Endless issues with no help from VWSA

Item: Volkswagen South Africa
Rating: 1

Dear VWSA, I bought a VW Polo GTi 1.4 TSI (2013 model) and I have had endless problems with it since I got it. Below is a brief list of what the car was brought in for on these multiple occasions (Please note the age of car and kilometres the car had at each incident): - At 16 867km the car went in on 11-04-2014 with an issue regarding the Intake Manifold Sensor and Turbocharger. - At 29 781km the car went in on 25-03-2015 where the engine was idling erratically and I was forced to get vehicle towed in where it all was due to a faulty map sensor - At 39 225km the car went in on 16-10-2015 where the clutches needed to be replaced. The car was originally taken in due to it having erratic idling again where it again was towed in. When it was assessed, they picked up that another sensor was faulty again and at the same time they also detected a fault with the clutches. Again this was attributed to a design flaw in your clutches used and the car was replaced with "revised" clutches. - At 46 915km the car went in on 04-05-2016 where all for pistons needed to be replaced due to the 2nd piston seizing because of a design flaw in your pistons and bearings. Revised pistons were installed. Up until this repair happened, the car was drinking 1L of oil every 1000 to 1500km (Please note I had to pay +-R160 to top up every time) from the day I bought it (By the way, your dealerships kept telling me this was normal and I must just deal with it as the car has a supercharger but ironically once the pistons were replaced with your so-called "revised" ones I haven't had this issue again which goes to show that deceit was at play here) - At 54 243km the car went in on 05-08-2016 where the radiator and ***l were completely replaced due to a common design flaw in these models where the radiator fins tear due to the housing design and coolant spewed out. Still waiting and dreading for this to happen again. - At 68 998km the car went in on 12-01-2017 where a faulty high-pressure sensor was found faulty and needed to be replaced. Because of this, the aircon was not working. Now my vehicle is at a VW dealership at 72 865km since 13-02-2017 where it needs the Turbo to be completely replaced due to play on the shaft that is causing the impeller to rub on the inside of my turbo's housing. This happened all of a sudden and I was forced to take my car in for fear it would cause serious harm to the engine. I was correct in doing this because, as per the technician's report, if the impeller or any part of the turbo had to come off or break up due to the contact/friction inside the turbo, there would have been serious damage to the engine. Now here is my predicament. I am currently with an extended warranty provider. Who refuses to pay the full amount, because they are claiming that a bush inside the turbo has "worn" according to the technician's analysis (Please note that the turbo has not even been opened to inspect this properly so we cannot even be 100% sure that this is the case) and therefore they claiming this to be wear and tear. Which I disagree with as this cannot be on a car so young and so well looked after. This must be attributed to either weak materials/cheap materials being used or another design flaw. Replacement costs amount to around R33 000. I have been without a car for over a week now. I have had to miss work which is costing me. I have to somehow come up with the money to pay for the 50% the warranty provider wants me to pay in (Around R16500) or I cannot get my car back. I have kindly contacted your departments at VWSA in hopes to get you to cooperate and give financial assistance (Through a goodwill claim) on a vehicle that clearly has design flaws and faults that have come to my expense in one way or another. Your case handling department came back to me saying that VWSA refuses to give financial assistance. When asked for a reason why they could not say. I find it ridiculous that a turbo's bush "wears" at almost 73 000km on a vehicle that is just over 3 years old. The vehicle is always serviced on time at a VW dealership and never missed a service. The car is completely stock and, as a perfectionist, I look after my car's external appearance and also in driving. Coupled with the fact that this is a performance car that is not cheap to buy. In view of all the past issues I have been having with this car, I would expect a conglomerate the size of VWSA to assist someone in a difficult situation caused by a vehicle that clearly was not designed or manufactured properly as it has had endless issues that have left me stranded on the side of the road multiple times, stressed, away from work etc. I call out VWSA to please re-think this whole situation and to come to the party. I have kept being patient and kind throughout this entire ordeal(s) and I think some due effort needs to come from your part. Best regards, A concerned VW owner being taken advantage of.

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