[chrislyon3]

Ugh. I'm having a similar problem, but it comes and goes. Yesterday, the door kept popping half-open on its own during the first minute of my drive. After finding various other threads, it seems that driver door lock/latch issues are actually common. Hopefully that means the dealerships know how to fix it!

 

[chrislyon3]

I'm happy to learn all the idiosyncrasies of the car because I love it. I appreciate the OP posting this, along with their candor and attitude. I'm not sure why anyone would feel skeptical or dismissive. I shared my ongoing issue because it seemed very similar, and based on my reading, I am also hoping to hear from others who have already had this part replaced.

Patient as ever, I'm still giving my door time to get over its sporadic fits of violent internal kalUNKing. Each time I approach with the fob, I'm filled with optimism and hope that my favorite door will respond to my tender-yet-firm sqeeze and dimple caress as its brethren do. I don't feel betrayed when I firmly shut and lock the door, only to return to find it popped slightly open, almost wistfully. And it breaks my heart each time the handle almost-inevitably dislocates and mechanically complies to my brute force.

I just had a more serious thought -- the other day when I was opening and closing the door in a bonding/troubleshooting session, I heard some serious creaking. I noticed evidence of friction right at the seam in the "Pro S" badge, which resolved after I brushed away the paint dust. The door appears to fit fine, but is it possible my issues are caused by a slight misalignment? I am a bit surprised how little there is to see on the edge of the door for such sophisticated functions. Does anyone know what the one recessed hole is? It looks like an hourglass shape. I suppose those 2 bolts don't do anything helpful.

 

[chrislyon3]

Fair enough. It's hard for me to commit a couple of hours for a dealer visit, at least while they're open. I don't plan on living with this. But I am getting even more curious about how the whole mechanism works in there. Maybe I can find a part schematic or something. Today it did something new -- when I (half) pulled the handle from inside, I could hear it trying to unlatch, but I was unable to push it open.

 

[chrislyon3]

I had a Passat where the driver’s door would open, but not re-latch (generally when there was freezing fog). To get to work, I lowered the drivers and rear passenger windows an inch, and put a ratchet strap around the B-pillar. (Of course I had to remove the strap to get out in the parking ramp at work… parking inside the ramp always fixed it).

Nice. That happened once in my Jetta, and I just drove 30 miles to work like that. Not a major problem except when making right turns...while shifting gears...

 

[chrislyon3]

Quick update with all issues experienced:

• Both interior AND exterior handles electronic mechanism for door opening sometimes work and other times don't or has delayed response
• Random clicking sound from the opening motor when no actions are done with the door
• Door may randomly crack open slightly when the car is parked
• Door may randomly open while at the stop light, putting the car into Park
• Driver side door cannot be locked from inside or outside
• The inside door lock button does not always lock doors
• Door may randomly swing open when someone is driving in the car
• Random notifications in the mobile app that the door is opened when no one is opening the doors or near the car. (Could be several notifications within a few seconds)
• Charging plug gets locked even when the car was done charging and set to release connector

While this is bumped, I'd like to say that this list describes my experience exactly (except I think the last 2, though I have notifications off). Today, my door popped itself open during a right turn from a stop sign, which was a first. Thankfully, I was finally able to reach the scheduler at my dealer's service dept. (after their online portal not working, me leaving a voicemail, using their "contact us" form and telling the salesperson who responded to forward my message...) It turns out I still have to wait 10 days just to drop the car off (and insist on a loaner) for a diagnostic appointment. I worry that I'm going to end up needing to tell them how y'all's mechanics solved the problem.

 

[chrislyon3]

Yikes. I'd like to figure out why my lock sometimes does work. On my last drive, everything performed as expected. I even opened and shut the door a few times. Oddly enough, I heard the door squeak again a couple of times, and it had indeed rubbed a tiny bit more paint off the badging that runs across the door seam. The only crazy theory I have left is that the latch is misaligned by a sliver, and when it fails to secure, it freaks out. But idk, the door looks properly aligned and the badge that rubs is probably hand-placed with adhesive.

