V661803_2027119

Technical Bulletin
Model(s)
Year
Eng. Code
Trans. Code
VIN Range From
VIN Range To
2013-2019
All
All
All
All
All
Except Routan
Condition
66 18 03 October 25, 2018 2027119 Supersedes T.B. 66-16-03 (V661603) dated October 18, 2016 to include
additional model year applicability.
Damage on External Chrome or Aluminum Surfaces
Customer statement:
Complaints on external chrome/aluminum surfaces (for example trim, protective strips, etc.):
 bubbles
 flaking-off
 cracks
Technical Background
The surfaces of chrome parts can get damaged in the production process or by external influences.
Production Solution
Not applicable.
Page 1 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Service
Conditions Covered by Warranty
Illustrations of components with complaints on the chrome coating:
Damage type
Possible cause
Measure
Warranty
Bubbles
Surface defect in production (no
external impact).
Parts replacement
Yes
Page 2 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Flaking-off
Surface defect in production (no
external impact).
Parts replacement
Yes
Cracks
Surface/material defect in production
(no external impact).
Parts replacement
Yes
Tip:
If parts are replaced according to the repair manual, the following points must be observed:
 Do not bend the components as this can lead to tiny cracks in the surface.
Conditions Not Covered by Warranty
Complaints on external chrome/aluminum surfaces (for example trim, protective strips, etc.):
 marks (brown)
 stone chips
 rust film
 hairline cracks in the surface
Page 3 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
The surfaces of chrome and anodized aluminum parts can get damaged by:
 external influences
 improper cleaning
 improper cleaning products.
Damage type
Possible cause
Measure
Warranty
Brown marks
External impact through
road salt
Polish / parts replacement
No
Page 4 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Stone chips
Damage through external
impact
Parts replacement
No
Rust spots/industrial
dust
External impact
Clean/polish
No
Page 5 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Illustrations of components with complaints on the anodized aluminum:
Damage type
Possible cause
Measure
Warranty
Hairline cracks in the
anodized coat
External impact through possible bending
of the components during the installation
in service
Parts replacement
No
Warranty
Information only.
Required Parts and Tools
Not applicable.
Additional Information
Cleaning/polishing recommendation:
 Do not use any alkaline, acidic or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the surfaces of the components
(particularly anodized aluminum).
 Before the treatment the components must be clean and dry.
 Commercially available wax-containing chrome/ aluminum polish can be used.
 Observe the instructions of the cleaners.
Page 6 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
When washing the car alkaline cleaners are often used.
As they are sometimes highly concentrated, they must be completely rinsed off with water. Dry the surfaces with a
soft cloth. This is particularly important on hot days, as the water quickly evaporates, leaving cleaner residues.
Avoid direct sunlight when cleaning the car.
Particularly in winter dirt and salt must be quickly removed.
Observe the following instruction from the owner’s manual:
 Dampen a clean, soft cloth with water and clean the surfaces with it.
 If the surfaces are very dirty, use solvent-free care products.
 Use a dry, soft cloth to clean and polish chrome and aluminum parts.
To prevent the chrome and aluminum parts from future damage:
 Do not clean or polish chrome and aluminum parts in direct sunlight.
 Do not clean or polish chrome and aluminum parts in a dusty or sandy environment.
 Do not use any care product which contains abrasives.
 Do not use insect or kitchen sponges or similar.
 Do not polish dirty surfaces.
 Do not use solvent-containing cleaners.
 Do not use hard wax.
All part and service references provided in this Technical Bulletin are subject to change and/or removal.
Always check with your Parts Dept. and Repair Manuals for the latest information.
Document Control Revision Table
Instance Number
Published Date
Version Number
Reason For Update
2027119/6
10/25/18
V661803
Include additional model
year applicability.
2027119/5
10/18/16
V661603
Include model year 2017
applicability.
2027119/1
8/11/11
V661101
Original publication.
Page 7 of 7
© 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.