VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[marchugo]

Hi T140,

Could you pls upload some pictures of the new plastic 'dent', from different angles? Would be interesting to see the optical results of the operation.
Are there any changes made to the rubber seals above the wind shield and above the spoiler?

Regards,

Marc.

 

[Custardtart]

Hi all,
Time will tell, but at the moment the finished job looks first class.

T140
(Steve & Pat)

Hey T140,

Congratulations on getting your van seen to. Any chance of some close-up photos of the new repair?

My main worries about the new repair are:

1- does it look like something is stuck on - does it stick up or out too far?
2- how does it fit around the edges?
3- if the corrosion returns underneath (which I assume it will), will it eventually de-bond the cover?
4- will vans with the new repair be valued lower on the resale market?

Photos could help with worries 1 and 2.

If VW gave a special 12 year warranty on the new repair failing (since it's to fix a design fault) that would go a long way to addressing worries 3 and 4 for me.

Thanks

 

[Bigted]

I've had the main roof redone on my 2015 beach already. The service I had was poor - the beach is our only transport for a family of 5. The body shop said they wanted it for 10 day and no replacement car. I spoke to the dealer and then VWCS and was offered a fiat 500 from the body shop. I pointed out it was too small for 3 car seats in the back. They eventually (VWCS) agreed to supply a big enough car. Gave me a Passat estate which was not big enough as I said it would not be for 3 car seats. The biggest nipper had to sit without his booster while we had it (luckily he was only just under the legal height minimum for not using a booster). It took weeks of calls and chasing - the dealer was helpful and on side but VWCS and getting decisions made was woeful! In the end the van was away for over 3 weeks.

 

[Andrew1954]

My 2012 Beach started "bubbling" this summer. Photos been taken by SMG Cowfold customer service and forwarded to VW. Hopeful of some reaction - we'll see.

 

[jts46]

This is a copy of a letter sent to VWCS re front panel.
YJ 56 MTX, 2006 California comfortline
Rose Butterworth,
Head of Customer Quality and Network Development.

I have now arrived back in the UK and I want you to please reconsider my claim for the roof front panel corrosion, caused by a manufacturing fault.

The vehicle was purchased as a retirement gift using part of my annuity and my wife's lump sum, so that we could travel Europe in our retirement, so far this has been successful.

The front roof panel started blistering in 2009 and was repaired by Lister's of Coventry on 2/7/2009. It has now started again to blister in a different area of the front roof panel the blistering is now at the rear of the panel where the pop up roof closes on to it.

My claim for the replacement of the panel has been rejected twice by VWCV due to the age of the vehicle. The early purchasers of the California established this market for VW and it is they who you are now being punished by drawing this arbitrary line of 6 YEARS. I also understand that currently you are making the statement that it is not covered by the 12 year warranty based upon a technicality that has not been published about perforation. I suspect other California owners will not and do not accept this. The bubbling paintwork appears to be corrosion from within and caused by a defective VW manufacturing fault caused by an electrolytic reaction with Aluminium/Steel and water as the catalyst which VW now recognises.

I could also add that my previous VW vehicles I have owned are, T25 camper van, a T4 2.4d camper van, a T4 2.5 TDI camper van, a T4 2.5 TDI high top camper van and Polo which is still running after 14 years. My daughter and son in law have a T4 2.5 TDI camper van and a 2001 2litre Beetle. My son and daughter in law have a Polo and a Skoda Fabia 2. The Skoda has just been recalled for a faulty Skoda badge front and rear.

I believe that this should be a matter of a recall. I know safety is not involved but from the responsibility of correcting a known manufacturing defect this is a recall. It is important that VW is seen as a commercial organisation that has at its centre a core of fair business practice to its customers. It is totally unacceptable for any present day vehicle to be suffering from electrochemical corrosion, particularly VW Commercial Vehicles’ most prestigious and expensive vehicle. This is a manufacturing defect and as such should be covered by the 12 year Body Protection warranty. I also now understand that VW Germany has finally acknowledged this defect. All new California have a more substantial insulating barrier between the aluminium front roof section and the steel bodywork.

I Look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Yours faithfully,

John Towers

 

[jts46]

The claim was reconsidered and rejected within 24 hours

 

[Digger]

Pity the California is not on sale in the USA as they would sue VW for millions - Or maybe that is why it is not sold there?

