Auto boot release on Passat failing?

adox

So I have a 2012 Passat that I bought four months ago from a VW dealer.
The boot can be opened from the key fob and the boot lid opens upwards automatically. It always seemed a bit inconsistent in its opening, sometimes opening fine and other times opening very slowly or not lifting at all. It's gotten worse now in the cold weather.

I'm guessing it's something like the gas struts(shocks or whatever they are called in the boot) that may be failing and need replacing? Does that sound like a likely cause?

Also would this be covered under the warranty that came with the car?

I haven't rang the dealer yet as I haven't had a great experience with them since buying the car(mentioned in another thread). Will probably give them a call tomorrow about it but just wanted to get a few opinions on here from the more knowledgeable before I contact them(again!).

Thanks in advance.

Atlantic Dawn

Best way to test them is open the boot fully and see if they are holding it up, if they are failing they will begin to release the boot over the space of a couple minutes.

On a hatchback it's an easy fix as they are visible and can be easy accessed, on the Passat they may be hidden under panels in the boot so might take a little more time. A set of struts can be got for about €30-€40, original VW struts might be nearer €100. It's a DIY job on a hatchback car, just 1 retaining clip to remove on each and then refit. I'd say unlikely to be covered by warranty but they might cover labour free or something depending on how big a job it is.

adox

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Best way to test them is open the boot fully and see if they are holding it up, if they are failing they will begin to release the boot over the space of a couple minutes.

On a hatchback it's an easy fix as they are visible and can be easy accessed, on the Passat they may be hidden under panels in the boot so might take a little more time. A set of struts can be got for about €30-€40, original VW struts might be nearer €100. It's a DIY job on a hatchback car, just 1 retaining clip to remove on each and then refit. I'd say unlikely to be covered by warranty but they might cover labour free or something depending on how big a job it is.

Thanks for that. I'll leave the boot open as suggested and see if it starts closing again after time.

It's a saloon I'm driving so will probably have to be done professionally if it comes to it. Shame it's not covered under warranty. Have already had to spend money on it because the warranty didn't cover it.

Anyway at the moment it's a small inconvenience rather than a problem.

Toyotafanboi

The boot button on the keyfob is only to release the lock, it isn't intended to raise the lid too.

adox

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The boot button on the keyfob is only to release the lock, it isn't intended to raise the lid too.

Yeah I know but the lid usually raises on its own once released hence my question about the struts.

Toyotafanboi

adox wrote: »

Yeah I know but the lid usually raises on its own once released hence my question about the struts.

Yeah, they aren't risen with struts, they use a spring mechanism which can weaken with age. Warranty won't cover that unfortunately

adox

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, they aren't risen with struts, they use a spring mechanism which can weaken with age. Warranty won't cover that unfortunately

Oh ok thanks. Is it a costly fix? It stays open once lifted open(if it doesn't open fully on its own) so it's more a minor inconvenience at the moment than major problem.

Toyotafanboi

Yeah, it'looks stay up all day long if you lift it. They aren'the terribly expensive, less than €100 supplied and fitted at a main dealer. They'l only last a year or two again though.

adox

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, it'looks stay up all day long if you lift it. They aren'the terribly expensive, less than €100 supplied and fitted at a main dealer. They'l only last a year or two again though.

Wow that's a very short life span! May leave it as it is. I'd be skeptical of the dealer I'm dealing with doing it for under €100. I had a plastic part that holds one of the rear panels onto the main body replaced by them as they wouldn't cover it under warranty. The part was about €11 and I think my bill to get it fitted was €120.

Anyway if that's as bad as it's going to get and it just means lifting the lid when it released then I can probably live with that. May still give them a call about it but I'm reluctant to deal with them if I can do so.