DSG woes in The Age

[pologti18t]

You have said before that you can get a puncture, which is very true problem when you drive, but a lot of these problems and there seems to be few different ones, some have been solved by recalls overseas, whcih will stop that problem for that owner, but VWA just dont want to believe there are problems ..

Have there been recalls in Europe for any of these issues?

Are the recalls in China, Singapore, Japan just a way of resetting the perception of VW in those markets? I can't see what specific fix they have for those countries that hasn't been applied elsewhere.

[Barracuda]

As much as I love my VW's, I wan't Fairfax to keep attacking because it's just going to put more and more pressure on Volkswagen Australia to (hopefully) bite-the-bullet and issue a recall. Hopefully the Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg will pressure VW Australia to do something before they damage the brand too much. Although, they're approaching the point of no return when it comes to brand reputation... Very unfortunate.

[RoknRob]

Where is the proof that the recalls overseas have solved the issues?
And what are the recalls specifically for?

Again, poor reporting in the media leads to mass confusion which makes the issue worse for everyone.

Very good questions! Why DON'T we know this?

Is it the media that is poor in reporting this? Or VW not being forthcoming?

Drive.com.au - Volkswagen remains quiet on recalls, fixes

[wai]

Have there been recalls in Europe for any of these issues?

Are the recalls in China, Singapore, Japan just a way of resetting the perception of VW in those markets? I can't see what specific fix they have for those countries that hasn't been applied elsewhere.

It could be that VW just rectified things when they happened in Europe.

The political systems in China, Singapore and Japan will have required a completely different response to Australia.

Our consumer protection laws are very weak. As I discovered, a manufacturer can do anything they want, as long as you are told this SOMEWHERE. It is up to the consumer to make sure that they explore thoroughly to find where these terms and conditions exist and are updated.

I raised this precise issue with the ACCC, and as far as they are concerned, unless it is a safety related item (and the complainant must show this to the satisfaction of the ACCC), the ACCC simply consider this to be a dispute between a buyer and seller, and that is not something they can act on. In any event, it is the Department of Infrastructure and Transport who initiate a recall, and it has to be safety related.

With the incidents reported, no one has yet been able to show this. Sure there are instances reported, but you need to show why it is VWs item to fix. No one has been able to show this.

The state departments of fair trading can only act where a seller or provider has done something that the consumer could not have discovered in the trading terms and conditions. This is NOT a breach of that so contacting the departments of fair trading is a waste of time.

VW know this and are acting accordingly. We do not jail company directors, so there is no imperative to do anything to avoid this.

From what I understand the mecatronics units have failed because of temperature and a reaction between the metal and lubricants "in some markets".

It comes down to the consumer demonstrating (with repeatability) the problem and what is causing it.

So, here's one. Why is the NRMA/RACV/RACQ/RACWA/RAASA (sorry I don't know what it is in Tasmania ) not doing its own tests? Surely those with the problem would be willing to offer their vehicles as guinea pigs? If these bodies do not have the funds or capacity, there are the various commercial units attached to universities that could investigate this. Heck, I can see a PhD in this. After all, VW don't know what's going on, so any research would be original and it would be extending the knowledge in the field. That is what is required to be awarded a PhD. Surely someone wanting to be known as Dr has a VW that has this problem? Ok, the car may not be worth much at the end of it all, but think of the money you would earn as a Dr.?

[spikeyboy22]

Where is the proof that the recalls overseas have solved the issues?
And what are the recalls specifically for?

Again, poor reporting in the media leads to mass confusion which makes the issue worse for everyone.

Starting to sound like a VW worker there .. wheres the proof, maybe us owenrs with problem or problem cars are just dreaming the problem .

Just went out to my 3 month polo and it wont start .. I will just go and dream a call to VW assist, who can take my car, and dealer can tell me I must have been dreaming when I coudl not start my car, thrid time now...

PS I also have VW golf GTI 2012 whcih I love .. but when these cars have problems they have problems ..

It might not fix the problem but it might .. I also have DSG problems.. but better then just sticking you head in the sand like they are doing..

[wai]

It might not fix the problem but it might .. I also have DSG problems.. but better then just sticking you head in the sand like they are doing..

The thing is that the ACCC and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport will not act using this as an argument.

