Adblue tank or other diesel specific part unavailability - anyone else dealing with this?

[888]

My 2015 Golf TDI developed a CEL for Implausible signal from the Adblue tank level (reductance) sensor at the end of June. I took it to the dealer and was told that the tank and sensor were an assembly which was not available, and there was no timetable for availability because they were made in Ukraine, which obviously has bigger problems than supplying VW with parts .

I parked the car and have been driving it occasionally to keep it charged up rather than drive it with a CEL and unknown DEF level.

I just checked back and there is still no word on an alternate supplier and no timetable for delivery.

Personally, I feel like I have a car that I'm not comfortable driving and has little value on the open market so VW needs to make the situation right via buying it back. My son (has a 2015 Passat TDI) and I clearly recall verbiage in the dieselgate web site that stated "in the event of a dispute between the consumer and Volkswagen, the consumer will prevail". I can't find that now so it must have gone away.

The service manager advocated calling VW Customer Care but to also refer to the page in the manual that mentioned Arbitration on the back page of one of the manuals, which wasn't encouraging. I found a reference to BBB Mediation in the middle of the warranty but nothing about arbitration.

This part is still #7 on the top 25 parts needed by VW worldwide, as it was at the end of June. The service manager told me that this is not the only diesel part on the top 25 list so there must be more of us affected by this.

If you have been affected by a parts shortage and have contacted VW about it, what has been the result?

Thanks

 

[Lightflyer1]

Already threads here about this. Others are feeling it too. Not just ad blue either. Some have been in their loaner/rental cars for over a year. I would turn yours in and collect my loaner and wait if you are uncomfortable driving it or can't. Eventually they will have to do something.

 

[888]

Already threads here about this. Others are feeling it too. Not just ad blue either. Some have been in their loaner/rental cars for over a year. I would turn yours in and collect my loaner and wait if you are uncomfortable driving it or can't. Eventually they will have to do something.

Thanks, I thought this was the proper place to check and didn't find anything doing an Adblue search. I'll look elsewhere on the site to see if they have tried mediation etc.

 

[oilhammer]

Yep, common. It isn't just Volkswagen, and it isn't just diesels.

This is why I have a squadron of old stuff.

 

[turbobrick240]

DEF sensor shortage resolution

DEF sensor shortage could be resolved by software fix – pending EPA approval.

www.servicetruckmagazine.com

Maybe the EPA is hesitant to allow VW to make a software patch that circumnavigates an emissions system sensor. Or maybe VW is hesitant to ask.

 

[Zawurah]

DEF sensor shortage resolution

DEF sensor shortage could be resolved by software fix – pending EPA approval.

www.servicetruckmagazine.com

The new software coding fix will circumnavigate the DEF sensor failure readings to allow the engine to operate normally—if the DEF tanks remain full, placing the onus on the driver and fleet operators.

So the software fix will allow the emission system to ignore a faulty low adblue level signal. There is no way to check the level of adblue, unless using a scan tool but if the sensor is broken then it's 100% impossible to check the level. How is the driver suppose to keep up on the adblue they need to add? Periodically guess that it needs to be refilled, and pour it in until it overflows onto the car paint and onto the ground? Or just be a bad driver and never fill it up (what about the emissions?). How is the driver suppose to know they now need to guess when the adblue refill is needed (normally the car tells you when to refill).

Maybe there's some details missing from this, but as-is this "fix" is an awful idea. They should get replacement parts from a different supplier and be done.

 

[Zawurah]

The "in the event of a dispute between the consumer and Volkswagen, the consumer will prevail" is regarding the settlement vehicle warranty, and does not apply to any kind of buyback.

It you are still under warranty, then they owe you an 'comparable' loaner until your diesel is fixed. Although I think the settlement says something to the effect of "no loaner if you can keep driving the car while waiting for parts". So unless the car is undrivable or it's time for smog inspection and the car cannot pass, then you may be stuck without a loaner.

 

[turbobrick240]

So the software fix will allow the emission system to ignore a faulty low adblue level signal. There is no way to check the level of adblue, unless using a scan tool but if the sensor is broken then it's 100% impossible to check the level. How is the driver suppose to keep up on the adblue they need to add? Periodically guess that it needs to be refilled, and pour it in until it overflows onto the car paint and onto the ground? Or just be a bad driver and never fill it up (what about the emissions?). How is the driver suppose to know they now need to guess when the adblue refill is needed (normally the car tells you when to refill).

Maybe there's some details missing from this, but as-is this "fix" is an awful idea. They should get replacement parts from a different supplier and be done.

