Hi levnclo,

I think you have been extremely good natured, humoured and patient over this sorry affair and, unfortunately, I could not see myself being the same. A free service is the least they can do.

I hope everything gets sorted asap.

Same from me levnclo.

A quick resolution is what's needed :yes:

Hi Levnclo

Truely sorry to read your story, especially as my Yeti (Dec 09) came off the line in good working order.

But I had a parallel experience with my first Nissan Terrano (a company car). At the time, there had been a massive increase in the orders for Terranos (due to British Gas putting in a bulk order.)

Mine had failed drive shafts. ( they were not finished properly and tore the oil seals to bits) A failed front wheel lock. (part of the 4 wheel drive system) and a leaking sunroof. All in 11 months of ownership.

I put the failures down to poor quality control due to the over high demand.

Are there parallels here with the high demand for Yetis?

My circumstances allowed me to purchase a second Terrano as part X for the first, (bought off BG when I took redundancy) and the second NT did 90,000 miles without any major problem.

Hope your problems are sorted very soon.

Edited 12 July, 201015 yr by Terfyn

What a nightmare..... I'm not sure I would want that car back......

What a nightmare..... I'm not sure I would want that car back......

Me neither... :(

If the car has any mechanical faults in the near future it WILL go back!!! BUT I do I think it is an isolated problem which is just down to bad luck...

When it first leaked I suspected it to be a common fault relating to the sun roof because it happened about the time they stopped being an option...It appears, thankfully, that mine is the only one!!

Deep joy.

I'm hoping to enjoy the build quality everyone else seems (rightfully) to be indulging in some time soon. This is my first Skoda afterall, and the promise of vehicle quality was the reason for the purchace. Skoda do not make the sun roof, I notice!!

For what it is worth, previous vehicles have been Discovery 200, 2 X Discovery 300's, Discovery 2, Defender 90, Kangoo Expression and now the Skoda.

All vehicle choices were made for practicality,(family of 4) and country dwelling....more recently concerns over fuel economy and general 'do gooding' led to the more economical cars!

The Kangoo was problem free for the 3 years it was under warranty........................we kept it for just under four. Again, deep joy.

Without fail all the Landrovers leaked..and suffered build quality problems., the best was the earliest 200 model discovery, the worst, the Discovery 2 which suffered two factory recalls and an endless list of niggles and warning lights.

First car...2CV., then 2 very VERY old Wolseley 16/60's {my favorite of the lot I think!) and an Austin 1800 hearse which I used as a delivery van when starting my business!!!

With that little lot under my belt it may be clear as to why I seem so patient!!

Edited 14 July, 201015 yr by levnclo

14th July 2010.

Hi all..This is I'm afraid where it gets a bit more serious!!

I was contacted this morning by Skoda UK. Indeed the leak fault has been traced, and I was told (astonishingly) that it is a design fault !! Very worrying!!

When the nose of the Yeti is parked facing up hill the sunroof drain chanels are of insuficient diameter to cope with the amount of water, and it overflows into the car. It was also pointed out to me that my car may have been fitted with unusually narrow drain channels??

Apparently the fault has been reported back to Skoda headquarters for examination and rectification!!

I will be really interested if anyone else has had a Yeti parked nose up in the rain and found puddles on the floor. I mean..if it is a design fault mine can't be the only one!

This is where it gets surreal: The technician working on the Yeti has fashioned new larger diameter drain channels and fitted them to the car. The repair is awaiting approval from Skoda Head Office. When repairs are approved I can have my newly sealed Yeti back.

Eh?

I'm reading this back to myself and I don't belive it...

Gosh... Well since mine is only getting built (with sunroof) in Week 41 I do hope they make a decent running change to this as I can't imagine I'd always remember to park nose down!

Gosh... Well since mine is only getting built (with sunroof) in Week 41 I do hope they make a decent running change to this as I can't imagine I'd always remember to park nose down!

Don't panic Johann,

I noticed the problem first about two months ago and in that time no other Yeti owners or dealers I've had contact with have experienced leaks. It is maybe just rotten luck that my parking area is at just the right (wrong) angle to cause the leak.

I It can't be a design fault..I dont think they would have told me and SURELY it would have been noticed by now in other Yeti's.

Mabey we could find out...fancy leaving your brand new Yeti at my place during the next downpour??!!

Edited 14 July, 201015 yr by levnclo

Update from the dealer:

The leak IS a design fault!!....that means all Yetis with the sunroof built with the same spec as mine will leak if parked with the nose uphill in heavy rain, apparently the drain channells are simply too small to cope with the volume of water this can generate.

Now I cant help feeling this MUST have something to do with the cancellation of sunroofs as an option.

