Technical Bulletin
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

2013-2016

All

All

All

All

All
Except Routan

Condition
66 16 02 April 6, 2016 2027119 Supersedes T.B. V661502 dated March 11, 2015 to include additional model year
applicability and include updated information.
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
© 2016 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 of7
© 2016 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

{I)

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 of7
© 2016 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 of7
© 2016 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

Clean/polish

No

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

Page 5 of7
© 2016 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 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.

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.

Page 6 of7
© 2016 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
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.

Page 7 of7
© 2016 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.