Build quality issues - Falling pieces and paper flags

[HighCompression]

Hi all,

I'm wondering, how many of you have had issues with little trim pieces falling off due to improper installation at the factory / noticing little "off" things about your JSW?

I've got a 2012 TDI that I adore, BUT it has a lot of small things that bother me.

The latest in a LONG line of small fit-and-finish issues came to a head today:

I noticed for a long time a strong rattling noise coming from the left vent, but couldn't see anything that would cause it. The rattling noise was quiet enough that I didn't want to take it into the dealership until the first oil change, until today. Today, the rattling noise SUDDENLY became louder, and when I looked inside, I saw a white strip of paper!



When I pulled it out, this is what I found:



Looks like a part number tag that wasn't removed prior to installation at the factory? But no biggie, these things happen, and it was a minor issue.

Until... Today, I took it for a car wash, and when I was toweling off the door jams, I noticed this piece just hanging loose on the driver side...



...and upon inspection of the passenger side, the piece was gone entirely on that side. *sigh* Again, these aren't major issues, but they're really annoying to deal with.

[thebarker]

Weird question.....if you dont mind me asking, but does your vin start with WVW or 3VW?

[rootrider]

all US SportWagens are made in Mexico (3VW).. not sure if the same applies to Canada, but it should.

[thebarker]

canadian tdi's are made in Germany (excluding jetta sedans) WVW, but the rest are made in mexico

but since its a US car i guess that answer my question, i wonder why they differ like the from canada to USA

[Dakarois]

canadian tdi's are made in Germany (excluding jetta sedans) WVW, but the rest are made in mexico

but since its a US car i guess that answer my question, i wonder why they differ like the from canada to USA

We have two canadian JSW tdi's ('10 & '11) and both have a sticker that said made in mexico both VIN starts with 3VW

[LEBlackRob]

Dude this stuff happens and it sucks. I use to work at a dealership and we found all kids of funny **** when we inspected cars from factory. The dealerships that I worked at had multiple brands and to be honest VW even mexican built ones had less surprises when we inspected them. Now the best one I ever saw was when inspecting a 2011 T-reg we found a leather mallet next to the spare, but its common to find tools that where forgotten in cars.

[Aonarch]

Minor stuff that comes with VW ownership.

[thebarker]

We have two canadian JSW tdi's ('10 & '11) and both have a sticker that said made in mexico both VIN starts with 3VW

weird i have no idea then, because mine is wvw, and my mk4 was wvw

[HighCompression]

Weird question.....if you dont mind me asking, but does your vin start with WVW or 3VW?

Sorry for not responding sooner, but it looks like some of the other members already answered!

But to clarify, I have a US JSW, so it's 3VW.

[AlpineE90]

When this piece fell off of the passenger side in Vegas (110 degree temps) it left a bunch of black goo on the lower rocker panel. When I opened the passenger door, it kinda flew out and stuck itself to the car. 3 months later, I still cant get the goo off! And that piece is completely useless lol

[HighCompression]

When this piece fell off of the passenger side in Vegas (110 degree temps) it left a bunch of black goo on the lower rocker panel. When I opened the passenger door, it kinda flew out and stuck itself to the car. 3 months later, I still cant get the goo off! And that piece is completely useless lol

Aye, that's been my experience as well! The goo is GREAT at sticking to itself, but terrible at actually providing adhesion for the foam parts in question

Does anyone know what that part is actually for?

[DoDoubleGeo]

Can't quite make out the P/N but it looks similar to the foam inserts for the door jam to prevent ice build-up and subsequent door damage.

[truwagen]

Can't quite make out the P/N but it looks similar to the foam inserts for the door jam to prevent ice build-up and subsequent door damage.

Yeah. Exactly what I was thinking it looks like. There is a TSB for this issue, so I'm sure your dealer would replace these if necessary.

Enjoy the car. These are honestly minor issues in the big picture.

[HerrWagen]

Had the exact same paper tag in the left vent... was driving me insane for months dealer couldn't find anything then it finally broke loose and I was able to pull out with tweezers.

[Kenn JSW]

I got to see my car ('13) before it was prepped a few weeks back. It had one of those black foam pieces (posts 1 and 10 in this thread) in the bottom front corner of the passenger door jamb (hidden when door was closed), but none on the driver's side. It was gone after dealer prep. It seemed pretty "cheap" and insubstantial. So maybe it's just a shipping thing? (My car also had protective foam blocks on the bumpers, covers for shift and e-brake handles and steering wheel, seat covers, plastic stuck to radio screen and steering wheel VW emblem, and more).

I haven't seen paper tags in any vents yet, but I have noticed lots of paper tags loosely adhered to other car parts, including under the hood, all of which will probably fall off over time.