Volkswagen Caddy 2009 News

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.

US owners of VW cars with diesel engines that can cheat emissions tests have already been given $500, but local owners still have no compensation.

Three weeks after the global scandal broke, Australian owners of VW diesel cars finally know if their car is affected or not.

Volkswagen has issued a worldwide recall of 2.6 million vehicles --including more than 44,000 cars in Australia -- for possible fuel leaks, electrical faults and gearbox problems.It is the second significant recall in Australia in five months for the German car maker, which is suspected by industry observers of taking shortcuts in its bid to overtake Toyota to become the world’s biggest car maker by 2018.The recall comes as the Victorian Coroner today announced there was no evidence of a mechanical fault with a Volkswagen Golf involved in a fatal crash in Melbourne in 2011.The car was struck from behind by a truck. The coroner investigated the incident after it was alleged the car lost power suddenly, following similar complaints from other Volkswagen owners.The vehicles in the latest recall include more than 17,000 Tiguan SUVs because "a fuse may blow … thus resulting in failure of one of the two vehicle light circuits".Approximately 16,000 Volkswagen Amarok pick-ups are being recalled because "some Amarok utes with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine may be affected by leaks to the fuel pipe within the engine compartment".Furthermore, about 11,000 Volkswagens across various models equipped with the company’s controversial twin-clutch automatic "DSG" gearbox will be recalled because "electric malfunctions could occur in rare cases in the gearbox power supply if synthetic gearbox oil is used".In June 2013 Volkswagen recalled more than 25,000 cars in Australia for gearbox problems after a fortnight of unprecedented pressure from disgruntled customers, following the announcement of the Victorian Corner's investigation.The vehicles affected in the June 2013 recall were built between June 2008 and September 2011 and included the Golf hatchback, the Jetta sedan, the Polo hatchback, the Passat sedan and wagon and the Caddy van.Complaints highlighted in the lead-up to that campaign included cars that conked out or lost power suddenly, high oil use, and gearbox reliability issues.Several customers reported having their engines and/or gearboxes replaced while others complained about the  $5000 to $10,000 expense of fixing these parts once the warranty had expired.In addition to the previous recall announced in June, Volkswagen Australia also called about 2800 diesel cars back to dealerships for inspection.The company says anyone experiencing faults with their Volkswagen to contact their local Volkswagen dealer.Volkswagen Australia has set up a dedicated customer service line to answer customer queries -- 1800 504 076. 

Volkswagen is issuing recalls and advisories for about 2.6 million vehicles world-wide, including about 43,700 in Australia, for a range of three defects. The Australian vehicles include more than 16,700 Tiguan SUVs recalled for a fault that means a fuse can blow, causing one of the two vehicle light circuits to fail. About 16,000 Volkswagen Amarok utes are being recalled because of fuel pipe leaks affecting the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine.The remaining 11,000 cars range across various models that have VW's twin-clutch automatic DSG gearbox, in which an electrical defect could occur if synthetic gearbox oil is used," Volkswagen says..A large proportion of the 2.6 million global recall is in China -- VW's largest market -- after a problem was found there in the same gearbox that triggered a recall earlier this year. The Chinese recall affects 750,000 Volkswagen and Audi vehicles that use the Chinesee-built DSG gearbox there.  Vehicles on the China recall list include the Volkswagen Golf, Beetle and Passat and several Audi models.It's the second recall this year on the DSG. In June more than 25,000 Australian cars were recalled for gearbox problems after pressure from disgruntled customers. Those vehicles included the Golf hatchback, Jetta sedan, Polo hatchback, Passat sedan and wagon and the Caddy van.Volkswagen said it is recalling 800,000 (2008-11) Tiguan SUVs and 239,000 Amaroks around the world, bringing the total number of cars affected in the three safety actions to 2.6 million.While the number of vehicles is large, analysts estimated the cost of the repairs could be relatively small. Still, the fresh problems that have surfaced with the gearbox might further dent Volkswagen's reputation in China and strain its relations with its local venture partner, SAIC.The gearbox only has problems in hot and humid climates, said Volkswagen spokesman Peter Heinz Thul. In warm climates, additives in the synthetic oil can damage the electronics. VW is proposing to replace the oil with a mineral oil that has been used previously without problems, Mr. Thul said.Volkswagen issued a recall in March in China for nearly 400,000 vehicles to fix an electronic malfunction on the same DQ200 gearbox. It said the problem was resolved with a software fix.VW officials told Chinese regulatory officials about the most recent problem earlier this week, Mr. Thul said. The automaker then agreed that a recall should be issued.Volkswagen Australia is yet to determine the impact on local models for this latest recall, but will "ensure these recalls are conducted promptly and efficiently", according to Managing Director John White, and relevant owners will be notified by mail.This latest recall follows the 25,928 Volkswagen vehicles recalled in June over similar issues with DSG transmissions manufacured between 2008-11, of which 40 per cent have been rectified to date and is expected to be completed next year.Volkswagen Australia says that this progress is in line with the timeframe anticipated, and that vehicles already attended to will not be affected by this new recall as their transmission fluid will have already been replaced.The company says concerned owners should contact their local Volkswagen dealer or can call a dedicated customer service number: 1800 504 076.

Volkswagen already does big business with the compact vehicle in both people-mover and van guises, but is relying on a major upgrade of its drivetrains and a move to sedan styling to haul in more capacity. The cars arrive in Australia in mid-December and VW Commercial Vehicles director Phil Clark says Caddy is a key growth area for the world's biggest carmaker.  "Small vans in 2004 were 8 per cent of the market; now its 18 per cent," he says. "Caddy has done very well for us. "With this model, everything forward of the windscreen is new."  The latest range was internationally launched in Germany last week, where they proved themselves capable of reaching speeds _ even with 350kg of ballast in the back _ that would have you locked away for life in Australia. More importantly, the interior fabrics and plastics look like the soft-texture stuff out of the VW parts catalogue, but have a much more durable feel to them. The driving position is similarly sedan style, wtih the six-speed manual shifter easy enough to work that it takes little effort to drive in peak-hour traffic.  The six-speed wet-plate DSG shifter is still the go, but it is slightly vague at speeds under 30km/h, so stop-start operators will have to trade off the precision of the manul of the ease of the self-shifter. Conversely, the automatic is the box of choice for families, who will find it saves fuel and hassles Clark says prices haven't been finalised but he doesn't expect dramatic rises. Opening the bidding for budget-conscious families is the five-seat Caddy Life. It's powered by a 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine that has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent and increased torque by the same amount over the outgoing model, with fuel use of 6.6 litres for 100km and outputs of 77kW/175Nm. The test drive was notably missing hills, but the Caddy punches well above its weight on the autobahns, with serious mid-range urge with two people on board.  We'll wait until it lands Down Under for a full review, but it looks like a capable entry level vehicle. Pulling power won't be an issue for the long-wheelbase Caddy Maxi Life, which will carry seven with reasonable rapidity thanks to the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine producing 103kW/320Nm.  Strip out the seats and buy the Caddy as a van and the DSG will hit the sweet-spot with fleet operators and owner-operators who don't want the hassle of constant gear changes. Clark admits the manual's biggest buyers will be tradies who won't change their clutch-operated ways and says the auto version will be the dominant player.  "A lot of these guys are couriers _ they prefer a diesel with an automatic and that's why we've done so well with Caddy Maxi." "If they don't need a one-tonner (the Maxi's rated to lug 813kg) and are looking at carrying capacity, that's were we've got the edge."  The Caddy's obvious rival is Mercedes' one-tonne Vito range, but the two share similar internal volume.