Volkswagen Group to give two-year warranty on emissions recall work

Ron Barker    on 14 August 2017

My Seat Altea with the 1.6 diesel DSG gearbox ,bought new 6 years ago,72000 on clock,does 55mpg after fix (6months or so ago) 52 mpg before

It has never been driven with a hard foot for accelerator or brakes,and is always properly serviced---but that's true of any car I've ever owned

You will see that I could have some interesting discussions with these complainants-I will say no more than that,but....

   on 14 August 2017

I have written twice to VW asking for a full refund of the cost of replacing the EGR Cooler on my VW Golf, on 4/7/17, having had the EA 189 NOx emissions service action dealt with by an authorised dealer in February 2017 as VW requested, but I still await even an acknowledgement of my first letter or my 2nd letter which was sent recorded delivery to Alison Jones Director of VW at Milton Keynes.
I did get a letter dated July 2017 from Alison Jones saying, and I quote " VW confirms that if a customer makes a complaint to an Authorised dealer or to the VW Group in respect of a failure of the EGR after treatment within 24 months... VW would consider the complaint very carefully and if such complaint was established to have arisen as a result of the implementation of the technical measures, then VW will act responsibly and swiftly..."

I assume that VW is inundated with complaints so I will give them another 14 days before I consider using the Small Claims Court Procedure to get my £763 back. Have any of your readers had to resort to the Small Claims Court to provoke some positive response from VW regarding this matter?

   on 15 August 2017

I have owned a seat altea xl 1.6 se dsg for 5 years plus and as soon as the fix was done my engine has not run correctly, it has stalled in the middle of junctions leaving me unable to restart, as it lost power and would not start again which resulted in me having to let the car roll back to the side of the road whilst busy traffic was trying to pass and leave for a minute or so before it started after several attempts, this has happened a few times now, it also jumps and judders from starting the engine, if I rev the engine before putting in gear it does reduce the judder and jumping quite considerably this also greatly improved by using the high grade diesel which I read about on this site.On returning to the dealer that carried out the fix they told me that the jumping and judder was due to my clutch going, so I then took the vehicle to an automatic gearbox specialist that took me and my car out on a test run with the electronics plug in and drove my car erratically to test the gearbox and their conclusion was that there was no gearbox problem. My partner used to drive my car, but since the fix she now refuses to drive the car as she doesn't feel safe driving it. As the car had less than 45000 miles on the clock and it never had the stalling, jumping and judders before the fix I did agree, so after this I contacted Seat customer service and I use these words sparingly because after several calls of complaints denied it was a call back but a courtesy call in, and after Seat service contacting the dealer, came back with the clutch story which has blighted my car for resale because Seat said my clutch is defective without any technical evidence only a quick drive without out me in the car if only they had told me I would not have let them touch my car because the fix has certainly fixed my car for the worse. Now the VAG group bring some sort of warranty out to cover the fix. Why would they do this if there was no problem with the fix......sort of tells me that there is a problem with what this fix has created. I also have had complete strangers contact me on facebook with exactly the same symptoms with their DSG diesels....but Seat customer service wiped their hands of it and denied the problems......would this have happened if I lived in the USA......I think not....then Seat sales contact me to get me to buy another Seat............that is not going to happen due to Seat customer service treating me like a fool......

   on 1 November 2017

I own a soda octavia vrs that had the fix done I'm now on to my second EGR cooler in two years. Skoda have said that this part is covered as part of the new warranty and obviously know that their fix is causing these parts to fail. When you try to have them fix the problems they have caused they hide behind the fact you don't have a full skoda service history every 10000 miles. I have had a service every year at other garages but apparantly not good enough.

Very poor form. At least America stood up for the little man and took the company's to task.....

Kau    on 2 November 2017

I had my fix in Jan 2017 and EGR failed today -- I need to take this to the garage straightaway; can I raise it with the Dealers about this straightaway or I have to pay for the repair and try and get a refund?

   on 23 November 2017

Had my egr fail on 170bhp Tiguan last week, VW have confirmed this and are replacing free of charge.
had the car serviced in June and VW applied the fix at the same time, I didn't ask for it to happen and would like the car ecu returned to the old settings. What's the chance of this happening.

vijay435    on 30 January 2018

I had emissions fix done in August 2017 for my VW Passat 2.0 TDI Bluemotion (2011 Reg) and last week had Emissions Management System warning light come up. Took to dealer today and received EGR valve replacement free of charge as part of the two year warranty. I always had my car serviced at dealership.I am not sure if this is considered while applying the warranty. I would recommend not to drive the car for long distance once the warning light comes up as the power can drop significantly. Hopefully this is the only problem.

   on 11 May 2018

My Seat Ibiza went in for a safety recall for an unrelated item, they checked the fault on the engine mgt light and told me it was a potentiometer issue and would replace FOC, when it went in for this they subsequently told me they were changing the EGR FOC. Car has done 90k miles. So all done for free but what alarms me is they are not actually going out of their way to let people know about it. Secondly they failed to mention the 2 year warranty on any of these repairs, which if the software mod is still the same will surely repeat themselves in time? So do I sell the car now or run it and almost hope it fails again within the 2 year warranty?

