Volkswagen
reviews and complaints

I have called the emergency cell phone number for Autohaus Windhoek on 26 January 2017 with regards to a problem I encountered with my vehicle. I bought a Golf 7 TDi from them in November 2013. In 2015 we had a problem with the clutch and the booster cylinders were replaced.

On Friday, 26 January 2017, exactly the same issue with the clutch happens again. This is just over a year that the cylinders were replaced.

My vehicle has been standing on their premises since 26 January 2017 - I am making use of a rental vehicle which is quite costly!

If I am not phoning them to check, I will probably not hear anything from them.

I have been told in the beginning of this week that the truck with the parts are at Ariamsvlei border (this is the border between Namibia and South Africa) and that the parts will be here by Friday 10 February 2017 (tomorrow).

I just got a call from Nazarene (service advisor) - advising me that the part now has to come from Germany and that I have to wait till 21 February 2017 for it to arrive.

Someone from Volkswagen (I did not catch her name) did offer us a courtesy vehicle @ NAD2, 000.00 per day - this is insane! I am currently using a rental vehicle as mentioned above, but this is costing me a lot of money and now they want to extend it tfor a further 12 days!?!?

This is not the first time that VW Autohaus Windhoek does not stock on hand and I can imagine how frustrated other customers must be who is experiencing the same problem.

This will definately be the last time that I invest in VW.

Can someone check into this matter and let me have URGENT feedback please?

Thank you in advance

Adel Coetzee
+[protected]

In 2008 I purchased a brand new VW Tiguan. As I sit today, the turbo has been replaced x 3 times which I believe could have something to do with the media exposure of the pollution emission programme/flow. My car struggles to go up hills leaving me exposed. The roof of the car interior is falling down and the airbag in the front - warning light is on constantly. I am just worried as a single woman that VW is not being totally responsible to us and leaving us vulnerable with the cars we drive.

I am finding the quality of this car at the end of the day with the interior roof falling down, the airbag not being functional I would imagine now that the warning light is on constantly and this pollution process is causing my turbo to cause ongoing problems. Please advise urgently as I don't feel safe driving my car.

Ek was n vw voorstaander todat ek kennis gemaak het met bogenoemde voertuig. Ek het die kar as n demo met 6000km by Lanie Motors gekoop.
Van dag een af was daar iets wat my gepla het omtrent die voertuig, en dit was nie lank nie of die probleme het begin.Die petrol verbruik is swak en na n paar probeer slae om dit reg te stel het ek moet opgegee. Ek leef met n kar wat as ek mooi ry 10L/100km gee.
Reg Nommer: CFX 137L
Onderstel nommer: WVGZZZ1TZBW022894
Probleme tot nou toe:
1) Km lesing :21606km. Invoice [protected]. - Electrical repair. Engine light coming on
2) Km lesing :37333km. Invoice [protected]. - EPC light on and no power
3) Km lesing :37710km. Invoice [protected]. - EPC light on again
4) Km lesing :49354km. Invoice 10J30762. - EPC light on again
5) Km lesing :49355km. Invoice 10J42412. - Repair Rear Airvent
6) Km lesing :56650km. Invoice 10J71802. - Coolant leak. Water lost. Water light goes on.
Item 1 - 6 repaired under warrany
7) Km lesing :76359km. Invoice 10L33340. - CAT Warning light on. R/H Front Window knock noise when used.
Invoice paid by me. R36275.05
Soos julle kan sien was die kar meer by die garage as by my.
Ek is moeg om met die kar te ry en het geen vertroe meer in vw nie. Ek glo ook nie ek sal julle handels merk meer kan aanbeveel nie, want Vw is swak en die parte is onbekostigbaar duur. Dan praat ons nie eers van herstel werk nie.
So groet ek dus na 30 jaar as Vw ondersteuner en ek hoop om beter diens uit my volgende fabrikaat te kry. Kan nie slegter wees nie.
W.S.Greyvenstein
Phalaborwa

I currently own a 2010 polo 1.6 .the car seems to have a problem starting on hot and humid days .upon researching and consulting other polo owners i have discovered its a common fault and vw might be aware of this but remains quiet about it and due to it beign a manufacture default don't want to rectify this due to cost factors but prefers to make ud unsuspecting owners bear the cost involved .vw please man up and fix up this mess up .we know this is yourls fault and its not as bad as the emissions scandal .thank you .pls advise us .

