Read the full story here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1121689

Basically, this guy's water pump seized at 57,000 miles causing the timing belt to skip and it damaged the engine. The repair cost is somewhere in the $5000-$6000 range. He has maintained his car to the service interval required and even took an extra day off work to gather all the receipts to prove it. Because his services and oil changes weren't all performed by a VW dealer, they are attempting to deny his claim, stating if he had the 40,000 mile service performed at the dealer that they may have noticed the failing water pump and saved the engine. He also has been getting no positive response from VW's customer help lines - they are choosing to stand behind the dealer's decision.

There's more details to the story, and I think it's worth your time to read the entire thread to see just how screwed this guy is getting. Hopefully someone at VW will wise up and get him the help he needs. Personally, I can't stand stuff like this! :swear:

>8^)
ER

Im a new member, and after reading this whole thread, this makes me wonder. First, I'm not understanding why........if the owner brought his car to a mechanic first, other than a dealer.........why is the dealer being held responsible? Second, if you are old enough to purchase a car, one would think you would be old enough to read warranties. Everyone, and I mean everyone that I have laughed with about this has said the same thing...."who doesnt know, that if you take your car while its under warranty to an unauthorized dealer.....the warranty becomes null and void"? Thats the same thing even with a toaster? I would ask if the owner and the mechanic that the car was taken to in the first place were trained by Volkswagon and have their certifications? My mechanic is constantly in school. I didnt see much about the original mechanic who this all started with in the first place? Hmmm maybe there is a reason that his mechanic had it sent to a VW dealer. He couldnt handle what needed to be done maybe? This is solely a personal opinion. Its like you fixing your washing machine.... you breaking something on it THEN you want Maytag to pay for the repairs. How do they know you know how to "change the oil?" Why should they clean up after someone elses errors. Maybe Im nuts..........but I think this is a ridiculous scenario and this really doesnt impress a new member. Why dont you try giving us a real topic to discuss.

If you read the warranty, NOTHING in it says that all services must be performed by a dealer. It says they can be performed by a dealer OR qualified service center.

Jeremy