[TouaregRoadie]

My dealer-maintained, IMMACULATE 2012 TDI Lux just went in for a check engine light and the diagnosis was the AdBlue heater has gone bad. I have 51,000 all-highway miles and was surprised to learn (as are many after reading on these forums) that this part is not covered under the powertrain or emissions warranties.

Interesting to note, this happened within a week of my 50,000 mile service at the dealer. Coincidence?

After calling VWoA they came back with an offer to cover the parts (approximately $1,000 of the $1500 quote after labor and shop fees).

In light of the bad press that VW is having with the EPA currently on it's other TDI models, I'm wondering how many of our vehicles are experiencing this problem, and how many of us would it take to get VW to fix this via recall?

 

[fincher]

Mine went out at 51k, too. My extended warranty covered it. I question your bill amount. Mine would have been about $800 without warranty. Maybe that's why VWoA pitched-in.

It seems the AdBlue heater falling is common. Interestingly, I've had only two issues over 70k, the heater and AdBlue pump at 1,100 miles. Both are emissions-related.

 

[TouaregRoadie]

Mine went out at 51k, too. My extended warranty covered it. I question your bill amount. Mine would have been about $800 without warranty. Maybe that's why VWoA pitched-in.

It seems the AdBlue heater falling is common. Interestingly, I've had only two issues over 70k, the heater and AdBlue pump at 1,100 miles. Both are emissions-related.

To be clear, the dealer quoted:

Reductive Agent Tank Heater: $311
Reductive Agent Control Module: $242
Reductive Agent Pump $500

So it was more than just the heater I suppose....

 

[fincher]

Well, since it does cover the pump and you are beyond warranty, you got a good deal with VWoA stepping in and covering more than half the cost. These are known issues. That is good will.

 

[TouaregRoadie]

Well, since it does cover the pump and you are beyond warranty, you got a good deal with VWoA stepping in and covering more than half the cost. These are known issues. That is good will.

Very true--and I will probably take them up on it since I don't have time to fight the bigger fight. Yet it still bothers me that a part that ESSENTIAL to the emission system is not covered under it's warranty.

 

[fincher]

Agree. It should be covered without any issue.

 

[Yeti]

It is part of the emissions, but it is just something they added and was never required by the EPA for them to do. I had always heard the motor was clean enough with out the system. I wonder if any of the other manufacturers cover urea systems under emissions warranty. What I don't get is there seems to be more failures with them in the T3 then there was the T2's. I know there was not as many 09-10 TDI's built, but the issue seemed to start immediately in the 11 and on. What was so different about that system from what I have in mine. I had the pump replaced under warranty, but as far as I know they heater was fine.

 

[dwain]

Mine had to be replaced. Thank God the dealer did it when my warranty was just finished.

 

[firedawg24]

It would be nice if they issued a recall, mine just went out at 76k. I live in south florida, I'm not sure it even needs a heater down here. Considering doing the whole dpf/def delete route.

 

[mpm T2 TDI]

Mine was covered under the Platinum warenttee with $100 deductable. Required insurance company approval.

Btw, it looks like its our AdBlue system (in the 3.0L) that separates us from what the 2.0L diesels are lacking and the reality they are now facing...

 

[philthyphil]

Btw, it looks like its our AdBlue system (in the 3.0L) that separates us from what the 2.0L diesels are lacking and the reality they are now facing...

Not sure if that is the case. The Passat has had the Adblue system with the 2.0 tdi but is included in the list of affected vehicles.

 

[kse_eug]

My heater went out at 65k, outside of warranty, my shop recommended I hang onto my paperwork in case this issue gets covered by a potential recall, have not called VW yet to see if they can help like some others have....

 

[TouaregRoadie]

It would be nice if they issued a recall, mine just went out at 76k. I live in south florida, I'm not sure it even needs a heater down here. Considering doing the whole dpf/def delete route.

I thought about just riding around with the check engine light on--but I'm up north and the dealer told me once the weather dips below freezing, it would no longer run.

Seems to be a very common failure that should be subject to a recall...

 

[CBRDude]

It seems these are being done on a case by case basis or goodwill adjustment if your extended warranty is not paying?

Are these issues being worked out or is VW still muddling through it? One would think by now with all the issues they would have worked the problems out.

 

[noobytoogy]

VW should be paying out in full. No question.

 

[AndyCar]

The Adblue System on my 11 started having problems just as I purchased it (2/14) from the dealer. They replaced most of the system under warranty - Then I just had the engine light come on this February. One part they didn't replace had faulted( thought the entire system was replaced previously - guess not). This was covered by my extended warranty. So far so good - just under 76K.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

It is part of the emissions, but it is just something they added and was never required by the EPA for them to do. I had always heard the motor was clean enough with out the system.

If this is the reason (and would explain why it is covered if the Touareg was purchased in California) that is sure to change given the recent news.

 

[DirtRider]

I replaced my adblue heater around 120,000 km (approx 72,000 miles). I did it myself in my garage. The pics are in the DIY section.

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

All manufacturers are having issues with the AdBlue system reliability, Mercedes' CDI heaters going like hot cakes as well.
Whats the point of having a new car... i'm keeping my old clunkers and that's that

 

[bnajack]

The DEF Heater went out on my MY2013 at 50,376 miles. VW Extended Warranty covered it with $100 deductible.

As others have opined, it truly should be part of the emissions warranty. VW is paying for a lot of bad decisions they made in the past and should be doing all they can to keep the customers they have.