No recourse for a factory fault

<p>We bought a new Jetta 1.4 tsi comfortline in October 2012 with a 90 000km maintenance plan and warranty. Less than two years later (late 2014) we started noticing hesitant acceleration. We took the car to VW and they said didn't pick up anything. We also reminded them to check it out when it went for its servicing but they told us there was nothing wrong with the vehicle - or that the computer needed updating. The problem persisted and in 2015 it became more severe, the engine light came on while driving and my the virtually came to a standstill. VW assist came to collect my car to tow to VW Claremont for fixing. Once again I was told it was a just computer glitch. Of course the problem persisted.</p> <p>A complaint on the VW Claremont Facebook page rendered no response and only after a friend who knew the DP alerted them to it via email, did they begin to take our problem seriously. This was at the beginning of 2016 and more than a year after our initial complaint. </p> <p>They suggested we drive the car with a technician present to show them what the problem was - and interestingly enough they picked it up on their diagnostic tests. Over a span of several visits spanning many months during 2016 (and we have all the supporting paperwork as proof) the computer software was updated and all the fuel injectors were changed as they said they said they picked up problems with that - but the problem persisted after every occasion of working on the car. Even after all the injectors were changed, the problem was as bad as it has ever been and seemed to be slowly worsening. The car even vibrated at cold starts. VW insisted that this was normal and that we were using sub standard fuel - the service manager Marc Steyn advised that we should only use BP!!!! This was refuted by the Dealer Principal in a meeting we had with him in December 2016. </p> <p>On 29 December 2016 we took the car for a test drive with one of VW Claremont technical staff and he subsequently acknowledged that there was undeniably a problem with the acceleration. After speaking to the technical staff member, Marc Steyn made an appointment to book the vehicle in yet again.</p> <p>Which brings us to today, where once again our vehicle is in the VW workshop for the same problem. It has been there for a month now! They've changed the turbo charger, timing chain and a number of other parts but still the vehicle is giving the same problem. The car is currently approaching 90000 km (88750km) and therefore at the end of its maintenance plan and warranty. </p> <p>This is extremely concerning as we may have bought a car with a serious defect for which the manufacturer will not accept responsibility. We even contacted VW South Africa (Zukiswa) and while they escalated our problem to receive urgent attention, they informed us that they do not mediate between the dealership and the client. We are honestly worried that we are going to end up with much bigger engine problems when our car is out of warranty. Furthermore, we have been paying "new car money" for more than four years, only to end up with a sub standard car and innumerable inconveniences.</p> <p>At the end of 2016, after they were unable to figure out what the problem was, we met with the Dealer Principal to discuss new car deal options. We suggested they include some kind of compensation but they disappointingly came back to us with no commensurate compensation - only run of the mill deals on pre-owned and demo vehicles.</p> <p>The ownership of the vehicle has been stressful and totally unsatisfactory. We do not want to end up with a vehicle which we've been paying off but cannot sell or trade in for a reasonable price because its engine is faulty.</p> <p>We have recently made a complaint against VW with the CPO who referred us to the NCC. We have yet to hear from them. </p> <p>Why do we have to go these extremes? Ultimately VWSA is accountable and they refuse to accept responsibility. </p>