Fed Up
My 02 Jetta 2.0 was purchased new and has under 40k. It has been in the shop approximately 20 times excluding regular maintanance. I can’t put up with this car any more
I have written to VW with my complaints. What amount/if any in compensation/buy back can I expect from VW? If they are not cooperative, any suggestions on what legal recourse I might have? By the way I am a Canuck, so U.S. law would not be helpful.
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lashman Said,
November 18, 2004 @ 5:04 am
Fed Up – Paultakeda:
All repairs were covered by warrenty. Repairs include electrical (numerous), mechanical, interior trim (windows, dashboard) seats. Car rental costs have added up.
297 Said,
November 18, 2004 @ 5:37 am
Fed Up – Aside from car rental costs, you’re luckier than many of the users on this board in that all repairs were covered by warranty.
I guess there’s no lemon law per se in Canada, but instead have an arbitration method of settling consumer affairs.
That looks real serious and as VW has repaired everything under warranty, may not be the best way to get things settled unless as a last resort.
I would first see if VW will waive your maintenance fees up to or exceeding the costs you incurred from car rentals while under warranty repair. This is a rather fair way to settle things. You could maybe make a deal where you pay for parts but not for labor, or for substantially reduced labor rate, up until the difference in cost matches how much you spent on car rentals, or perhaps even for the lifetime of the vehicle under your ownership.
If you really want them to buy the car back, that will probably lead you to the arbitration process since I doubt VW would willingly buy back a car they have repaired under warranty.
How is the car now? Any new problems that have not been dealt with?
lashman Said,
November 18, 2004 @ 7:14 am
Fed Up – paultakeda:
Thanks for your concern. The vehicle was in yesterday. It needed to be towed because the power had completely drained. The radio, for the second time was not functioning for the past 3 weeks. Interestingly, VW said they could not identify any problems with the car and just charged up the battery. The radio was not working when the vehicle reached the dealership. In addition, the brakes continue to squeal intermittantly and the mechanics cannot find any problem though they have acknowledged the squealing. The frustration is that the car is out of the shop and it is a matter of a few weeks until a new problem emerges. We don’t always take the vehicle in unless it is mechanical/electrical and requires immediate attention.
Ronster Said,
November 18, 2004 @ 8:23 am
Fed Up – They’re making you pay for your own rental car while they’re making warranty repairs? My dealer’s always been decent about reimbursing me for rental cars when my VW’s in the shop for warranty work.
297 Said,
November 18, 2004 @ 11:50 am
Fed Up – Have you checked on Canada’s lemon law to see if your car fits the bill?
What problems caused the car to go to the shop ~20 times outside of regular maintenace? Were any of these visits covered by warranty or were you made to pay?
gerald palmer Said,
November 20, 2004 @ 8:16 am
Fed Up – i only got a loaner 1 time and rental 1 time. then it was all up to me to figure out how i was to get around while my car was in the service department. like it was my fault the recall was there. i live in florida it is probably another dealership thing, some take care of there customers and some do not.
297 Said,
November 22, 2004 @ 4:55 am
Fed Up – That’s a sad fact; one I hope VW and all other dealers attempt to remedy… who knows, with VW’s desire to “brand-up” they may improve customer service as part of the move.
YupOldBull Said,
November 22, 2004 @ 9:47 am
Fed Up – Lashman
My 2000 Jetta GLS has been in the shop over 20 times also.
VWOA was unwilling to acknowledge the problems and I was forced to sue them under the lemon law here in the states.
The cost of repairs ($12,000), settlement amount, and lawyer fees, has been greater than the original cost of the vehicle. ($20,000)
So mine is a $40,000 vehicle, so far!
lashman Said,
November 23, 2004 @ 9:13 am
Fed Up – yupoldbull:
I’m sorry to hear about your plight. I am glad to hear that you took the initiative to take them to court. I am assuming from your post that you were successful in your suit against VW but still have possession of your vehicle? If you still have it how has it been performing subsequent to the law suit? I am going to do what I can to get compensation but regardless am going to ditch my vehicle soon. If my vehicle has been in the shop 18 times in two years, can you imagine what I could be faced with by the time the warranty expires and what is likely to follow afterwards. It’s a nightmare waiting to happen.