Good day,

I bought a vw polo 1. 2 tsi, my car is still under warranty, under 45000km, full service history from barons bellville cape town, the car is new, less than 2 years old!

The car abandoned me on a highway, now the damages are no fault to my own, but i’ve been told I need to foot the bill?

I am highly upset and very disappointed in the way this dealership treats it’s clients.

My car is under warranty but I need to foot a bill for something that I could not help?

Please resolve this matter urgently!

Bought a vw touran in 2013 from vw greenstone. 8 months later I took the car back as it was grinding into 2nd gear. They said I had to take the car vw craighall park, which I did. They kept my car and "fixed" the problem. 3 months later I had the same problem. I went straight to vw head office and complained. Then I had to take my car to vw mc dulings. They kept my car there for over a week and "fixed" the problem. 2 months later I am still sitting with the same problem, now mc dullings is saying I have to take my car back to vw craighall as they need to fix this problem. Vw service center are useless and are pushing me from pillar to post here and my car is going to go out of warranty and then I am going to be liable for cost that have not been fixed for over 3 years now.
I really don't know what to do anymore, who to speak to as this is really ridiculous.

Good Day.

I have a VW 2013polo 1.2tdi bluemotion diesel vehicle which I bought brand new from VW Bellville Cape Town in 2013. My car has an engine light that keeps on appearing and broke down 3 times in a matter of 1 year and 3 months. On the 1st Incident, the engine appeared it was fixed and I was assured the matter was fixed. On the 2nd incident the engine light appeared again and the matter was fixed. On the 3rd incident the engine light appeared again and it could not be fixed as I had to pay an amount of R9975.00 in order for it to be fixed. I escalated the matter to Volkswagen SA and I'm still waiting for the matter to be resolved. As I cant afford to pay the amount of money that is due. These incidents have put my safety at risk and have caused me a high degree of inconvenience. What disturbs me is that I have had 2 of these incidents already during the 3 year warranty, which means I will be sitting with bigger problems now that the warrenty has ended last the 30 November 2015 . 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.

Regards
Nonceba Ndube
[protected]

I have taken my Amarok to Alberton Unitrans VW numerous times. I have had a problem in selecting 4x4. They connected the diagnostics laptop to my vehicle and determined that the issue (4x4 light continuesly flashing and not updating selector) was due to the diff actuator...They also picked up that the powersteering motor is faulty as its making a noise, they have replaced both. The powersteering is still making a noise and the 4x4 has the EXACT same problems...My cruize control also did not work briefly and my window washer...Again I was told that the whole switch and controls will have to be replaced...Since then I have had the same issues with the bakkie and nothing has been resolved although so much has been replaced...The switches had no faults as it was a fuse and the washer pump itself...Misdiagnosis..! I have taken my car to Rivonia which has excellent service and have been told that it is actually rodents that have eaten the wires and not the diff actuator.

Diagnostic: Diff Actuator
Replaced : Diff Actuator
Result : No Difference in 4x4 problems
Actual Problem : Wiring

Diagnostic : Powersteering motor
Replaced : Powersteering Motor
Result : No Difference
Actual Problem : Some lubrication

Diagnostic : Switches and controls need replacement
Claim : Switches and controls
Actual Problem : Fuse and pump

So after phoning Vw Unitrans and asking why they needed to replace parts that had no need in replacing they just said it was the issue at the time and that something new has caused the issues to arrise again. So having the same issue with my 4x4 as before the actuator was replaced is a bit convenient and very unlikely. But thats the answer that they have.

