Recall Issue for 2009 Golf 5 Gti

2009 Golf 5 Gti – Recall campaign ABS Control Unit – August 2019

I had been experiencing some issues with the warning lights on the Dashboard, the ESP light will stay on constantly followed by the Warning Buzzer and the Steering Light, out out curiosity I had taken the car to an RMI approved repair shop, they then advised that there is no communication with the ABS unit, and I should contact VW, which is then called the CIC Center on the 27/01/2020 at 16:05pm, I spoke to Mkenna, whom then Advised me that there was a recall for this specific vehicle sent out in August 2019 regard the ABS Control Unit, Apparently it had to do with the earth cable which had been causing issues, he advise me to book my car at the nearest dealership which I did, I drove to Lindsay Saker Midrand and gave them the details and they booked in the car the following day 28/01/2020,

The first 2 weeks I was informed of the necessary tests being conducted on my vehicle, the following were time timeously :

1 – Software upgrade, this kept on rejecting (29/01/2020) 2 – They then checked the fuses, all was in order 3 – They tested the battery to check if this was providing the correct voltage, again this was in order

I then called the CIC Centre again 29/01/2020 at 14:06pm regarding the above, another consultant I think Kim also said “speak to the dealership, they know all the processes and steps to follow regarding the recall

lastly I was told that I should log a complaint with VW SA, which was done on the 11/02/2020 as the only thing they can do is wait for a donor vehicle to conduct the same tests, Nicole did mention that they advised VW Germany that this in near impossible as they do not get many of those cars coming into the dealership, this too should they get one, the owner needs to give permission to conduct such tests.

From the 11/02/2020, these were the dates Phumeza called me :

18 /02/2020 – She is waiting for feedback from the dealership 20/02/2020 – I missed her call and returned it, only to get the same reply as above 24/02/2020 – Received a call to say Management is aware of the situation, I requested to speak to someone higher, she stated again Management is aware, she also said that her Managers are not in and when there are back (Wednesday 26/02/2020)she will provide feedback, since then I had no calls from her.

On numerous occasion I even asked about Mobility, if this can be provided, her response was “I've asked the dealership and I'm awaiting a response”.

Clearly nobody cares!!!! Who is at Fault???

Today 02/03/2020 after I left a message for her to call at 9:41am

She eventually called (Phumeza) this morning at 11:40am and then told the following :

Car was not serviced at the dealership Vehicle is out of warranty 11 years old Vehicle has high kilometres , is that not expected from an 11 year old car?

She says I need to wait for a donor vehicle to conduct further test,however long it may take, I asked to speak to someone higher, she said “Management is aware of the situation” however there's not much she can to but close the case and I should fix the car at my cost, this will not be covered with the recall, clearly this is a manufacturer issue, which they now do not want to take accountability.

Everything I requested for from Phumeza, she says I should ask the dealer. Every time she called me, this was her response “ I am waiting for Feedback from the dealership” , if this was the case I would be I contact with the dealership myself, it really was pointless logging a call with the CIC assuming this will speed up the process,

I asked her to provide me with the email correspondence and the reports which she requested for on the 24/02/2020, nearly 2 weeks after this was logged and only then 4 days later she says they cannot assist further? She again refused to provide and information and said I should get this information from the dealership.

Today 02/03/2020, I had decided to pick up the car and rather have it parked in my own garage, than waiting for god only knows how long for this matter to be resolved.

I have been dealing with Nicole at Lindsay Saker Midrand, who had been helpful from the onset, However she did not provide me with diagnostic reports, but provided the correspondence on there systems between them/VW SA/Germany.

It took them 10 years to recall a vehicle which is faulty, must I wait 10 years to get this resolved???

I am utterly disappointed in how this matter has been handled by VW SA/Germany, VW clearly does not care about its clients, whether or not your vehicle is new, old, or out of warranty, the bottom line is only about making money, this clearly was a Recall issue and VW does not want to be accountable.