Dealer Service

My back seat got stuck in the down position because the seat belt pre-tensioner wouldn’t release. I was told it was a recall issue. I took the car in and they said they needed to order the part. The part arrived but I was never told. When I called to check on the status I was told the part was sent back because I never made a follow up appt. I brought it in again and this time they kept the car- when the parts came in they called me at home to tell me they were in. When I called the parts/service dept to tell them, they said it was my job to tell my service advisor the parts were in.

After 3 days of checking I was then told the whole affair would cost me >$1000.00 b/c there was evidence of other damage to the seat. I asked what and they said there was a cracked piece of plastic on the headrest holder and evidence of dog hair. I asked that what that had to do with the seat belt. They said VW corporate would never cover the damage because of the evidence of outside damage. When I pressed them how it could cost $1,000 to fix the seat belt, they finally admitted they could fix it for $99 my cost.

I haven’t had a car for a week. My calls were never returned; I called the dealership everyday with a promise that they would get back to me. I was treated like an idiot by the service rep who said the damage was my fault. When I have called the 1-800 customer service line I was told to work it out with the dealer. Does this service experience sound familiar to anyone?

My “”SUV of the Year”" has spent more time in the shop then all other cars I have owned, combined. My VW experience has been a disaster and I would advise anyone I know not to take the chance of owning a VW, despite the fact that they are some of the most stylish cars on the road.