Out of curiosity, I found and read the technical repair manual, but it didn't have details about the lock mechanism, beyond how to replace it. There is a bolt that sticks out of the door (covered by a black rubber cap, which I had first assumed was a sensor.) It's used to release something during repair (by turning then pushing) so I don't love that mine seems to have some noticeable, though probably normal, play to its position. Oh well, this is probably nonsense, especially since the hand-powered functions almost always work, via those cables with a cool name that I read about in the manual.

 

[chrislyon3]

Probably at this point you should take it to dealer to evaluate and order part which might be a while... At least for me

Yeah but I still have another week until my appointment.

 

[chrislyon3]

Yeah, that's how I have to open my door 90% of the time. By the way, it's been at the dealer for 2 days, but they're hopeful they can soon give me an ETA on the backordered handle the tech line told them I needed... They first thought I might need a new door harness. I told them I was surprised it's the handle and not the latch, and they may need to just send a whole new door (I'm getting a working car back one way or another after a reasonable time, even if it's off the lot, lol)

 

[chrislyon3]

These doors take some getting used to for opening them so naturally people are immediately jumping to its a “problem.”We ALL had to get used to them. I think they my call it “progress.” Glad it wasn’t just my generation that gets caught! 🤣

Now you doors flying open well I am pretty sure the computer logs that so it shouldn’t be a problem to fix the few newbies reporting that. But in fact that hasn’t been a problem since the 1960’s or 1970’s as far as I have ever heard.

Dude, you already did your condescending dismissive gatekeeping in this thread...I get that you don't want the car to get a bad name, and I get your frustration with people who just haven't read the manual, and maybe that first-time poster above really is part of a spamming conspiracy...but why can't you just let us grownups with actual problems discuss them in peace?

 

[chrislyon3]

No, some of us don't have to learn to use them, we have to take them to get fixed because they're faulty. Go ahead, next tell us to post the work order to prove to help others, like some sort of delusional inside joke.

 

[chrislyon3]

Merely wondered about all the various comments about that something needs to be learned to open the doors.

Nah, don't worry. When working properly, I think the doors are kind of cool with their power-assist. The troll was just insinuating that some of us with faulty or malfunctioning doors just haven't adapted to some of the car's quirks. Then threw out that nonsensical straw-man argument because he seems to like being manipulative and obtuse.

 

[chrislyon3]

I'm only 8 days in, and I can't say I'm enjoying the Tiguan loaner, considering I just paid $50 to fill the gas tank. I got a response today that they have "only an estimate" of Feb. 8th... All I know is they're waiting for a backordered handle, though I should probably get some more details in writing. No - what I really need to get are my carseats back! At least I know the car is unlocked... and apparently the door is open, at leas according to the app.

 

[chrislyon3]

lol! I really hope there's a batch of handles being imported and expected at dealerships on Feb. 8. If so, I'm kind of glad it took awhile to get my car in, because otherwise I'd be getting starting the lemon/buyback process. I really do want to love this car, and I felt so lucky getting a '23 delivered in Nov., with 3.1 software, Pirelli tires, and no major issues.

I've been looking forward to this for a decade -- I've been following the EV market, and was an early Tesla fan and investor. I finally got a driveway installed, which let me put in a charger, and it seemed as if the stars had aligned perfectly. My excitement was enough to let me not care about any of the "idiosyncrasies" that others complain about.

But it stung last night as I pulled my loaner Tiguan in next to an ID.4... the lights look great at night and make it easy to ID. People were still in the car and I would've at least waved if I had my ID.4, but I felt like a gawking idiot. I don't think of the car as a status symbol, and I don't even really like interacting with people, but I guess I am a little proud because it was disappointing. Oh well. I'll give it another week...

 

[chrislyon3]

Did they disconnect the electronic side to prevent it from opening automatically?

My guess is the problem with that would be the fact that there is no manual lock. From my limited experience, it seems the electronics for the two functions are interconnected.

 

[chrislyon3]

Lastly, I would think incidences like these that endanger drivers should be reported to the NHTSA. If enough people have the issue I imagine that would force an investigation and recall.

