[Gavster]

Hi all,

All this talk of water getting in the EOS and other issues got me thinking...

I have had my fair share of new cars and all of them except one have had problems of one kind or another.

I thought it may be interesting / useful for members of the forum to list their own issues so I'll start:

1) Audi TT Roadster -41 different faults from new including failed clutch / horn not working / heated seats not working / frayed leather / broken seats / windows dropping / interior lights with a mind of their own / overheating / creaky hood / sticky dump valve / number plate lights not working / xenon headlamp strobing / centre air vents not working / alarm not working / glovebox light not working / computer resetting itself / unable to turn off ignition / suspension issues.

Car was eventually replaced.

2) Replacement Audi TT Roadster - Brakes had to be bled several times due to them becoming spongey and inefficient.

3) SEAT Leon Cupra R - ECU replaced as full 225 bhp not being generated.

4) Suzuki Grand Vitara X-ec - brake pedal locked up several times almost causing us to crash on more than one occasion.

Car replaced.

5) Replacement Suzuki Grand Vitara X-ec (Current Car) - Steering Rack replaced due to leaking power steering fluid everywhere. Passenger door switch replaced several times and still does not work.

All in all, I only ever had one car that was perfect and that was my 1998 Nissan Primera GT.

It just goes to show that not very many new cars will be fault free.

Now it's over to you guys....

 

[GOgg]

My God, if I had an Audi with that many problems I certainly would not be looking at them again. That would include VW, (in my mind anyway), as well.

I suppose it is always better to go for Toyota or Honda if you want absolute reliability and be a bit pedestrian. But if you want a little fun and quality material in the cars the German marques are still probably the best. Just a pity they can't put them together as well.

 

[eismeerblue]

Wow, I have been buying new cars since 1963 (at least 15) and all the problems together couldn't add up to as many as you have had. Maybe I'm just not pickey enough. I've had seveal that I drove away and never looked back.

Steve

 

[schoolhousefred]

Unfortunately, VW's reputation for reliability in recent years has not been the best. I saw a recent article in Consumer Reports that stated if you want an "engineering marvel" buy a VW, but if you want reliability, buy a Japanese product - Toyota or Honda. In spite of that admonition, I'm on my 4th new VW in 4 years! (1 Jetta, 2 Passats, and an EOS) Gotta love that new EOS; and after 6 months and 10,000 kms, no significant problems whatsoever!. Just a couple of minor adjustments to windows and trunk lid that were done in no time flat!

 

[Mike]

I just filled out a survey for JD Powers on my EOS.... I've 0 problems or issues, no leaks, no adjustments, nothing. The car runs like a dream. My only complaint is my dealership is an idiot. It took me a week to buy some kytox to do a liitle maintenance on my seals... and they never heard of it.

 

[neh321]

I just filled out a survey for JD Powers on my EOS.... I've 0 problems or issues, no leaks, no adjustments, nothing. The car runs like a dream. My only complaint is my dealership is an idiot. It took me a week to buy some kytox to do a liitle maintenance on my seals... and they never heard of it.

Now there would be an interesting task: find a dealer that isn't an idiot...! 2nd thoughts - waste of time!

 

[Pepino]

Now there would be an interesting task: find a dealer that isn't an idiot...! 2nd thoughts - waste of time!

No kidding. I got my JD survey just the other day... haven't filled it out yet, but the dealers we have to, um "deal" with really hurt the glam of the car. My wife's dealer (Infiniti) has shocked me. They have excellent service, great knowledge, and are extrememly professional. I have to bring my Eos in for it's first oil change and service soon (abt 300 mi). Not looking forward to it.

Sigh.... only if VW....

 

[anna_r]

My Eos is the 2nd car I have owned from new, the other being a mark 5 golf. Previous cars were golfs mk 1 and 3 - very few problems with those.

The mk5 though, jeez another kettle of fish. The amount of times the car almost landed up going through the front of their showroom!

In the first 12 months - and these are off the top of my head

- hole in cam shaft
- hole somewhere else in engine causing mammoth oil leaks
- boot light going (didn't seem a big deal, but took 3 weeks for them to fix and re-wire part of the car)
- alarm problem 1 - alarm acivating when I opened the front door having put something in the boot
- alarm prob 2 - not being able to switch off the alarm
- alarm 3 - imobiliser not kicking in and being able to drive car with alarm going
- alarm 4 - blowing the front speakers (each time this prob happened!)
- Radio starting itself with no keys in engine
- cruise control switching itself off whilst on motorway (happened 3x) and loosing all power on car

just some of the problems, and the funniest was the vw badge falling off the gear stick. I lost count of the new alarms/speakers etc that I've had fitted to the car, and ultimately, at my request had the onboard computer checked (yup, that was the problem)
The customer service at the branch was appalling, I actually made a number of complaints about some of the staffs attittude to the head of CS. A particular male member of staff said of the cruise control - you're a girl you obvioulsy dont konw how to use it properly. When I asked to see the manager of the branch after the 3rd visit in 2 weeks, the same rude chap said there was no point in complaining, it was a new car and you expect things to go wrong. When I said I didn't pay 15k for a courtesy car, he compared my car to a recently brought fridge of his that broke!
The CS person phoned me on a monthly basis to see what else had gone wrong with the car! Despite numerous requests they refused to give me a new car saying none of the problems were deemed serious enough!