Carolyn Needham    on 24 May 2018

I was about to purchase a 2012 Skoda Yeti 2.0 tdi 140ps 4x4 from a Skoda Dealership, where it was first supplied to it's one owner and has FSH from that dealer. I have checked out the car and found it had the FIX done on recall. The car has done 69,000 miles.
I must say that after reading all your comments and problems, I think I will stick with my 2005 Toyota D4-D T3, which has never let me down and has a simple and exceedingly fuel efficient engine, as well as some poke! No complicated onboard computer, no DPF to clog up and runs as clean as a whistle, it even has leather seats!
Thank you to all contributors on here, you have convinced me to avoid the potential hassles of purchasing a VAG Fix car!

Ian Hassett    on 21 June 2018

My Altea XL 1.6tdi ecomotive was "fixed" last January and broke down within a week at 80mph in the outside lane of the Motorway!! it rebooted itself after 5 mins on hard shoulder but went into limp mode again 7 times more on the trip home, EGR valve had failed !! I paid for my local garage to fix but then 3 months later it juddered to a stop after another fast run, no4 injector had failed this time, again fixed locally as I am over 40 miles from a dealer.I then got a letter from SEAT UK telling me to contact them if I was experiencing trouble after the NOX fix, they refunded £900 of the £1400 I had spent and issued the 2 year cover statement. My MPG is awful very rarely reaching 43 mpg, it frequently hestates when driving. It broke down again 2 weeks ago so limped to my garage again with a faulty fuel pressure sensor, more money. A week later it broke down again , no regen light on yet the ECU stated active regen completed. It then began to rev rapidy to the red line when driving !!! This weekend it has broken down again 80 miles from home, managed in limp mode to get home slowly then stopped to refuel, restarted the car and full power again. The car was now saying that I had fuel pressure high input and keeps going into limp mode. I had had enough so wrote to SEAT Uk and they phoned me back immediately to collect the car and took it to a dealer, that was Monday, still no car Thursday and the promised hire car for day one never materialised so I cancelled the replacement car after they wanted my credit card number first !!!
They have destroyed a perfectly good car!!
Hassman63

Katherine Hollinghurst    on 28 September 2018

Hi, is there a list of what is covered under the warranty? I have an audi A1 and have had the NOX fix I now have the glow plug and the engine management warning lights on. Diagnostics have shown it is exhaust temperature sensor 3 error...just wondering if this will be covered, Audi not being very helpful and I can’t find a full list of what is covered anywhere! Hoping someone can help, thank you!

   on 30 December 2018

Hello, I have a VW Golf and have had the NOX fix on my car. A year after the repair work I had issues with the engine. This was repaired by VW as it was in 2 years from the original fix date. A year later and just outside the original 2 year date I have engine management issues again.
VW have refused to repair as it is outside the 2 year date of the original fix. I disputed the fact that since the last repair on my car it is inside 2 years. Complained by email and got nowhere and then made a written complaint. Which was dealt with the person that replied to me on email.
Does anybody know where I can go next? As when I asked for details for the regulator for cars VW gave me the details for the German one!

   on 4 February 2019

Ive a 2012 VW Beetle 2.0tdi which has covered 69000 miles. Just due a service which has been booked in to a mate who is an independent VW Specialist for end of month. Its little overdue by time not distance (I usually do the miles way before the time is up but had leg injury last year so didnt drive for 7 months) apart from this its never missed or wanted for anything.

