Volkswagen
Reviews and Complaints

On the 25/08/2015, a petrol attendant was checking my oil in my vehicle and came up to me saying the dipstick is broken and handed over the broken piece to me mentioning that he was not able to check the oil. I was coincidently going to Bloemfontein for a Drs appointment and decided to stop by the VW dealership to query my warranty on the vehicle as I had only purchased the car in January 2015 from them. I went to the services section and explained my problem and the attendant referred me to the parts section and I questioned him about my warranty and he said parts would be able to check the warranty. I then proceeded to parts and the salesperson said he could not check the warranty at the parts division and I should go back to services section. He could only provide me with a quotation for the dipstick. I then went back to services section and the services attendant then went to the booking consultant to open a job card. Once all the data capturing was complete I was then referred to a services agent whom would check if the part is in stock and assist with replacing the dipstick as I had mentioned that I was not in a position to take the car to Bloemfontein as I live approximately 150km away from Bloemfontein and would arrange for someone to pick up the dipstick for me. The services agent referred me to his supervisor and she said she will have to take my car to the services manager to discuss with him. Upon returning she said that the dipstick cannot be covered under the warranty and I should claim it from the garage that checked my oil. Being so frustrated being sent from pillar to post with no positive feedback, I went to the parts division and bought a dipstick which has being now ordered and will be called as soon as the part is in.

I write this email as a last resort to get my complaint looked into...I bought a vw scirocco from vw barons N1 city in 2014.
I spoke to Abie who is the sales consultant via email and phone as I am based in Johannesburg.
When I bought the car it had 18000kms on the clock n they drove it to vw barons in Eastgate for delivery.
When it arrived I was told it was due for service so I should take it and call in next week to book for service.
When I called vw barons in Eastgate I was told they know nothing of the arrangement so if I bring the car it I will be charged.
I called Abie and she now also gave me the run around.
I then decided I will take the car in and pay myself.
To my surprise before I took the car for service the car has no service book and my attempts to get a service book n the car serviced have fallen on deaf ears.
I have called vw barons N1 more than a millions times I have sent them bad reviews on their Facebook page I have written close to 50 hello Peter complaints but with no help.
It has been a year now n still nothing from them.
My warranty company Motorised refuse to fit anything on the car due to no service book n record.
The car has been parked now for 4 months n I'm still paying for it.
How can VW do this to me, this is my very first car n the experience is the worst ever I don't know what to do.
[protected]@gmail.com

Between July and November 2012 we purchased 5 brand new Volkswagen Crafter BiTDI buses to carry passengers around South Africa. We had been buying Volkswagen buses for over a decade.
In less than 32 months, these 5 buses had a total of 50 Breakdowns, 109 Additional repairs (excluding services) and 1 062 days of downtime (excluding servicing).
That’s an average of 7 months of downtime for each of these 5 buses, in less than 32 months!

The full list of the 50 breakdowns, 109 additional repairs and 1 062 days of downtime can be found on www.50breakdowns.com There is also a highly entertaining “must see” 5 minute animated video showing these 50 breakdowns.

We have suffered incredible stress and financial pain. We requested VWSA to compensate us for our breakdown costs (towing expenses and hiring of vehicles): R430 302-87. We requested VWSA to compensate us for being forced to replace some of these buses long before they were scheduled to be replaced. We could not endanger the lives of our passengers by having them get stuck in the middle of nowhere late at night. This meant that we had to continue paying the monthly installments to the bank, despite no longer being able to use these buses: R134 523.

Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) will not compensate us for any of these. They will not even give my 16 page letter of complaint to Mr. Thomas Schafer, the Managing Director of VWSA, to whomit was addressed . I have requested again and again that Mr Thomas Schafer reads my letter, but to no avail. I was told by one of their “specialists” from their “Office of the Managing Director” (i.e. customer service call centre) that: “Mr Schafer is too busy with his daily schedules to read the letter that you addressed to him.” (as confirmed by email on 6 May 2015). No-one from VWSA has even bothered to meet with me face to face. In response to my complaints I have received letters written by their National Aftersales managers, Bohdan De Wet and Warren Kable statingthey“consider this case concluded and closed.”