 

[GOgg]

This is my first VW and so far the only problem was one on delivery, a faulty front seat belt, which was replaced quickly.

However reading the posts I am wondering if I have made the right decision to buy the VW. I do love the car though, just hope it does not give any trouble.

Cheers

 

[neh321]

This is my first VW and so far the only problem was one on delivery, a faulty front seat belt, which was replaced quickly.

However reading the posts I am wondering if I have made the right decision to buy the VW. I do love the car though, just hope it does not give any trouble.

Cheers

Quality of materials used in VWs is certainly better than in most cars but legendary VW reliability seems to be a bit of a myth.

Think VW (like Mercedes) have had to do a bit of cost-cutting in today's cut-throat marketplace and the savings seems to have come off development.. Mercedes have had to have a re-think and are starting to over-engineer their cars again because of the fall-off in their quality and think VW might do the same now that Porsche (Ferdinand Piech, the old VW boss) is back in charge again. Let's hope so for all those buying new VWs in the future.

 

[pdog]

The EOS is the second VW I have owned from new (both bought from the same dealer) and I have to say that the service I received from both the sales and service departments has been second to none (no I don't work for them). I wouldn't say it was anything special just exactly the kind of treatment anybody would and should expect to receive from a dealer.

Paul

 

[archiea]

Great topic: new car problems:

1998 GM saturn:
the top of the dash on the passenger side was separating from the front passenger facing part. the service tech just quickly re-attached the mount that had gotten loosed and it was never an issue again.


2004 thunderbird:
1) TB on driver seat a possible safety issue (ididn;t affect my car specifically but was an issue for some cars that year.
2) TB on tranny fluid: needed an additive (Didn't affect all cars, just models later in the year that recieved a different tranny coponent from new supplier... my car was one of them)
3) Leather boot coming off emergency brake (affected cars from several years, cosmetic problem, never affected operation, and was due to the use of a cheaper platic anchor fat the bottom of the boot. Boot was replaced and never became a problem.. perhaps it broke in assembly as car came that way. it later became a TSB.
4) TSB on the steering fluid: steering would become a little stiff and you whoul dhear a sound. I belive the fluid was changed to another type.. just 2004 I think.
5) Coils needed replacing it didn't affect my car, but its an issue with T-birds and lincoln LS that operate in wet climates and have a bad weather seal from the factory.. it later became a TSB. My car, so far, has been unaffected.
6) snaps on convertable cover being too stiff and sometimes the snap breaking apart.. foxed under warrenty and later loosened enough with wear to not be a problem.

I think thats it.

2007 Eos:
1) so far, potential driver's side seat belt problem (possibly installed flipped or wrong side).. this is a common problem.
2) trunk mechanism no longer engaging the trunk to seal it... so the trunk remains "open" while in the closed position. this also affects the operation of the trunk as the computer sees the trunk as open and will not operate the roof to go down. Bit a of a bummer.. Could either be a sensor problem, alignment or the actual motor/electronics that do the labor of engaging failing. i get no sound or indication that its attempting to engage. this developed with the car at like 150 miles so it was working when i received it.

Alll in all, it seems that many of the shared issues with the Eos is getting remedies,,, like the seals issues and the window dropping... both that were kinda epidemic but later resolved.

 

[smoggypaul]

Wow! I didn't realise people could be so unlucky! Over the last 17 years I've had a new car every 2/3 years, ranging from much maligned Rover 820's, Vauxhalls Carltons/Omegas, Volvos, Audis and now VW. Every car covered at least 70k, and up to 105k miles, and I can count on the fingers of one hand the problems I've had, even with those 'non-premium' Rovers and Vauxhalls over all that time!!

Maybe cars that are driven every day work better than those which are predominantly 'weekend' cars? I simply don't know the answer in truth, maybe I've just been lucky!! Makes up for the 'always park on a slope in case it rains and won't start' days of worn out Ford Escort Mk 2's!!! I think I paid my dues back then!!!!!

Cheers

Paul

 

[gounta]

Thought I'd add my bit in here seeing as I'm now selling my not quite 2 year old BWM 120i to what I consider to be 'upgrading' to an Eos.

