Volkswagen Reviews 

My VW Polo Vivo life's screen has broken twice in less than 2 years. I bought the car brand new, it has less than 8 000km's on the clock.This makes me question VW quality. VW has recalled alot of vehicles the past few years Volkswagen South Africa. They just want to continue trying to fix a screen that obviously needs replacement!!! VW SA is not interested to help me, they just don't care.

As a long-time Volkswagen customer, and currently the owner of two of the brand's vehicles, I feel compelled to share this experience because I believe it's relevant to anyone considering buying a Volkswagen ID.3 Pro.

The reason for the complaint is seemingly simple, yet very significant:
a vehicle costing over €30,000 that doesn't have rear-seat speakers.

Beyond the detail itself, what's truly concerning is that this lack of equipment is hardly expected in a modern car of this price and category, and it's never perceived as relevant or noteworthy during the buying process.

After discovering this issue, I contacted both the dealership and Volkswagen Customer Service. The final response was clear and reiterated:

"That's just how the car is."

No technical solution within the official network, no alternative offered, and no compensation whatsoever.

From my perspective, this is where the brand truly falls short. A manufacturer can make more or less sound product decisions, but what makes the difference is how they respond when a customer raises a clearly improvable issue.

In this case, the feeling is that something that isn't normal is being accepted as normal, and that the customer should simply accept it.

Furthermore, there's an important aspect: since this is an intervention that only the official service network could perform without voiding the warranty, the customer is completely powerless, with no real ability to rectify the situation on their own.

I must say that my disappointment isn't just with the product, but especially with the subsequent handling of the case.

At a time when the market is evolving rapidly and other manufacturers—including several Chinese competitors—are offering increasingly higher levels of equipment, perceived quality, and customer service, this type of response is particularly difficult to understand.

After this experience, my perception of the brand has changed significantly, and it will undoubtedly influence my future purchasing decisions, as well as the recommendations I make to others.

Volkswagen has sold its soul and Germanys reputation with it. A disaster.

An 8 month old Golf with WiFi drop-outs on almost every journey, has been ongoing from day 1. An issue widely reported over 18 months ago, yet still not fixed. Supposedly a s/w update is coming, but then so is Christmas, the difference being that we know when Christmas will arrive!
From dealers to manufacturer excuses are all that ever come. Disgraceful.
Update: Only now, after 9 months VW say my car is not fully online, but cannot say how to get it there! Finally going into dealer in another 2 months. After 11½ months they're going to look at the fault for the first time!
In over 55 yrs motoring Volkswagen are easily the worst manufacturer I've even met!

My experience with Volkswagen has been appalling from start to finish. I was pushed into taking PCP finance through VW, despite already having agreed HP through a third party. This alone should have been a red flag.

Within one month of purchase, the dashboard showed the car urgently needed a service. I was later told the car had supposedly been serviced and MOT’d in August 2025, but due to a VW error the system hadn’t been reset. Their solution? For me to simply wait until August 2026 for it to reset after the next service. Completely unacceptable.

I was also mis-sold a service plan. I was explicitly told it covered 4 years, yet it later transpired it was only 2 years. This is blatant misrepresentation.

While VW “investigated”, I was given a courtesy car. On my very first use, the dashboard clearly warned that the key battery needed replacing. VW failed to address this and, unsurprisingly, the key battery died — meaning I couldn’t get to work. This is basic negligence.

Communication throughout was dreadful. I experienced numerous broken promises of call-backs from multiple departments, including Customer Care, VW Grimsby, my case handler, and even the Customer Relations Manager, Malika. No ownership, no accountability.

The so-called “resolution” offered did not benefit me at all. When I reasonably requested an equivalent monetary resolution, VW refused, closed my complaint, and told me to take it to the ombudsman instead.

For a brand that claims to be premium and customer-focused, this level of service is shocking. Mis-selling, poor communication, and a complete lack of responsibility. I would strongly advise others to think twice before trusting Volkswagen.

Ordered a car october 2024 and it "might" be delivered Feb 2026 LOL 1½ year deliver that is sell all your holds in VW groupe

Absolutely disappointed with our experience with the VW ID. Buzz.
@Volkswagen – You’ve completely lost our trust.

