Volkswagen Maintenance

Volkswagen owners can go beyond the original manufacturer’s warranty and even beyond Volkswagen Extended Service Contract with Courtesy Care Protection Plan. Here’s what’s included in the plan:

• Some wear & tear items including break pads, battery, headlamp, belt and hose and windshield
• Electrical coverage of some components including lights, variety of lightbulbs and fuses
• Tire hazard coverage of up to $5,000 (reimbursable to repair shops)
• Rental car coverage for up to 35 days
• Travel breakdown / towing coverage

Bottom line: If you want to go above and beyond traditional warranty, extended warranty or extended service plan – Courtesy Care Protection Plan may just be a good fit for you.

Volkswagen offers additional protection against breakdowns for its lineup. It is part of Volkswagen’s Drive Easy Program and called Volkswagen Service Contract Plan.

What is Volkswagen Service Contract Plan?

Volkswagen Service Contract Plan is an extended service contract administered by a 3rd party provider (Fidelity Warranty Services) and offer additional breakdown protection beyond Volkswagen’s original warranty. Volkswagen Service Contract plan is also sometimes called extended service plan, extended service contract or extended warranty plan (Note: “extended warranty plan” is not an accurate description as the original manufacturer’s warranty is not truly extended).

What’s included in Volkswagen’s Service Contract Plan?

Volkswagen’s Service Contract Plans come in 5 different levels of coverage:

• Powertrain
• Silver
• Gold
• Gold Plus
• Platinum

Detailed description of different coverage levels is highlighted in the grid below.

What are the alternatives to Volkswagen’s Service Contract Plan?

There many different providers of extended service contracts (also known as extended Volkswagen warranties), please feel free to get a free Volkswagen extended service plan quote.

Volkswagen Drive Easy Program is an fancy name for 6 distinctly different care car and/or protection plans offered by Volkswagen. Six different programs fall under the umbrella of Volkswagen Drive Easy Program:

1. Service Contract Plan - comprehensive supplemental car breakdown protection; may mimic almost an extension to Volkswagen’s original warranty
2. Courtesy Care Protection Plan – supplemental coverage for normal wear & tear parts such as wipers, brake pads, etc
3. Road Hazard Tire & Wheel Protection Plan – tire protection
4. Car Care Service Plan – car maintenance and care plan
5. Guaranteed Asset Protection Plan – payment protection against inadequate compensation by insurance company in the event of total loss
6. Lease Vehicle Protection Plan - supplemental car breakdown protection designed for lessees (within 3 year ownership range)

Brief explanations are available on Volkswagen’s Drive Easy Program page. Please feel free to click on any of the plans above to learn more information. Remember, all plans offered under Drive Easy Program umbrella are offered by Volkswagen directly. If you’re ever interested in a 3rd party extended warranty plan (offered by a non-manufacturer), which may be more comprehensive AND affordable, please feel free to get an free instant warranty quote.

Volkswagen announced a major recall of its Volkswagen Jetta on March 28th, 2011. The recall has to do with wiring problems in vehicles built between March 2010 and March 2011. Specificlly, problems with wiring associated with cars’ anti-theft system and horn have been reported to stop the vehicle.

No injuries or accidents have been reported due to the fauly wiring, but Volkswagen decided to take proactive steps.

History of Volkswagen Recalls

All major manufacturers have been known to issue recalls once in a while.  Volkswagen is certainly one of them. Just in 2010, Volkswagen recalled Routan, Jetta and Beetle. To see if your Volkswagen has ever been recalled – navigate to our Volkswagen Recalls section and pick your model.

Unfortunately, no manufacturer is immune from unexpected post-manufacturing breakdowns. Earlier today Volkswagen announced a recall for Volkswagen Routans manufactured between October 2009 and June 2009. The recall is impacting something called a “wireless ignition node” (WIN) that may cause an unintended engine shut off.

Other vehicles impacted are Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. Just over 12.6k vehicles have been identified to have the defect.

What do I do?

Contact your closest Volkswagen dealer for a free wireless ignition note replacement.

About Volkswagen Routan

Volkswagen Routan is Volkswagen’s rockstar minivan. It has been manufactured since 2005 by a joint venture between Chrysler and Volkswagen. Volkswagen Routan comes in 4 different trim models: S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium. Volkswagen Routan comes with a standard Volkswagen warranty.

As always, be sure to check for the most recent recalls at Volkswagen recalls and defects section.