 

[2ndtimeround]

Very interested to read the recent posts about corrosion, just as we were about to write to VW HQ. We have a 2012 Cali with what we consider to be a serious problem which is becoming worse. We reported the problem to Benfield (now Lookers)VW dealer in Carlisle about 2 years ago and assured that we had been put on a waiting list for the work to be done - in Newcastle, where the specialist, trained repair squad would do the work. We have heard nothing from them since, beyond vague reassurances when we have enquired about progress. On contacting Lookers in despair, a couple of weeks ago, we were given to understand that VW is hoping to start a new repair scheme, a simpler means of completing the work and which could be done in Carlisle. We are assured that we are still on the list of those requiring action. But nothing happens! We should not be in a position whereby we have spent over £50000 and receive such poor service from a company which in the past has prided itself on providing the best. Is there someone out there who has had the work done to their satisfaction? Where do we go from here? Meanwhile, Newcastle refers us to Carlisle, Carlisle refers us back to Newcastle and neither has an answer.

 

[Rich20]

Very interested to read the recent posts about corrosion, just as we were about to write to VW HQ. We have a 2012 Cali with what we consider to be a serious problem which is becoming worse. We reported the problem to Benfield (now Lookers)VW dealer in Carlisle about 2 years ago and assured that we had been put on a waiting list for the work to be done - in Newcastle, where the specialist, trained repair squad would do the work. We have heard nothing from them since, beyond vague reassurances when we have enquired about progress. On contacting Lookers in despair, a couple of weeks ago, we were given to understand that VW is hoping to start a new repair scheme, a simpler means of completing the work and which could be done in Carlisle. We are assured that we are still on the list of those requiring action. But nothing happens! We should not be in a position whereby we have spent over £50000 and receive such poor service from a company which in the past has prided itself on providing the best. Is there someone out there who has had the work done to their satisfaction? Where do we go from here? Meanwhile, Newcastle refers us to Carlisle, Carlisle refers us back to Newcastle and neither has an answer.

Have a look at all the 140 pages and you will see that this is a massive issue. The latest thinking is to involve Watchdog to raise awareness. Others are now looking at legal action.

 

[T140]

Hi Marc and Custardtart,
We're out in Cyprus at the moment, but when we return we'll contact SMG to find out exactly what repairs were carried under the new scheme, and also ask them if we get a new guarantee. Our van was the first one to be worked on by AB Crush and when we spoke with them they told us they wanted to take their time and get it right. It did take them two weeks, not the three days that people discussed on the forum. We'll take some photos when we get back, there's definitely a new rubber around roof.
Steve

 

[Adamvanman]

Hi Marc and Custardtart,
We're out in Cyprus at the moment, but when we return we'll contact SMG to find out exactly what repairs were carried under the new scheme, and also ask them if we get a new guarantee. Our van was the first one to be worked on by AB Crush and when we spoke with them they told us they wanted to take their time and get it right. It did take them two weeks, not the three days that people discussed on the forum. We'll take some photos when we get back, there's definitely a new rubber around roof.
Steve

Did you get a new bellows?

 

[Harrythecat]

Perhaps this might serve to provide a bit of balance in the context of the remorseless negativity around this issue at least where there dealers are concerned.

I reported my roof to the VW van centre in Sheffield last year and they have been very good in fairness. Took the photos, filled in the claim form, and kept me up to date when it was allocated to Benfields. Took more photos when the corrosion spread to the main roof and updated the file.

They updated me again when VW pulled the plug on the repair and resubmitted the claim when VW centrally dropped the job on the dealerships rather than sorting it themselves. Did that without any prompt from me.

They've kept me informed about the new repair date at Claridges, organised a loan vehicle, and checked up with me (twice) to ensure I hadn't forgotten and was happy.

So in fairness I can't fault the local dealership at all.

They tell me that the front is now repaired by stripping everything back to metal, sorting any corrosion, repainting and then putting a seal coating over that to prevent competing metals coming into contact, water accessing and acting as an electrolyte for the corrosion process. Similar for the main roof, strip back , repaint, and presumably sealing where necessary in a similar manner.

No new bellows ordered though apparently, which is a shame because I've given the current one a little nip with the 'scissors' in a high wind. Not sure how they unbound and re-bond the bellows to the roof?

 

[Custardtart]

I wonder whether it's worth people posting pictures of their roof corrosion on this forum so one of us can download them in a weeks time and email them to watchdog?

