Door-leak recall??

[6th.replicant]

I've had a couple of emails regarding the state of play and how I got on with Seat re my door seals so thought i'd update...

We are talking about some months ago now, but at the time my car was only just outside of 'warranty' ...

I made sure i followed the small claims court procedure (this is a MUST) .... but got my iro £400 bill reimbursed because of it....

...Was I wrong? - NO! ,....... because cars shouldn't leak like they have done with the Leons....

you guys shouldnt be having to fix this stuff yourselves.... they know full well there is a problem with the seals.

Just been outside to load my LCR for an early start and, after a day and night of heavy rain, found my windows misted inside and the front and rear footwells/carpets sodden. (OK, this is not unique in the Leonverse.)

Had a quick squint at the 52-page(!!) door-leak thread and noticed the above post... umm, er, umm, er...

I appreciate and respect that DIY solutions are all the rage at SCN, but is there any particular reason why Desumacchi's 2008 post, above, seems to have been ignored?

The fella has taken SEAT to court - and won. Therefore, he's set precedent: there is a design fault and SEAT has been found liable.

Or am I missing the point - there has been a subsequent recall, so there's now no need to buy sockets/hex-bolts/spriggets/sprockets and sealant and faff about to effect a DIY repair??

 

[n11tht]

Just been outside to load my LCR for an early start and, after a day and night of heavy rain, found my windows misted inside and the front and rear footwells/carpets sodden. (OK, this is not unique in the Leonverse.)

Had a quick squint at the 52-page(!!) door-leak thread and noticed the above post... umm, er, umm, er...

I appreciate and respect that DIY solutions are all the rage at SCN, but is there any particular reason why Desumacchi's 2008 post, above, seems to have been ignored?

The fella has taken SEAT to court - and won. Therefore, he's set precedent: there is a design fault and SEAT has been found liable.

Or am I missing the point - there has been a subsequent recall, so there's now no need to buy sockets/hex-bolts/spriggets/sprockets and sealant and faff about to effect a DIY repair??

if you've got the tools already which most people do then all you need to do is buy the new sealant and fit it yourself which is a lot less hassle than taking seat to court!!

 

[6th.replicant]

if you've got the tools already which most people do then all you need to do is buy the new sealant and fit it yourself which is a lot less hassle than taking seat to court!!

With respect, in principle there is no need for anyone else to endure the "hassle" of "taking Seat to court" - because Desumacchi has already done so and won.

Once precedent has been set, anyone else could simply cite the details/date etc of Desumacchi's case and Seat would have to comply with fixing the problem(s) gratis.

By now, this matter should simply be a recall fix because a court has already ruled that Leon Mk1 leaking door seals are due to a design fault and, therefore, Seat/VW Group is liable.

And from a personal point-of-view, I don't own the tools needed for a DIY fix; I'm also an extremely inept DIY 'mechanic'; and I'm not able to access garage space, so I'm none too keen on the idea of fumbling around outside in the fffff-ing ffffreezing cold, rain and high winds. Or the grief that comes with drying the carpets and sound-proofing material.

Can a Mod please contact Desumacchi via personal email - I'm assuming that since his 2008 post, he's flown the SCN coup and doesn't reply to PMs - to get details of his case, please?

Thanks.

 

[bendohhh]

It's an interesting point. I'm sure they wouldn't make it a recall as this would be very costly for them however if you were to personally contact them giving reference to the previous case which they lost I don't see how they could avoid carrying out the work.

 

[dvdt]

I am interested in seeing how you get on with this - definate design flaw, although mine have been repaired but still leak a tiny amount of water in the N/S/F. And if it can be fixed for nothing then I would be happy!

'Desumacchi's Last Activity: 31-05-2011 14:59' - could still be floating around.

 

[Muttley]

Small Claims Court decision. Don't think that sets precedent. You'd have to go through the whole claims process.

 

[dvdt]

fair point...but they have paid out once. I dont see how they could argue that it was specific fault with that car when a high percentage of them suffer from it.

Wonder what would cost more - settling all small claims actions or doing a re-call!

 

[6th.replicant]

It's an interesting point. I'm sure they wouldn't make it a recall as this would be very costly for them however if you were to personally contact them giving reference to the previous case which they lost I don't see how they could avoid carrying out the work.

Indeed, so it would be very useful to obtain details/date of Desumacchi's case.

Let's hope SCN mods can kindly assist re locating Desumacchi via personal email.

Small Claims Court decision. Don't think that sets precedent. You'd have to go through the whole claims process.

It's a court's verdict, small claims or high court, the rule of law/law of the land still applies. In effect, Seat/VW Group would have been found to have been negligent re its design-fault.

Unless of course, Seat/VW Group appealed and had verdict overturned, which I doubt...

 

[6th.replicant]

fair point...but they have paid out once. I dont see how they could argue that it was specific fault with that car when a high percentage of them suffer from it.

Wonder what would cost more - settling all small claims actions or doing a re-call!

I can't remember the details of the typical 'recall equation/conundrum' - IIRC, it was mentioned in Fight Club?!

 

[dvdt]

You may of just broke the first rule! lol

 

[6th.replicant]

... 'Desumacchi's Last Activity: 31-05-2011 14:59' - could still be floating around.

Ah, canny spot - didn't occur to check 'Desumacchi's Last Activity', dur!

I've PM'd Desumacchi.

Here's hoping for a swift reply.

EDIT: I spoke/wrote too soon! Seems it's not possible to PM Desumacchi, only send a 'Visitor Message'.

Huh?? What's a 'Visitor Message' - is it a new type of PM or ...???

Please advise.

Ta.

 

[Hamzilla]

I totally agree with 6th Replicant's sentiments but if you think the door seals are a hassle wait till you have to handle a faulty lock. Those door seals you or SEAT have repaired has to come off as you strip the door entirely and then be reapplied.

 

[Slimy]

I should mention that the few people who have had it done at a dealer have simply had silicon applied to the trim, or had that next to useless fabric tape applied. Both are 'fixes' in SEAT's eyes. I got the impression that the dealer will only apply butyl tape if it's specifically asked for.

They may be under an obligation to fix the problem due to the court case, they are under no obligation to use butyl tape.

 

[barrym381]

mine are leaking aswell so would like to know the outcome if any
[email protected] the guys direct email

 

[arifvw]

ive got a leak in the passenger footwell,but mines coming from the corner of the dash....

 

[Slimy]

ive got a leak in the passenger footwell,but mines coming from the corner of the dash....

That'll be a badly fitted pollen filter...

 

[arifvw]

oooh thank god.cheers mate

 

[frannyb]

same here p/s footwell wet so will look at the pollen filter

 

[Trublu07]

Mine have been fine so far however I am having new driverside doors fitted so let's hope the garage doing it do it properly.

 

[Tr1ck]

i didn't know this was a recall but i done mine in the summer, its not very hard. once you take the door card off, then remove the bolts holding on the window regulator ( you only have to take off the ones at the bottom) you should find that the seal around that is wet and soggy! just scrape that off and replace with some sealer from your local car maintenance place. I'm sure halfords feel something like that... it should be okay after that! its usual the front two doors that go.