VW alberton seem to be some sort of cowboy gang charging and claiming for parts not close to be needed for replacement...and then the customer has to still pay in for oil etc after a perfectly working part is "replaced" and still has the same issue. They are now shrugging their shoulders...

Good day I have received actually more than poor service from Martin the manager at Heidelberg Ntt Volkswagen. I bought this 2nd hand vehicle 6 months ago and still waiting for them to fix my car roof that is still squeking. They can take back their car and shove it deep where it matters. They passing the buck wherever they can I even contacted the ombudsman still nothing done on this issue. The 1st 4 months my car went back for numerous problems. Accordingly to another Vw my cars 9 point check was never done. Also had issues with the service book. Ntt Heidelberg is a disgrace just like the manager. My friend bought a new vehicle from them also sitting with numerous issues. I pay for this car monthly and I deserve as a loyal customer good service. MARTIN TALK THE TALK BUT DON'T DO THE WALK. rather get a manager who cares about his passion for his work commitment. HE IS UNNETHICAL.

I have been waiting for a month now for a side panel for vw polo vivo 1.4 conceptline gp. What happend to the old vw... I really didnt expect this from them and it is so unbelievable. Lacking a sinlge panel for a month it really doesnt make sense

We have this vw cc for 1 1/2 years now. from a year ago the car broke down 6x at vw stellenbosch, - george (tavcor), - port elizabeth. all tree dealerships do not know what the problem is at first and then they fixed a fault and after "repairs" the same thing happens time and again.
What happens is that the car just go dead while driving 120 km/h on the highway or twice on the outeniqua pass! very save isn't it? the epc and battery lights go on and the car is just dead!
This is 2012 model cc, volkswagen sa does not want to take responsibility - no one not even tavcor george where we bought the vehicle from. the dealership-manager was even very rude to my husband telling him he is not prepared to do anything, this is our problem.
My husband traveled all the way to port elizabeth, yesterday, to fetch the car after its been with the dealership in pe for two weeks. drove back yesterday night. this morning the car broke down in sedgefield, with both my children in the car in the searing heat.
So now they picked-up the car, again, and will try 'fixing' it again! after doing some googling this seems to be a world wide problem with the vw cc.

Hi I lodged 3 complaints with regards to my wife's polo she bought the car new and ever since then we had 3 issues the car has 24000km on the clock and we have had 3 issues first issue is when the car was serviced Vw the glen did not close the coolent cap which resulted in the engine over heating second issue was the cars handbrake failing after it was adjusted when the service was done, the third issue is the cars air on is leaking into the car resulting in the cars mats staying wet I have contacted Vw head office and the dealership nobody is willing to assist us the car is still under warranty and seems as if the car has many factory faults

While driving my 2012 EOS at 45 mph on January 2, 2016 at 11:15 PM the panoramic sunroof just exploded into pieces. I immediately inspected the car. There was no evidence of any debris that impacted to the sunroof. The car did not pass under an overpass, there were no other cars in the vicinity and the car did not hit any potholes. The repair cost $1650.

I Mahlomola Ezekiel Maphaka with I'd no: [protected], am not happy about the vehicle. I bought VW Crafter in October 2014 as brand new car. After the second service the vehicle started to give me a problem by always lighting engine light, I complained about it but even after I took it in for overall checking and for it to be fixed, it's still continued. Vehicle just had 100 000 km but it broke the brackets and the cooler, as the brand new car was not expecting to be struggling with a car like this, I have other cars such as Toyota and Mercedes-Benz and I didn't encountered the problems like with volkswagen. Or just make cars temporary so that you know that immediately after motor plan is finish that when its shows true car? I am not happy at all I can't even encourage any person to buy volkswagen, think if you bought a brand new car for half a million then you encounter the problems that I am encouting?

