Desperate for help and advice on 118tsi 2010 Golf

[Sarah1985]

Hi Everyone,
I just found out yesterday that my whole engine needs replacing in my vw golf 118tsi. It is out of warranty by 6 months and has only done 33000kms. Is this common defect? Cannot believe I may be up to paying $7000 for a new engine. Please help!

[tigger73]

Unfortunately it's not an uncommon problem.

Have a read of this thread (if you haven't already): Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures: Resolved via Service Campaign 24S4

A number of people have had engines replaced outside warranty as there are known issues with this engine/tune in Australia.

If you have had the vehicle regularly serviced and given the low km I think you should be OK (consumer law would protect you).

Sorry to hear your story and good luck with getting it resolved satisfactorily.

[brad]

Request your dealership to submit a case to VW AUS for a goodwill repair. If they refuse then contact VW Customer Service direct.

If that doesn't work then you have statutory warranty rights under Australian consumer law. It's on the ACCC website. Basically, a product or good is warranted for a period that a reasonable person would expect it to last if cared for properly.

Hopefully you've had the vehicle serviced every 12 months (mileage wouldn't be applicable in your case) and have a stamp in the service book or receipts to prove you've had it done.

Be firm but polite, document your communication with any involved parties. If you have a conversation then back it up with an email that precis'your understanding of the conversation, what the expectations are, what the next steps are & who is doing them in what timeframe.

Don't be afraid to escalate to the dealer principal if you think the Service Advisor or Service Manager is trying to fob you off.

Knowledge is power. Read that other thread, read your consumer rights at both a State & Federal level.

Good luck. Don't back down.

What I can't believe is that your dealership didn't offer to contact VW for a goodwill repair... or are you a blow-in? (not regular customer)

[tigger73]

+1 to what brad said.

Plus as a service to people that find themselves in the same unfortunate position in the future, if you can post back here (or in the other 118tsi thread) the issue and what the outcome was that would be great. People often come onto forums when they have a problem but then when they have resolved the issue forget to post a follow up so that people are left hanging as to whether the suggestions fixed the problem or not.

So please post up how you got on and if you need any further tips/suggestions let us (forum community) know as there have been a few people go through similar situations as yourself.

[The_Hawk]

I'll be very interested to read how this goes. I'm also wondering exactly what build date this is?

Anecdotally there seems to be more reported issues with the '09 models but the later ones have been much better (but then history still hangs over the heads of the twin chargers).

[Snail Style]

VW can only apply for goodwill after stripping down the motor and confirming the cause of the problem, likely to be cracked ring lands in your case.

So they should ask you for the authority to tear down the motor(will charge approx. 6-8hours), which you will be paying for if the goodwill claim gets knocked back, or they only cover a percentage of it. As others have said, a complete service history, preferably with a dealer would be a big help to your cause. Don't go in dropping terms like ACCC or Consumer watchdogs, etc.

Good luck.

[Umai Naa!!]

ACCC won't help your case at this point.

Request that they submit a goodwill claim, and hope for a result that you'll be happy with.

In terms of a likely outcome, VW may only cover some, or most of the costs. Best case, they'll cover the lot.

If they try and wipe their hands of it, then yeah, play the legal card.