I have a 2009 Jetta TDI that I was planning to drive for another 3-6 months before selling back to VW under the terms of the class action settlement. Predictably, about 10 days ago the engine started making a clanking noise and then completely cut out. I had it towed to the dealer, who said the issue was a bad fuel pump, which would be covered by VW under warranty. The following day I left the country for an overseas trip and didn't hear anything from the dealer while I was away (I told the service department I would be out of town and to contact me by email if anything came up). I came back to a voicemail that the mechanic had run into an "issue" and to call.
This morning, the dealer told me that they had run a test and determined that the pump failure was caused by bad diesel, voiding the warranty and requiring an installation of a new fuel line at a cost of about $4,000. The person I spoke to said that I should contact my insurance to see if they would cover the cost. I asked what exactly was "bad" about the diesel and was told they didn't know and that I would need to pay extra for that testing. I also asked for paperwork or other documentation of the test and was told I'd get a call back, which I never received.
For what it's worth, I last refueled the car about a month ago, and I'm sure I filled up with diesel, not gasoline. I don't have a receipt from the gas station but I do have a record of the charge on my credit card statement. I drove the car for several weeks after filing up and didn't notice any problem until it started making noise about ten minutes before everything cut out.
I don't know very much about vehicles, so I can't tell if I'm getting taken for a ride or not, but I'd very much like to avoid paying $4,000 for the privilege of repairing a car that I plan to trade in in the next few months (if not sooner--this experience has made me even more eager to be rid of the thing).
To those more knowledgable: Does this story sound plausible to you? What's the best way to push back here, and with whom (dealer, VW, gas station)? I get the sense that everyone will point fingers at everyone else and I'll be left with nothing to do but fork over 4 grand -- but I'd love to be wrong.
Thanks all in advance. I am new to this forum but greatly appreciate your advice.
This morning, the dealer told me that they had run a test and determined that the pump failure was caused by bad diesel, voiding the warranty and requiring an installation of a new fuel line at a cost of about $4,000. The person I spoke to said that I should contact my insurance to see if they would cover the cost. I asked what exactly was "bad" about the diesel and was told they didn't know and that I would need to pay extra for that testing. I also asked for paperwork or other documentation of the test and was told I'd get a call back, which I never received.
For what it's worth, I last refueled the car about a month ago, and I'm sure I filled up with diesel, not gasoline. I don't have a receipt from the gas station but I do have a record of the charge on my credit card statement. I drove the car for several weeks after filing up and didn't notice any problem until it started making noise about ten minutes before everything cut out.
I don't know very much about vehicles, so I can't tell if I'm getting taken for a ride or not, but I'd very much like to avoid paying $4,000 for the privilege of repairing a car that I plan to trade in in the next few months (if not sooner--this experience has made me even more eager to be rid of the thing).
To those more knowledgable: Does this story sound plausible to you? What's the best way to push back here, and with whom (dealer, VW, gas station)? I get the sense that everyone will point fingers at everyone else and I'll be left with nothing to do but fork over 4 grand -- but I'd love to be wrong.
Thanks all in advance. I am new to this forum but greatly appreciate your advice.