Volkswagen Has Set Up an Independent Quality Control Team to Improve Quality Issues
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| Audi's A4 1.8T and 3.0-L V6 models are part of the extensive recall campaign. Volkswagen, Audi's parent company, is recalling all vehicles that have the potentially faulty ignition coil and replacing the part at no cost to the customer. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Volkswagen of America Inc. and Audi of America Inc. have voluntarily recalled 530,000 VW and Audi vehicles to replace faulty engine ignition coils. The components are reportedly failing more often than what could be considered normal.
VW stated the recall mostly affects 2001 and 2002 model year vehicles with the 1.8 T turbocharged engine, but some early production 2003 models also have the problem. Also VW Group's Seat and Skoda brands are affected in Europe and other markets.
All customers who could potentially be affected will be notified to set up appointments for the ignition coils to be replaced at no cost. Just to be safe all coils will be replaced whether proven faulty or not. Still, it could take up to the beginning of March to have enough spare parts to finalize all repairs.
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| Volkswagen and Audi have developed a loyal following of performance oriented buyers. This Golf GTI with its 337 package is considered to be among the best driver's cars available in its class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
"We know that some ignition coils installed in our cars are not up to our high quality standards, and we are determined to do the right thing for our customers," stated Gerd Klauss, President of VW of America. "The right thing to do is to fix every single car with these coils by replacing them whether they are broken yet or not. That is exactly what we will do as soon as we have the parts."
Volkswagen had just previously announced an increase in field staff, led by Stefan Ketter who previously headed up quality planning at VW's Brazil operations, to help get a handle on quality issues at the factory level, a common complaint heard from their dealership base according to reports from the NADA dealer's conference in San Francisco.