[vik_g]

Facing an unusual issue with the headlamps and taillamps on my Slavia. The car is 1.0L Ambition AT variant purchased from PPS Skoda Rajajinagar, Bangalore and is less than a year old. Within two weeks of purchase, the halogen headlights started developing cracks from the inside, which quickly spread on the entire surface. When I reported this to the PPS Skoda sales branch, they advised me to visit an ASC for inspection. Unfortunately, I was redirected to several service advisors across 2-3 branches before finally being assisted by the PPS ASC in Okalipuram.

During the visual inspection, I was informed that such cracks could only result from use of harsh chemicals or high-pressure washing. Anyway, I was told the warranty process would take time and the car had to be at the ASC for five working days. However, a week later, I was informed that Skoda had rejected the warranty claim, citing it as “damage by the customer”. I insisted they conduct any sort of tests to check if any coatings/polishing had been done on the car. Initially, the dealership resisted, but eventually, agreed to proceed with the replacement as a goodwill from PPS. After many follow-ups and visits to the ASC, they replaced both the headlights, almost after three weeks of reporting the issue! They had also provided me with a loaner car for three days.






About three months later, similar cracks started appearing on one of the tail light!!! This time they were reluctant initially and told that we had already replaced the headlights, so cannot do it under warranty for the tail lights too and gave the same reason that cracks can develop only because of harsh chemical usage. However, after a week they did agree to replace the taillight and assured me that if other one develops cracks in the future, they would also replace it. But this time it took around 2 months to get it replaced - again after multiple emails and calls!




Tail light replacement being such a layman job, whoever fitted it was for sure in a hurry. When I received the car at home, I noticed that the replaced tail light was misaligned and was touching the boot door. Due to which a bit of paint on the boot door was chipped off and the edge of the taillight had become rough!




Strangely, the cracks started to appear on the replaced headlights as well just after 4 months of the first replacement! Not sure if the headlights manufactured in any particular batch has this problem. I am looking to understand the cause of this through the forum, if other VW/Skoda owners experienced similar problems?

Skoda customer care is totally helpless and they have no escalation matrix. Whatever emails or calls you do are just redirected to the dealerships who are not even ready to investigate the root cause of the issue but bluntly rejecting the warranty claim giving the same reason as "damage by customer". Skoda thinks their customers are so foolish to damage the same parts again and again in the exact same pattern and visit them to claim warranty! Customer care just told to visit any other dealership and see if they can resolve the issue! WoW!!

As the owner of an 11-year-old Polo and along with three Vento's, one Rapid in the family, I feel VW's 2.0 lineup to be disappointing in terms of quality. To mention a few issues I have noticed(all mostly common and already discussed in the forum) - annoying operational noise from the brakes, squeaking sounds, inadequate rear AC, rattling noise in the cabin, subpar rear camera. slow and noisy power window motors etc..!

[Vmk1950]

Hi

The tail light / head light cracking on its own frequently is a very strange thing to happen. I am Unable to observe the cracks properly from the picture attached. One probable issue could be the mis alignment of the head light ( leveling) with the mounting area. Due to this, if the HL is not fixed properly it is bound to develop cracks after few weeks. I am surprised why the dealer mechanics can not find the cause for this. It requires through study as to why the HL/ TL is cracking on its own

You should in the mean time send a registered AD letter addressed to Skoda India Managing Director along with details / bill copies of the HL issues and ask them to look in to the issue by deputing one of their Field Service Engineers.

I am sure you will get suitable action from Skoda..

[audioholic]

The only time I ever faced such an issue with my vehicles was when I used a solvent(mostly NC thinner) to clean the headlight of my Bajaj Wave scooter. The headlight got clean first, but after sometime when I took a second glance, it had developed similar cracks. So I suspect something going wrong with the cleaning products you use. Especially when you have the same issue with both headlight and taillight, which are totally distinct parts. If it was a manufacturing defect, that occurring on two unrelated parts on the same car are highly improbable. The other reason I can think of is excess heat due to some external source where you park your car. Apart from these two there is no reason the lights should get cracked so badly.

But yeah thats a shoddy job of fitting the new lights. You should not have accepted the car in that state. Needs refitting for sure.

[AKSarkar1]

Well I don’t think these are cracks per se but instead the outer layer of the plastic deteriorating, if it were truly cracks and in the quantity that you have shared then there would be other issues like light scattering, water intake etc.

Having said that, this issue is more common on older VAG models who have weathered through their years of doing Jetta. My Jetta from 2012 has these imperfections in abundance on the rear taillights, they don’t hamper with any of the functions so I just let them be. Yes, they are an eyesore but replacement for my car costs a bomb.