We’ve had the ID. Buzz for just two years and driven only 10,000 km, yet it’s been plagued with constant errors. We've taken it twice to authorized VW dealerships in Tyrol and nothing was resolved. Instead, we were left without a car for over two weeks this year — and then got charged €500 for a standard vehicle check.

For a brand that claims innovation and reliability, this is unacceptable.
We can no longer recommend any of the VW ID electric cars to anyone.

Got my Golf 8 almost a year ago and so far so good. Love the car and overall appearance of it. Next stop is definitely Tiguan 2025

I don't appreciate the spam from your Portuguese branch, SIVA - SOCIEDADE DE IMPORTAÇÃO DE VEÍCULOS AUTOMÓVEIS, S.A.

Customer service: my car has been off road for nearly two weeks, I have been calling customer service daily, have been promised call backs, but no one has called, no ownership for their products, no respect for the Australian Consumer Laws. Last year my transmission died, now another issue with the gears. How are these companies allowed to produce such poor quality vehicles that cost owners thousands.
I have emailed several.emails to customer support, and unfortunately, no one call from the case manager. Volks Wagen, you need to take ownership and accept being accountable for the low standard manufacturing and low quality that VW has produced.

Totally disappointing.

Dear Volkswagen Customer Service,

As acknowledged in your recent response to my complaint online, I am writing to formally outline my concerns regarding the app functionality associated with my vehicle. Despite my previous attempts to seek assistance, I have received unhelpful and inadequate responses from multiple departments, all included in this email. Nevertheless, I have decided to accept the invitation extended by your representative in the Apple review response.

I wish to highlight three key issues:

1. Lack of Clear Communication at Point of Sale

When I purchased my vehicle from West London VW in February 2022, the sales assistant failed to inform me that the app’s functionality would be subject to a subscription model and that access would be terminated after three years.

2. App Functionality and Ethical Concerns

The app provides basic functionality that is essential for day-to-day vehicle use. Many of its features—such as integration with home energy providers like Octopus to schedule off-peak charging should not be locked behind a paywall. This is particularly concerning as it directly impacts energy efficiency and cost savings for users.

3. Safety Concerns

The inability to manually adjust the vehicle’s charging current presents a serious safety risk. Previously, users could modify this setting, but now, without that option, the car may draw excessive power from a household electrical system, potentially leading to electrical faults. Restricting such a critical safety feature is unacceptable.

Additional Concerns

No other car manufacturer imposes a subscription fee for access to an app that controls basic vehicle functions. It is unclear why Volkswagen considers a charge of £90 per year reasonable for such fundamental features.

Furthermore, I am deeply dissatisfied with the handling of my complaint. My concerns were passed between departments, with customer services merely redirecting me to the app team, who then failed to respond appropriately. This lack of accountability has only exacerbated my frustration.

I feel completely let down by Volkswagen since purchasing my vehicle, and I intend to escalate this matter to the Motor Ombudsman. However, I am giving Volkswagen one final opportunity to address my concerns—without resorting to generic, templated responses.

I look forward to your prompt and meaningful resolution to this issue.

Don't buy their new Passat (B9) until at least 5 years have passed. Why?
I got mine in July 2024 and since then I have experienced so many software errors that made the car barely drivable.
The car has been in the VW workshop (in Germany) since February 10th for inspection and oil change, they told me "We are going to fix the sensor issue!" result: after 5 days not only did they not solve the issue, it now got worse because the whole infotainment system failed miserably. Why can't they fix it? For the very simple reason, VW does not answer the workshop's questions.
I swear this is the last VW I will ever buy for me or my family (we had 8 so far, in different countries) and buy something Japanese instead, at least they answer when you (rarely) have an issue with their products.
If you guys of Volkswagen are reading this, my car is now by your dealer Osenstätter in Traunstein, BY.
I expect - AT LEAST - an excuse letter and some kind of compensation for the time I am losing. You need to be more serious about your products, at least for the business range ones.