I guess the EPA just approved the software patches for heavy duty applications. Topping the DEF every several hundred miles or so isn't a big deal for a professional truck driver.

EMA - EPA APPROVES TEMPORARY DEF SENSOR BYPASS PATCH DUE TO WORLDWIDE MICROCHIP SHORTAGE

www.cwpma.org

 

[Zawurah]

The software bypass is needed due to the current COVID induced worldwide shortage of microchips needed to manufacture DEF sensor replacements.

It still doesn't explain what happens if not enough adblue is refilled, or what happens if the vehicle operator ignores it completely and never fills it up (try convincing a paid per mile truck driver to "do the right thing" and pay extra money to keep the adblue tank filled when instead they can now ignore it).

 

[turbobrick240]

I wouldn't worry about it. That's a problem(maybe) for the professional operators.

 

[888]

To close the case on this one, I solved the problem short term by putting the car up for sale and hoping for the best. I'm solving the problem long term by getting my Mk3 TDI going and never buying anything newer than an ALH in the future.
I planned on keeping my Golf for a long time, I really loved that car. VW has disappointed me yet again.

 

[Jakme j davis]

What is this part that y’all are needing? I have a 2013 VW Passat tdi 2.0t I received none of the money they issued and had no clue about the scandal until it was way too late. I didn’t get a buyback because the car was broke down due to its emmisions lockout and it was upside down with the bank so I couldn’t take it in to get fixed. I now am parting out the car. 2178555217. Let me know what y’all are needing and all parts can go to the highest bidder.

 

[herbie2]

I've been waiting on the part 14 months, sources say that VW is having problems with the part and may be switching vendors. No anticipated ship dates period. I've seen some post on here that peeps have received their part after 11 months and some at 18 months. Too bad this company management including the CEO can't publicly address affected owners of these vehicles, transparency goes a long way.

 

[Lightflyer1]

What is this part that y’all are needing? I have a 2013 VW Passat tdi 2.0t I received none of the money they issued and had no clue about the scandal until it was way too late. I didn’t get a buyback because the car was broke down due to its emmisions lockout and it was upside down with the bank so I couldn’t take it in to get fixed. I now am parting out the car. 2178555217. Let me know what y’all are needing and all parts can go to the highest bidder.

You should probably read the for sale rules here before offering parts for the highest bidder.

 

[herbie2]

Into 16 months waiting on the part, the dealership has no update, has let go two of their service advisors that were dealing with me in addition to the service manager who has being dealing with my car since dropping off 16 months ago. Now a salesman of the dealership who is waiting on customers in the service area had mentioned to me all of the repairs VW will be making to my car to re habilitate and make it road worthy.

 

[Leuzinger]

2015 TDI SportWagen. The DEF tank we are waiting for (5Q0-131-877K) has been on back order for 3 months now and I know others have been waiting much longer. The car is showing 400 miles until it won't start. The question is can the VCDS reset the system to show the tank is full which it is so we can keep driving the car? If so, is there a limit to the number of times it can be reset?

 

[VW_Rookie75]

New here - first time poster,

2014 Passat SEL Premium, had an active fault for the DEF tank heater circuit open. Called my local VW dealer here outside of Nashville (from which I purchased the vehicle as CPO) and was told the DEF tank and components of the tank were not covered under the TDI warranty. So, I kept driving it like that for a few months since being down south I don't have to worry about frozen DEF. Come March of '23 I went up to NY for a family funeral, driving all night and temps getting down into the 20's I was fine until I got to Rochester NY. System kicked me out of cruise, dash lit up like a christmas tree, pulled over on the side of the NYS Thruway, pulled out my OBD scanner (simple INNOVA scanner) pulled the codes to find that the system was about to go into derate. The best part was a note for one of the codes which stated "DO NOT TURN VEHICLE OFF, NO PLAUSIBLE RESTART" Luckily I was only 10 miles from a VW dealership and they were able to get me in and diag'd to find the DEF pump along with the DEF injector had failed. DEF injector had been stuck open for sometime, building up that infamous crust. Their senior tech looked at my funny when I told him I've been erasing my fault codes so I didn't have to see the CEL being on for the heater fault. Say what you want but they never tried to come back with "Not warranty due to extended repair delay" BS.

My service advisor was great on being upfront with me about the parts needed as I was told everything was on national backorder with no ETA for arrival. Asked for a loaner to at least get me through the next three days for the funeral and just so happened they didn't have any loaners avail for VW customers as their last loaner was just taken into the BS for repairs so that left me high and dry. Luckily, I had family out in the Utica area and was able to hitch a ride with them to Albany.

