Technical Bulletin
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

2009-2014

All

All

All

All

All
Except Routan

Condition
66 13 01 July 16, 2013 2027119 Supersedes T.B. V661101 dated August 11, 2011 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, batches and so on):
• 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 8
© 2013 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 code

Possible cause

Measure

Warranty

Bubbles

Surface defect in production (no external
impact).

Parts
replacement

Yes

Page 2 of 8
© 2013 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.

Page 3 of 8
© 2013 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
Conditions Not Covered by Warranty
Complaints on external chrome/aluminum surfaces (for example trim/protective strips, batches and so on):
• marks (brown)
• stone chips
• rust film
• oxidation
• matt/cloudy/milky marks
• hairline cracks in the surface

The surfaces of chrome and anodized aluminum parts can get damaged by:
• external influences
• improper cleaning
• improper cleaning products.
Damage
code

Possible cause

Measure

Warranty

Brown
marks

External impact through road salt

Polish /
No
parts
replacement

Page 4 of 8
© 2013 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

Rust film/industrial dust

Parts
No
replacement

External impact

Clean/polish No

Oxidation Permanent dirt (particularly in areas with a lot of humidity/dirt, for example: Polish
sill panels)

No

Page 5 of 8
© 2013 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 code

Possible cause

Measure

Warranty

Matt/cloudy/milky marks

Discoloring
through alkaline
cleaner

Polish/parts replacement

No

Hairline cracks in the
anodized coat

External impact
through possible
bending of the
components
during the
installation in
service

Parts replacement

No

Page 6 of 8
© 2013 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
Warranty
Information only.

Required Parts and Tools
Not applicable.

Additional Information
Cleaning/polishing recommendation:
• Do not use any alkaline, acidic or chafing cleaners, as they can damage the surfaces of the components
(particularly the anodized coat with 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.
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.
• Dry cleaned chrome and aluminum parts and polish them with a soft, dry cloth.
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 chafes.
• 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.
Page 7 of 8
© 2013 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
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.

Page 8 of 8
© 2013 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.