Fed up with my unreliable VW Golf
12-May-2008
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Fed up with my unreliable VW Golf

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I have always had old bangers whilst bringing up my family; I just couldn't really justify the expense of a new car.  However having put both children through university at great expense, I decided to treat myself.

I test drove a few models, but had a good feeling for this VW Golf.  You pay a bit extra but with German reliability you don't mind to certain extent.  I bought VW Golf 1.6SE FSI vehicle in May 06.  It has been back to the workshop about seven times for various problems since I have owned it.

I recently broke down on motorway (17/10/06); the car just lost power in fast lane which is extremely dangerous.  My wife and I were on hard shoulder for hour and half on this occasion.  A tow truck came out and he managed to get the car started.  The plan was that he would then follow us to the next junction, but we never actually got there as it broke down again with same problem.  In the end we had to be towed to my home address.

VW Golf keys

I rang Volkswagen in Leicester the next day for there prognosis whereupon the advised me to bring the car in.  I told them it wouldn't start and we arranged for VW Assistance to come over, get the car started so that I could get to the garage.  The car came back two days later and they informed me that it was all okay now they had updated the software.  I didn't quite understand that!

Two days later I broke down again, same problem as before; yet again towed to garage by VW Assistance.  The man who came out stated that he knew what the fault was as he plugged it into his laptop on the side of the road, he was 99.9% certain and he would be telling the garage when we got the car there.

I rang the next day to be told that the problem wasn't what the roadside assistant had said and that it was something else – very confusing!  By now I've pretty much lost the all confidence in this car not knowing if I'm going to make it to my destination or not.

During the week they have it in the workshop again; they ring me to say that on test run it has broken down again.  Strangely, they, they ask me who I used to tow me in before as they needed to get it back to VW Leicester.

After a week at the menders they proudly tell me my car is ready for collection, whoopee I thought!  Sadly my excitement was cut short, because when I picked the car up there is a rattle coming from the engine that wasn't there before.  Also they didn’t put the grill back on that covers the tow hook at the front of car.

I am taking my Volkswagen back to Leicester on Mon 30th Oct.  I really don't want this car anymore.  I have bought a load of rubbish and I would really like my money back, or perhaps a different that may restore my faith in Volkswagen again.

Ihave spoken with VW customer services but heard nothing since.


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I'm having exactly the same problem with my '91 Mk2 vW Golf auto.. After many many failed attempts to start the car (wont even make a sound, it's like the battery is dead but had it tested, it's fine!!).. every time I take it on a trip on unrestricted roads or Motorways, it then doesn't start the next time I try. Then I ring the AA and when they arrive the car starts fine so they tell me there's nothing they can do. Same with the garage, they said if it's starting fine there's nothing they can do.. apart from "trying" to replace the starter which costs a lot and might not be the problem. So far it hasn't happened after short trips or staying on a low speed.. I love my golf and don't want another car but if I don't get this sorted it will affect my job etc. Any ideas apart from starter?
*Mel  16-Apr-2008 13:21

 
HELP! I have a mk3 1.6 petrol golf and it keeps conking out and not starting, then I'll come back to it in half an hour and it'l be fine. Took it to a garage today who said it could be sparks and plugs OR the trhottle casing OR the coil. They didn't know for sure and the only way to find out is trial and error. This sounds expensive and I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem and found the solution? Any info would be appreciated.
*JamieLeeds  09-Apr-2008 20:28

 
Please help me I have vw golf mk4 1998 1.8 model that wont start, I purchased a new car battery yesterday I intalled it correctly and the car started and idled perfect, I tried to start it this morning its turning over but not starting so I thought jump start it no good still turning over but not starting so then I pushed started it and cranked and run please help, is it the starter, battery I just dont know
*farax  05-Apr-2008 12:52

 
Our bad experience with Volkswagen…

We took our Driving School's Volkswagen Golf S 1.9 TDI to our local dealer in the UK with a clutch fault in mid March 2008.

They then informed us that the right drive shaft bolts were loose at the gearbox retaining flange, that one had sheared off and that there, "was no manufacturing defect therefore", it, " would not be covered", by our 50,000 mile VW warranty.

Our car was registered in August 2006 and had travelled some 27 thousand miles.

Despite complaining to VW UK and VW AG in Germany we had to pay the sum of 350.16 GB Pounds for the repair.

Some years ago we encountered a very similar situation with a similarly aged car from Nissan. The drive shaft became detached.

The car was recovered, the work was done under warranty, delivered back to us and there was no charge at all.

The result of this experience is that we shall never buy another Volkswagen because there is, in our expedience, the possibility that transmission may become loose and that if it does then the repair of such may not be covered by Volkswagen warranty.

We feel deeply let down by VW, their product, and their policy.

Not happy…
*Ted [L]  21-Mar-2008 14:29

 
Wow I understand how you feel. My dad has a 1998 Golf 1.4, its had a gearbox smash up, the mechanic says the diff inside blow. Others problems include windows failing, and the stalling alot due to throttle body butterfly sticking.

Your car is a newer model, am quite suprised that your car is having problems. So I am guessing that VW will never sort out the issue with faults on the cars.

Just check out http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm where you can actually see a list of all popular models rated past and present, and what kind of problems they have. The VW Group cars have to many problems, cost to much. Just go check it out.

I will stick to my Mazda, they are truely reliable. If you dont beleive me as a Mazda owner. zoom zoom
*Mana  23-Feb-2008 19:37

 
Hi
I had a similar prob got real bad when it was damp. I had the throttle body cleaned and have had no prob since. Hope this helps
*c3320  13-Feb-2008 18:41

 
Hi everyone first time on site but I was just wondering if anyone can help I have recently had a diagnostic done on my golf mk3 tdi and It come back as the ecu is blocked I got advised that I should purchase a replacement and have it fitted buy the guy ho tested it but, but I was just wondering if it was possible for me to fit it myself or is there a chance off me making a pigs ear off it I heard they are quite delicate and can be broken quite easily. Can anyone help
*craigy148  11-Feb-2008 23:46

 
EPC Light and Management light, most comon cause is bad petrol (recent tesco etc contamination), it cotes the plugs with silicon and causes intermitent problems, replace plugs and fault will be cured.
*woodall001  10-Feb-2008 20:06

 
Hi, I have an 02 golf tdi and coming back on the m40 last night the front wipers just stopped half way up the screen, they wont do anything, I cant see anything physically wrong anywhere, can anyone help?
*anti_s0ber  14-Jan-2008 12:06

 
If anyone is having the same problem as the one I outline below then you need to check your trottle body.

A new one from Volkswagen cost around £305 else where you are looking at around the £230 mark. Better still I bought mine off ebay for £83 brand new.
*Antoni  12-Jan-2008 23:43

 
I fitted a new stereo in my golf and know the key and alarm don't work and one go any ideas?
*djd  11-Jan-2008 21:13

 
Hi Ive got a Golf 1.6 16v SE. The window wipers keep banging on the bottom when I use them. My boyfriend moved them up abit, but it still does it. If I move them up anymore they will be half way up my windscreen. Can you set the timing at all, Can anyone help the banging is driving me insane.
*Bibby  11-Jan-2008 15:16


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