Steering Wheel clock spring failed after 4 years

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Steering Wheel clock spring failed after 4 years

jonb

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#249235 2-May-2019 07:31

Have a four year old Polo that is going into the original dealer tomorrow for a fix - all the steering wheel buttons, and the airbag have stopped working. Reading about it, it sounds like the clock spring has failed. This is the wire that moves around as the steering wheel moves, and in the previous model 2010-2014 was subject to a recall in the US for the same issue. Is there a chance to get this fixed without charge as this is meant to be a lifetime part? Car one year out of manufacturers warranty.

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#2229121 2-May-2019 07:40

Did you buy it new or from a dealer? I would say this would be covered by the CGA on a 4 year old car.

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jonb

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#2229122 2-May-2019 07:43

NZ New from the dealer yes, thanks I wasn't thinking CGA at all.

Azzura

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#2229124 2-May-2019 07:58

I can't speak for VW.

But mine went in a 2012 Mitsubishi Tritton about 10 months ago. The dealer was more than happy to replaced it under warranty.

I'd be willing to bet Mitsubishi wouldn't want the bad PR in regards to a safety feature failure. Mind you...I could be wrong.

clevedon

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#2229382 2-May-2019 13:11

jonb:

Have a four year old Polo that is going into the original dealer tomorrow for a fix - all the steering wheel buttons, and the airbag have stopped working. Reading about it, it sounds like the clock spring has failed. This is the wire that moves around as the steering wheel moves, and in the previous model 2010-2014 was subject to a recall in the US for the same issue. Is there a chance to get this fixed without charge as this is meant to be a lifetime part? Car one year out of manufacturers warranty.

Who told you it was a "lifetime part" ?

I never heard of that before.

jonb

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#2229455 2-May-2019 13:52

just from a random forum post..

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f40/volkswagen-recall-clock-spring-drivers-side-air-bag-does-not-function-crash-122543.html

trig42

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#2229478 2-May-2019 14:14

clevedon:

jonb:

Have a four year old Polo that is going into the original dealer tomorrow for a fix - all the steering wheel buttons, and the airbag have stopped working. Reading about it, it sounds like the clock spring has failed. This is the wire that moves around as the steering wheel moves, and in the previous model 2010-2014 was subject to a recall in the US for the same issue. Is there a chance to get this fixed without charge as this is meant to be a lifetime part? Car one year out of manufacturers warranty.

Who told you it was a "lifetime part" ?

I never heard of that before.

I'd have thought it was pretty much a lifetime part. Never heard of one breaking before. Certainly not a 4 year, or even 10 or 15 year part IMO.

I don't think OP should have any issues with them replacing it. I'd hope the CGA doesn't even need to come into it.

clevedon

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#2229497 2-May-2019 14:47

trig42:

clevedon:

jonb:

Have a four year old Polo that is going into the original dealer tomorrow for a fix - all the steering wheel buttons, and the airbag have stopped working. Reading about it, it sounds like the clock spring has failed. This is the wire that moves around as the steering wheel moves, and in the previous model 2010-2014 was subject to a recall in the US for the same issue. Is there a chance to get this fixed without charge as this is meant to be a lifetime part? Car one year out of manufacturers warranty.

Who told you it was a "lifetime part" ?

I never heard of that before.

I'd have thought it was pretty much a lifetime part. Never heard of one breaking before. Certainly not a 4 year, or even 10 or 15 year part IMO.

I don't think OP should have any issues with them replacing it. I'd hope the CGA doesn't even need to come into it.

Clock springs fault all the time, usually will bring the airbag warning light on. Any make/model can be affected, we've replaced many of them over the years.

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ShinyChrome

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#2229502 2-May-2019 14:55

I have replaced more than a few in and out of warranty when I was in trade, so I would hesitate to call them a lifetime part. Like with any mass produced electronic component exposed to heat, vibration, and in this case, constant movement, it might live forever or it might become a paperwight 5 mins out of warranty.

4 years is definitely below average though. Depending on what their policy is, they may do an out of warranty good-will claim. Silly question, but do you do a lot of lock-to-lock or sharp turns?

I would also be interested to see what the CGA defines as a reasonable lifetime for a vehicle.

trig42

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#2229508 2-May-2019 15:05

OK, thanks for that info. I'd just never heard of it, but I'm not in the trade.

dafman

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#2229539 2-May-2019 16:29

CGA. You would reasonably expect it to last longer than 4 years.

Australia has similar consumer protection law and I've heard 5 years mentioned as reasonable period in Aus for expectation for automotive parts not to fail.

Do report back on response from VW.

Jase2985

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#2229591 2-May-2019 17:31

dafman: CGA. You would reasonably expect it to last longer than 4 years.

depends on the use, 4 years and 250 000km maybe not 4 years 60,000km you would hope it hadnt failed

like anything age isnt the only consideration amount of use also plays a part

jonb

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#2229967 3-May-2019 09:49

Thanks for all the responses. Took it in this morning and discussed what was wrong with it, when I enquired about 'goodwill fix' he did a quick visual check of the mileage (55k) and just wrote it on the service form comments without saying anything more about it.

eracode

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#2230013 3-May-2019 10:34

jonb:

Thanks for all the responses. Took it in this morning and discussed what was wrong with it, when I enquired about 'goodwill fix' he did a quick visual check of the mileage (55k) and just wrote it on the service form comments without saying anything more about it.

So what does that mean? (Sorry - your comment is somewhat ambiguous to me).

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

jonb

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#2230030 3-May-2019 11:00

He wrote Goodwill in capitals on the service paper form, so assume I won't be paying for it ..

clevedon

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#2230035 3-May-2019 11:03

jonb:

He wrote Goodwill in capitals on the service paper form, so assume I won't be paying for it ..

I would of clarified it first and never assume anything, if they don't cover the cost you could be in for very big bill.

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