A clutch of (literally) rotten pictures might add to the impact of the text applications we're making.

I'd be happy to download them and send the email. What do you think?

 

[T140]

Did you get a new bellows?

No we kept the old bellows which we are happy with as the new bellows l believe are not the canvas type.

 

[RichardP]

Here's what mine looks like

IMG_1179

IMG_1178

 

[Ambler]

In 2014 my 6 month old Cali had the main roof repaired (tape also applied) and so far OK.
Looking at these images they are appalling. How can VW argue about this?
The loss of the original list is (IMO) a lie designed to wriggle out of their responsibilities.
I must say years ago I vowed never to buy another Audi after very poor service with a faulty gearbox (you need a new one sir, it will cost £6k and Audi will give you a £500 contribution, 3.25 year old car). Same owners, same attitude.
I also own Toyota and Mercedes and whilst they have had their faults they have been rectified. Toyota in particular are good, they had huge problems with 2006-2009 Diesel engines in Rav 4's and replaced the engine in up to 7 year old vehicles that were faulty. If it had the fault, no argument.

I will probably never buy another VW.

 

[ArunAlec]

Could photos/comments be posted on VW Facebook as a "guest post"? Or do VW have to approve postings?
I saw a VW owners post regarding a dodgy VW dealer and that seemed to get a pretty quick response from VW.
Might help the "campaign"!

 

[GrannyJen]

Could photos/comments be posted on VW Facebook as a "guest post"? Or do VW have to approve postings?
I saw a VW owners post regarding a dodgy VW dealer and that seemed to get a pretty quick response from VW.
Might help the "campaign"!

I used the VW Facebook page when I was getting nowhere whatsoever with VWCS. It helped.

What needs to happen is to bring the whole VW Commercial Facebook page to a halt. If 20 of us posted one day then within three days the posts will have disappeared out of site. Two a day for the next300 days, with added support of comments to posts keeping the complaints visible, could well focus minds.

At this point in time I would suggest everything and anything that keeps this disgraceful shambles in the public view is worthwhile.

 

[ian210]

It would appear that VW has closed the old list of people waiting for remedial work. They are opening a new system to continue the process. We will have to go back to our local dealer, where the corrosion will be photographed and a report filled in by the dealer, he will then submit the report to VW. This has only been notified to the dealers a couple of weeks ago. My claim is still recorded with my local dealer who should be contacting me when the new system is up and running. That is how I see the situation at the moment.

 

[Lost Boy]

Just spoken to VWCS again today and my repair has been approved "again" after the original approval I was on the list for over 12 months and then was "lost"!
I have been allocated to a garage in Twickenham and they expect for them to be in to touch in a few weeks regarding booking in.

Anyone else been told Twickenham or have experience of them before?

 

[Wilko58]

Been waiting 2 years was told a date of 4th of October 2016 for repair to front roof panel, then received a letter from the repairer in July confirming VW had updated their repair process and they could no longer carry out the work and the warranty claim must be re authorised by local VW van centre. I have been told it has been resubmitted however trying to get a date and which body shop will be doing the work is proving impossible.
Strangely enough had a survey feedback Co call me regarding VW Commercial after having my Cali serviced very recently, I let them have it, I felt a bit better after that even if I still have a corroding roof

 

[greenfintry]

Just filled in the BBC watchdog page too. I'm on a 4th attempt to get the work submitted and have been on various lists (with letters and emails showing the same) since 2013...... Hefty compensation would seem fair given the number of 150 mile round trips to register etc... We could always go for a crowdjustice approach to take a joint action if nothing else moves VW.. I hope the BBC feel like sticking the boot in...

 

[WelshGas]

Have you submitted your Story regarding VW's handling of the Roof Corrosion on your vehicle to the BBC Watchdog internet site?
https://ssl.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/contact

Unless you do VW may well get away with the appalling Customer Service they have exhibited regarding this problem.

It is upto you to do it and if enough do so then VW will be forced to take notice.

 

[Bearreds]

Wow!! I didn't realise that these £60,000 vehicles had such problems ! My wife and I have been looking and chatting to our local Vw dealer for some weeks now as we want to purchase one .
Still don't know which to order !!
Beach or ocean .
Knowing this has really put me off .
Maybe my initial thoughts of converting a t6 swb van with a hi low roof sound better!!!!! ( or a transit )

 

[Shaun]

Done!