EGR fault and found out about the two year warranty....... mine was done on 10/1/17 so just a few weeks out of the warranty period. Waiting to hear back off local VW dealership to see if VW will possibly honour it, so fingers crossed. If not im looking at £680+ bill and have been told only use OEM/Wahler part as some of the aftermarket EGRs are useless and its not a quick job to replace so not worth saving a few quid.

   on 22 February 2019

VW Beetle 2.0 TDi the "fix" was done on 27/10/2016 by previous owner. ERG failure 22/02/2019. The car has only done 28,600 miles total. VW say that they will not consider a contribution towards cost. While I understand that there should be a cut off point for claims surely a mileage based one would be more inkeeping.
I have emailed them stating that I consider the car not fit for purpose and await their response.

   on 28 February 2019

VW Golf 2.0 TDi software update done in October 2016 by previous owner, EGR valve failure Feb 2019. VW have said they will not contribute towards the replacement costs. I want to take my complaint further but feel that VW will just argue that its outside the 2 year warranty period and that's that. However, there seems to be many people experiencing the same issues following on from the emissions "fix". I am wondering if the car I have bought is reliable or will just keep having issues like others have experienced. This is my 3rd golf and it will be my last. I have completely lost trust in the VAG brand.

Naomi Ings    on 6 March 2019

I had the EGR replaced on my Eos in Dec 2017 under the 2 year warranty however it has now gone again and VW are saying that as i did not financially contribute last time, the part is not applicable under the 2 year parts and labour warranty. Has anyone else experienced this and managed to somehow get a goodwill claim out of it? Many thanks

Edited by Naomi Ings on 06/03/2019 at 20:12

Alex Chambers    on 29 March 2019

I've got a 63 plate 47,000 mms Skoda Roomster Scout 1.6 TDI diesel bought at nearly 28,000mls from Birmingham Skoda dealer who supplied original owner and serviced car before sale to me with updated software and injectors etc. Initially the car returned poor consumption approx 37mpg if driven gently but improved to 54mpg if driven normally and spun up through the gears to 2500 or so revs. Average trip 20miles each way with periodic 100-200 mile runs. After it's last service in November 2018 (1/2 price service bought at time) my Roomster started giving flashing 'coil' engine management light after easing off throttle having been cruising for a few minutes - usually when slowing off A-roads to negotiate roundabouts or turn onto a B-road. Over past few months (it's now end of March) this has become a regular feature of every journey. Risky if car goes into limp home mode when pulling onto A roads or motorways. Last week I got an engine light as well as 'coil' and limped home to the local independent garage that services my daughter's 64 plate petrol VW Polo with similar engine management lights relating to emissions (within a fortnight of purchase from a dealer approx 30,000 miles with FSH last year - still not sorted). Garage says my 1.6 TDI Roomster probably needs a new EGR valve which could be major work and renders car next to worthless. (Other daughter has a 65 plate Seat petrol bought at 18,000mls approx but no problems yet!) Anybody know why VAG cars have so many serious problems with their emissions and engine management? Can anyone tell me whether my 47,000mls Skoda Roomster 1.4 is covered by the VW two-year warranty on emissions recall work or how to approach dealer?

Edited by Alex Chambers on 29/03/2019 at 14:28

m brayford    on 24 July 2019

Anyone know the current status on this matter please?
I have similar probs with 2012 Tiguan 2LTDI, FAULTY EGR valve. VW emissions FIX done by previous owner!

Thanks
Mike

   on 14 August 2019

I've just had my local garage tell me that the EGR valve on my 2012-plate 1.6 Audi A3 needs replacing. I had the emissions recall work done by Wimbledon Audi on 11/7/2017. The car has not even done 50,000 miles, and now this – in the 25th month!

I'm furious. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks,
Steve

Neil Culver    on 31 August 2019

Yup! Same problem as Steve described, before me.

EGR valve is stuck open on my 2012 Seat Alhambra 2L TDI (60,000 miles). Local SEAT dealership carried out the emissions fix (17th August 2017). It's now 2 weeks out of the 2 year warranty. Called SEAT diesel help line and they just said "no" ...and there is nothing I can do about it.

The (private) guy who diagnosed explained that the software fix would have caused the EGR valve to work considerably harder. So sounds like it likely caused the EGR valve to pack in.

Mechanic suggested it might be worth trying carbon cleaning. Otherwise, looks like I'm facing a bill of £1k+

I am so upset right now!

Neil :(

Gerald Lennon    on 26 September 2019

Hi All,

likewise I am in same boat as regards the ERG.

Got software "fix" in Feb 2019 and had some issues that my mechanice tried to fix through the Carbon clean

Called VW direct today and they simply said past 2 years thats that, no complaining going to get me anywhere!

Extremely annoyed, why did I do fix in first instance!