I have for many years been loyal customer of Volkswagen. I could only say good things. I have bought brand new Volkswagen and second hand...but now I feel I have lost all faith in Volkswagen. As a single Mom I have not been able to use my vehicle for the past year and thanks to my parents I was able to use there Golf again Volkswagen. I have tried everything and have over spent but still sitting with the same problem after spending a fortune. No one once to take responsibility and have had so many different opinions. I have even been told by a Volkswagen specialist that my model was called back, I have spent at least R60 000 and still the vehicle is the same. No one knows what's going on or how to fix it once and for all. I have had to still pay my vehicle instalment and Insurance for a year. Plus maintain my parents vehicle, which is depreciating day by day. I have received a list from Volkswagen of all that is wrong but cannot afford to spend anymore money!I hoping someone can assist me because I don't feel it's fair on the next person who buys this car. I bought it second hand and just find out the major repairs were done on the car from the first owner (the car was still new), I also have had a gearbox replaced, clutch, turbo etc etc When trying to contact the original dealership to find out what I can do, they could not even find the purchase number and could not even give me a price of what I can trade it in for...not even in a trade book. Still I don't have answers and am so done with being unhappy. My vehicle is a 2010, Jetta 1.4 DSG...what can I do because no one knows exactly what the problem is, they fix it but the same thing happens again, within days. I have invoices to prove all and witnesses. I am in sales and without a vehicle I cannot earn a living.

I have for many years been loyal customer of Volkswagen. I could only say good things. I have bought brand new Volkswagen and second hand...but now I feel I have lost all faith in Volkswagen. As a single Mom I have not been able to use my vehicle for the past year and thanks to my parents I was able to use there Golf again Volkswagen. I have tried everything and have over spent but still sitting with the same problem after spending a fortune. No one once to take responsibility and have had so many different opinions. I have even been told by a Volkswagen specialist that my model was called back, I have spent at least R60 000 and still the vehicle is the same. No one knows what's going on or how to fix it once and for all. I have had to still pay my vehicle instalment and Insurance for a year. Plus maintain my parents vehicle, which is depreciating day by day. I have received a list from Volkswagen of all that is wrong but cannot afford to spend anymore money!I hoping someone can assist me because I don't feel it's fair on the next person who buys this car. I bought it second hand and just find out the major repairs were done on the car from the first owner (the car was still new), I also have had a gearbox replaced, clutch, turbo etc etc When trying to contact the original dealership to find out what I can do, they could not even find the purchase number and could not even give me a price of what I can trade it in for...not even in a trade book. Still I don't have answers and am so done with being unhappy. My vehicle is a 2010, Jetta 1.4 DSG...what can I do because no one knows exactly what the problem is, they fix it but the same thing happens again, within days.

I picked up an intermittent issue with my 2011 Amarok 2.0 TDI. When I turn the key to start, it starts and then dies off quickly. Eventually after a few attempts, it starts and remains on. I took my vehicle to Midbay VW in Richards Bay on the 2nd of December 2015. I was contacted by the service advisor and informed that the timing belt was stretched. The vehicle is currently at 159 000 kms. The timing belt was changed as part of the normal service, at 118 000 kms. The timing belt had not given any issues or been broken. I enquired with the service advisor that it is highly unusual and unlikely for a timing belt to give a problem after 41 000 kms. I have never heard of this happening before. I have not been given a satisfactory explanation and I am far from convinced that the right timing belt was even used at the 118 000 kms change out. As per the Volkswagen website, and many people I have consulted, the genuine VW timing belt is designed and rated to last much longer. Please refer to the pic below taken from the actual VW website. Also, the service advisor informed me that the timing belt was stretched. As per the image below, it clearly stipulates that a VW timing belt should be changed out only after 105 000 kms and that a timing belt should never stretch. I am highly dissatisfied as I believe that a proper diagnosis has not been done and I cannot afford to be changing timing belts every 40 000 kms.

