VW Touran ESP/ABS problems

DEA

I bought a 2005 reg GT TDI Golf last Sept with 39k on the clock, 2 weeks ago at 52k miles the ESP warning light came on. Thinking that this was probably a minor fault I popped it over to my local garage only to be told, as other users describe here, that the ESP/ABS unit needs to be replaced at a cost of approx. £1400. Gutted I went away and a friend recommended I approach my local VW dealership in Battersea; initially I had thought VW would charge alot just to diagnose the issue, hence use of local garage. VW quoted £1250 for the repair (incl. 1 hr diagnostics @ £49).

I bought my Golf from an approved used VW dealership in Grimsby with a basic 1 year/10k mile warranty. Even though I had done 13k since purchasing, VW Battersea managed to get approval for the repair to be carried out completely FREE of charge under an extended warranty; this was something to do with the diesel model having a long-life service schedule (every 18k miles/2 years), and therefore my not yet having had a service in my 8 months of ownership. I have full VW service history also - I believe this helped.

I found the posts on this forum useful when my warning light came on so I hope my story is helpful to anyone else who is unfortunate enough to encounter this fault.

TiTheRev

DEA wrote: »

I bought a 2005 reg GT TDI Golf last Sept with 39k on the clock, 2 weeks ago at 52k miles the ESP warning light came on. Thinking that this was probably a minor fault I popped it over to my local garage only to be told, as other users describe here, that the ESP/ABS unit needs to be replaced at a cost of approx. £1400. Gutted I went away and a friend recommended I approach my local VW dealership in Battersea; initially I had thought VW would charge alot just to diagnose the issue, hence use of local garage. VW quoted £1250 for the repair (incl. 1 hr diagnostics @ £49).

I bought my Golf from an approved used VW dealership in Grimsby with a basic 1 year/10k mile warranty. Even though I had done 13k since purchasing, VW Battersea managed to get approval for the repair to be carried out completely FREE of charge under an extended warranty; this was something to do with the diesel model having a long-life service schedule (every 18k miles/2 years), and therefore my not yet having had a service in my 8 months of ownership. I have full VW service history also - I believe this helped.

I found the posts on this forum useful when my warning light came on so I hope my story is helpful to anyone else who is unfortunate enough to encounter this fault.

It's awesome to hear a pro-dealer story here on MSE! Usually they are all slated before they get a chance to prove themselves. This issue with ABS pumps is far from uncommon, and VW themselves have halved the prices of the pumps in the knowledge that it's an issue, plus are more willing to provide these goodwill contributions, especially if the vehicle has full (not necessarily VW) service history, and is no more than 5 years old.

Thanks for the post DEA :T

ademorris1979

Had my Audi A3 diagnosed with the same problem. Having done some research it is effecting a whole range of VW/Audi group vehicles. Currently being offered 50% goodwill but have told them to ram it and have started threatening legal action. Audi UK are trying to convince me that it isn't a common fault - i'm sure they think i'm stupid!!! Will probably never buy another VW/Audi again purely based on their customer service. Quote for repair was approx £1100. My wife walked out of the Audi garage without even paying for the diagnostic check and they haven't chased it up. They know there's a problem and will basically do as much as possible to fob you off hoping you will accept their 'goodwill'. That expression in itself is a joke. Don't accept anything less than full compensation - i'm certainly not. Will post an update when i make some progress.

thescouselander

Its possible to get the faulty ABS unit sent away and reconditioned - apparently they use better parts and it makes the unit more robust, you usually get a 2 year warranty too. I think it costs about £200 or so plus whatever it costs you to remove and refit the ABS unit.

Try here http://www.ecutesting.com/bosch_abs_pumps___modules.html

ademorris1979

have found that website already. checked out the part number on my ABS pump and it is one of the ones effected (1K0614517T). not going to let Audi off the hook though by sorting it myself.

thescouselander

ademorris1979 wrote: »

have found that website already. checked out the part number on my ABS pump and it is one of the ones effected (1K0614517T). not going to let Audi off the hook though by sorting it myself.