Our staff have been traumatized. We have had to deal with breakdowns late at night (and mornings and afternoons). Our drivers have had to deal with unhappy passengers who have had to wait hours for a replacement bus to arrive (often on more than 1 occasion). We have had to wait for parts to arrive from Germany which often did not arrive on time. We often received a repaired bus back from a VW service station, only for it to break down the very next day. We have suffered enormous stress.

I bought a so called "NEW" VW Polo 1.2 TDI Bluemotion on 01/10/2013

since the day my life turned to a horror.
It didn't took long for the car to went back to the dealer for

warning lights on and flashing on the dashboard even before the it

could finish a year with me. Since then till today, the car is been in

and out of the dealer for one and the same thing without being clearly

told what is the main cause and the permanent solution to it.different

foreman, Carl, Len and even the service manger himself have worked on

the car but unfortunately without any luck, the complaint a logged

with head office VW Uitenhage wasn't sufficient to sort out this

matter, now Im stuck alone with this issue. To be honest I have

developed hatred on my car because of this.
My life is so miserable.
Kuselo
[protected]@gmail.com

Took in my vehicle for repairs as it wasn't starting, was told they had to replace the cluster but when I collected the car the steering was not functioning the it should and Chris at Linday Saker MIDRAND told me there is nothing they can do about it. Terrible service from VW commercial.

I am at wits send sending this - I purchased a vehicle from this dealership August of Last year, and I have had countless issues with this vehicle. This car has been sent back to them 9 times now, I personally think this is ridiculous and unacceptable. Purchasing a car second hand from a reputable dealer should leave one feeling at ease. I never expected to never have any issues, but the amount is crazy. From a car not starting, to having ineffective gears and a clutch. As a young female who often works late, I am uncomfortable driving this vehicle and feeling safe doing it. I am not happy with the overall service received. Your CS Manager - Jan and my Sales Person - Zeta have tried their utmost to try and rectify this situation, but it has gone barely unchanged. I believe a level of ethics needs to be instilled in this situation and acknowledgement that a faulty vehicle was sold to someone. I am unhappy about the damage being brought to the Brand and I am a lover of VW as my entire family drive the brand. I no longer want this vehicle as I feel betrayed, lied to, and un-helped mostly in fixing this. One would think once a vehicle has been with you longer than the owner, a different course of action would followed aside from constantly booking it in for repairs. I need to understand why this entire situation has gone unresolved. I have tried to deal with this as calmly and patiently as possible, but it has gone too far now! I need the DP to call me and try resolve this matter, or I will take further legal steps to get it sorted. I hope you understand the level of disappointment I feel, and endeavour to restore my faith in the Brand.

Last week went to VW Lindsay Saker in mooi street Johannesburg, applied for finance to purchase BMW 320i coupe M sport and I was approved. The sales consultant who assisted me is Modise Tshabalala, since last week I have been trying to collect the car cause they said they will have to send the car for service first and put on a new battery. Today was called and informed that the seller did not want to pay for service as well as the new battery, and the dealership shouldn't release the car before she receive the full amount, and she ask for my details which I don't understand why. The agent or the seller went on to say they should cancel the deal. I have already sold my car, incurred debt, paying insurance for the car that I have not received. So If the case is not resolved by Monday I will be taking legal actions against the dealership. They can’t cancel just like that, I want my car
The dealer principal respond was
Hi Tiyani

The decision not to retail this high mileage car, is purely based on risk, meaning there is a profit of R5000.00, but should there be a problem with the vehicle, it will cost me more than the profit made
We cannot sell vehicles voetstats, with the new CPA law

I need help to teach the dealer principal a lesson

My new 1.4 polo comfort line started to give me problems. I send it back to the dealer and every time they told me its sorted! Iits the 5th time its gone back to the dealer! They gave me a rental car but the car stink of smoke! Thats phathetic!
The first time they asked a drive to take me home, and we almost got in a huge accident!
I told the dealer at centurian vw I want my deposit back and that they must keep the junk car! Now they saying no this and that! That's bull... T
Looks like vw dont know what they do!

