Read also:
roger armstrong supreme digital video monitor ra4500 instyler straight away comb reviews ridge ryder by evakool platinum fridge freezer - 42 litre 5 star chef benchtop dishwasher manual natures goodness dog food review rover ride on mower review
Volkswagen Multivan T5.I (2004-2010)
CheatedGreater Melbourne (Outer), VIC
Not fit for purpose design
The real issues with the Multivan is they have a practical shape and suit a large family but all of the electrical and mechanical systems are flawed. The engine has poor quality seals and will constantly leak from the rear main and camshaft cover plates the only way to fix it is to remove the gearbox, good luck finding a decent mechanical dealership that has the skills to fix the leaks. The gearbox has a genuine compatibility issue with the engine management system and will not last and will need to be rebuilt by an Automatic specialist and rebuilt based on the fact that if you get another 100,00 km for around a $ 5K rebuild you have done well,
Overall Volkswagen should get out of the Industry and take up golf
Purchased in February 2021 for $55,000.00.
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
NicSydney
Never again !
The vehicle fits the family beautifully but we have had no end of troubles. We have had it serviced regularly, to no avail. This car is only 8 years old and every door handle has failed including the boot. Each time it costs at least $800 to repair (minimum). We can't close one of the windows properly - it pops open with the rush of air (that's $1,400 plus labour to fix). The engine leaks like a sieve. Last week we had to get a reconditioned air conditioner (you can't buy a new one) at a cost of $2,000 (incl installation). And the very n...Read more
ext day the gear box dies. For a big vehicle with a diesel engine I expected it would last longer than the 230,000km it has done, but no. This is a very edited list of the problems we have had. I won't buy another Vokswagen. This car is poorly designed and expensive to fix. Only purchase if you have lots of money to burn.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Not happy
Bought a 2006 high line in 2009, last week the driver side sliding door came off the track, we had to cut the electric cable in order to get the door back into the track, further more the DGS gear box decided to pack it in. VW quoted $6k to replace the gear box with a second hand one!. I gave a rating of 3- whilst we are experiencing these mechanical issues after 10 years the van had been terrific prior. We test drove many other people movers however will be leasing a new "baseline" multivan comfortline (without the electric sliding doors) this time rather than buying it out right.
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Find out how Volkswagen Multivan T5.I compares to other Vans
Know better, choose better.
Most expensive Bomb I've ever owned!
Wish I could afford to burn my 2007 Multivan sports & post it on You Tube! The air-con only works when it's cold. VW have lost my CD/GPS unit somewhere between here & Germany; cracked the exhaust manifold - my mechanic reckons the diesel we burn here isn't as highly specced as the European diesel & due to the emission control laws they run them lean & hence the exhaust gets hot. The front tyres scrub every 20,000km's no matter how often I rotate & get the alignment checked. The automatic doors aren't automatic & the electrics have shorted out s...Read more
o the trip computer display has gone, again, and the factory fitted DVD blows the fuse every time the kids want to watch it. Have tried 4 different VW "Service" centres and they are an embarrassment to the word "Service". I'll never buy another VW.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
caazisydney
- 16 reviews
- 26 likes
WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED
This car has an internal fault with the gearbox - which almost killed me today. After taking it to the service centre twice for engine light - and $1300 and $800 later, thought - great - fixed - drive out, in traffic and the car revs with no acceleration and cant find a gear and I almost get killed....2 minutes after leaving the service center where I thought they fixed my car. This had nothing to do with it - they say - its an internal fault in the gear box.....no warning light. No indications that I had transmission problems. Just like that !...Read more
OUT of nowhere. Thank God I am alive. $4,000 for a new one (and thats discounted?) BUT this should not be happening to a 6 year old car with average km. Google this - and you will see VW have an issue with this. It is beyond belief......I am so shaken still from this incident today that I cant think staright - called VW customer service - and they really dont seem to care......but let this be a warning to anyone thinking of buying this multivan - especially mothers with children. size, room the door handle broke off, electrical malfunctions.....internal fault in gearbox.....2 comments
a very common story from what i have heard. but vw do not care.