However, since your car is relatively new, I would push Skoda to give you a replacement or at least try a buff free of cost to see if you can get rid of these issues.

[NiInJa]

If the car is being washed daily, I would check the quality of water used. Bengaluru water especially is very hard and used to leave stains on my car's windshield. Also, is the car parked in shade or direct sunlight for most of the time ?

[vik_g]

Sure, I will soon write a letter to the MD with all the details. Meanwhile, is there any other means to reach out to higher officials in Skoda other than their helpless customer care email and the toll free number?

[vik_g]

I park the car outside, so it will be under direct sunlight in the afternoons mostly 2-3 days a week as I did my previous two cars always in the same spot. On the other days I take it to office, so it will be under shade. Still, I believe Bangalore heat shouldn't cause that severe effect on the lamps?

And I do not wash the car daily! PPS Okalipuram service manager did mention to get the car washed only at their ASC for the next six months to see if the issue repeats after me getting the lamps replaced. When I asked to send out that statement and the proper procedure to wash Skoda cars in written they were reluctant. I did ask them to list out all the chemicals that Skoda permits and another list for harsh ones so that customers will be aware. No response for that either!

If you slide the palm on the surface, we cannot even feel the cracks in the initial stage which made me think that it is getting developed from inside, but ASC is denying it! Well, couple of days back Skoda CC asked me to connect with Tafe ASC in kudlu gate, but the CRM over there just redirected the complaint to PPS again as I had bought the car from them and had been dealing with PPS from the beginning. PPS Okalipuram CRM clearly sent an email saying they are unable to support in anyway on this issue, instead they can offer some minimal discount if I get it replaced by them at my own expense! Such an incompetent team who are not even ready to investigate the issue, at least out of their own curiosity!! Their only statement is "Skoda told this can only because of external physical damage or use of harsh chemicals, so we are not spending time on that" like a copy paste job.

[srinivasaiims]

I had the same issue. The cracks appeared and started to increase on their own. Paid out of pocket to replace. Now after seeing this thread, seems like I should write to Skoda.

[saket77]

Is there any after market supplier for headlamps & tail lamps like Lumax etc. for new cars?
If there is a quality alternative available, it must be cheaper than the OEM and one can also avoid these quality control issues.

[vik_g]

Originally Posted by srinivasaiims

I had the same issue. The cracks appeared and started to increase on their own. Paid out of pocket to replace. Now after seeing this thread, seems like I should write to Skoda.

You should write to skoda to report it. I was told by the Okalipuram ASC that mine is the only car with this issue amoung all the units sold till now in KA - another vague reason for them to reject the warranty! Good that they did not mention it is the only car in the whole country

I just got it checked from VW expert technicians too, as earlier I was owning a polo, had some contacts at their ASC. Seems, they too had customers reporting such issues in 2023 and early 24, but lately not getting such complaints.

[aj_]

I have seen similar cracks on the tail lamps of previous variant of access 125 scooter, and the reason for that happening is the petrol filler cap is just above the tail lamp so while filling the petrol, the last few drops when the person takes out the pipe, drop on the tail lamp unit causing these cracks in the long run. Are you sure you aren't using petrol or any other solvent to clean the vehicle, or is there a person who washes your vehicle, you should go check with them.

Similar thread on that https://www.team-bhp.com/news/15-yea...problems-faced

[srinivasaiims]

Originally Posted by aj_

I have seen similar cracks on the tail lamps of previous variant of access 125 scooter, and the reason for that happening is the petrol filler cap is just above the tail lamp so while filling the petrol, the last few drops when the person takes out the pipe, drop on the tail lamp unit causing these cracks in the long run. Are you sure you aren't using petrol or any other solvent to clean the vehicle, or is there a person who washes your vehicle, you should go check with them.

Similar thread on that https://www.team-bhp.com/news/15-yea...problems-faced

I didn't use any. But hot and humid Chennai sun could be the culprit in addition to poor quality.

[ObsessedByFIAT]

Similar cracks are appearing on my less than 6 months old Suzuki Access 125's tail lamp. Will be taking it to the service centre.

The scooter is not washed very often and is always parked in a covered parking with no chance of sunlight hitting it.

[Motard_Blr]

The lamps are coated with a UV protective lacquer that is sensitive to solvents.
Washing with water would not affect the coating but solvents in polishes, "shiners" and other liquids could cause the issue. The immediate thing to do is to cease and desist using the product.

The coating can't be repaired but it can be replaced with a new layer of UV resistant clear coat. There are many videos on YouTube explaining how to do it.