How to fix a seriously defective Volkswagen Amarok dual-cab ute
Dealerships have lost the skill of mechanical diagnosis, which is why one unfortunate dual-cab ute owner has wasted his life in the service department. Here’s what happened…
More Volkswagen ownership hell: When is 'enough' enough? This report is a tale of how dealerships seem to be losing the critical capability of mechanical diagnosis. I hate that.
Join me as we metaphorically slap Volkswagen in the vegetables, again.
Firstly, I wouldn’t wish Volkswagen ownership on anyone who’s not a politician or a lawyer. It’s frankly amazing to me that people actually inflict this kind of unpleasantness upon themselves, when cheaper and somewhat less humiliating options exist.
Here’s how this story begins, with an innocent ute-buying consumer, just trying to get by in the world:
Dean Rodgers, I’m sorry to hear this, because nobody deserves that.
Any advice? Go back in time and buy a Hilux, or - failing that - get rid of the Amarok and never return to buy another vehicle from that criminal carmaking organisation. You’re welcome.
Seriously, how does a vehicle go through 10 HVAC compressors, in 216,000 kilometres? Do you just drop it off for its annual service and expect the usual oil change, new filter, and the compressor?
Mercedes-Benz might be the official supplier of vehicles to Satan, but Volkswagen is, of course, singularly distinguished as the most criminal carmaker here on Earth, having done for the reputation of diesel what Kim Jong Un has achieved for tolerance, and what ScoMo has achieved for accountability.
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THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK
Amarok is an ageing shitbox with numerous design deficiencies, including essentially 1970-ish levels of safety in the second row, and those floating wheel bolts suggest to me that not one Volkswagen senior executive has ever tried to change a wheel in the field. Or there’s a possibility they just enjoy seeing owners suffer. It would make sense, based on history.
Amarok also ‘benefits’ from that legendary Argentinian build quality.
Here’s the thing that I find especially amazing about Dean’s problem. The air conditioning compressor has failed 10 times. Every time it fails, they replace it under warranty (up until now), and they think the job is done. Call me an old fashioned engineer, but that’s a bit too repetitive, even for them.
You don’t think - just maybe - that there might be an underlying issue in play? Einstein said, famously, of course, that it was nuts to run the same experiment over and over, and expect a different result.
If your Amarok fails majorly, driving in this manner, as advertised, do you really think VW will support you, or simply bone you?
Pro Tip: In complex, tightly coupled systems (like a car), the thing that fails is not necessarily the thing causing the failure. The evidence is there, screaming at them, and those factory-trained dealership ‘technicians’ cannot see it.
This could be a manufacturing defect misaligning something, or an operational factor, whatever. What’s certain is you don’t get 10 failed air conditioning compressors in a row, not even at Volkswagen, the quality control on that part cannot be that low in modern times. Something else is causing them to fail. It’s well beyond time to investigate what that ‘something else’ is.
I’ll give you another example of this: Let’s say your DPF fails, and they replace it. It fails again, so they replace it again, repeat. The DPF is probably not the problem; it’s just a symptom of the problem. The chances are extremely slim that it’s the main component, mostly because robots (which often make these parts) don’t make that many botched items, otherwise carmakers would find a better robot.
No, the problem could be that the DPF is just not regenerating because of some other defective component.
A DPF differential pressure sensor with chronic failure means there perhaps a leak in the inlet air plumbing after the turbo, giving the MAF sensor bad data and causing the engine to over-fuel continuously - whatever.
The point is: Changing the DPF is a Band-Aid, at best. It’s not a cure.
Volkswagen Australia has demonstrated repeatedly, it will leave you out in the cold when you have a problem.
So too, it seems, with this compressor. Something else is causing this recurrent failure. Time for the dealership to do some actual investigative mechanical work, and stop being part-swapping monkeys. I hate that about dealerships.
Furthermore, if those dicks have replaced the air-con compressor nine incredible times under warranty, that’s tantamount to admitting there’s an intrinsic defect with Dean’s vehicle. It’s a 2011 car, which means that the current Australian Consumer Law applies - just.
Those laws include a legislated guarantee of ‘Acceptable Quality’, which includes ‘reasonable durability’. (You can genuinely thank the previous Labor government for that.) It’s pretty clear that no compressor ever fitted to this Amarok has been reasonably durable. So I don’t see how they can just arbitrarily decide right now that further legal compliance is optional.
Volkswagen does seem, to me, to be of the view that consumer law compliance is optional.
Which is of course why Volkswagen Australia is the proud recipient of the ACCC’s highest penalty, in the form of Rod Sims handing them the largest ever fine in Australian Consumer Law history: $125 million for being unprincipled, lying scumbags about emissions compliance.
I fear this could be an uphill battle for Dean. So I urge Volkswagen to drop the bullshit routine of discarding a consumer and just give him a break - do the right thing, for a change.
Fix the actual problem, or take the problem off his hands - make him one of those bolted-on Volkswagen fanboys by turning his frown upside down.
Carmakers should think carefully before burning consumers who might consider buying their next new model.
To Dean and consumers out there like him, especially if you’re considering buying the new Volkswagen Amarok (AKA Ford Ranger underneath >>) I would say, respectfully, don’t.
That would be like owning a Holden Captiva for 11 years. You’re not going to awaken one day and discover that it’s suddenly not an inherently bad car in every possible way that matters. There is only one long-term fix - crush it.
As for Volkswagen developing a moral compass, briefly, and stepping up, I’m not hopeful. You know, in the seven long years since the Dieselgate scandal, where Volkswagen’s proclivity for population poisoning to pump-up profits came to light, nobody from that company has ever reached out to me and said I was being a bit harsh.
That says it all, really.
They don’t care what you think about the brand, they don’t care about you as a consumer.
Their actions - and their inactions - speak louder than their German words.
And now, Lenny Kravitz.
The Ford Ranger is the most popular vehicle in this country because it has grunt, great towing ability, a capable drive system, and a host of clever design features. But there are a couple of negatives to consider before dropping your cash on one.