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Transmission Stuffed from the very beginning - NO HELP from VW Australia
Travelled 170,000 kms in 7 years. Bought new.
Had transmission problems and computer problems for THE ENTIRE 7 YEARS. The car would stall when taking corners - very dangerous at the traffic lights. I chose to recondition the transmission (for $8000). I had been quoted up to $14,000. Had it serviced at VW Service centre in Osborne park (I always had it serviced on time) and they said it was fine. Took it to RAC in the same week who told me that there are multiple and significant leaks all through the engine. The engine is leaking everywhere! Th...Read more
1 comment
i have a 2007 multivan - and so many issues cant even begin. but the icing on the cake was today. I had taken the van in twice for an engine light that appeared. 1st time...$1300...thougt they fixed i... Read more
t - next week...same problem, another $800.....for the shaft???? Then, as I am LEAVING the Bill Buckle service centre, and driving away, in the passing lane, the van just revs like crazy, with no acceleration, whatsoever, and I have cars speeding up behind me, and I am freaking out - trying to get past all these cars to the left with the little momentum I have going up this hill.....am a nervous wreck - almost died!!!!!!!!!!!! walk down the hill to the service center - they drive it away - and say its something to do with the transmission......never had a problem with the transmission. take courtesy car home, and get a phone call that it will be $4000 for an internal fault in the gear box. NO LIGHT NO WARNING - the service center technicians had it just the minute before and had no warning.....it is so not good enough. MY LIFE could have been taken.......and now I should be happy they are only charging me $4000 feeling bad for the timing??????? I agree with "Diasappointed" - DO NOT buy a multi van.........this is just the worst car - after only 5 years and not alot of km this should not happen. As I have been googling tonight this is an issue with MULTIVANS - so BEWARE>Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Stew80AU
- 2 reviews
- 4 likes
If you don't have plenty of money don't buy one
We brought a 2005 TDi, we've had nothing but problems. The aircon/heater fan makes plenty of noise in the front but not much comes out, so in summer you boil when the sun comes straight in the front window, while the rear passengers enjoy the cold air in summer and warm in winter, multiple issues with the central locking - drivers door won't lock, boot won't lock. 185,000km service will cost you $2000 from VW, oil line from turbo leaking, engine now developed miss - injectors, along with a nice thumping noise from the bottom end, DSG gearbox ...Read more
thumps in some gears at random times (very common problem, even for cars with 60,000km on clock), DSG have a know problem for chewing out the valve body so I've found out. $6-7000 for a rebuild/changeover. Scared this thing is just a ticking time bomb waiting to go off, tried to trade it in, we paid $25,000 for it with 178,000km from a VW dealer in Launceston, just re-inforced the saying "Typical car sales man." (They sold us a lemon and they knew it), 2 years later we tried to trade it in with 208,000kms on it and all they'll offer us is $7000 because of the kms and they didn't even listen to the motor. They offered that low because of the known problems with these cars and the cost of fixing them and they didn't want to get stuck with it. I also have a friend with a 2006 Highline and he's just spent $1000 on getting one motorised sliding door fixed because it wouldn't work, now the heater has stopped working and they've quoted $1500 to fix that because the motor that operates the heater tap has broken and the dash has to be taken out. Also having DSG thumping. I drive a 2012 7 speed DSG for work and its still not right, what the heck are VW doing. This has been a problem since DSG's were first brought out. Just a money grabbing exercise. These cars are well thought out in terms of practical use and the motors perform really well but the amount of problems they have and the cost of fixing them is ridiculous and I would never buy one again. If you have to buy one, buy it brand new and get rid of it before the warranty ends or you'll end up a poor sucker like me. PracticalitySimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
DJBAU
- 2 reviews
Excellent
Buying a 2006 Multivan by far the best thing I ever did (except maybe for marrying the right woman and having 5 beautiful kids). The moment you get behind the wheel you instantly feel safe and secure in such a solid vehicle. It is very well engineered (apart from the automatic wipers and the unreadable radio screen).
