My painful experience of owning a VW Tiguan

[HugoGC]

A few weeks ago, my VW Tiguan broke down in the car park of Countdown supermarket. I called the Roadside Assist and told them about my situation. The technician told me that my car must be towed back to the garage for repair. You might think that my above experience is nothing special. But what is shocking is that this is the sixth time my car needs repairs in the past four years. My car was latest model at 2016, Which only travelled 22K now. The car was really good at first. But from the middle of the first year, problem started. The faults are rear windscreen wiper, a key, reversing camera, car computer, rear LED light and engine malfunction. Fortunately, all repair costs are covered by 5-year warranty (I paid the cost of last two year extension). But now, I am worrying about what will happen in the 6th and 7th year after the five-year warranty expires.

I complained to Volkswagen New Zealand about the quality and reliability of the car. Their answers made me even more angry. They basically told me that all malfunctions have been repaired within the warranty period. Therefore, they are not responsible for any losses caused to customers due to poor car quality.

Is it too demanding for problem free when buying a new car? Can I claim VW NZ to provide any compensation because them sold me a defective car?

[mark2 golf]

No They fixed it under warranty. What more can you ask for. If your not happy sell it and but something else.

[80 Vert]

Compensation for what? Everything was fixed at no cost to you.

[Pristle]

How much left on your warranty? I'd be shopping now.

[superfueler]

Sell it asap and buy a Ranger. 

[RS]

A few weeks ago, my VW Tiguan broke down in the car park of Countdown supermarket. I called the Roadside Assist and told them about my situation. The technician told me that my car must be towed back to the garage for repair. You might think that my above experience is nothing special. But what is shocking is that this is the sixth time my car needs repairs in the past four years. My car was latest model at 2016, Which only travelled 22K now. The car was really good at first. But from the middle of the first year, problem started. The faults are rear windscreen wiper, a key, reversing camera, car computer, rear LED light and engine malfunction. Fortunately, all repair costs are covered by 5-year warranty (I paid the cost of last two year extension). But now, I am worrying about what will happen in the 6th and 7th year after the five-year warranty expires.

I complained to Volkswagen New Zealand about the quality and reliability of the car. Their answers made me even more angry. They basically told me that all malfunctions have been repaired within the warranty period. Therefore, they are not responsible for any losses caused to customers due to poor car quality.

Is it too demanding for problem free when buying a new car? Can I claim VW NZ to provide any compensation because them sold me a defective car?

That is frustrating. I drove a new Tiguan R in 2015 and it was fantastic, dynamically milles ahead of the competition at the time and had awesome parking camera's, it was a tempting proposition for sure. But I spoke with one of the technicians at the dealership and over a beer he discouraged me from buying one. To be fair they hate most cars they work on.

We settled on a Ford Kuga Titainium that had all the features of the Tiguan but looked funny and had an embarrassing name. Has had one fault in 100k / 5 years and is about to be traded.

In that time we have also had two other new Fords, a Transit that blew up just out of warranty and a Ranger that was made of tin foil and portaloo parts that feel apart as soon as the going got "built ford tuff" so I am in no way loyal to a brand, but it did teach me every brand has its lemons.... Could be that Ford build cars in different factories for different markets.

I don't know where I am going with this.

If someone can show me a car with both Personality and Reliability I am all ears.

It's easy to say buy a Toyota but its not compelling when you want something interesting.

[Pristle]

Caught this tale of woe on the HumbleMechanic Youtube feed, The Jalopnik Tiguan FAILED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRAcxGdkcZU

[spooln]

Wow. We have a 2011 one and is been everywhere from hunting and ski access roads, to city dropoff and carpark buildings. Its towed boats and trailers etc and never blinked once.

[RS ZWEI]

A few weeks ago, my VW Tiguan broke down in the car park of Countdown supermarket. I called the Roadside Assist and told them about my situation. The technician told me that my car must be towed back to the garage for repair. You might think that my above experience is nothing special. But what is shocking is that this is the sixth time my car needs repairs in the past four years. My car was latest model at 2016, Which only travelled 22K now. The car was really good at first. But from the middle of the first year, problem started. The faults are rear windscreen wiper, a key, reversing camera, car computer, rear LED light and engine malfunction. Fortunately, all repair costs are covered by 5-year warranty (I paid the cost of last two year extension). But now, I am worrying about what will happen in the 6th and 7th year after the five-year warranty expires.

I complained to Volkswagen New Zealand about the quality and reliability of the car. Their answers made me even more angry. They basically told me that all malfunctions have been repaired within the warranty period. Therefore, they are not responsible for any losses caused to customers due to poor car quality.

Is it too demanding for problem free when buying a new car? Can I claim VW NZ to provide any compensation because them sold me a defective car?

Has the car ever been in an accident?

[beeker]

If you have a lemon which constantly breaks down you can demand a refund under Nz consumer law. There is plenty of precedent for 2 or more year old cars getting full refunds. As I understand it.