T-Roc Handbrake Failure

Joshua_G.

Hello

About 2 months ago my girlfriend and I parked our 5 month old T-Roc in a car park, and it had reversed into another car while we were in the shops. I first asked my girlfriend if she'd left the handbrake off, but then she pointed out that we'd seen it in it's spot when we walked from shop 1 to shop 2.

We put the car in the same place and took the handbrake off, we learnt that it would've rolled immediately, so we hadn't left the handbrake off.

When we spoke to the VW dealer we bought the car from, they were confrontational and rude, and told us that it was our fault because we hadn't left the car in first. Whilst this tip is good practise, it is not a rule. The driver's manual stated that you "should" leave it in first, but not that you must.

Fortunately the damage is so small that it's not noticeable, and it didn't roll into the road or a person, so there's no immediate problem. Unfortunately, my girlfriend and I no longer want to drive the car, for fear of it rolling away and hitting someone or causing an accident.

VW are doing nothing as they "couldn't find a fault", saying "you probably left the handbrake off". If we had left the AUTOMATIC handbrake off, then we would've noticed while we sat in the car and wrote a shopping list. Or when we were getting out of the car. Or when we walked from one shop to another.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with the T-Roc?

We would like to take the issue to watchdog or the ombudsman (or both), but it would help if we could make the complaint with others that are in the same situation.

Thanks in advance,

Joshua G.

agrinnall

I'd suggest that you ask for this to be moved to the Motoring board where you stand a better chance of getting useful replies, this is definitely not the right place for it. Send a PM to Chickabiddybex.

daveyjp

Its been going on since handbrakes were invented, but electric systems are worse because the driver has no idea if the handbrake is actually applied.

With a manual handbrake you get used to the force required and how far to pull the handle to make sure it is engaged. If unsure you can pull the handle further.

With an electric handbrake you are relying on motors and sensors and you have no idea if the handbrake is applied with enough force or if it is at all.

A friend with a steep drive pulled his car out of the garage and parked it so he could get in the garage. There is no way he could have got out of the car if the handbrake wasn't applied.

He got out, went in the garage and when he came out and closed the door he walked away and the car was rolling towards the house. It hit the garage door and pillar and and wrote off his almost new Vauxhall, GM didn't want to know and pointed him to the advice to always pull the handbrake button twice, the first time to apply, the second time to ensure it is fully applied!

5 seconds earlier and he would have been crushed against the house wall.

You are right to be concerned, but as you are finding out manufacturers know best.

With VW recent history of arrogance are you surprised at their attitude towards your legitimate concerns?

Lorian

Maybe your car is one of these?

https://www.check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk/recall-type/vehicle/make/VW/model/T-ROC/year/2018/recalls


2nd Item....

DCFC79

Joshua_G. wrote: »

Hello

About 2 months ago my girlfriend and I parked our 5 month old T-Roc in a car park, and it had reversed into another car while we were in the shops. I first asked my girlfriend if she'd left the handbrake off, but then she pointed out that we'd seen it in it's spot when we walked from shop 1 to shop 2.

We put the car in the same place and took the handbrake off, we learnt that it would've rolled immediately, so we hadn't left the handbrake off.

When we spoke to the VW dealer we bought the car from, they were confrontational and rude, and told us that it was our fault because we hadn't left the car in first. Whilst this tip is good practise, it is not a rule. The driver's manual stated that you "should" leave it in first, but not that you must.

Fortunately the damage is so small that it's not noticeable, and it didn't roll into the road or a person, so there's no immediate problem. Unfortunately, my girlfriend and I no longer want to drive the car, for fear of it rolling away and hitting someone or causing an accident.

VW are doing nothing as they "couldn't find a fault", saying "you probably left the handbrake off". If we had left the AUTOMATIC handbrake off, then we would've noticed while we sat in the car and wrote a shopping list. Or when we were getting out of the car. Or when we walked from one shop to another.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with the T-Roc?

We would like to take the issue to watchdog or the ombudsman (or both), but it would help if we could make the complaint with others that are in the same situation.

Thanks in advance,

Joshua G.

Have you searched Google for any similar incidents ?
Theres the troc forums.

lincroft1710

Joshua_G. wrote: »

When we spoke to the VW dealer we bought the car from, they were confrontational and rude, and told us that it was our fault because we hadn't left the car in first. Whilst this tip is good practise, it is not a rule. The driver's manual stated that you "should" leave it in first, but not that you must.

"Should" can actually mean "must". The VW dealer's conclusion may therefore be correct.

Joshua_G.

daveyjp wrote: »

Its been going on since handbrakes were invented, but electric systems are worse because the driver has no idea if the handbrake is actually applied.

With a manual handbrake you get used to the force required and how far to pull the handle to make sure it is engaged. If unsure you can pull the handle further.

With an electric handbrake you are relying on motors and sensors and you have no idea if the handbrake is applied with enough force or if it is at all.

A friend with a steep drive pulled his car out of the garage and parked it so he could get in the garage. There is no way he could have got out of the car if the handbrake wasn't applied.

He got out, went in the garage and when he came out and closed the door he walked away and the car was rolling towards the house. It hit the garage door and pillar and and wrote off his almost new Vauxhall, GM didn't want to know and pointed him to the advice to always pull the handbrake button twice, the first time to apply, the second time to ensure it is fully applied!

5 seconds earlier and he would have been crushed against the house wall.

You are right to be concerned, but as you are finding out manufacturers know best.

With VW recent history of arrogance are you surprised at their attitude towards your legitimate concerns?

Hi daveyjp

I'm sorry to hear about your friend

What was this recent history of arrogance..?

Joshua_G.

Lorian wrote: »

Maybe your car is one of these?

***LINK***


2nd Item....

Hi Lorian,

It is, but that recall was completed in Januray, before the issue occured. Thanks though!

Joshua_G.

DCFC79 wrote: »

Have you searched Google for any similar incidents ?
Theres the troc forums.

Hi DCFC79,

I haven't found anything through google, I'm hoping that this is what I'll dig up with this forum post

Joshua_G.

lincroft1710 wrote: »

"Should" can actually mean "must". The VW dealer's conclusion may therefore be correct.

Hi lincroft1710,

"Should" does in fact mean "should", I checked with a family member who is a lawyer. She also stated that as leaving the car in first when parked is not standard practise it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure that this advice is more obvious, instead of burying it in the manual

Thanks though!

lincroft1710

Joshua_G. wrote: »

Hi lincroft1710,

"Should" does in fact mean "should", I checked with a family member who is a lawyer. She also stated that as leaving the car in first when parked is not standard practise it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure that this advice is more obvious, instead of burying it in the manual

Thanks though!

Well you at least have a lawyer to fight your corner.