VW rust Warranty is dust in the wind

[TTDI]

Just to let you fellow TDI owners know, I have a 2000 A4 Jetta TDI that is rusting on the right front fender from the inside out. VW won't do a thing about it .
I wrote the story in the general discussion area if you care to read it.
Bottom line, most of us are out of any mechanical warranty now but we still have the 12 year unlimited mile rust warranty. You might as well consider it useless. I have confirmed by 2 body shops wha they describe as rust from the inside out and VW still claims it is the owner's fault as they see it as a stone chip causing it.

Take it for what it's worth, Volkswagen promises the world but when it comes down to warranty work, they won't give you the time of day.

I hope this helps someone here if they ever need rust warranty repairs.

 

[dieseldorf]

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=2130975#post2130975

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

VW issued a technical bulletin regarding rusting on the front fenders. I know it covered my 2003 Jetta wagon. I don't know if your model year is included, but it's worth checking. The dealer I took it to had no idea a TB had been issued (I arrived with a printout of it). My left front fender was replaced for free.

After next year, when Honda starts selling diesel cars in the U.S., we won't be captive to VW's terrible customer service anymore.

Here's a link to the discussion I started about my fender, with a reference to the TB:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=171742

I'm not certain he's still the New England rep., but I think he is:

Michael O'Neal
New England regional manager
617 262 8202
michael.oneal@vw.com

 

[vwcampin]

Also posted this in your other thread. Here is the TSB:
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.ph...o=32870&si=tsb

 

[Jettalong]

VW Rust Warranty

I just picked my 99.5 Jetta up from the dealer in Brampton. They replaced both my front fenders under warranty at no cost to me. The car has 275 000 kms on it. The rust was hardly noticable never the less they replaced both!

 

[milehighassassin]

Contact your State Attorney General

 

[myke_w]

The dealer near me refinished my lf fender for this exact issue. but I was very persistant and emailed the svc. manager pictures etc..

 

[ludikris]

yorkdale vw in toronto didn't blink an eye.. all done foc... got my skirts and custom boser done for cheap too since it was getting painted already..

 

[POWERSTROKE]

The dealer near me refinished my lf fender for this exact issue. but I was very persistant and emailed the svc. manager pictures etc..

Keep an eye on that "re-finished" fender. I have two TDI's. My fender was rotted through and it was replaced. My wifes fender was not as bad and it was re-finished. Nevertheless, not 6 months passed and the rust started coming through again. I fought with the dealer for two months and they replaced the fender. In my opinion this repair should be a replacement every time. The metal that VW uses is very thin nowadays and there is really not that much to sand down and work with. I would just keep an eye on it.

 

[myke_w]

Keep an eye on that "re-finished" fender. I have two TDI's. My fender was rotted through and it was replaced. My wifes fender was not as bad and it was re-finished. Nevertheless, not 6 months passed and the rust started coming through again. I fought with the dealer for two months and they replaced the fender. In my opinion this repair should be a replacement every time. The metal that VW uses is very thin nowadays and there is really not that much to sand down and work with. I would just keep an eye on it.

Drat - it's back after the refinish.

I guess it's another trip to the dealer

 

[snoop]

I have the same rust on my 2003 jetta 2 front fenders what are the steps to get a copy of the TSB.

 

[JettaJake]

snoop, click the link 7 or 8 posts above yours

 

[Kingdog]

2004 Golf, getting new passenger door and passenger side fender,, Brampton

VW warranty rocks

 

[blued]

VW warranty rocks

Unless you live in the UK! I have a 2000 Golf with rust on both wings (fenders) and even after showing them the TB, writing to customer services, sending photos etc. over a 4 month period the warranty department are denying the claim saying it is not through corrosion. The local retailer probably isn't doing much to help the situation as he's saying it must be from a stone chip

I've sourced a couple of rust free wings from ebay that have a 50/50 chance of being the correct shade of black for my car and when I replace them I'll be proving to VW with photos from the back of the old wings where it is flaking on the front but not rusted that it is through corrosion. I think they should then give me the cost of the replacement wings as a good will gesture

 

[unpimpZauto]

seeing as how this thread has been brought back to the top, i will add that I am picking up my 99.5 Golf (built in sept 98) from the dealership tomorrow with two new, painted fenders. while the general corrosion warantee may be out, the TDI "fender foam" TSB is still available.

 

[brucerv]

I finally have break lights again - the dealer replaced the break switch under recall - so I can stop using my tail lights to simulate break lights every time I stop in traffic

Free rental car to boot - that was a pleasant surprise.

