Interesting VW new car warranty experience

Does VW have an "Owner's site" where you can input the VIN and see the vehicles history.... almost like a Carfax. It may list the sales history of the vehicle......Just saying!
 
"A day later the service advisor left a voicemail telling me my car was NOT under warranty. He apologized for telling me it started with build date, but he said the car was put into service in August 2018 (not Dec 2018). I don't know where he got that date, but I wasn't worried."

-What was the mileage on the car when you took delivery?

-Depending on the mileage it's possible that the vehicle was a company car and based on your description of the paperwork the dealer sold the car to you as new rather than used. This may be a legal issue however I would contact VW corporate to find out what their policy is.
 
Dealerships usually weasel their way from warranty work - they don’t pay as well as customer-pay work.

Also, if VW said warranty coverage happens on the day the car was first sold, it means just that. Report them to VWoA. And tell them about your experiences - dealers live and die by CSI. Low CSI scores are cause for corporate to intervene.
 
From what I’ve heard, this is typical for a Volkswagen dealership service department experience.

Always heard they were known for having arrogant, condescending attitudes, and would do anything to deny warranty coverage.

Uniquely bad, and a big reason I’ll avoid ever buying one, although they’ve made some interesting cars.
 
Seems to me it was either bought new in December, or you bought an undisclosed used car originally sold in August. Either way it seems the dealer is SOL.
Yep-it could very well be that car was a "give back" by the original purchaser (August 2018) who had misgivings or a life altering financial situation and felt he couldn't afford the payments.

It's painfully obvious that to buy a new 2016 in 2018 something is not quite right.
 
Hello:

I want to share a bizarre VW new car warranty experience.

My wife and I bought a brand new 2016 VW Passat SEL Premium VR6 on Dec 15 2018. Yep, a 2016 model with a July 2016 build date bought brand new in 2018. MSRP was $38,430. We bought it for $26,500, plus tax, license, and registration. I

It's been a good car and has exceeded my expectations. The VR6/DSG combo is fantastic. Immediately after buying I put on a set of H&R OEM Sport springs along with Bilstein B6 struts/shocks. At the same time I put on a set of 19x8.5 BBS SX wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. A necessary upgrade, but I digress.

The garage door opener mount on the driver's side sun visor broke. I took the car in about getting it replaced under warranty. The service writer told me the warranty had expired. He said the VW warranties expire based on build date. I knew he was wrong but wasn't going to argue with him at the time (and I don't keep owners manuals in the car to prove my point). So I ordered the sun visor and made an appointment, paying for the sun visor out of pocket. I'd get my money back when I brought it back in for them to install it. I'd press my point then. Easy smeasy.

When I got back to the house I looked in the owners manual. Right there it says the warranty starts when the car is put into service (not build date). I sent the service advisor a text message with a picture from the manual describing what new car warranty coverage was. Easy. Done deal. I'd get my money back.

A day later the service advisor left a voicemail telling me my car was NOT under warranty. He apologized for telling me it started with build date, but he said the car was put into service in August 2018 (not Dec 2018). I don't know where he got that date, but I wasn't worried.

I got there for my appointment a week later. Just to avoid any potential hassle, I wanted a refund before they installed the visor. The service advisor (the same guy) told me he could not return my money because the part was special ordered. I protested and showed him the original copy of my purchase agreement - Dec 15 2018. Clearly the car was still under new car warranty. But, he held his ground and refused a refund.

I asked to see the service manager. He came out and said "Too bad, no refund". I showed him my purchase agreement with the Dec 15 2018 date. Progress! He'd refund my money but would charge me a 15% restocking fee. No way and I protested more forcefully, although not raising my voice or using profanity. He stood his ground.

I asked to see the general manager, but the parts manager came out instead. He came up to speed with the situation and agreed with his service advisor - a 15% restocking fee. No way! I put on my crazy face, but not raising my voice or cursing. But I did have some foresight and came in prepared. I'm 6'5" and 230 physically fit pounds. I arrived in my faded and stained work jeans, t-shirt, suspenders, and Red Wing boots that look like they survived a war. I look menacing in that attire. In the past I've actually scared off aggressive dogs with nothing more than the look on my face. You look 'em right in the eye. It definitely comes in handy at times.

After 10 minutes of me DEMANDING a refund and REFUSING a restocking charge, looking them square in the eye, they gave me a refund. But I wasn't done yet.

The original service advisor was there, the service manager, the parts manager, and me. It's not my nature to throw someone under the bus in public but I called out the original service writer right out in front of them, saying he told me warranty started from the build date. How could a service advisor be so ridiculously wrong?! I demanded an explanation. They chalked it up to improper "coaching" (their word). Once again I showed them the Dec 15 2018 purchase agreement. The service advisor was on the computer and ran a CARFAX on the car. It showed a Dec 15 2018 sale date.

Then he got onto the VW corporate website, which showed an August 2018 in service date. He printed it and proudly circled the August 2018 date, as if he finally won. I told me that I couldn't care less what VW said, I had the original purchase agreement, one that was confirmed by CARFAX. Dec 15 2018. Car was still under new car warranty.

While processing my refund the parts manager said this was going to cost the dealership about $20, to which I replied "Too bad, not my problem."

