At First — This Volkswagen Group seems respectable and customer oriented.
Well please bring in your car if it is having a routine service (oil change or fuel filter change, or wipers installed, bulbs etc..) and things go routinely. So far.
It is when the 2006 Jetta has a MIL (malfunction - Check Engine Light), that things turn for the worse. The first assessment is a $105 routine fee for reading Codes with a special tool they have at VW Dealers then a printout of the diagnostic codes are supposed to lead the VW trained & experienced mechanics to a diagnosis and resolution with a cost estimate. For a consumer to make an informed decision.
The problem is they will sell parts and sensors happily at $125/hour labor charge. Then as you drive away... The Check Engine Light returned 3 days later..??
So you bring it back and now other parts are diagnosed for exhaust connectors which with labor will cost you only $1,200 BUT Guess What - They are not going to FIX your underlying problem - and the (5) MIL Codes continue to surface - unrrelated to the repairs you have just performed. They said Yes we know that - it is another sensor or the computer is bad (ECU). What 4.5 year old Jetta, Bad Computer?
TIME to alert VW USA Customer Service in Michigan, and a chirpy Regional Case Manager is assigned to the case. Next you are assured you that they are negotiating (a scheme...) with the Dealer Colonial VW to find the best resolution on your behalf. But the caveat is that the Dealer is the last resort for you to work things out. What / No Quality Control here? No Corporate quality feedback mechanism. Do they care in Michigan? No according to the scripted dialogue I had with Michelle Case Manager.
So the exhaust repair is reduced by 400$ to make you feel much better. I pay.
Next day, the Check Engine Lights come on again, and again. I Go to a private shop where the Codes are scanned - the SAME MIL Codes are detected and the previous $1000 did NOT FIX the problem.
3 Weeks after the 2nd repair, all of a sudden the engine starts to vibrate and shake on accelaration..
NOW 3rd Visit (a "Lemon"?) in less than 1 Month, guess what. I ask them check Codes again, and I am losing patience.
NOW they are glad to report forget the Codes Mr. Customer... We "hear" a mechanically problem, your engine head needs to be opened, because IF we attempt to perform a Compression Test (routine test to diagnose the engine performance, and determine cause of inferior combustion), we Colonial may crack the glow plugs that are possibly made out of ceramic, because they have carbon buildup.
What type of qualified mechanic cracks parts on VW engines, before a diagnosis?
They say they need to the head of the engine and see IF cylinders are bent and / or cracked valves, or a bad crankcase. Leave it to Colonial they will have Many Parts replaced to make you (a Loyal VW Customer) paying $ for parts without a CLEAR diagnosis.
It makes you feel like you bought a YUGO - not a precision German engineered machine. VW needs to zoom in on this level of incompetence! Alarming and an embarrassment to VW of USA.
I have in bonna fide tried to resolve the service quality issue with the Service Mgr. And even let a Principal of Colonial know the issues. I will have it taken elsewhere, and await an accurate Service [away from Colonial Group in Feasterville, PA].
It is just not worth satisfying their lack of technical aptitude - with $.
Buyer Beware (as others have reported)...
See other Reports on Colonial in usacomplaints.com...
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