Tailgate Corrosion

[Mk5dub]

I have just noticed my 55 plate GTI is showing signs of corrosion on the tailgate. Specifically in, and around the boot release handle area. The car has never been involved in an accident, and has always been well maintained.

Can you guys tell me if this is a common issue. Is it possible to get it fixed under the 12 year corrosion warranty. What causes the problem in the first place.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Coe]

Hi there, I had the same issue on my 05 Gti. It was repaired under warranty about three years ago at the same time as another piece of corrosion (rear wing). At no cost to me. Took a bit of time but got it sorted. I contacted VW customer services direct. They told me to take it to the local VW for assessment.

[Coe]

Post from 2011.

UPDATE -

In answer to a few questions. My Golf is an 05 and in Scotland. It also lived near to the sea. All factors why my car has had all the common corrosion areas. Oh, the car is totally undamaged and has never been damaged.

Well, I was told by VW the rear nearside arch corrosion was a warranty issue and they would repair however they refused a warranty claim/goodwill gesture for the tailgate. I wasn't happy with this so complained to VW customer care and opened a dispute.

Two months later, numerous phone calls, enquires with managers, warranties, bodyshop manager they agreed to repair the tailgate at their expense.

Both area's of corrosion have now been repaired.

So in total, my mk5 has had both front wings, rear nearside wing and tailgate painted due to corrosion. The car is currently  sitting with only 26.5k on the clock.

What a saga to say the least.

[rallycross]

Post from 2011.

UPDATE -

. My Golf is an 05 and in Scotland. It also lived near to the sea. All factors why my car has had all the common corrosion areas. Oh, the car is totally undamaged and has never been damaged.

So in total, my mk5 has had both front wings, rear nearside wing and tailgate painted due to corrosion. The car is currently  sitting with only 26.5k on the clock.

What a saga to say the least.

One word - Scotland.
I used to get Golfs from a main dealer in Scotland (through a member of the family) and the difference in condition of the body between a scottish 5 year old Gold and a south of england 5 year old Golf was very noticable, the ones from Scotland already had rust on the usual places whereas the identical age/miles car from the South would still be perfect - salty roads and makr 5 Golfs dont mix well due to VW cutting back on quality (Mk2 Golfs coped very well with salty roads).

Blame VW!

[homesqueeze]

Under the boot handle is a fairly common place to get rust. Water collects in the groove there. I had it on mine, but VW only wanted to pay 50% as a goodwill gesture. I kicked up a fuss and got it is repaired free of charge.

[Stanipkiss]

Mine is rusty and I saw VW dealer today who measured the paint around the car and send report of to VW. He said a couple of weeks.

[Mk5dub]

Update. The car has been inspected at a VW bodyshop. A few days latter they informed me VW have agreed to repair the tailgate under warranty. They will contribute 50% of the repair cost. Leaving me to pay £270. !!!

Two questions. Has anybody else experienced this response from VW. Are three door, and five door tailgates the same. It might be easier finding a replacement tailgate.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[homesqueeze]

Yep, I had the same response, a 50% split offer. I wrote a letter to the head of VW complaining about it. Like I said, I have looked after my car well, why should I have to pay to repair something that there is no way I could have prevented happening! It stirred things up and I got it done for free in the end. However I think it helped that I have owned my car from new and had some regular dealer service history. It's worth a try at least before you give up!
 

[CarlW]

Is it possible any of us could see what you wrote in a letter to VW?
If you still have the saved document still, maybe myself and other people could use this and re-write slightly to suit and be able to achieve the same thing from VW and get it done for free?

[homesqueeze]

Is it possible any of us could see what you wrote in a letter to VW?
If you still have the saved document still, maybe myself and other people could use this and re-write slightly to suit and be able to achieve the same thing from VW and get it done for free?

Sorry pal, I don't have the letter anymore as I had this work done a while back now.
It doesn't need to be a long complex letter, it just needs to state some key points. I basically said I had lovingly looked after my car from new and there is no possible care I could have given it that would have stopped the problem happening. Mentioned that I knew that others had had the work done for free, so why was I being penalized?  I expressed that my loyalty and trust of the VW brand was being lost and that many others on the GTI forum that I used felt the same way. If you have a good VW dealer service history than that is worth mentioning as well. It is important not to be rude to them, but just highlight your displeasures in a civil way. Hope this helps! 

[CarlW]

Okay thats brilliant may phone the VW dealership in Preston up tomorrow or monday and ask about having mine done.. if i get no further i think i'll do the same as what you've done and send a letter to head office.. See what happens.. Only thing is its always been serviced by independent garages but its worth a try

[CarlW]

Also if i do end up writing to head of VW.. do you know who it has to be addressed too and where to send? is it on the VW site somewhere? If is there a link?
Thanks