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My GTE has been perfectly reliable?

Golf GTE Reliability (or lack thereof)

60K views 77 replies 57 participants last post by  Dr.Ed  
#1 ·
I'd be interested to know how many GTE owners have had cars that have performed faultlessly to date.

I've had a poor experience (2nd car just gone back) - I'm trying to guage whether I've just been unlucky or whether in reality the GTE was released before it was ready.

No agenda, hands up if you had a GTE that's been perfect from day one and the only trip to the dealers was for routine servicing.
 
#8 ·
Radio random turning itself off developed in last 2weeks, otherwise 6700miles and good.

Asked local dealer about charging but I think that's more driver error/driving manner, than car fault.

Within 5miles of me, 2 non-EVForum drivers (1x4mode, 1x5mode) - their cars are running good.
 
#11 ·
I hope I don't regret saying this . . .
Mine has been fine - 3500 miles so far. Shocking if you've had 2 duff ones - really sorry to hear that. Only slight hiccup for me was one time the central display started playing up, refusing to give consumption details. Got to destination, switched off and on again and it's been OK since.
It is worrying that so many posts on this forum show that we owners seem to know more about the GTE than dealers/service agents.
I really hope you get something sorted to your complete satisfaction.
 
#16 ·
Main issue with mine was the entertainment system had a faulty screen but since that's been replaced it seems fine. Have experienced a few intermittent issues:
- 'one touch' windows occasionally don't work
- tyre pressure warning has come on despite pressures seeming fine
On top of these there are the obvious CarNet issues but I won't get started on those :)
 
#17 ·
22,000 miles on my car and in fairness very reliable. (18,000 of those miles are mine.)

Only two minor issues

The last service took a couple of days longer than expected as the dealer had trouble with one of the '93B3' software updates.

And like the last post - I also have intermittent low tyre pressure warnings from one wheel but the pressure seems ok.
 
#18 ·
I to had the low tyre pressure warning on the O/S/R wheel of my car.
Checked the tyre pressure and it was about 3 p.s.i lower than the other three remaining tyres.
After re-inflating the tyre and resetting the warning in the car, I continued to use the car as normal.
About six weeks later the warning message came back again, I checked the tyre pressure and it reported 3 p.s.i. low once again.
A trip to my local tyre shop revealed a 30 mm nail had penetrated the tyre and was still in place.
With the nail still in place, the slow puncture would take about six weeks before the 3 p.s.i. reduction would then then show on the head unit of the car.
With the very slow puncture now repaired ( about 8 weeks ago ) I have not received any further warnings !.
Just to note, I always carry two cans of Holts tyre weld in the boot just to be safe.:LOL:
The car has now covered 12,500 miles and has only received it's first service, plus the "Enhancements" upgrade that all the early models are having done. This includes a replacement fuel line around the high voltage battery.(y)
 
#20 ·
Thanks for all the replies. I must have just been unlucky then.

I got car number 2 back after repair (software update to fix it not recognising the charging cable being disconnected)

Why couldn't that have been done during the PDI?

Fingers crossed that's it and this car doesn't have any other gremlins in it.
 
#24 ·
Hi Eddison - So sorry to hear your car has been stuck at the dealership for so long now, I guess it only goes to prove that even the tech's understand so little about these cars !.
My previous Golf was also a 1.4 TSI ACT GT and although I was totally happy with the car when I had it, I would not go back to it now after owning the GTE. After two years of ownership, I still consider the GTE to be the best Golf I have ever owned by a long way !.
Over the years I have had four new Golf's & around the same number of Polo's, and only a few of these cars have suffered minor issues. The biggest issue I had was when driving the ACT GT, one day the dash panel lite up like a christmas tree and the car shuddered to an almost stop at the side of the road.
I was really lucky only to be about two miles away from a dealership when it happened.
I limped the car to the dealership with a massive reduction in power ( it felt like it was only running on two cylinders ) and the car spent two days in the garage having a major update done on the E.C.U. it was returned back running fine !. What brought on this huge unexpected failure is anybody's guess, the tech at the garage said that sometimes if the car receives a rush of warnings all at the same time, then the car can not deal with the amount of info it is trying to evaluate and will then affectively shut down the car !!!!.
My guess is the dealership will be talking to Germany with a view to sorting out the problem A.S.A.P.
The dealership has got a senior tech who has been trained and authorised to work on High Voltage I assume ??????. Otherwise it could be a long wait !!!!!!.
Good luck and keep us all informed of your progress please.
 
#27 ·
GOT TWO

Black early 15 model (no carnet) - currently on 90,000 miles

been pretty much ok a few issues with auto hold button and fuse blew in 12v battery killing car

other than that serviced every 10K

White 65 Nav model - currently on 60,000 miles

blown fuse in boot (12V battery) as the other one - both went at about 40K leaving car unable to lock / no power at all.

fan blade came loose behind dash at about 20K and make a strange rattle sound - fine since fix at service.

Guide and Inform - Never present although a NAV model.

Both been great cars and are due to be off loaded in 6 & 8 months respectively

One point to note both cars have NEVER been on charge apart from the odd early free charge at the services before they started charging real $. They both still get 27 to 28 miles on a car charged battery and have life averages of about 53 to 55 mpg.

Next will be either GTE advance / 330E / Passat GTE Advance or maybe a landrover if they have one out in time