While other vans choke on mountainous roads - the TDI Multivan eats big hills for breakfast.
It is roomy and comfy, and there is plenty of storage space.
There is no comparison between the Multivan and the Tarago, Chrysler or Hy...Read more
2 comments
These is a variable intermittment option. You flick the wipe function, then switch to intermittment at the interval you want, and it will remember this time setting until you change it again. Check you owners manual. :)
Thanks Rainy. The interval setting on the 2006 Comfortline (the model I have) only allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the automatic intermittent mode. I apologise for the ambiguity of my statemen... Read more
t above. I would prefer to have a more straightforward variable-intermittent function like many other vehicles do.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
walkinsteadAU
- 2 reviews
- 2 likes
Not Happy
I have 2006 2.5TDI Auto- few transmission problems in first three years as would not accelerate and I had to turn engine off and then back on to reset the computer. Now 6 years later and only travelled 84,000kms my transmission died and needs replacing. With no towing nor carrying heavy loads I expected it to last longer than this... Now costing $8000 to replace with new reconditioned transmission as they don't replace with new transmissions as they can't get these in Australia.
safe and can see traffic ahead, great fuel economy and heaps of room,
side pillar blind spot, would be better with reversing camera, servicing should be capped, oil and parts very expensive, glare on radio, don't hold value
8 comments
Hi we have a 2007 muiltvan and done around 110, 000kms
and our gear box has gone and VW repairers recond it will cost $7400 and they will replace it with a new one, who do i believe?
Hi our 2006 multvan auto gearbox is stuffed as well. At least we got 225,000ks.
No Dipstick and you cant even change the ATF. You would think that so called German technology would last longer than th... Read more
At least you got 225,000ks - I had no luck with VW OZ did not listen or respond and took up with Consumer Affairs - no luck.. good luck - I stay away from VW now and tell others - my health was more i... Read more
mportant - decided to cut my lost and get on with life..Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Find out how Volkswagen Multivan T5.I compares to other Vans
Know better, choose better.
DaveKTMAU
Great vehicle
Had the Highline for 4 years. Very few problems with it. Use it for towing a big covered trailer with motorbikes in it - does a great job. The 4motion is highly recommended. Handles really slippery conditions really well.
Fitted a dual battery system and can fit a large fridge/freezer in the boot with leg room still for all passengers.
Reliable and it drives at its advertised fuel consumption when driven normally. Very comfortable to travel in.
Reverse is a bit high geared. GPS has out-of-date maps, limited maps and expensive to update (if you want to bother with it).
