Comments on: Volkswagen key class action

By: alex

alex — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:06:11 +0000

Just my story: I got a second key for my VW beetle on ebay for 30$.
When I tried to get it programmed at VW in Oakland they told me my ebay key was wrong/bad/unusable … They could sell me a good one for 240$ !!! (yes, the key, not the car).

I then went to VW in San Francisco and they programmed my ebay key with no problem (charging 90$ just for programming).

Still way too expensive but 50% cheaper than the nice Oakaland colleagues …

San Francisco – Oakland 1 – 0

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:58:33 +0000

I was a huge VW fan until recently. When I purchased my used beetle, I was advised that there was only one key available to the car. If I wanted another, it would cost me $300 (Clear Lake Volkswagen, TX).

My purse was recently stolen, with my one key to my vehicle in it. I am away at college, and am 300 miles from the closest Volkswagen dealership.

I’ve spoken to numerous customer and service department personnel with Volkswagen now regarding a resolution. They insist the only option available is to have the vehicle towed (with a sticker price of $600.00), and then pay $300.00 to get one new key made, for a grand total of $900.00 for a new key!

The real resolution? I’m buying a bike, and will continue to pay a $350 a month car note, for a vehicle I cannot operate. And going home for Christmas definately ain’t happening. Happy ho ho, Volkswagen.

By: sobstory

sobstory — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:56:26 +0000

I’m a Saab mechanic, and I have to tell you that the $250 you report is CHEAP and reasonable. In all saabs after MY 99 the keys also have a programmable chip that is required to match the car’s serial in order to start. However, the keys have to be ‘married’ with a dealer’s equipment. The problem comes when someone loses ALL keys to their car. At this point the only option is to replace a $1000 security module, plus the new set of keys as well as re-keying the doors. This is an almost $2000 job at the dealer and it is not uncommon…

By: Ted

Ted — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:43:34 +0000

There’s no monopoly, because Volkswagen has no market power to sell its cars with the numerous alternatives to Volkswagens on the market. The ability to anticipate profits on future key replacements merely means that Volkswagen has additional incentive to lower the upfront price of the vehicle.

By: Jerry Robertson

Jerry Robertson — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:02:47 +0000

Yes, you are all hearing right. A replacement key for a VW bug is $175 plus a $75 programming fee in Norfolk, VA. The programming fee is virtually all profit to the dealer. What a poor excuse for a policy. Anyone that would but a car that has a key replacement policy like this is an idiot, including me.

To the clown that thinks it’s ok….locksmiths are bonded and there’s no risk in letting them provide the key. The current model has a name. Monopoly!!

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:58:22 +0000

Great to know. We just bought our daughter a ’99 Super Beetle and she lost the key at college. Todays quote was $250 but the kicker is that the closest dealer is 180 miles away. Had I known this I sure as hell wouldn’t have bought the VW.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:48:47 +0000

billb (post #2),

BMW keys store the car’s mileage, service information, current check control messages (idiot lights), along with the VIN. When the car goes in for service, the dealership puts the key in a reader. The key reader takes the information from the key and lets the service writer know what services are due.

By: Garry

Garry — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:08:41 +0000

All this is very easily solved, especially you people that are spending $250+ everytime your keey drops.

Step 1- Get the SKC from the dealer if you car is newer than 02, if it’s older than 02 it’s already in the vehicle.

Step2- Visit http://www.ross-tech.com/ and buy the Vag-Com cable, download the software to a laptop and you can reprogram your key anytime it fails.

Total cost- $250 for the cable and software.

Having rhe peace of mind that you can fix it yourself? Priceless.

By: Taft

Taft — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:18:45 +0000

Given my experience with VW’s, their keys and their dealerships, I think this class action has merit. VW, by refusing to publish relevant codes, has effectively shut out any third party from offering service to VW keys.

If this was the case and they offered competitive service on their keys, I wouldn’t have a problem. However, their service policies around the keys are a JOKE. They have tried to charge me $98 dollars to replace a battery. When my keys have become “unsynched” with my car, they blame bad batteries (which are easily replaceable by the customer for under 10 dollars) and try to charge ridiculous prices for the work.

VW (or at least my local dealer) is obviously acting in bad faith regarding service to their keys. They are exploiting a bad and nonsensical policy to charge highly inflated prices on service and support for their keys.

By: waylon

waylon — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:02:22 +0000

I have had this problem 3 times in the last 3 years. My key will work then all of a sudden the key doesnt read anymore. Therefore I have to pay for a tow to the nearest VW dealership $100 and get charged atleast $250 to reprogrammed just because my SMART KEY (not so smart) wont read. My immobilizer has cost me $1,100 in the last 3 years. I will tell everyone I know to never buy any car the requires a smart key. WOW!!! I was just waiting for the tow truck and the immobolizer read my key. This is the best we can come up with for technology. DISGRACE