The repair on my 2013 Passat with a turbo failure was completed yesterday. The dealer had the car 4 months from early August through November. They did provide me with a loaner car at their expense, $2000 per month. The 3 expensive parts listed on the invoice that they replaced were the CATALYST 561-253-053-A, the JX EXMANTURBO 03L-253-010-JX and the OIL PUMP 03L-115-105-F. The mechanic's notes on the invoice says that the DPF was replaced, so I'm assuming that the catalyst includes the DPF. I asked the service advisor if the replacement turbo was new and re-engineered, meaning improved, to address all the failures of this part. He couldn't give many or any details on the turbo, like where it was manufactured. His opinion is that the turbo failures are the result of the cars sitting so long on the lots during the dieselgate buyback ordeal. The service advisor said that Volkswagen now spends on average from $8,000 to $14,000 (including providing rental cars) per vehicle on these turbo replacements. He described one car where the turbo failed, throwing metal into the engine resulting in a rod blowing through the block , hitting the transmission. That customer will get an engine and transmission replacement at Volkswagen's expense. He did say maybe it's taking so long to get these turbos because they have been re-engineered and improved. As I wrote earlier however , I think his opinion is that these turbo have failed because some of these vehicles sat for years, not being driven during the buyback.
The car runs and drives smoothly with good acceleration. Looking under the hood with the car idling, I don't remember the engine vibrating much as it is now. It's not real bad and possibly I'm imagining things. Admittedly, I'm a little scared of this car, as if I don't trust it. Hopefully it will provide good service now. Auffenberg Volkswagen in Fairview Heights, Illinois is to be commended for providing the loaner car and fixing this vehicle under warranty.