These are the problems with the 120i to date:

- Squeaking sun roof (had to be returned up 3 times before this
was corrected)
- Clips on seats continue to break and then fall off from seats
being moved up/back
- Rattle in driver door trim (also had to be returned up to 3
times before this was corrected)
- As a result of driver door trim rattle being fixed, window was
replaced incorrectly resulting in the window tint being scratched and
window not operating up/down correctly
- Window tint was replaced again and window realigned, however
window tint did not cover all of the window
- Window tint again replaced (this time correctly)
- Windscreen wipers became so noisy on one prolonged rainy period
that the radio couldnt be heard, wipers replaced and readjusted to
correct this, however this correction took a couple of return visits
- Driver door compartment came off, driver door insert had to be
replaced
- Passenger door handle trim came off, had to be reclipped in
- Faulty instrument cluster had to be replaced and reprogrammed
(was on back order from Germany for approx 6 weeks, as such I was
without 'sounds' for blinkers, door alarms etc for this time)
- Rear windscreen wiper appeared to be loose as it 'jumped' across
the rear windscreen when in operation, this was adjusted and wiper
replaced
- Radio turned off automatically.
- Climate control fan turned itself on automatically. Car had to be reprogrammed
- Since car has been reprogrammed the pre set radio stations only
remained for about 30 mins then the radio switches to scan mode

All of these issues were finally fixed with many trips back and forth to the dealer. I've had a variety of cars over the years, this being my 1st BMW and at this stage, with all of these problems, it will be my last.

Am very keen on my Eos arriving, have been told Sept delivery (to Aus)...Im getting a 2.0 TFsi, Silver Essence Metalic, Red Napa Leather, Samarkand, Dynaudio. This model in Aus includes a mix of features that other countries have as option...eg: cruise control, steering wheel controls etc.

 

[IanJ]

At the opposite end of the spectrum . . . . why do people buy Hondas?

my company provided Honda Accord Diesel tourer, new in March 04 (It is the first diesel tourer I saw and one of the first in the country - so expect new car problems ???)

After 100,000 miles (achieved last week) all that has failed is a seat motor at about 35k and the clutch master cylinder started squeaking (75k) and was changed.

Now why the hell did we buy a VW?

We have not had any problems with the EOS either but don't expect it to match up to the Honda!

 

[GOgg]

Here was me thinking that BMWs were to be aspired too. I think I will stick to the Eos.
Most reliable car I have owned so far was my Toyota which seems to agree with all the pundits. Only problem I had was with the dealership operations.

 

[sydeos]

Am very keen on my Eos arriving, have been told Sept delivery (to Aus)...Im getting a 2.0 TFsi, Silver Essence Metalic, Red Napa Leather, Samarkand, Dynaudio. This model in Aus includes a mix of features that other countries have as option...eg: cruise control, steering wheel controls etc.

Sorry to hear about your BMW experience. Mine was mostly favourable on two 3 series cars and a Mini Cooper. And the dealer experience in both sales and service sound like they were on a different planet to yours

My dealer is actually owned by BMW Australia and so far VW doesn't seem to be in the same league but I will give them the benefit of the doubt atm.

Your car is a twin of mine. Is yours a manual or DSG? Mine is currently enjoying a "World Ocean Cruise" and should be in Sydney on the 8th of this month after being ordered in December.

 

[gounta]

When I bought the BMW I was thrilled at the thought of having my 1st BMW, it has honestly been very dissapointing though...perhaps all the good dealers are in Sydney! My Eos is almost exactly like yours, mine will be auto though. Thats very exciting yours is arriving very very soon. Hopefully my Sept delivery for some reason arrives earlier. Be sure to post some photos of yours when you get it.

 

[shorenuf]

My car history -- all new:
1971 -- Oldmobile Cutlass -- a dream car, somebody could likely still be driving it. One memorable problem -- timing belt went on the highway at 19,000 miles. A known problem that had a recall the year before and then a directive for service to check it every 5000 miles. My dealer was remiss with the directive. Traded it because I needed a "carpool" vehicle . . .
1977-- Olds Vista Cruiser wagon -- pretty much a piece of junk, especially compared to the Cutlass. Handles fell off, parts fell out from under the dashboard that mechanics did not recognize, But, it did keep running for 5 years.
1982 -- Honda Accord -- first problem (electrical) happened when it was 4 days old and the problems never stopped -- you name it, it was wrong with that car.
1984 -- Olds Firenza off the lot (traded the Honda and added $2900) -- no significant problems - I drove it for 5 years, then my daughter drove it another 80,000 miles. Was totaled in an accident, or it would have gone longer.
1989 -- VW Cabriolet Boutique -- this car had only 1 problem. It shut off on right turns. Okay -- a pretty significant problem, but VW worked with me, called in experts -- it took a couple years, but they finally figured it out. I was run into and pushed from the drivers side by a truck in this car and am here to tell the story. The car was repaired and I drove it a couple more years. I traded it back to the dealer who had repaired it, for $12000 to buy a . .
1993 -- VW Cabriolet Classic Edition -- no memorable problems, driven by my daughter after I had it for 5 years, and was sold in 2003.
1998 -- VW Cabrio GLX -- still driving this car. Most memorable problems: the hydraulics for the automatic top went in 2004, the transmission was replaced in January of this year (still under warranty -- no VW warranties like that anymore, too bad), the cruise control was replaced the first year I had the car, really, can't remember much else.
2007 -- 2008 Eos Lux -- no hesitation about buying another VW!!