Volkswagon St. Peters & Hazelwood, MO review: Atlas

I went to VW St. Peters because I previously purchased a 2018 VW Atlas from VW Hazelwood that ended up being nothing but repair after repair. I brought my 2018 and brought it in not even 2 years after buying it for a check engine light. I was told I did not have a warranty and I was charged a $200 diagnostic fee. At this point we decided that we would not take the car for repairs or oil changes to the dealer because they said there was no warranty. I arrived at VW St. Peters after another major repair (motor mount bolts breaking) which had been enough for us. I had the car for 2.5 years and repaired the motor mount bolts, water pump, serpentine belt, battery (which is fine), and a sensor on the car to get it o pass inspection. There is also a recall on the car for the airbags. The recall states the passenger air bag can deploy and any moment however VW did not have the parts to fix it. The motor mount bolts breaking could have caused myself and my family their lives as well as this airbag recall. Before I brought the 2018 to the VW St. Peters location, I told them the driver door was vandalized and I would prefer to wait to get the door fixed through insurance and I had an appointment for January 3rd. They assured me that the door would be an issue and would not affect me trading the car. I agreed to go to the dealership and hear what they had to say to help me get out of the 2018. While I was test driving a car, it ran out of gas and I had to be picked up and brought back to the dealer. I decided the trade needed to be done to keep my family safe while on the road, just like I thought when I purchased my 2018 atlas. The sales manager asked me if I had a claim started on my 2018 for the door, I told him yes and provided the claim number. I signed the paperwork for the new 2024 atlas and while returning with the title affidavit, I received a text asking for a check from the insurance company to give them. I said what check are you talking about they said "didnt you pay your deductible?" I said "No, I was told that I would pay that when I dropped off the car for repair on January 3rd. They told me"we need you to pay that $500 deductible."I said absolutely not. This was not discussed with me or even mentioned at any time. The sales manager then says"Well I assumed you paid that!"I said"well that is where you went wrong, you assumed instead of having a conversation with me!"This rubbed me the wrong way. The sales manager then says"Is that what you're hung up on? The $500?"I said," Absolutely! Especially considering it wasn't mentioned to me and I am paying a lot of money for this brand new car!" I had my insurance company on the phone with me through this entire conversation and they said they have never heard of a place doing this before. What it comes down to is, the dealer fixing the 2018 under my insurance claim even though that was not a discussion at any point ever. Shady. My insurance company called and spoke with the sales manager and asked him about the deductible and the sales manager said I would be paying it. My insurance company said she is not under that impression and none of this was explained to her and someone needed to call me to explain what they were doing. No one called me. I received a text from the repair center stating my car was done, even though it was no longer my car. The whole situation was shady. I then went back to VW Hazelwood to cancel my GAP insurance I had on my 2018. While I was there I said I believe we have the tire and wheel coverage as well. The sales guy then proceeds to tell yes, and you have the VW warranty that covers the 2018 until 120k miles which is a great warranty. I said excuse me? He said yes you have a warranty on the 2018. I said I brought my car here in April and was told I did not have a warranty on the vehicle and paid a $200 diagnostic fee? He said the guys in the service department need to make one additional click to see if there are additional warranties. This was infuriating to us because we could have the car repaired the entire time under our warranty not only that, I would not have to trade the car in because I was scared for mine and my children's safety. Now I am upside down in a car payment when I had a warranty the whole time. The $200 deductible I was told I had to pay because I didnt have a warranty was refunded to me. This is just a glimpse into my car purchases from VW. Put yourself in my shoes and imagine all of this happening to you. The customer service was terrible from the sales manager at VW St. Peters. He needs a new job.