Yes, it can't hurt, and it's for everyone's protection. I did, and received a followup email.
It seems this part has occasional issues in earlier years, but a ton of '23s are encountering it very quickly. I smell a recall coming and a whole lot of buybacks since the clock is ticking and they don't have their act together!

 

[chrislyon3]

Welp, this sucks! I was told 2/8, then 2/10, but when I checked today I was told MARCH 10th!!! Seriously, are they waiting to send the newly redesigned handle? I told the service manager and my salesman that I'm starting the lemon process on Monday. I should probably contact customer care. At least a bunch of us will be able to help each other navigate this process...

In the meantime, I'm getting tired of this Tiguan. It's so jerky from 0-20 mph. And I'm tired of turning on ACC, switching to Travel Assist, and adjusting the following distance every single time. I'd rather have the simple capacitive steering wheel buttons than the gazillion that this has. I appreciate that I can reliably turn on the seat warmer with one touch, and that the handle button locks reliably, though I don't like having to press the handle to unlock, especially if I don't remember if it's already unlocked or not.

Gah! Anyone hear any good news recently?

 

[chrislyon3]

Yeah, "what to do now" is the question. So I started a chat with customer care, and they were great - took all the details and escalated it to the regional office and said they would contact my dealer.

For me, I need to separate "what I want" from "what I deserve on principle." I still want an ID.4, but this is might be the only chance to cut-n-run in case this is just a taste of what long-term ownership will be like. Honestly I started to feel a little bad last night and was wondering if I should just go get my ID.4 and drive it while I wait - the dealer never said I could pick it up or couldn't drive it (I'm not really worried about my own safety, but on principle it's not safe to drive). I'm going today to at least take my carseats back.

Maybe with CARE on the case, the dealership has more options to help me out. I'm not interested in leveraging the lemon law in order to stick it to them, or game the tax incentive system. In fact, I'm kind of worried that I could end up losing significant money if I do a buyback then buy a new ID.4, with the NJ point-of-sale incentive, registration fees, and unknowns. Perhaps I'll do a close read of the Warranty.

I think maybe I'll just ask for an ID.4 loaner - at least then I get a month of free mileage. If this were any other product, you would bring it back and they'd just give you a new, working one (maybe VW should look into the strategies of those amazon sellers who know their product will break so they just keep sending free replacements). So to me, the right thing would be for them to say "I'm sorry we can't fix your car, but here's a new one, and here's something for your troubles."

I don't know how this is going to turn out, but I highly recommend chatting with CARE as a starting point. Laws vary by state but it seems they're eager to act even if you haven't started any official process.

 

[chrislyon3]

I would not put too much weight on patents.

I agree, but it's still pretty ironic. Kind of like the marketing email I just got from my dealership with the subject: "The Service your Car Needs, at your Fingertips!" This patent does show that VW has its resources misallocated, even within the narrow subcategory of "door handle."

(sorry that I've made myself at home in this thread, but my original one about the issue is long gone). One more update -- I went to the dealership today to get the car seats from my ID.4. There was nobody in the service lobby when I popped in, so I just searched for my car (since I knew it would be unlocked, lol). I found it parked out back (open air but fenced in), but I saw a noticeable dent on the hood! I'm 99% sure it happened after I dropped it off, but the idea of even mentioning it is stressing me out! I guess I'll be pushing for them to just give me a new ID.4...

 

[chrislyon3]

I got a call today from the regional person. She sent me email instructions for all the documents to scan and send them (ridiculous), at which point I should hear back in 20 days... I said, "ok, but I'm sending the lemon law letter tomorrow, so that process will be over in less than that." I figured with the lemon law, we have all the leverage, but we'll see!

 

[chrislyon3]

Congrats! Did you know they would replace the latch as well?
This morning I got an update that "the door handle is here and over at paint" so that's good! Although I had finally discovered that the Tiguan does in fact have a parking break... This is for the best, even though I went as far as mailing a certified letter in the lemon law process. Now I just hope the dealer fixes the dent on my hood without a fuss.