HPFP Failure...how to get VW to honor their warranty!

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
Hey folks, I have a 2012 TDI Touareg I bought after dieselgate, with all the VW repairs and mods completed per VW's specs. I'm now at 118k and lost power at midnight returning from the airport. Had the Touareg towed to my german car specialist; they quickly diagnosed the HPFP failure (metal shaving throughout my fuel system) and I towed to a VW Dealership to get the warranty repairs completed. This was after my shop confirmed their was no carbon or pollution in the diesel in my tank. VW confirmed the same failure, and then used a bench tester to test the fuel (this is literally a sensor with a smiley face and a sad face). My test was a sad face...resulting in VW saying "sorry..you have bad fuel and we're not going to authorize the warranty repair. Suspicious of this test (I trust my non-vw shop), my insurance agent sent a sample of the fuel to a forensic lab and the results came back as first-diagnosed...the fuel was perfectly clean. When presented with this evidence, VW is saying "you should have had us send a sample to our lab..if it came back clean they we'd warranty the repair". So, they did a test, gave me false information, and when presented with evidence to the contrary they are denying the claim. I had to have my car for work so I bit the bullet and spent $6800 at my local shop to have a full-fuel system replacement (30% less than VW's estimate), and of course VW is also saying "you'd need to have us do the work IF a warranty was approved". So...my only recourse as I can see it is to take VW to small claims court. Anyone else been through this that was able to convince VW of America to do the right thing? This will be my last VW (I've had 12 over 30 years).
 

Sword_of_the_Spirit

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2021
Location
Dusselheim
TDI
All Makes
You have the Original Lawyers setup to handle issues like this. Search through your paperwork and you'll find all the contact information your heart will be content with. I'd share with you, but I never accepted any of VW's fixes. So I don't know.
 

PRY4SNO

Veteran Member
Joined
May 15, 2016
Location
Edmonton, AB
TDI
2013 Touareg Execline
I've read that people who have had the claim denied due to "bad fuel" have used recent receipts to prove it was diesel and shift a bit of the fuel quality liability to the fuel vendor.

One thing I'd suggest to anyone who reads this (as it won't help you in this case, sorry) is to insist on taking a second sample at the same time the tech at VW does and sealing it for a potential dispute resolution if required. You had your own test but who knows that lawyers will do with that if it goes to court. Having the double sample pulled at the same time might alleviate this to an extent.

I'd definitely take the dealership to court over it if VoA doesn't do anything. As mentioned the class action settlement should provide you some representation.
 

showdown 42

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Location
naples,FL
TDI
2016 TDI touareg
If you have a possible issue with warranty work always go straight to the dealer first. They take exception to coming in after someone else has told you what the problem is.
I don't understand why people don't want a good relationship with the people who sold the car. I've had no issues on problems I've had with my VWs, they always standup for my interests.
This doesn't mean I wouldn't take a sample of the fuel myself to protect my interest.
A dealer has no motivation in not doing what is right to fix a car with this kind of problem.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
How much money can you risk burning trying to recover that $7k?
If you are absolutely confident that it should've been covered, and that you can produce all the required evidence after the fact to support all this, lawyer up, and spend $10-30k or whatever to fight until you win.
On the flipside, there's a chance that you may not, and as a result you will end up spending X amount more on something that's already been fixed and paid for.

If it was me, and I felt strongly that I had a case, I would've just spent that $7k on a temp mode of transportation and I'd go to war. Too late now.

There is some massive VWoA warranty document somewhere that gives a lot more detail about what should be covered, what can be done to dispute, various departments to contact, etc. Get a hold of it, read all the warranty stuff over and over, and figure it out. I believe there's even a way to "submit" warranty approved repairs that were done by a 3rd party under certain conditions, and that may be an option.

One word of advice.... quick bashing VWs around here regardless of how many you've owned or if you'll never have one again. That hits a nerve with some of us!
 

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
Sorry to bash the company...man I'm just so frustrated because $7k is not an easy bill to pay for me, and the fault is clearly warranted and should be covered. VW already has money set aside with the parts manufacturer so I just can't understand why I can submit all the proof that should be necessary and still find no one at VW of Americas to make this right. I've been the biggest Volkswagen fan for so long it's just terribly disappointing. Small claims court is my only remaining avenue. Thanks for all the good guidance here...I'll begin my due diligence for court documentation and present the best case I can, which again, is completely cut and dried in my view.
 

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
How much money can you risk burning trying to recover that $7k?
If you are absolutely confident that it should've been covered, and that you can produce all the required evidence after the fact to support all this, lawyer up, and spend $10-30k or whatever to fight until you win.
On the flipside, there's a chance that you may not, and as a result you will end up spending X amount more on something that's already been fixed and paid for.

If it was me, and I felt strongly that I had a case, I would've just spent that $7k on a temp mode of transportation and I'd go to war. Too late now.

There is some massive VWoA warranty document somewhere that gives a lot more detail about what should be covered, what can be done to dispute, various departments to contact, etc. Get a hold of it, read all the warranty stuff over and over, and figure it out. I believe there's even a way to "submit" warranty approved repairs that were done by a 3rd party under certain conditions, and that may be an option.

One word of advice.... quick bashing VWs around here regardless of how many you've owned or if you'll never have one again. That hits a nerve with some of us!
Good ideas...I don't have the cash to spend $7k on other transportation as well as major attorney fees. I needed my car fixed at the best competent shop possible so I can get back to work. If it was 20k+ it would make more sense to lawyer up; I'll try small claims court. Thx
 

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
I've read that people who have had the claim denied due to "bad fuel" have used recent receipts to prove it was diesel and shift a bit of the fuel quality liability to the fuel vendor.