Yes, stick to your guns - just thought I'd give you an alternative incase it didn't work out. Good luck anyway.

doohelpme

I have recently bought a 1.9 Touran privately and was very pleased with it especially after it flew through its MOT last month, it is an ideal car for my young family. Now I have noticed that the ESP light has appeared as well as a symbol on the dash. I am now dreading that it is the [FONT=Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]ABS Pumps Modules problem that everyone here have been describing as I will not be able to afford the repair cost very easily. The car has high milage at 129k but surely if it is a common 'known' fault then i have a case with VW. What can i do. Is the car safe to drive otherwise?:([/SIZE][/FONT]

saraann_2

Ive got the same problem as many others, have a 1.4 touran 4 years old with 12ooo on the clock, the light has just come on, and reading these posts im dreading it going in next week! ! Have owned it 9mths, had done 8000 when we got it so ive only just done 4000 miles, just dont know what to do? Am not a complainer, but realise i cant afford not to be, as am going to end up with a massive bill to pay!! Any ideas where to statr though???

Fraserxxxx

Many thanks to all those that have posted. You have saved me a fortune. Here is my story. I have a four year 11 month and 20 day old VW Touran 2.0 Tdi Sport (at 30th Sept 2010) with 53000 miles on the clock and 2 services (one at VW dealer and one an an independant). I have had the car from new and had no problems whatsoever so was quite shocked 3 weeks ago when the ESP light would not go off and the emissions light came on. I took the car to a local independant who put it through the VAG diagnostic machine and informed me that I need a new ABS Control Module - at £1000 + vat + fitting. Informed that it was a common fault and he suggested that I get rid of the car rather spend the money. Realised that I couldnt trade it in (with emissions light on) I searched the web and found this blog (amonst many others). I then contacted VW Customer Services who advised that I need to take the car to a VW dealer to have a diagnostic done and then they would consider any 'goodwill' contribution. I then took the car to VW dealer who charged me £69+vat to tell me what I already knew. They quoted me £700 part plus £300 fitting and raised a 'case' with VW customer services. Within 24 hours I was offered 50% goodwill payment from VW which I declined. After 3 days I contacted them again and they advised that the offer has been raised to 65% of the parts and 80% of the labour. I again declined and politely explained that this was my 5th VAG car in eleven years and that I would expect more. Interestingly they did admit that it was a faulty part that they no longer install in cars. After 5 minutes on hold the offer was extended to 100% part and 80% labour. I can live with this however I do intend to go back tomorrow and try to get this extended to 100% labour. If the car is under 5 years old I get the impression that they will cover this as they said 50% is the standard offer for cars over 5 years.

I have to say at this stage that the staff at both my VW dealer and VW Customer Srvs were very good and I have no complaints on that front. We have got there in the end however it is disappointing that it took this much research to establish that a potentially very costly repair was well known to VW.

My next problem is a Manifold Flap that the dealer has quoted at over £500 to repair. Again it turns out to be a common fault and the VW dealer technician was good enough to tell me that VW should be covering some of this. I'll deal with this tomorrow.

One final comment I would make is to urge anyone who has the ABS problem not to get the light turned off without getting the problem fixed. It can be done however, while the ABS still works, the ESP does not and imagine the consequences if the next owner crashes as a result. Push VW and you will get there in the end!!

Fraserxxx

Quick update on the above. I went back to VW and they increased their offer to 100% labour and parts. Also had the £69+vat for the diagnostic check offset against another routine repair. I am now communicating with them over the Manifold Flap which I understand is also a common fault. Dealer has quoted me £500 and basically told me that maybe I should be pursuing VW over that. When I was getting the ABS problem fixed the dealer also informed me that the CV joint was leaking and quoted £277+vat to get it replaced. Looks like I'll need to put that one down to wear and tear however wont be the VW dealer that's fixing it when local VW specialist can do it for half the price.