I asked the dealer if this would result in a recall for all Yetis with the sunroof and was told, "It shouldnt me too much of a problem as they have gone out in very limited numbers", hmm, I thought they were overstretched!!

Anyway..they are keeping the car till next week.

Beginning to feel a little cheated.

A design fault....have you got that in writing, ???

Awful situation you find yourself in are you now in a position to either have a refund or a new Yeti with the modification tested and approved by skoda. Your dealer may do their modification but this would not have been researched and tested by skoda, but then again I would have assumed that the original sunroof would have been tested with the car in all angles and simulated weather conditions as sunroofs from a design point of view presents a challenge to be weather tight in extreme conditions, would you consider Yeti with out one ? What ever the outcome lets hope you can soon get back to enjoying your motoring .

My Yeti Roof is leaking in exactly the same place and it smells too....... so annoying yet to take it to dealer.....erghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

My Yeti Roof is leaking in exactly the same place and it smells too....... so annoying yet to take it to dealer.....erghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Please can you let me know which dealer fixed yours as it will be easier for them to fix mine being the same problem?

Thanks Thomas

Please can you let me know which dealer fixed yours as it will be easier for them to fix mine being the same problem?

Thanks Thomas

So sorry to hear of your problem Thomas, I know how frustrating it is!

If my dealer is being truthful this is a design fault which has been discovered due to the leak in my car..hence it is the first one to be dealt with. I first took it to Birchwood Skoda in Eastbourne who could not find the leak and returned the car..with a dent in it!

The car is presently with Beadles Skoda in Maidstone who have had if for a month. The contact there is Kirsty, email: [email protected], tel: 0844 245 4061. The contact at Skoda UK is John Good, tel: 0845 7745745. Case No: SD-2010/07-001657. Both will be VERY aware of the problem. Apparently my car has been repaired pending approval from Skoda, so I can't have it back yet! By Friday they will have had the car for 1 Month.

I would suggest without question you take the car to them to prevent having to go through the whole process with another 'green' dealer.

I fear more and more Yeti owners are going to suffer the same problem as the Summer draws to a close.

Edited 15 July, 201015 yr by levnclo

A design fault....have you got that in writing, ???

Hi Macdemon..no I haven't got it in writing yet, just over the phone from the dealer AND Skoda UK. They are hanging on to the car, although it has been repaired, pending approval from Skoda.

Sadly it seems a new member, Thomas 29, is suffering the same the problem.

Hope it all gets sorted soon.

Happy motoring,

Levnclo.

Edited 15 July, 201015 yr by levnclo

Thanks for that Levnclo, lucky we could not get a sunroof

The sunroof is a fantastic accessory, and as one who likes open spaces (ie: claustraphobic ex biker) I loved the amount of light it lets through the roof. I hadn't anticipated the amount of water too.

However, I guess all cars that are new off the production line suffer niggles.

I do believe Skoda UK and Beadles have done their best to get it all sorted. It must be hard for a dealer to fix an unknown design fault afterall!, and Skoda have kept me informed and acknowleded my inconvenience and frustration.

I have been told by Skoda UK that the car will be returned by the end of next week.., although we will see. I had been told(earlier this week) it would be returned by today.

Apparently there is a behind the scenes row going on abount the dink in the roof as the manager at the dealers in Eastbourne did not know about it, but SUK are pressing him to foot the repair bill which is apparently £580.00. Why was I even told this??

My 'compensation' has been stretched to TWO free services, again, without asking.

Quite bizarre that we bought a Muscovado 140 4x4 Yeti Elegance with Gobi leather interior and a few bells and whistles, and have ended up with a Blue Roomster 2wd with a black cloth interior and a fed up wife!

I think when it comes to buying a car in the future I may just dig myself a huge hole and lie in it with most of my bank account. It will be simpler...in fact..where is my spade...?

Edited 19 July, 201015 yr by levnclo

Thank you so much for that info hopefully it will make things easier, I have called John and he is going to try and sort it out for me. This web thing is great, I wish this was here for my VW problems. I will let you know how I get on.

Thank you

Tom

Thank you so much for that info hopefully it will make things easier, I have called John and he is going to try and sort it out for me. This web thing is great, I wish this was here for my VW problems. I will let you know how I get on.

Thank you

Tom

I wish you good luck!

Regards.

Hi levnclo,

I have been following your thread thinking (hopefully as we have a sunroof!) that your terrible problems were just a one off which was being sorted out by your dealer...but it now appears to be a more serious problem affecting potentially all Yetis with the panoramic sunroof?