While there: my '00 180Kmi Jetta got preliminary approval from the service manager for wheel-well repair under the 12yr rust warranty.
Appt Tues. for the regional VW rep - wish me luck.

 

[DJGonzo]

Bump.
Hs anyone else had any luck getting a dealer to replace the fenders?
What is the procedure?

 

[skidoorider600]

I just had my 2002 done (week after labor day). I took it in for the sun roof drain recall and asked if they would look at the front fender flares. The service tech took 2 minutes, glanced at both front fenders, and said they would cover it. I have a thread on this forum giving Maple Hill Auto in Kalamazoo/portage props for the work. I received two brand new fenders, not just a sand off and re-paint. I know they changed them because I had a couple of small dents down toward the bottom of the fender flare that are no longer there.

 

[Dimitri16V]

VW rep declined my 01, claimed it was rock chip...bye, bye new car VW

 

[skidoorider600]

I printed off the pictures from the service bulletin and took them with me when I asked about the fenders. This link has the same pictures I took along. http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=32870&title=tsb-5006-02-page-1&cat=3632 It was very obvious that the corrosion was the fault of vw because it was in the exact same area on each fender flare.

Mark

 

[Dimitri16V]

I printed off the pictures from the service bulletin and took them with me when I asked about the fenders. This link has the same pictures I took along. http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=32870&title=tsb-5006-02-page-1&cat=3632 It was very obvious that the corrosion was the fault of vw because it was in the exact same area on each fender flare.

Mark

me too..the VW rep wouldn't even look at it.
i wanted to smash his face

and VW hope to sell more cars in the US ??? now that's a ****ing joke

 

[DJGonzo]

I am going to my local VW dealer soon. I called service up and they didn't even know about the technical bulletin and were surprised. Now I did retouch one of the fenders with bondo so I will have to take that off otherwise I will not get it replaced.

I think the guys at my dealer are cool. If they don't fix it though I WILL call WVoA.
I have two fender flares with major rust so they should cover it.
I will report back.

 

[Hamman]

The dealer didn't replace mine, but elected to paint them. At first I was pleased but now that they're rusting again....

Does anyone know how long this warranty is in effect for?

 

[P7100]

I just bought my TDI (02 Jetta) for my daughter. I got a really good deal on the car, but the right front fender has a rust spot that comes from the inside. Does anyone know if the rust warranty covers a car bought used??

 

[DJGonzo]

The dealer didn't replace mine, but elected to paint them. At first I was pleased but now that they're rusting again....

Does anyone know how long this warranty is in effect for?

12 Years.
Make them fix it again till they replace them.

I just bought my TDI (02 Jetta) for my daughter. I got a really good deal on the car, but the right front fender has a rust spot that comes from the inside. Does anyone know if the rust warranty covers a car bought used??

Yes it does. If it comes from the inside its prob that foam that TDIs have on their fenders and it should be covered.

 

[billmn]

I just had VW replace my rear hatch, rear handle, and rear window (due to having to cut it out of the old door) on my 2000 golf with no issues. I mentioned the TSB for front fender rust and she said that was only for TDI's (mine had a 1.9T badge ) but she checked them for me too.

 

[drrck]

For what its worth, I had the right fender rust issue. Just heard back from the dealer after a 4 week wait and VW has agreed to replace the panel. I get the feeling this is highly dependent on who reviews the cases. Also a possible factor is the general appearance of your car IMO. If the rest of your car looks like crap VW might say you have done damage somehow, but as the rest of my car is in good shape it's clear this was a defect.

 

[Dimitri16V]

For what its worth, I had the right fender rust issue. Just heard back from the dealer after a 4 week wait and VW has agreed to replace the panel. I get the feeling this is highly dependent on who reviews the cases. Also a possible factor is the general appearance of your car IMO. If the rest of your car looks like crap VW might say you have done damage somehow, but as the rest of my car is in good shape it's clear this was a defect.

LOL . warranty profiling ? I agrre with the local rep being a factor but then again isn't how they make their bonus ?

In my case , that was the final straw for me. You should have seen the dealer manager face , he was pissed at the rep too.

 

[drrck]

Unofficial profiling of course

 

[cleaver]

My TDI looks like swiss cheese in the front end...my hood is pock marked with rock chips and rust. Every panel on my car has some rock chips and rust.

I have taken the car to three dealers and finally the third dealer replaced my fenders for me. You have to be persistent, and you have to talk the talk....come in armed with knowledge and professionalism (I have learned).... lol

...and I have never (and I mean never) had my car to any dealership for repair work or warranty work up until this fender replacement.