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Lee3AU
- Multivan T5.I (2004-2010)
- Selected Review
Love it
I love the vehicle. It has 5 anchor points that attach to the seats and the seatbelts are attached the chair not the vehicle body.This means I can put my baby in the passenger side middle row and still move the seat backwards or forwards without undoing the seatbelt. It also means all 5 points are useable and not interfer with the usabilty of the other seats or boot The seats are large enough for adults even in the rear row. The ability to move the rear seat means I can have enough room to fit a decent size pram in the boot. The air conditionin...Read more
g can be adjusted from the rear and middle rows and each seat has its own reading light. The vehicle is wide and high which takes some getting used to, but thats because you have plenty of room for passengers, so I can live with it. I recommend a rear vision camera as it is innvaluable when parking as well as the safety aspect. The diesel engine is more fuel efficient than the 4cyl Camry I traded it for. Would recommend it for anyone that has a large family expecially if they need a lot of anchor points. No mechanical problems yet. Fuel efficiency, 5 usable anchor points. rear and middle rows can slide forwards or backwards depending on need. Seatbelts attached to seat not vehicle body, good large side mirrors Watch the height requirements with underground parking, I've always fitted but you feel like ducking. Can be a squeeze if parking bays are on the small side, wish the drawers on the back of the middle row seats were also on the are of the front row seats and the front of the rear rowSimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Excellent
This vehicle has been life changing for this family. My fairly tiny wife drives it and finds it very easy to park and manouvre in traffic. The kids love going for trips, and the usual paraphenalia that accompanies young families is easy accomodated. TDi powerful and economical. Table a bit gimmicky and sits in my shed. Better to be able to walk through to tend crying offspring without getting out in inclement weather. At least there is the choice. The ability to rotate the middle row of seats also fantastic. Have had several meals in the back ...Read more
of the car. Large boot lid can be heavy to pull down, but very useful setting up strollers under it in the rain. Have done 70,000km since Dec 2005, and would definitely buy another one, but hope this one lasts for many years. The other people movers we looked at were a case of "move people or luggage" This one allows us to do both, and in great comfort and style. Space, comfort, vertatility. SOLID! Great for large family. Have four daughters under 4 and a half - car has five anchor points! Electric doors useful. Room for multiple strollers and other luggage enables this family to contemplate holidays! Have had a few issues with the sliding doors having a mind of their own, but VW have been good to fix them. Installed GPS on Highline model poor on 2005 model, but seems better on later models. Just remember not to park in stations with under 2m clearance.1 comment
Hello Familyman, what trouble did you have with your sliding door? My cable has come off and on the same door its latch has put two small dents in a panel. VW refuse to take responsibility under warra... Read more
nty. Big money to fix. These issues have occurred in Europe, but I have not heard if they have been found here in Australia. By Orange10Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
gregjmAU
Terrible
It has been very good until the auto transmission broke. This lack of reliability means I will not buy a VW again.
Lots of space and very comfortable, even for 7 adults. Good touring car as well.
Gearbox issues developed one year after the warranty expired, and only 68,000 klms have been travelled. I am the first owner and it has been serviced according to the factory requirement. VW say the whole auto transmission needs to be replaced but will only contribute 40%. Quoted cost to me is $7,000.
2 comments
Why are u footed with a fixing cost when it should be under warranty?
My auto transmission died at 84000kms and only 6 years old -no tow bar. Car still off road now 3 weeks and waiting for parts to replace transmission with recondition one as they do not put in new transmissions and costing me $8000.
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
rusty07
- 14 reviews
- 4 likes
Excellent
I love the versatility of the Multivan. As a people mover your passengers don't have to bob down to get in and out. At first I thought the electric doors were a gadgety but now they're convenient especially when the kids were younger or when it is raining. I love the built in blinds and the ability to swing the chairs around. The table has been handy for the meals on the run when travelling as are the leather seats, especially with kids.
The flexibility of the seats is handy when travelling because we can move them forward for practical lugga...Read more
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Questions & Answers
milkoasked
does anyone know why the electric sliding doors on my multivan have stopped working
2 answers
Check your push down locks are not in the lock position on the sliding doors as I have had this problem thinking that my sliding doors have stop working
tried that, not the problem, thanks anyway.
Keith Taylor asked
Why VW have not had a recall on design faults in the T5 vans.. specifically the auto gearbox .. just cost me $11k to have it reconditioned which included a modified oil cooler cane relocated to the front of the radiator.. not designed for Australian conditions! and the the cheaply made tin exhaust manifold.. have they changed the part to something more suited like a cast iron one in newer models...
But we are dealing with a car company with low morals that falsified it’s exhaust emissions read outs.. be aware that VW is not a reputable company anymore.. as proven in the courts..
No answers
ieatwords.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ieatwords.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
albert
interesting what you say. I had a caravelle, no one cared at volkswagon, 150,000 ks on the clock, spent $8,000 on repairs, maintained and serviced regularly. sold it for $5,500. Beautiful looking car but what a dissapointment!!