If they cant give me a new car they must give my money back!
If they dont I will take it to the ombudsmen!
Please feel to contact me asap
[protected]
Car registration is cx 53 yj gp
Ask vw sa they also dont get back to me! Phathetic!

Cheers

To the managing director/ceo
Re vin no: aavzzz6rzeu015102
Re reg no: nazu 786- zn

I am escalating this query through to you with the expectancy of a resolution as I have being dealing with my dealer and vwsa for months now and still have not resolved my query. I have purchased my first brand new volkswagen polo 1.4 comfortline in february 2014. I noticed defects on my vehicle days after purchasing my vehicle. I informed my dealership immediately who advised that I should bring in my vehicle to be assessed.

Faults picked my by myself and told to the dealership on the 19/02/2014 was
*head lights was off focused – dealership said it is too spec
*braking system was defective and unsafe. (I did not stop at the robot days after purchasing)- dealership said it needs to wear in
*left rear door pad was not aligned - was removed and refitted
*alignment was off - alignment was completed on the vehicle as they have found the tyre was pulled back

When my vehicle was returned, I had to complain again to vw umhlanga as repairs were not done correctly

My vehicle was booked in again on the 03/03/2014 as faults were not rectified

My vehicle was booked in again on the 12/03/2014 for the following faults

*head lights was off focused – was still off focused
*braking system was defective and unsafe - was not attended to and stated is to spec
*door pad was removed and refitted, has rattles – rattles were worst than before
*alignment was off - clear vision was off and alignment was done again
*quarter glass moulding was off - was noticed but not changed at that point
*flapping noise - could not detect any noised

At this point, my vehicle went in for the 3rd time in 3 weeks and was returned back on the 15/03/2014 with a scratched bumper. I had to drive to the dealership on the 17/03/2014 as this problem was persisting but management did not want to knowledge the problem and take accountability. the dealer principle, emma did not want to meet with me but she was available.

On the 24/03/2014 I met with emma demmer and deiter schauer. dieter assessed my vehicle on a road test. picked up the rattles on the door pads, rubber moulding was off. he did not even drive my vehicle but stated the alignment is fine if I hold the steering wheel with both hands. headlights is correct without even testing it. he even made a comment that the price I paid, I shouldn’t expect a perfect vehicle.

I had a lawyer communicating with vw umhlanga but it went on for months as the dealership dragging this query. by may I could drive the vehicle anymore with these faults and made arrangements to book in my vehicle at vw umhlanga again. after 4 days of having my vehicle, these faults were attended to.

• door pads-all door pads have been checked for security and all found to be in order. we have applied a rubber care compound on all door rubbers which reduces the “flex” sound that can occur on uneven surfaces.
• r/r quarter rubber has been replaced.
• r/f bumper edge has been polished.
• we have lifted the r/f head light level.
• the rear brake shoes have been readjusted and cleaned. a dust build can at times emit a “drone “ but is not in any way detrimental and can be attended to at regular servicing.
• we have taken the vehicle for a rolling brake test and can confirm that the brake efficiency of your vehicle has been found to be within spec and conforms to sabs standards.
• we have not been able to detect the flapping sound from the vehicle however several stones/foreign material was removed from the tyre tread.
• 2 road tests have been carried out on your vehicle, one at night (which included free way driving) and one during the day.

