R4074
Well-known member
Car threw a CEL about a week ago, was the NOX sensor and also the engine exhaust flap. My dealer quoted $577 to replace the NOX sensor and $321 for the Exhaust flap when it was in, I declined to have the repairs done as it was a Saturday and I wanted to speak with someone at VW. Dealer charged me $115 for diagnostic and I picked up the car. Car is at 43k miles and neither is covered under the emissions warranty which is rather limited IMO. VOA sent letters out concerning the Exhaust flap for 2009-2012 cars (including some Passats) due to issues with corrosion which extended the warranty to 120k miles; unfortunately my car wasn't included even though the corrosion problem is exactly what caused mine to fail according to the dealer.
After some discussions (heated) with VOA they agreed to cover half the cost. Just curious mainly about the NOX sensor as I know the engine flap is a known issue, to see how many other have had this part fail.
**below is simply venting about dealer and not obviously the fault of VW**
As a side note my dealer really irritated me with this repair. When I called to schedule I asked the SA if I will get any credit for the diagnostic toward the repair amount originally quoted as they know exactly what is needed and hadn't torn anything apart (which required re-assembly without repairing the first visit). He indicated that this would be done under VW warranty rates which are lower than retail so the job would be less than I was quoted originally (which I would pay only 50%) and it would likely be a wash. This made little sense to me as I knew labor rates are slightly less but the total repair would need to be 12-13% less for this to be a wash and I didn't think there was that much discount. Not a big deal so I drop off the car this morning and the SA calls around 3pm and says that everything is done and car is ready. I ask what time they are open until and what the balance due was....6pm and my end is $598, which means that the total was $1,200.00. Now my blood is boiling yet again.
I explained that the other SA quoted me $577 for the NOX sensor and $321 for the Exhaust flap (I still had the same post-it note from the day I was on the phone with the SA originally) when the car was in and I declined the repair at that time. He stated, "I don't know where you got those numbers from" to which i replied, "the other service adviser." He then said that he would check with the tech and call me back. No clue what the tech had to do with the amount quoted but okay. Called me back and said "I worked the numbers again for you and we are going to eat some of the labor and you will owe $578 for your half." I reminded him that I was quoted $900 and I also paid $115 already (which I stated to him that I knew I wasn't going to see that money but still wanted to remind him the original quote was $900) and the "eating" of some labor dropped $40 off the price.
At this point he is getting frustrated with me and keeps throwing out numbers for the repair and then finally states that there were additional parts needed for the repair which total about $70 (a gasket and a clip). Okay, fine, but we are still talking $300 (actually $250 as tax is included in the $1200 number) more than I was quoted and the fact that you guys incorrectly quoted the job (if that is what happened) isn't my fault. He replied "let me pull the repair order from a week ago when the car was originally in to check the notes concerning that quote and also let me talk to the parts guy and see what I can do to get it lower again but if he won't that would have to be it." I politely let him know that I authorized a repair for $900 plus sales tax, of which VW was paying 50%, that number is $450 plus tax, I am giving up on any recovery of the diagnostic fee I paid but I am not paying for a repair amount that I didn't authorize.
He calls back 30-45 minutes later to say everything is set and the total is $449.52 plus tax and I went to get the car. Since my B-2-B warranty is done the only reason I would come back to this dealer is for a warranty (the 12 mos. 12k mi. one) for repairs that they have recently done (NOX Sensor, exhaust flap, Passenger headlamp housing that was replaced for the 2nd or 3rd time recently). Any new issues that are covered I will be looking for another dealer. Basically I have had this car 20 mos. and have been in to the dealer for non-scheduled maintenance related repairs about 6-8 times, which is way too many IMO. I am getting pretty soured on it if I am completely honest.
After some discussions (heated) with VOA they agreed to cover half the cost. Just curious mainly about the NOX sensor as I know the engine flap is a known issue, to see how many other have had this part fail.
**below is simply venting about dealer and not obviously the fault of VW**
As a side note my dealer really irritated me with this repair. When I called to schedule I asked the SA if I will get any credit for the diagnostic toward the repair amount originally quoted as they know exactly what is needed and hadn't torn anything apart (which required re-assembly without repairing the first visit). He indicated that this would be done under VW warranty rates which are lower than retail so the job would be less than I was quoted originally (which I would pay only 50%) and it would likely be a wash. This made little sense to me as I knew labor rates are slightly less but the total repair would need to be 12-13% less for this to be a wash and I didn't think there was that much discount. Not a big deal so I drop off the car this morning and the SA calls around 3pm and says that everything is done and car is ready. I ask what time they are open until and what the balance due was....6pm and my end is $598, which means that the total was $1,200.00. Now my blood is boiling yet again.
I explained that the other SA quoted me $577 for the NOX sensor and $321 for the Exhaust flap (I still had the same post-it note from the day I was on the phone with the SA originally) when the car was in and I declined the repair at that time. He stated, "I don't know where you got those numbers from" to which i replied, "the other service adviser." He then said that he would check with the tech and call me back. No clue what the tech had to do with the amount quoted but okay. Called me back and said "I worked the numbers again for you and we are going to eat some of the labor and you will owe $578 for your half." I reminded him that I was quoted $900 and I also paid $115 already (which I stated to him that I knew I wasn't going to see that money but still wanted to remind him the original quote was $900) and the "eating" of some labor dropped $40 off the price.
At this point he is getting frustrated with me and keeps throwing out numbers for the repair and then finally states that there were additional parts needed for the repair which total about $70 (a gasket and a clip). Okay, fine, but we are still talking $300 (actually $250 as tax is included in the $1200 number) more than I was quoted and the fact that you guys incorrectly quoted the job (if that is what happened) isn't my fault. He replied "let me pull the repair order from a week ago when the car was originally in to check the notes concerning that quote and also let me talk to the parts guy and see what I can do to get it lower again but if he won't that would have to be it." I politely let him know that I authorized a repair for $900 plus sales tax, of which VW was paying 50%, that number is $450 plus tax, I am giving up on any recovery of the diagnostic fee I paid but I am not paying for a repair amount that I didn't authorize.
He calls back 30-45 minutes later to say everything is set and the total is $449.52 plus tax and I went to get the car. Since my B-2-B warranty is done the only reason I would come back to this dealer is for a warranty (the 12 mos. 12k mi. one) for repairs that they have recently done (NOX Sensor, exhaust flap, Passenger headlamp housing that was replaced for the 2nd or 3rd time recently). Any new issues that are covered I will be looking for another dealer. Basically I have had this car 20 mos. and have been in to the dealer for non-scheduled maintenance related repairs about 6-8 times, which is way too many IMO. I am getting pretty soured on it if I am completely honest.