In summary, this dealership lied about when the new car warranty started (they can't be that stupid), refused a refund, then wanted a restocking fee, then they insisted the in service date was August - even though that was clearly wrong. They had ZERO interest in correcting their records and working with me.

Absolutely pitiful. What a bunch of dishonest scum. VW should be ashamed. I will never return to that dealership, even if they are giving away free cars.

I glued the garage remote bracket back in place using super glue.

Scott

View attachment 80113
I may be turned off to Volkswagen at this point.

Although, I have always wanted a Corrado. G60 or VR6 I don't care. So see below...
 
From what I’ve heard, this is typical for a Volkswagen dealership service department experience.

Always heard they were known for having arrogant, condescending attitudes, and would do anything to deny warranty coverage.

Uniquely bad, and a big reason I’ll avoid ever buying one, although they’ve made some interesting cars.
I'd buy one if I got my work done by an independent mechanic and not Volkswagen.
 
I'd be irritated too but it sounds like you held your composure which is respectable. Not everyone does that! Years ago I worked as a car salesman and had sold my friend Bill a new Silverado. Bill looks a lot like the wrestler Big Show and he's a bit of a hothead. He had a trim piece that came loose on his new truck and he went back to the service department and was cussing and raising hell and I had to go back there to calm him down and explain that it was going to get fixed for free under warranty. It had to look pretty comical to everyone seeing me at 5 ft 7 and maybe 150 pounds at the time trying to calm him down. They probably all thought he was about to eat me for lunch. For what it's worth, he's still my friend and he even still has the truck!
 
Definitely sounds like the car was purchased then brought back. I sold cars for a VW dealership and I can only once remember this happening.
 
I'd be irritated too but it sounds like you held your composure which is respectable. Not everyone does that! Years ago I worked as a car salesman and had sold my friend Bill a new Silverado. Bill looks a lot like the wrestler Big Show and he's a bit of a hothead. He had a trim piece that came loose on his new truck and he went back to the service department and was cussing and raising hell and I had to go back there to calm him down and explain that it was going to get fixed for free under warranty. It had to look pretty comical to everyone seeing me at 5 ft 7 and maybe 150 pounds at the time trying to calm him down. They probably all thought he was about to eat me for lunch. For what it's worth, he's still my friend and he even still has the truck!
Never be intimidated by a person, especially based on their size.
 
This indicated that VW is not selling that much. Buying 2016 in 2018.

Wonder why their sales number is low???? Based on this experience.
 
I've got a small VW dealer close to me that's great. Going in today in fact to get 10k service.

The "VW Superstore" near me is however absolutely awful.
 
If they were insistent the car was sold in 2018 and you bought it later and they sold it to you as "new" you have cause to sue them for misrepresentation and fraud, since you then grossly overpaid for the vehicle. I'd have gotten a lawyer on the phone right then in front of them as that likely would have scared them into giving you what you wanted.
 
which other manufacturer ever had unsold vehicles on the lot for two years? that alone says everything about the brand and the corporation.
 
I guess I'll find out how it is. Monday on my way to work at 13,300 miles my Taos went into limp "reduced engine power" mode, started shaking when throttle was applied, EPC light came on and CEL flashing. Called dealer when I got to work and they recommended not to drive it and have it towed, which I did (free because of insurance). They are looking at it today and hopefully I'll find out more soon. Seems like it could be something simple (just a sensor) or bad (entire turbo assembly) based on what I was reading. They did call this morning asking when the last time I put gas in it was (apparently the procedures from VW require them to do a fuel test). If it does require parts, it could take literally months to get replacements. If that happens and it drags on past a month or two I may contact corporate VW to inquire about a buyback (apparently they are pretty open to doing that in these situations, especially on a new vehicle model like the Taos)

Didn't ask about a loaner because fortunately my family has an extra vehicle or two I can use in the meantime.
 
I guess I'll find out how it is. Monday on my way to work at 13,300 miles my Taos went into limp "reduced engine power" mode, started shaking when throttle was applied, EPC light came on and CEL flashing. Called dealer when I got to work and they recommended not to drive it and have it towed, which I did (free because of insurance). They are looking at it today and hopefully I'll find out more soon. Seems like it could be something simple (just a sensor) or bad (entire turbo assembly) based on what I was reading. They did call this morning asking when the last time I put gas in it was (apparently the procedures from VW require them to do a fuel test). If it does require parts, it could take literally months to get replacements. If that happens and it drags on past a month or two I may contact corporate VW to inquire about a buyback (apparently they are pretty open to doing that in these situations, especially on a new vehicle model like the Taos)

Didn't ask about a loaner because fortunately my family has an extra vehicle or two I can use in the meantime.
Firsthand experience of why "topping off" is bad- there was liquid gas in the charcoal canister and that caused the drive ability issues and MIL.
 
which other manufacturer ever had unsold vehicles on the lot for two years? that alone says everything about the brand and the corporation.
Where I used to live, one of the staples of late-night TV commercials were the local Ford dealers advertising "brand new" cars that were a couple years old - for crazy super low prices. Correction: Super low monthly payments. Like a two-year-old Escort for $49 a month. No mention of course of how many months total.
 
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