These are the faults that I am currently living with after chances and attempts at the dealership

*rattles on every door
*head lights off focused
*poor braking system
*alignment off
*sunroof is skew when closed
*flapping noise

I have contacted vwsa on numerous occasions only be told that they will investigate the matter and months later, my query has being forgotten. why purchase a new vehicle with so much of defects from a leading manufacturer who gives a * about their customers. I think it is time to take my concerns to the media. south africans would want to know about the 2014 polo since it was just launched. nobody should suffer the same faith as me. no response in 24 hours mean I can go ahead as planned which in clearly do not want. I have emailed, invoices, reports, job cards all of this to prove the validity of my claim.

Naheem shaik - [protected]

I am the owner of a 2012 vw jetta and I am hoping to find other vw jetta owners which are having issues as I am with my car. I have been battling with vw canada, mississauga vw and camvap for the past 10 months. I will be going to my 3rd camvap hearing.

Is anyone having issues with this interior trim panel in the backseat area? (Photo attached)
Originally the first time the trim panel just popped right out when the door was opened and it was forced down to close the door (The car was only 5 months old). I have had my backseat panels both sides now left and right repaired in total 7 times. The trim panels refuse to stay in place. After each repair (And all genuine new parts) in a matter of a few weeks the rubber molding moves away from the plastic trim and slowly the trim panel moves upwards causing the door to catch on it and eventually it separates from the clip that holds it down.

Is anyone having issues with the front doors? Are your door panels splitting across the top? (Photo attached)
All vw jetta owners best way to see if your car has the same problem open your window and look at the seam. Has it split open? I have been told by vw canada this is not a defect or safety issue. I am still in the process of investing if it may turn into a potential safety issue if enough moisture of any kind gets in between. Just a few days ago my back window does not open on one side now and the safety lock does not work. I can not lock my back windows. I will be having my car looked at to investigate the problem further and why the wiring has failed.

My last problem with the car is the backseat headliner both sides have been repaired and again my headliner is separating.
Any owners noticing their headliners are not holding? (Photo attached)

If any vw jetta owners out there are having the same issues or similar please contact me. This battle with vw needs to end and they need to take responsibility to investigate. After repeated repairs and all done with new parts. It does not make sense why this continues to happen. A defective car with possible safety issues. This is not a car I would recommend for family use. Vw has down graded the quality to make the car affordable. It is not worth the money. The car is a money pit at least mine eventually will be if i'm stuck with it - bottom line we were sold a lemon! And vw refuses to admit it.

Please help thanks

After
speaking to one of your reps in your customer care center, I have to
say I am extremely dissatisfied. I leased a 2012 VW CC and upon the
warranty expiring, the fuel pump went bad, this occurred on May 2013.
This is disaster #1. It is highly unheard of that a brand new car’s
fuel pump, especially in this day age
would go bad so soon and so suddenly. After fighting with VW corp for
some time, they eventually agreed to pay for the parts and labor even
though the warranty was expired. Almost one year later to the date,
May 28 2014, once again the fuel pump went bad. I am unable to get the
vehicle to dealership because the vehicle is disabled. Volkswagen
refuses to pay to have the vehicle towed and repaired at their expense,
because according to the attached invoice, the labor and the parts were
only warranted for 12 months. How can a car manufacturer, who claims
to have a reliable product, treat their customers in this fashion and
not stand behind their product? How is it that a fuel pump could go bad
in only 30, 000 miles? It begs to ask the question, what kind of
product is Volkswagen selling? And more importantly, why isn’t
Volkswagen standing behind their products? This is the only car I have
to get to work, Based on the previous estimate, the cost of this repair
will be approximately 800-900 dollars, funds that I do not currently
have. I am very disappointed and disgusted at this point, my next step
is to notify as many folks as possible via the local news networks,
social media and the like on how Volkswagen is more concerned with
profits instead quality or customer satisfaction. Once again, I am
asking Volkswagen to do what is right, pay for the towing and the
repairs on this repair of my vehicle.

Good day,

My vw passat 1.9tdi was damaged by volkswagen menlyn. The service manager "eugene ecroignard" at vw menlyn said to me that it’s my problem and that they can’t be blamed for this. He also mentioned that nothing can happen to engines when only half filled with oil. I am currently without transport. They damaged my vehicle and now they can’t provide me with a courtesy vehicle.

