Volkswagen is covering up a whole catalogue of serious faults with its vehicles, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.
Havelock North medical practice manager Julia MacCallum narrowly avoided a serious accident when her 2006 Volkswagen Golf suddenly lost power just over 3 weeks ago.
“I was driving alone between Taupo and Auckland. About 3km south of Putaruru, my car lost power. A huge truck was speeding up towards me from behind and I only just managed to pull over to get out of its way. I am still stressed thinking about what could have happened.
“I had the car towed back to the dealers who sold me the vehicle in 2011. They have told me my high pressure fuel pump has ceased working. I could be facing up to $5000 in repairs.”
MacCallum’s experience was uncannily similar to an Australian fatality, which occurred when a truck struck the rear of a Volkswagen Golf which had apparently suddenly lost power.
In response to an Australian coroner’s enquiry, and heavy public pressure, Volkwagen reluctantly agreed to a limited 'active service campaign' for a number of the affected vehicles. New Zealand is to be included in the campaign.
However, the problem that affected MacCallum’s vehicle is not covered by Volkswagen’s service campaign.
Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of dogandlemon.com, says bluntly:
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. We have files full of complaints from angry Volkswagen customers whose cars have broken down or blown up, often within a few months of purchase. Volkswagen New Zealand sometimes fixes these problems under warranty, but God help you if your vehicle is out of guarantee. Volkswagen needs to take ownership of these problems, and fix them. Otherwise they are risking peoples’ lives.”