So, it comes down to convincing that it is in VW's interests for them to act at their own expense. They are not going to be compelled to unless the fault and its cause can be documented and shown to be the responsibility of VW.

It is frustrating, but that is what we have accepted from our politicians.

Maybe when VW loses significant market share, they might act. Remember, it is only in recent years that VW have picked up. Maybe they feel they can do without an Australian market.

This is commercial, and it is commercial pressures that will see VW act.

[SilvrFoxX]

I check the forum at about 5.30 am and then about 5.30pm, I have never seen any thread generate so much response in all the years I have participated. Love a good debate.

That said I struggle to understand what the fuss about geting recalls are about.... the situation is simple, there is a coroner investigation into a death which may or may not be attributed to a mechnical failure in a car. VW have stated they are fully co operating with the investigation, end of communications.

The associated quality control issues pertaining to thier products and expectation of some action to follow is a bridge too far methinks.

Post the findings, which could be the truck driver was on speed and making **** up, VW may be compelled to do something.

[RoknRob]

I check the forum at about 5.30 am and then about 5.30pm, I have never seen any thread generate so much response in all the years I have participated. Love a good debate.

That said I struggle to understand what the fuss about geting recalls are about.... the situation is simple, there is a coroner investigation into a death which may or may not be attributed to a mechnical failure in a car. VW have stated they are fully co operating with the investigation, end of communications.

The associated quality control issues pertaining to thier products and expectation of some action to follow is a bridge too far methinks.

Post the findings, which could be the truck driver was on speed and making **** up, VW may be compelled to do something.

It doesn't make sense to wait. There is no need.

Even if the coroner decides the car wasn't the problem, the fact that they have already reacted overseas, the fact that so many people have come forward with examples of how their cars have or could put themselves and others in danger, why shouldn't we be clamoring for the same fix now?


I'm not happy about it - I love my little car in every other respect... I just wish I could TRUST it... not to mention trust that VW in front of me...

And I'm not happy about this, either: Drive: Volkswagen owners could lose thousands

But safety is more important to me.

[Transporter]

It doesn't make sense to wait. There is no need.

Even if the coroner decides the car wasn't the problem, the fact that they have already reacted overseas, the fact that so many people have come forward with examples of how their cars have or could put themselves and others in danger, why shouldn't we be clamoring for the same fix now?


I'm not happy about it - I love my little car in every other respect... I just wish I could TRUST it... not to mention trust that VW in front of me...

And I'm not happy about this, either: Drive: Volkswagen owners could lose thousands

But safety is more important to me.

...and me too.

So, if the truck driver was at the fault and you let them to blame the car, that could be even worst for the road safety.

Just watching some of those trucks in the rear view mirror, I know they wouldn't stop If I'd start breaking suddenly, so why they don't keep a greater gap to stop safely. I don't take that, it is impossible for them to stop if the small car in front of them would start slowing down suddenly. If that would be the case for whatever reason, then we need the extra roads for the trucks only or use the trains wherever we can.

[Diesel_vert]

It doesn't make sense to wait. There is no need.

From a cost perspective, it's probably better to wait until the moment the regulator is about to act, and then issue any recall.

Unless the cost of any potential fine exceeds the cost of the recall - in which case, it's better to issue a recall immediately.

why shouldn't we be clamoring for the same fix now?

Which issue are you referring to? The engine stalling/cut-off/limp-home/etc issue or the 7-speed DSG issue?

In regards to the former, Volkswagen may have a solution and plan to fix it on a case-by-case basis, or they may not yet have a solution at all, or it may not even be caused by the vehicle itself - at this stage we don't know for certain.

In regards to the latter, I would be amazed if consumer sentiment forces VW to issue a DSG recall, but nothing is impossible!

And I'm not happy about this, either: Drive: Volkswagen owners could lose thousands

I thought this quote from the article was interesting:

He added that Volkswagen's products are generally highly-regarded in the used-car market

Personally, I'm not adverse to buying second-hand European cars because I'm confident in dealing with most potential issues that may arise, but second-hand European cars are generally not something I would recommend willy-nilly to just anyone (in Australia), especially family or friends who have no technical interest in cars.

I love my Euros, but I'm under no illusion of what I may be getting myself into, which unfortunately can't said for some others. Buyer beware.