[Justouareg]

I just wanted to let the other Treg owners out there that I've found some rust in an unusual spot. I recently bought mine, and when I remover the previous owners license plates, I found rust behind the rear license plate. It'd be a good thing to get it taken care of before the 12 years are up, I'm going to get mine filed and fixed soon.

 

[volkswagendude]

Actually not unusual at all. Every single VW I have owned, from Golf lll, to B5.5 Passat, Jetta lV and the Touareg have bubbled by the 5-6th year in that vicinity.

I had my Touareg repaired this year in fact, and it was covered under the factory 12 year/unlimited mileage, rust perforation warranty.

 

[Justouareg]

I didn't mean unusual area, I just meant an unusual spot to check, it was behind the plate. I had I Jetta before the beast, and it had rust on the trunk lid by the lights. Sorry for the misunderstanding, Thanks!

 

[volkswagendude]

Yes I see what you are saying. Looking behind the plate and even around the license plate lights is the last place one would inspect, but in fact, it should be the first!

 

[John 57]

Yes I see what you are saying. Looking behind the plate and even around the license plate lights is the last place one would inspect, but in fact, it should be the first!

Please let us know how this works out for you with VW. I'm having issues getting VW to honor a similar situation and need as much background as I can get

 

[Rovi]

I have rust in this exact spot as well. Roughly a 1 inch be 3 centimeter spot of bubbling.

I intend to take it to the dealership for repair under the perforation warranty. Is this the correct first step, or, can I go to any body shop for the repair?

 

[Rovi]

Called the dealership. They said a hole has to be present. Bubbling doesn't count. Sigh....

 

[2blueyam]

Perforation means there is a hole or hole(s). This is the industry standard for rust warranties, not just VW.

 

[Touareg MNE]

The part behind the license plate is a bit inaccesible when you wash your car, so in northern countries where salt is applied on ice, it remains under the plate after washing the car which causes rust.

 

[noobytoogy]

The other place to look is on the inside of each of the rear doors.

Look very carefully at the seam on the CURVED part of the door that is by the wheel arch.

What rusts is the part of the door that sits on the rubber seal.

 

[volkswagendude]

Called the dealership. They said a hole has to be present. Bubbling doesn't count. Sigh....

This is not the case here. In my neighborhood, a mature bubble counts as perforation. I have made 3 successful claims on my Touareg thus far. Behind the license plate, one small bubble below the door handle, and one lower corner of the door, leading edge.

I've been very satisfied with VW honouring their perforation warranty.
In fact so much so, this might be the defining reason why I'll go back to VW on my next vehicle purchase.

I'm the type of individual to remember the good, as opposed to remembering one bad, and forever making a big fuss of it.

 

[Rovi]

I'm going to give it a shot. The guy I spoke to at the Dealership (the only one in the Ann Arbor MI area) said that bubbling alone wouldn't likely get the approval of VoA, but, suggested I bring it in anyway - couldn't hurt to try.

Any suggestions on information I can bring to better my case?
In all, it's a really small amount and I haven't noticed any other bubbling. But I'm sorta OCD about it, and if I can get it taken care of I'd like to.

I also own a 2001 Jetta 1.8T that has no rust whatsoever. I do find that VWs hold up extremely well to rust, compared to Hondas (which I used to own).

 

[Green Egg]

I have never heard anyone say anything good about that dealer in Ann Arbor. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of good choices in the area - and the one I found that I liked is no longer in business (Melton in Southgate). I haven't tried the dealership in Livonia since they changed hands, but I have been told that they are now night and day different. I refused to ever set foot on that lot while it was Livonia Autoplex.

I envy your Jetta - had a 2002 and wish I hadn't sold it. Loved the 1.8t engine.

 

[volkswagendude]

Rovi, I remember way in the beginning hearing the same thing. "I don't think it will get approved, but worth a shot". The way it works here is, they at the dealer, snap a pic of the bubble and surrounding area, and send it to the VW head regional. They are the ones who decide, not the dealer. I'm wondering if it is the same with you guys?

It would be great if you could post a pic of the bubble on here. I'm curious to see how mature it is.

 

[Rovi]

It'll take a pic of the area tomorrow for sure v


Yeah, the dealer in Ann Arbor was called Howard Cooper, it's recently been sold and is something new now but it's still the same.

VWDude, yep. That's how it works. They will take a picture and send it to the local rep for approval.

And yeah, the 1.8t is a great engine runs as good now as the day I got the car in 2001. I'll take a picture of her too!

 

[Rovi]

Here's a pic of the rust. Its hidden by the license plate but does continue up a bit behind the plate.

 

[noobytoogy]

That's not nice.

 

[Rovi]

No it's not. Hoping the warranty will cover.

 

[Rovi]

Luckily it's a very small amount and the only rust anywhere on the car. Every other trouble area is spotless.

 

[volkswagendude]

Dude, that's a lot!!!!!


Mine was at the same spot, but 1cm higher up. I also had 1/2-2/3 less than yours. They covered it with absolutely no hesitation!

Best of luck, hope your local VW representative owns up to this. Seeing a $60000+ vehicle on the road with a bubble like yours is bad advertising for VW IMHO. It would be in there best interest to fix it ASAP.