After about 8 days I went back to volkswagen. I spoke with the vehicle technician “johan fourie” whom worked on the passat. I asked him twice about the condition of the engine and he replied - “the engine is in great condition”. We were standing and looking at the engine while it was idling. There was no knock on the engine at that time.

My vw passat 1.9tdi was towed in to vw menlyn almost 20 days ago. I went to collect it yesterday 16th may. I was told by "victor oosthuizen" that there was a small knocking sound on the engine that concerned him. The sound wasn't that hard and I couldn't hear it at that time. After leaving vw menlyn, about 3km away a knocking sound on the engine got louder and harder. When I accelerate from 2000 to 3000rpm’s it sounds a pig being slaughtered. This concerned me, so I phoned my service adviser "salome mashishi" and said to her that my car is making noises that it never made before. I stopped at the nearest petrol station to check my engine oil and found that there was almost no oil in the car - I immediately bought 1litre.

Before I took my vehicle from vw they drove ± 25km to test it. When checking the oil I also found that my bonnet hood release handle was broken and that my lights front left are not working. They made a bonnet hood release handle with a piece of wire. Vw menlyn damaged my vehicle, test driving it with almost no oil in the engine. I already rented a vehicle for 3 weeks and can’t afford to rent one for another week. I am a sales engineer and can’t afford not to have transport. I have a fully booked week with appointments that I can’t cancel. The least vw menlyn can do is to provide a courtesy vehicle while they repair mine.

Dear concern,

My name is chakradhar, I am a tap officer.

I won a volkswagen vento diesel high line 2011 model, (ap 03 aw 0079), from atr cars, nellore, andhra pradesh.

I insured it with 0% depreciation from bajaj insurance. at the time of insurance, staff at atr cars show room told that, with this type of insurance I will get 100% claim (on metal and plastic's) and at the time of claiming it is very easy and no need to submit any fir copy or photos. they misguided me and made me to go for this.

Now recently my vehicle met with an accident at chennai. when I tried to claim my insurance at the same show room, now they are telling lot of rules and confused me and created lot of inconvenience.

People I approached

(atr cars employee: sajid - service advisor)

(insurance company employees: mr. jaipal from nellore, andhra pradesh and mr. giri babu from vizag, andhra pradesh)

I am very much sad about this and we were shocked that, a brands like volkswagen handling customers like this.

Sir I don’t have trust on bajaj insurance company, I chosen it because employees in volkswagen showroom recommended. because of the trust I have on the brand-volkswagen, I paid to that insurance company.

I chose volkswagen because of the brand value and its service.

Almost with my guidance my relatives and colleagues purchased 2 vento’s and 3 polo’s.

Even I am in need for a gt tsi, but now I am in a dilemma whether am I choosing the right brand from the right showroom.

With the same showroom I complained 4 times regarding the ac problem, but they never rectified it.

When ever I received feed back call after service, I even told them the same but no use.

I kindly request you to please look in to this immediate.

Still my car is at that showroom.

Good Day.

I have a VW polo 1.6 vehicle which I bought brand new from VW braamfontein in Feb 2011. The vehicle is still under its 3year Manufacturer warranty. My car has overheated and broke down 3 times in a matter of 6 months. On the 1st Incident, I lodged a complaint with the VW customer care centre as well as the dealership, and I was assured the matter was fixed. On the 2nd incident I then escalated the matter to the Desk of the Managing Director Mr. David Powels after which I was once again assured that the matter was resolved. This past Friday Night, my car once again broke downand overheated. The same incident has occurred 3 time now on a new vehicle, with no resolution. These incidents have put my safety at risk and have caused me a high degree of inconvieniance. May I add, that on all 3 occassions, I was denied a courtesy car by the VW dealerships, even though the breakdown was their fault. What disturbs me is that I have had 3 of these incidents already during the 3 year warranty, which means I will be sitting with bigger problems when the warrenty ends. The warranty is ending in 1 year. As a consumer, I either want my car fixed, with a guarantee that it won't happen again, or I want my car replaced or I want VW to take the car back and terminate the payment agreement. I refuse to pay for damaged goods that comes with a high level of stress and inconvieniance.

