion.

There are quite obvious rattles from the rear parcel shelf

[theplanner]

I have read some of the overseas forum about the quality of VW's and its seem like a hit and miss issue. Unlucky ones with probs appear to be ongoing....but there are also those with cars that seemed faultless and their owners are only more than happy to stick with VW.

Perhaps I'm in the unlucky basket?
But I have owned quite a few new cars and never had near as many probs. And where there were probs they were rectified very quickly.

[olcoop]

Ignition - car does not start on hot humid days after engine is warmed up. Idles very low then drops out. After 3-4 restarts, and timing the restarts with a slight press of the accelarator then will the engine run fine. As long as the engine spins up high enuf its fine. VW still don't know what the prob is so I still suffer ignition probs because it is still summer. Cool days and cold starts dont seem to be affected. Also, A/C & Radio is all turned off pre ignition.

This may be a long shot, but get them to check the rpm of the starter motor.
I had starting problems with my Golf 2.0TDi, and after a few visits to the workshop with no luck, they checked the rpm of the stater motor and it was below spec. A new starter motor was fitted and the problem was solved!

[black1]

I had my cable replaced the week before last.

I was told that it isnt an inspection, they are replacing them....

They have to drop the fuel tank etc and takes about 3hrs to do

[gregozedobe]

My VW transporter has had numerous problems in the 2 years I've had it, mostly relatively minor electrical problems (lock actuators etc), but the leaking oil cooler led to a trip home on the back of flat-top truck (twice ! ).

My Skoda on the other hand has had zero faults so far - but it is only 7 months old (I just hope I haven't put the mozz on myself by saying that).

So based on my very small sample size, I agree with the euro J D Power reliability surveys which place Skoda up high and VW down low. A number of VW and Skoda owners agree with me.

It seems if you get a good'un (of whatever brand) you'll have no problems at all, but there aren't quite as many VW good'uns as we would all like

[Deedub68]

I'd like to hear more about your problems.

Our Q7, Golf GTI, and R36 have been fine since day one and have only made us bigger fans of the VW/Audi brand.

- Horn faulty: would blow when turning right and would stay on...permanently. Had to remove the fuse until I could get it to service. Fixed in short order.

- Paint / protective surface on black area of rear bumper (directly above the exhaust) started to peel away. VW had to order a new replacement part ex Germany (8 weeks) and replace.

- Hideously expensive bluetooth phone system which is low on features ( a parrot system at 1/3rd the price has more features). Not strictly a fault, but not happy, Jan....

But then....I take her for a drive...and the smiling starts...and all is forgiven...

VW's response to problems has been fairly good: generally instant offer to repair so no complaints there.

gaf