Injector failure (2011 VW Golf GTi)
Discussion
We've owned a 2011 Golf GTi from new. 23,000 miles. Serviced @ VW dealership in line with service schedule. 2 months out of warranty, but it's a golf so super reliable…. or so we thought.
Long story short:
Failure of injector 4 stranded us all at the side of a busy motorway for several hours.
Car was recovered to the local VW dealership who quoted almost £600 to repair.
In fairness to the dealership, in response to my ranting they did discount this out of their own margin but VWUK made absolutely no goodwill contribution to the cost whatsoever.
The car's all sorted and running perfectly again, so why this post?
I thought I'd tap into the worldwide wisdom of PH to:
1: Better understand if I'm maybe being unfair to VW: my stance is that the injectors on a brand new VW should be reliable for significantly more than 23,000 miles (mix of urban 70% / extra-urban 30%). Maybe my expectations are too high?
2: Find out whether anyone else has had the same problem (on a petrol VW - I know about the TD140/TD170 piezo injector issue). If so, whether VW made any goodwill contribution for an out-of-warranty repair?
Depending on how this goes, I may take this further with VW UK. After all, just because a car's out of warranty doesn't mean consumer rights cease to exist, it just raises the bar on burden of proof...
Many thanks for any insight you can share.
Neil
Long story short:
Failure of injector 4 stranded us all at the side of a busy motorway for several hours.
Car was recovered to the local VW dealership who quoted almost £600 to repair.
In fairness to the dealership, in response to my ranting they did discount this out of their own margin but VWUK made absolutely no goodwill contribution to the cost whatsoever.
The car's all sorted and running perfectly again, so why this post?
I thought I'd tap into the worldwide wisdom of PH to:
1: Better understand if I'm maybe being unfair to VW: my stance is that the injectors on a brand new VW should be reliable for significantly more than 23,000 miles (mix of urban 70% / extra-urban 30%). Maybe my expectations are too high?
2: Find out whether anyone else has had the same problem (on a petrol VW - I know about the TD140/TD170 piezo injector issue). If so, whether VW made any goodwill contribution for an out-of-warranty repair?
Depending on how this goes, I may take this further with VW UK. After all, just because a car's out of warranty doesn't mean consumer rights cease to exist, it just raises the bar on burden of proof...
Many thanks for any insight you can share.
Neil
If this failure is like the piezo on the diesels (I had 2 fail and was refunded) there is no warning, you could be cruising at 70 in the outside lane when bang the car cuts out, stalls meaning no power, assisted brakes or steering.
This was the reason they were all changed VOSA instigated it I believe due to it being a safety concern, I would play on this and the fact you had passengers at the time. It could have been a different kind of post.
If no joy from VW a quick call to VOSA for advice refering back to the diesel injector issue the vw group had had before.
This was the reason they were all changed VOSA instigated it I believe due to it being a safety concern, I would play on this and the fact you had passengers at the time. It could have been a different kind of post.
If no joy from VW a quick call to VOSA for advice refering back to the diesel injector issue the vw group had had before.
Not so I've heard; what are you basing that on?
Last one I put in for goodwill (~2 weeks ago) was similar; low mileage, full franchise history and just out of warranty. Dealer diagnosed, submitted goodwill claim to Audi UK who agreed to cover 100%.
Had a customer do the same about a month ago with a failed DIS LCD on an A5 with 20k miles ~3 months out of warranty. 100% goodwill.
Last one I put in for goodwill (~2 weeks ago) was similar; low mileage, full franchise history and just out of warranty. Dealer diagnosed, submitted goodwill claim to Audi UK who agreed to cover 100%.
Had a customer do the same about a month ago with a failed DIS LCD on an A5 with 20k miles ~3 months out of warranty. 100% goodwill.
CSK423 said:
Thanks for this info.Disappointing, but from the lack of "don't be daft" responses it seems reasonable to infer that my expectation re longevity of critical engine components is fair.
Sounds like a small claims action with reference to consumer protection legislation might be the best route for us.
Neil
A light bulb just out of warranty is no issue.
A fuel injector failing just out is a bit off.
BeillyNoy; what have you said to customer service so far? You may already have done so but I'd be tempted to call customer service and make it very clear that you wish to make a formal complaint and require a reply.
A fuel injector failing just out is a bit off.
BeillyNoy; what have you said to customer service so far? You may already have done so but I'd be tempted to call customer service and make it very clear that you wish to make a formal complaint and require a reply.
Dr G said:
A light bulb just out of warranty is no issue.
A fuel injector failing just out is a bit off.
BeillyNoy; what have you said to customer service so far? You may already have done so but I'd be tempted to call customer service and make it very clear that you wish to make a formal complaint and require a reply.
Thanks Dr G.A fuel injector failing just out is a bit off.
BeillyNoy; what have you said to customer service so far? You may already have done so but I'd be tempted to call customer service and make it very clear that you wish to make a formal complaint and require a reply.
I haven't yet spoken to VW HQ. Was planning to do so when I had more context - hence this thread.
I'll give them a call after Easter weekend.
Again, thanks to all contributors - you've reassured me that I'm not just "going off on one"!
Neil.
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