Took the dealership two weeks to get parts in and have it ready but in the meantime I had to fly home to Nashville after the funeral and then back up to get my car. I contacted VWoNA to see if they could help expedite parts and inquired if they would at least cover half of my airfare given that I was 900 miles from home. VWoNA pretty much told me there was nothing they could do since I didn't have roadside assistance. What does roadside assistance have to do with a warrantable failure???? I even wrote them one hell of a nastygram when I received the customer satisfaction survey regarding my VW experience. Their response was no response!!!

Long story short, love the hell out of this car because it's so damn fun to drive, great on fuel, etc etc etc, but if this is how VW wants to treat their customers I'm out. I'll just go back to driving older vehicles that I can work on myself without all of the electrical nightmares. Should have turned the car into the dealership I was at and just signed papers for a new Tacoma

 

[hskrdu]

It might be helpful to read up on the other members experiences with similar issues- faults, parts, warranties, loaners, and dealers. A search or quick check on the newer forums will turn up some good reads.

Your experience so far sounds fairly mild, tbh. If they keep your car for a year, promising parts every 60 days, you might get a bit more riled up.

 

[turbobrick240]

New here - first time poster,

2014 Passat SEL Premium, had an active fault for the DEF tank heater circuit open. Called my local VW dealer here outside of Nashville (from which I purchased the vehicle as CPO) and was told the DEF tank and components of the tank were not covered under the TDI warranty. So, I kept driving it like that for a few months since being down south I don't have to worry about frozen DEF. Come March of '23 I went up to NY for a family funeral, driving all night and temps getting down into the 20's I was fine until I got to Rochester NY. System kicked me out of cruise, dash lit up like a christmas tree, pulled over on the side of the NYS Thruway, pulled out my OBD scanner (simple INNOVA scanner) pulled the codes to find that the system was about to go into derate. The best part was a note for one of the codes which stated "DO NOT TURN VEHICLE OFF, NO PLAUSIBLE RESTART" Luckily I was only 10 miles from a VW dealership and they were able to get me in and diag'd to find the DEF pump along with the DEF injector had failed. DEF injector had been stuck open for sometime, building up that infamous crust. Their senior tech looked at my funny when I told him I've been erasing my fault codes so I didn't have to see the CEL being on for the heater fault. Say what you want but they never tried to come back with "Not warranty due to extended repair delay" BS.

My service advisor was great on being upfront with me about the parts needed as I was told everything was on national backorder with no ETA for arrival. Asked for a loaner to at least get me through the next three days for the funeral and just so happened they didn't have any loaners avail for VW customers as their last loaner was just taken into the BS for repairs so that left me high and dry. Luckily, I had family out in the Utica area and was able to hitch a ride with them to Albany.

Took the dealership two weeks to get parts in and have it ready but in the meantime I had to fly home to Nashville after the funeral and then back up to get my car. I contacted VWoNA to see if they could help expedite parts and inquired if they would at least cover half of my airfare given that I was 900 miles from home. VWoNA pretty much told me there was nothing they could do since I didn't have roadside assistance. What does roadside assistance have to do with a warrantable failure???? I even wrote them one hell of a nastygram when I received the customer satisfaction survey regarding my VW experience. Their response was no response!!!

Long story short, love the hell out of this car because it's so damn fun to drive, great on fuel, etc etc etc, but if this is how VW wants to treat their customers I'm out. I'll just go back to driving older vehicles that I can work on myself without all of the electrical nightmares. Should have turned the car into the dealership I was at and just signed papers for a new Tacoma

Your local dealer is a scam shop. The DEF system most certainly is covered by the emissions warranty. The second dealer is required to provide a rental vehicle at VWs expense if they don't have a loaner available. Stealerships will steamroll you every time if you don't stand up for yourself.

 

[skudak]

I've had a loaner for 9 months now, they just took back their 2023 Atlas and gave me a 2024 Atlas Cross Sport, they told me that the ETA for the part is in 2 weeks finally, but we'll see if it actually shows up or not... I did have to contact VWoA when the dealer told me there were no loaners available, next day they came up with a loaner for me.

 

[scooperhsd]

I had a leaking Ad Blue tank (also 2015 Golf) , but after a few missteps, it got repaired, and so far, so good.

 

[skudak]

Into 16 months waiting on the part, the dealership has no update, has let go two of their service advisors that were dealing with me in addition to the service manager who has being dealing with my car since dropping off 16 months ago. Now a salesman of the dealership who is waiting on customers in the service area had mentioned to me all of the repairs VW will be making to my car to re habilitate and make it road worthy.

