According to CCTV, VW dealers and service centers ignored customer complaints of oil leaks pooling in engine trays. CCTV says it has discovered oil leak complaints filed by owners in Shanghai, Beijing and eight other Chinese provinces. The report specifically mentioned the Magotan sedan and Tiguan SUV.
Customers that filed complaints were allegedly told that the oil leaks were normal. Third-party experts are concerned that the oil leaks could lead to engine fires.
“[The report] does pass the sniff test,” James Feldkamp, CEO of Shanghai-based consumer watchdog MingJian, told Reuters.
He continued: “It looks entirely plausible that the engine problems they’re having with the leak are more widespread than originally reported.”
The VW Group recent recalled nearly 100,000 2014 and 2015 model year vehicles over a fuel leak issue. About 38,000 of those vehicles were located in the United States.
Earlier this week CCTV aired a report accusing VW, along with Nissan and Mercedes-Benz, of overselling dealer repairs. Back in 2013 the TV station reported on a VW transmission flaw that could cause a vehicle to unexpectedly speed up or slow down. Those allegation ultimately resulted in a recall.
It remains to be seen in CCTV’s latest report will lead to a recall, but it could prove damaging to VW’s reputation in China. VW is currently the best-selling automaker in the world’s largest auto market, but exposés tend to sway China’s buying public.
VW has so far declined to respond to CCTV’s claims.
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