Gerald

   on 27 September 2019

Hi folks, Had my 2014 VW Tiguan (which I bought brand spankin new) in for it's 120,000 kilometre service yesterday to cost EUR149. Then I get that heart breaking call an hour after dropping off the car from the VW dealership to advise, "sorry dude ye need 4 new tyres, 3 wiper blades and a partridge in a pear tree", service price jumps up to EUR718!! So look I kinda had a feeling tyres were due replacing and after the heartbeat returns to normal, I authorise the work, but then casually mention some engine shaped warning light had been coming on/off the last few months on the dash, from the manual, says it's exhaust related can you check it out?? "Sure thing good sir we shall do so". Next thing I get another call, "erm your ERG valve needs replacing, it's gonna cost ye EUR1200!!! but as a good will gesture to a loyal customer, we'll cover half the cost" Suspicion abounds and after a bit of googlin I find you folks!! What ye think guys my chances are of getting 100% free work done?? I had the emissions recall work done on the car but can't remember when. Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers, Noely

David forbes    on 3 October 2019

Wonder what the stats are regarding ERG valve malfunction after the 2 year warranty expires.
Reading VW stats above by Honest John there were 3.600 complants about the fix in June 2017 (out of 48,000 cars fixed by then). Of these complains only 1200 were about low mileage and ERG valves.

Roll on Oct 2019 and today I've been told my Golf's (2011) ERG has gone. My warrantty I'm told expired earlier this year. I'd notified my dealer I'm sure 5 times about problems I've had since the supposed "fix".

My dealer have emailed VW to see if they can help considering my circumstances. Car has only ever been serviced at VW, last was in July. Awaiting the response.

Alan Gilbertson    on 13 July 2020

Hi there,

I have an Audi Q3 2014 2.0 TDI 140 which appears to be a lemon.
33600 miles from new with a full Audi Service History.
Software fix was carried out on emissions in Aug 2017 just before I bought car from Edinburgh Audi.
Now I have failed clutch hydraulics, hoped it was master cylinder but looks like slave cylinder fault. Expensive because in order to do this repair half the engine needs To come out. £££
Then at almost the same time the Engine Management Light has come on with an EGR FAULT. On investigation looks like could be related to the emissions fix carried out in 2017. Just outside the VW goodwill warranty.
Then...
The Haldex 4 wheel drive pump has now failed. 33600 miles!!!
So in order to fix these 3 faults I am looking at an eye watering amount of money just to get the ‘prestige’ Q3 back to where it should be.
Contacted Audi UK but they are not interested. ‘You bought a used car’ and tough luck basically was the message. Tried contacting Andrew Doyle (Audi UK director) but after a response, the same message was conveyed.
So the message is don’t expect an Audi to be the top mark quality car that they claim they are! And the response from Audi was shocking too! I would have been happy to
contribute to the repairs at a fair amount. Instead looks like I will be getting rid asap!
Disgruntled Audi owner.

Cheers
Alan Gilbertson

Leaddog1974    on 22 July 2020

Last year I purchased a tidy 10 year old caddy with less than 60k miles and full service history,clean,unmolested and having had its recall on the emissions carried out I was happy with my find.

Before lockdown it gave me trouble free motoring so I had nothing to worry about once we were given more freedom to work again,or so I thought.

On my first week back and nearly home the engine started making a knocking noise which started to get louder and I was loosing power quickly,unable to pull over safely I struggled on for 50m or so until I could pull over,smoke/mist and fumes coining from the bonnet

Pulling the bonnet I look inside the engine bay to see two injectors have come away from the head with only the fuel pipes preventing them from hitting the bonnet,fuel all over the bay I call for a tow home.

My VW trained mechanic pops over and we discuss a new unit (used with 55k miles use) as I don’t want to get involved with repairing the head where the threads have been pulled out (as a panel beater I’d say I have a fair understanding of when to keep things cheap and the other option) while the engine sourced was on Its way I called VW in Watford and gave them the situation and having agreed it could with a good will contribution on their part they contacted VW head office.

A couple hours latter CityGate Watford called to inform me head office had rejected the claim of goodwill.I genuinely thought I couldn’t do much else which is very unlike me but I was more concerned with getting my van fixed and would fight that another day.

Forward a few weeks and I’m searching various sites for a new social set of wheels, Seat Leon’s etc when I noticed one particular listing aging they would steer ( sorry ) clear of any VW engine that has had its recall after seeing one too many diesel unit where the injectors had done the same as mine,the opinion was they get blocked or sooted up and then bang

So I’m just seeing what I can do really as it felt like VW head office weren’t interested in the slightest

   on 30 January 2023

Took my car to teeside lookers in middlesbrough for emissions fix within half hour car was smelling if burning smoking engine light came on there won't take responsibility for this said it was faulty nout wrong with my car which I've owned for2 half years bloodey fumeing