I am now turning to you in the hope that you will assist me, as I have tried everything in my power with VW south Africa but have failed.

Below is the last letter which I sent to the Desk of the Managing Director of VW SA Mr. David Powels. ([protected]@vwsa.co.za)

To
THE CEO / Managing Director
VW  SOUTH AFRICA
 
15TH FEBRUARY, 2013
 
Dear Mr. Powels
                                      RE ENGINE VIN NO : AAVZZZ6RZBU022201
 
I have just about had it with VW’s lack of competency & lack of after sales service. I have a Polo 1.6 Tiptronic which I bought brand new in February 2011. May I add, that the vehicle is still under it’s 3 year manufacturers warranty and is still under a full maintenance plan.
Last month, my vehicle over heated and broke down leaving me totally stranded. To highlight  that, I was appalled at the level of service rendered by the Rivonia Dealership to which my car was towed to. (I had at logged a complaint for that at the time). My car was kept at Rivonia for 3 days, after which, I was assured that the problem  was ”FINALLY RESOLVED”. This morning while on my way to work, my car overheats and breaks down for the SECOND TIME, leaving me stranded once again ~ a total inconvenience, as I had an urgent meeting this morning to attend. I am the Manager of Woolworths Sandton. The meetings I attend are critical. The worst part is, no one knows why the car is overheating. If this is happening to my car now, within the 3 year Manufacturers warranty, I will simply be left bewildered with bigger problems after  my 3 year term is over. My new car is overheating and breaking down every month.
 
1.   My car that VW has sold to me is clearly defective. A new car cannot overheat every month just after two years of buying it.
2.   I am left inconvenienced & totally stranded in unsafe environments every single time – because of VW
3.   I still continue to pay VW every month without fail, even though the car is sitting for days at YOUR dealerships because of YOUR defective workmanship / manufacturing.
4.   No courtesy car was offered in my instance by any of your dealers. When you ask for one, they immediately say Sorry, they cannot help as they are out of cars. Cannot help? when I am left stranded because of VW? This has now happened on both occasions by Rivonia and Braamfontein.
 
As a consumer, I feel that my CPA rights have been infringed upon, more strongly the following:
 
1.   The Right to quality Service – I have received incompetency, unwilling service from VW south Africa and its dealerships especially while it is the fault of VW’s workmanship.
2.   Right to return goods – As a consumer I am entitled to return unsafe or defective goods, INCLUDING goods that are of inferior quality
 
I am totally disgusted and disappointed at the quality of your products, as well as your after sales service. Never in my life have I experienced such inconvenience. This is the 1st and Last time I purchase a VW car. As a Brand you really need to step back and re-align your focus on two things: Customer and Product.
 
As a consumer, I will be lodging a formal complaint with the Consumer board.
I need my vehicle replaced or a better solution if you have one. I refuse to suffer day in and day out for VW’s negligence. I am sitting with a new car that is totally unreliable.
 
If my grievance’s  are deemed  unfit for your attention – my legal team’s letter will be on Germany’s desk.
 
Yours
Mohamed Saleh

Took my 2010 VW Jetta in for some service, dealt with the manager, Mike Salter. At first he was great, but when my car was not finished on time and I asked him about it, he became upset and told me I could have a rental, but on my dime. How crazy is that. Then as I was complaining, the Owner came by and interjected, I thought great, finally someone who will help me. Instead he treated me like a 10 year old. Talked down to me, became red in the face and started yelling at me. He was slightly intoxicated. What a total jerk, as the customer I felt I should have been treated better. Wont be going back again. Good thing there is another vw dealer in London.