I recently bought a brand new car from VW Arcadia, I took the Car for the first service at 07hoo am and i had to knock off at work around 4 my car was not attended to hence i did the same on the second service my car was not attended to and it was scratched inside like some parts were trying to be removed from the car, after some weeks driving it, all warning lights on my car were on and even Airbags were off, then i called VW SA i spoke to Kerry du Toit she organised a tow truck for my car it was heavily rainy when the Tow truck arrived, my car was Towed and i was left with my family with no car Nothing just on the streets without an umbrella at least, the Day 2 it was Friday I called Kerry Du Toit to find out the status about my car she told me my vehicle was assessed and the Parts had been Ordered From Germany they will be Delivered on Tuesday/Wednesday.Is then i called VW Arcadia to confirm with them i Spoke to Gimmy the Service manager at Arcadia to confirm if my car was towed the and to check tyhe Status on my car, he said they had recieved my car they had already started working on my car, i asked at work to go and have a look at my car just to find out it was all lies from VW SA and the Dealer Arcadia my car was not even there i had to check all the nearest dealer by my self and ended up finding my car at VW Midrand hence they indicated to me that ever since my car was sent to them there were no keys at their storage, so nothing had been done to my car from the day it was Towed Inn, then i gave feedback to KERRY DU TOIT ( VW SA) on what i was Told by VW Midrand, then she told me that there is NOTHING she can do to help me with my car hence she can not arrange me a VW car vehicle because its not her fault that my car had a breakdown i just have to wait for parts from Germany so that my car can be fixed, hence she finally said I WILL NEVER ANSWER YOUR CALLS AGAIN AND EVEN IF YOU SEND AN EMAIL TO VW SA I AM THE ONE GOING TO RECEIVE THE EMAIL AND SHES GOING TO DELETE MY MAILS, SO YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE YOU WANT ALL MATTERS WILL BE REPORTED TO HER AND SHE WONT TAKE ANYTHING FROM ME SEROUS ( KERRY DU TOIT) is then i waited for monday it was Day 6 i had to go back to the Dealer VW Arcadia to ask if the Dealer Manager can help me, HE WALKED AWAY FROM ME and never answered any of my questions, what he told me was the is NOTHING HE CAN HELP ME WITH.the car is giving problems which i notified the dealer about. The car was in and out from the dealer checked by several technicians and claimed nothing was wrong with the car. Apparently they found that the was something wrong with the Computer Box. Queried again with kerry and she told us that "there's nothing that VW can do. the Car is currently with the dealer to be sorted since it was brought in a week ago. I feel Kerry was rude by pushing me away rather than escalating the matter. Ever since I have not heard any follow-ups from VW SA about my car status, and i am Sick & Tired of Paying something that is always at VW for repairs and making my own plan to rent a car hire. see below the car been Towed and the weather i indicated above.

A couple of weeks ago I had my Touareg at NTT Stellenbosch for a full service.

1) About two weeks after the service (if that) the oil indicator on the dashboard came on. I then checked the dipstick which was completely dry! I then had to put in oil in order to drive and contacted NTT. They asked me to bring the car in and "filled up" (about one third between min and max mark of the dipstick) the engine oil for me and stated that "it was a seal/plug that was faulty which caused all the oil to drain/leak out". The oil and seal/plug were replaced free of charge, great! But…

2) On the day of the service I got a quote for a brand new suspension airpump in order for my air suspension to work, as "the fitted pump is completely broken". The quote being R19038.00. I then let NTT know that I will think about it first. I then went to a mechanic who took the car in and two days later had it fixed! Turns out the problem was a fuse to the suspension airpump that blew! Price of the fuse = R25.00, hours labour = R1200.00, money saved R17813.00!

I guess all I'm trying to say is that I was so shocked at this outcome that I will never return to a VW dealership to have my car serviced/repaired. This is complete and utter exploitation of people (us the customers) that do not have the necessary skill set to fix our own cars! How many people do you think do not know any better and would just agree to the service at the end of the day? This sickens me! Farewell.

Regards,
Marinus