Are Skoda saying it is a design fault with all Yetis? or just yours? If I am reading it correctly?? if any Yeti with the sunroof was parked on your drive it would leak?? OMG :'( Surely they, Skoda UK, have to issue a recall for urgent repairs before the winter? and come to that Skoda Worldwide if this is a basic design fault?

levnclo- could you post a picture where you park it and give a description of angle of slope, whether under trees etc... please so we all know what parking conditions may cause this problem?

And please keep us updated re the fix- if it gets approved and most of all if it works!!

You are staying so cheerful- it is to be admired :yes: and I hope it all turns out ok in the end and you will be happy with your Yeti.

Thomas29- I am so sorry to hear you are having the same problem :S - can you tell us where yours was parked, slope angle-if on one, under trees, in what weather conditions and where it leaked from and how much and post any photos of your parking area and the leak/damage please- I hope yours is also sorted asap with the fix if it is approved- please let us know of your replies from Skoda UK and Beadles and keep us updated as to what is going on- it will be much appreciated by us all who have sunroofs...as yet with no leaks but not looking good :no:

Oh dear not a good start to my weekend :( - poor yetis...and leaking roof owners

Lady Penelope

wouldnt be the first car manafacturer to suffer leaking sunroof's.....ive had a ford and hyundai that leaked in certain conditions..both were new'.....one reason why i dont order with a sunroof nowadays, my current car leaks when i go thru car washes'.....( ford focus)...not thru a sunroof tho(hasnt got one)..but down inside the front A pillar :S ...anyways hope u both get your leaks sorted asap, esp lev' as yours has been far too long and i for one wouldnt have handled the situation as cool as u thats for sure

I once had a Mk3 Cortina that leaked, so I took the carpets out and drilled holes in the floor!!

The car had only cost me £100.

tom

Edited 17 July, 201015 yr by Sanqhar

I once had a Mk3 Cortina that leaked, so I took the carpets out and drilled holes in the floor!!

The car had only cost me £100.

tom

The good old days of motoring, I repaired rot round my headlights on my cortina with meat pie foil cartons and loads of filler.

Hi levnclo,

I have been following your thread thinking (hopefully as we have a sunroof!) that your terrible problems were just a one off which was being sorted out by your dealer...but it now appears to be a more serious problem affecting potentially all Yetis with the panoramic sunroof?

Are Skoda saying it is a design fault with all Yetis? or just yours? If I am reading it correctly?? if any Yeti with the sunroof was parked on your drive it would leak?? OMG :'( Surely they, Skoda UK, have to issue a recall for urgent repairs before the winter? and come to that Skoda Worldwide if this is a basic design fault?

levnclo- could you post a picture where you park it and give a description of angle of slope, whether under trees etc... please so we all know what parking conditions may cause this problem?

And please keep us updated re the fix- if it gets approved and most of all if it works!!

You are staying so cheerful- it is to be admired :yes: and I hope it all turns out ok in the end and you will be happy with your Yeti.

Thomas29- I am so sorry to hear you are having the same problem :S - can you tell us where yours was parked, slope angle-if on one, under trees, in what weather conditions and where it leaked from and how much and post any photos of your parking area and the leak/damage please- I hope yours is also sorted asap with the fix if it is approved- please let us know of your replies from Skoda UK and Beadles and keep us updated as to what is going on- it will be much appreciated by us all who have sunroofs...as yet with no leaks but not looking good :no:

Oh dear not a good start to my weekend :( - poor yetis...and leaking roof owners

Lady Penelope

Hi Lady P,

First of all..DONT PANIC..if your Yeti isnt leaking at the moment you are not going so suddenly wake up to a mobile paddling pool!

The problem with my car is that the drain pipes which take water away from the sunroof water chanels are too small in diameter when..and only when.. the nose is elevated about 150mm higher than the rear, and if the car is tilted either slightly to the left or right. If tilted to the left the water comes in on the left side, if to the right, it comes in on the right.

The fix, so I have been told by SUK, has been to widen the entrance of these drain chanels. The remaining issue is wether or not ALL yetis have been fitted with the same pipes, or whether mine, and Thomas 29's (and perhaps a few others) have been fitted with different stock which isn't up to the task. In reality this problem may only affect a few cars on the production line at the same time, or all Yetis. I understand from SUK that this is being looked into at the moment..BUT..as far as I know, and from the response from Briskoda, very few Yeti/Sunroof owners are driving around with their feet in water. This may change as we experience more rain..and if the cars are parked as mine is, on a slope and slightly tilted. As it stands SUK are not being innundated with complaints about leaks...which makes me feel kinda special! I think that MUST prove it is not a problem with all cars..I do hope so!

I will update you as matters progress. Days without Yeti..31.

I think the courtesy Roomster will need a service soon...will I get a courtesy courtesy car?

Regards..and don't worry!!

Levnclo.

Edited 19 July, 201015 yr by levnclo