One thing I'd suggest to anyone who reads this (as it won't help you in this case, sorry) is to insist on taking a second sample at the same time the tech at VW does and sealing it for a potential dispute resolution if required. You had your own test but who knows that lawyers will do with that if it goes to court. Having the double sample pulled at the same time might alleviate this to an extent.

I'd definitely take the dealership to court over it if VoA doesn't do anything. As mentioned the class action settlement should provide you some representation.
Thanks...I got shut down but VofA so I'll head to small claims court next. Sheesh...what a waste of time on something so clearly covered by warranty.
 

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
Heh, yeah, and some of them are even Volkswagens... I drive one every day!
I hear ya...and bashing VW isn't my goal. Just VERY frustrated at this cost that is not very good timing for me (is it ever?). I'm heading to small claims court.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
Keep fighting. Point them to pg188 as it doesn't sound like you received a Certificate of Analysis for the allegedly contaminated fuel from the dealership. Hopefully you have proof of your indy analysis that shows the fuel was good. Go after the fuel station if you run out of options. You just need to outsmart them! (VW dealer, VWoA, fuel station, whoever)
 

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
Keep fighting. Point them to pg188 as it doesn't sound like you received a Certificate of Analysis for the allegedly contaminated fuel from the dealership. Hopefully you have proof of your indy analysis that shows the fuel was good. Go after the fuel station if you run out of options. You just need to outsmart them! (VW dealer, VWoA, fuel station, whoever)
I've got the independent fuel analysis...rock solid there. I believe the primary responsibility will fall upon the dealership. My fuel test demonstrated clean diesel, their bench tester indicated bad diesel...they were incorrect as the lab is a much stronger analysis. To me, they should have immediately requested I bring the Touareg back in to the dealer for a second look.
 

mannytranny

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 14, 2003
Location
CA
TDI
02 Jetta (sold, such a great car) '16 Touareg
A company willing to cheat federal emissions regulations wouldn't bat an eye cheating an individual - in fact they've been doing it for years!
 

Sword_of_the_Spirit

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2021
Location
Dusselheim
TDI
All Makes
I hear ya...and bashing VW isn't my goal. Just VERY frustrated at this cost that is not very good timing for me (is it ever?). I'm heading to small claims court.
You have a right to be upset. Who cares if some forum member says others won’t help you with your issues. Last I checked, I didn’t see his handle as honcho of TdiClub….

Cancel culture has no place anywhere.

Turbo…you talk a big game. Turn tale and shut up with your rhetoric on mammy VW and her/your feelings.
 

Sword_of_the_Spirit

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2021
Location
Dusselheim
TDI
All Makes
How much money can you risk burning trying to recover that $7k?
If you are absolutely confident that it should've been covered, and that you can produce all the required evidence after the fact to support all this, lawyer up, and spend $10-30k or whatever to fight until you win.
On the flipside, there's a chance that you may not, and as a result you will end up spending X amount more on something that's already been fixed and paid for.

If it was me, and I felt strongly that I had a case, I would've just spent that $7k on a temp mode of transportation and I'd go to war. Too late now.

There is some massive VWoA warranty document somewhere that gives a lot more detail about what should be covered, what can be done to dispute, various departments to contact, etc. Get a hold of it, read all the warranty stuff over and over, and figure it out. I believe there's even a way to "submit" warranty approved repairs that were done by a 3rd party under certain conditions, and that may be an option.

One word of advice.... quick bashing VWs around here regardless of how many you've owned or if you'll never have one again. That hits a nerve with some of us!
Insinuating withholding help because your favorite brand messed up and has many times preceding and current. Taking it personal lends much to your stability in life.

Disgusting. Your kind has no place on a public for forum.
 

RKTouareg

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Location
Colorado
TDI
2012 Touareg
If your insurance company has a test saying the fuel is good, couldn't they go after VW on this?

-J
Unfortunately my insurance carrier won't accept or work on the claim once they determined that VW was at fault...they did cover the $500 fuel analysis cost, which I appreciated. This whole situation is really surprising to me. I'll see where I can get with small claims court..there have been some good suggestions here about how to prepare / document so I feel pretty good. Just a pain. Thanks for your comment...
 

Sword_of_the_Spirit

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2021
Location
Dusselheim
TDI
All Makes
Big issue with CP4.2 is introducing air into the system. Broken down, that’s one of leading factors In failure and why companies are putting lift pumps in to alleviate that. When replacing the fuel filter, the output line (to HPFP) needs to be purge to give the best chance to the CP so it doesn’t run dry.

Yes, this has been discussed and broken down many times on the Ford/Dodge/Chevy aftermarket tuner forums (by actual shops).
 

ticaf

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Location
US Mid-Atlantic
TDI
Stock 2015 Golf SW S Manual TDI
Adding to the insult of the subpar design of the HPFP, is the cost to replace the pump, injectors, etcs...like $10k parts&labor. I'm wondering how much it would be elsewhere (Europe/India, south America).
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
It is not that much (where do people come up with these crazy numbers???). Current list price for the HPFP for the CATA engine is less than a grand. It is 8.8hr labor to install it.

Injectors are around $350 each, and it is only 2.0hr labor to install those.

Electric pumps are about $350 for both the main and the side jet pump, and it is 1.8hr labor to install those.

Add in a filter and allow an extra hour to clean a few things and flush the system, as well as the retaining plates and caps for the injectors, and you can resurrect one of these for ~$5.5k. The injectors and HPFPs are actually LESS than the 4 cyl CR engines (go figure).
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
If you go by stealership rates and account for tank & fuel lines replacement, I can see how they double it....
 
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