Im so done with Volkswagen.
16 years with VAG, and no more.
Service are shit. The products worse than ever. 20 years ago it was among the better cars. Sadly, their arroganse have destroyed it.

Passat is the best estate car period. V dubz 4eva

It is no surprise that Volkswagen is in litigation, all around the world.

This is a company with a low regard to customer service.

VW has damaged the ‘made in Germany’ thing beyond repair. Cheated in Germany is what I am hearing online!

I am left bittery disappointed by the service I have received from Frank (manager) in the service department. Promised warranty repair (both rear alloys have defective finish) not delivered upon and wait times for services/ attempted repair (Tried to fix the rims with a heat gun in the work shop, once they realised it was more involved just flatly refused to do anything further) well beyond communicated (in one case 4 hours). Add to this the nonchalant verging on rude attitude and almost complete lack of communication from Frank regarding issues I raised and I will certainly never return a vehicle for service back to Southern Volkswagen or for that matter make a future purchase. As a family we have purchased 4 new vehicles (2 Touaregs, an Audi TT and a Golf) from the volkswagen group. After this experience it will be the last.

Car is nice to drive but customer support HORRIBLE

Have had many Volkswagens in the past as a family but we will never buy another.
We bought a new car and the dealership offered us a decent price in part exchange for our Volkswagen. Whilst we were waiting for the new car to arrive our Volkswagen broke.
To cut a long story short VW were unable to supply the new part ( there is still no date for availability after 8 months waiting ) and once our new car was available the dealership no longer wanted to take the VW because it was broken, which was fair enough.
We complained to VW Customer Service but they would not compensate us and the Motor Ombudsman does not get involved in such disputes !
We have decided we have no option but to scrap the car at a considerable financial loss.
Appalling service from a multinational company who show no regard for their customers.

DONT EVER BUY THEIR EV ID4. I have gone to Emich for years. Now someone else is in charge and the completely bait and switched me and refuse now to help.

I filed a complaint about Volkswagen a bit ago.

My car will not hold a charge and can barely charge.

I got into contact with Emich and they refused to help. Therefore I contacted Volkswagen. This was after I took my car in to be fixed and they said there was nothing they could do. The car won't work well in Arizona, but I am stuck. When I bought the car I was also guaranteed 3 years of free charging. That has gone away as well. Emich and Volkswagen have said they cannot do anything , just a promise they cannot help with. I couldn't afford the car without free charging, which is why I bought it.

I talked to another VW dealership and they informed me that even though I paid the price for a 2024 car and was told I am getting a 2024 car I was given a 2023. They have stopped selling the 2023 due to almost 100,000 cars being recalled and problems with all of the cars. I was told I was buying a new car, but now looking into this, the car was delivered to the dealership in Jan 2023 and I bought the car in May 2024. It was an 18-month-old car.

The car has been in the shop 3 times and every time they say it doesn't work well, but there is nothing they can do. It has trouble charging and won't hold charge but there is nothing they can do. They even told me if I wanted the battery to work I could not drive over 65. I am now living in Tucson and I cannot drive to Phoenix(122 miles), without charging 3 times to get here.

I drive 11 miles to work and my battery drops 30% going to and from work. Therefore I cannot drive anywhere without charging and I no longer have free charging.

I asked them just to give me the 2024 that they promised me when I bought the car.

When I found the receipt from the window I realized they charged me 2024 pricing on a 2023.

Emich VW's answer in Denver was they gave me 19,000 in discounts. It was the rebates from the government during the EV crash. He denies ever telling me that it is a 2023 car. Volkswagen told me they would follow up. they left a number for me to call and it did not link to the person I was supposed to talk to and have not heard back.

In summary THERE ANSWER IS THE CAR WON'T WORK WELL IN HEAT. I GUESS I CAN ONLY DRIVE IN CERTAIN PLACES AT CERTAIN TIMES FOR $600.

Ain't gonna lie, Passat CC is a state-of-the-art automobile.
Recently purchased the one and now I know what I can do with it =)
I really wanna tune it, because it may turn into a real monster! Saw tons of videos, plus, it's a good vehicle for a family, cause it's 4-door sedan with comfortable seats and a lot of amenities inside.