Are you still waiting? What are the other repairs? I'm approaching a year now and my car is in sad shape behind the dealership, will definitely need brakes at least

 

[herbie2]

Are you still waiting? What are the other repairs? I'm approaching a year now and my car is in sad shape behind the dealership, will definitely need brakes at least

Was waiting a few days shy of into 19 months but the great news yesterday was my part was delivered to the dealership ! They have it on the schedule next week, first to inspect what it needs im sure brakes, tires etc., service advisor said they will drain diesel fuel out of tank and due a host of maintenance to get it back on the road. I believe it when I see it.

 

[skudak]

Was waiting a few days shy of into 19 months but the great news yesterday was my part was delivered to the dealership ! They have it on the schedule next week, first to inspect what it needs im sure brakes, tires etc., service advisor said they will drain diesel fuel out of tank and due a host of maintenance to get it back on the road. I believe it when I see it.

Awesome, I was told my part would be in Jan 15th but then it got moved out to March so hopefully soon, I'm at 10 months now waiting so who knows, I bet there's a lot of people in front of me if you're at 19 months

 

[herbie2]

Lucky you had an Atlas, been in a 2wd Taos without sunroof, heated seats or Sat radio, it was better to drive than the whacky Four-Motion Taos, ugh I have no idea why people are buying these things, piano black and just dreadful to drive. Enjoy Atlas Cross.

 

[oilhammer]

The Atlas is no joy to drive either.

 

[skudak]

Lucky you had an Atlas, been in a 2wd Taos without sunroof, heated seats or Sat radio, it was better to drive than the whacky Four-Motion Taos, ugh I have no idea why people are buying these things, piano black and just dreadful to drive. Enjoy Atlas Cross.

I had a taos for the first week and it was terrible, I really don't get why anyone would buy one either

The Atlas is no joy to drive either.

Yeah but I really put the cargo space to use, it has more space than my tacoma with a cap lol. The cross sport is more fun to drive but everything else is terrible, they made every single thing they could a touch sensor, there's no buttons for anything, even the headlights are a touch button. It's really frustrating especially since the screen is slow and clunky. I like the lane hold cruise control but that's optional on everything.

 

[oilhammer]

Yeah, that seems to be their new trend. The ID.4 is absolutely terrible with the screens and touch things inside.

 

[herbie2]

I had a taos for the first week and it was terrible, I really don't get why anyone would buy one either



Yeah but I really put the cargo space to use, it has more space than my tacoma with a cap lol. The cross sport is more fun to drive but everything else is terrible, they made every single thing they could a touch sensor, there's no buttons for anything, even the headlights are a touch button. It's really frustrating especially since the screen is slow and clunky. I like the lane hold cruise control but that's optional on everything.

Yeah I hear ya on the cargo space, can definitely get my bike in the back no problem, my part has come in two weeks ago/ + couple days and was contacted by the dealership that they would be doing a host of work on my car and still no call, maybe there is another parts delay , getting real close to 20 months !

 

[herbie2]

My 2015 Golf TDI developed a CEL for Implausible signal from the Adblue tank level (reductance) sensor at the end of June. I took it to the dealer and was told that the tank and sensor were an assembly which was not available, and there was no timetable for availability because they were made in Ukraine, which obviously has bigger problems than supplying VW with parts .

I parked the car and have been driving it occasionally to keep it charged up rather than drive it with a CEL and unknown DEF level.

I just checked back and there is still no word on an alternate supplier and no timetable for delivery.

Personally, I feel like I have a car that I'm not comfortable driving and has little value on the open market so VW needs to make the situation right via buying it back. My son (has a 2015 Passat TDI) and I clearly recall verbiage in the dieselgate web site that stated "in the event of a dispute between the consumer and Volkswagen, the consumer will prevail". I can't find that now so it must have gone away.

The service manager advocated calling VW Customer Care but to also refer to the page in the manual that mentioned Arbitration on the back page of one of the manuals, which wasn't encouraging. I found a reference to BBB Mediation in the middle of the warranty but nothing about arbitration.

This part is still #7 on the top 25 parts needed by VW worldwide, as it was at the end of June. The service manager told me that this is not the only diesel part on the top 25 list so there must be more of us affected by this.

If you have been affected by a parts shortage and have contacted VW about it, what has been the result?

Thanks

Hello 888, Been waiting into 20 months for my part. I did get a call from the dealership one month ago that my part was in, applause ! , however I am still in their loaner vehicle and I do not have an update as to what was actually done, they did tell me they did not replace my brakes as I had just replaced them before the car threw the code and according to their technician that my tires were a ok after test driving the vehicle. Have you heard anyone having a repair done and what the extra service items were completed ? fluids and oil I would imagine but should I be concerned with fuel filter and the like ?