Perhaps the use of the term recall maybe a little misplaced but I just had a phone call from my dealer saying my car has been recalled for a software update. When I asked what it was about, the answer was "oh its just a software update that will take about an hour".

 

Will this be just a routine update or is it safety critical?

 

Anyone else been asked to bring their car in specifically for a software update recently?

I'd be pushing for details, it's your car afterall.

Mine got an ECU update a couple of weeks ago when it was in for its 10k service. No specific recall though.

Mine got an ECU update a couple of weeks ago when it was in for its 10k service. No specific recall though.

Another Service Campaign, unpublicised  - like the Fabia mk2 vRS DSG was.

Software updates are fairly commonplace, bad news for anybody who had thiers chipped though because it will get you found out and probably ending up reverting back to standard.

Software updates are fairly commonplace, bad news for anybody who had thiers chipped though because it will get you found out and probably ending up reverting back to standard.

They might be but no reason not to notify the Customer in Writing, with reasons for the change- just good Customer relations.

Or you get it chipped by the dealership. My wife's leon was remapped (revo remap) by the seat dealership in Oldham.

Perhaps the use of the term recall maybe a little misplaced but I just had a phone call from my dealer saying my car has been recalled for a software update. When I asked what it was about, the answer was "oh its just a software update that will take about an hour".

 

 

DSG and Cruise control (Not ACC)? Early 2014 MY car, by any chance?

Edited 19 December, 201411 yr by Smeghead

Another Service Campaign, unpublicised  - like the Fabia mk2 vRS DSG was.

 

Software updates are part of a service, this is stated on SUK's website.

Software updates are part of a service, this is stated on SUK's website.

Understand that but just good communication and best practice to inform, in my book. Nice to know !

Software updates are part of a service, this is stated on SUK's website.

Not on the MQB cars anymore. You only get a software update if it is part of a Campaign now.

Funnily enough, the supplying dealer of my first O3 keep calling me about a service campaign. I keep telling them I don't have the car anymore but they tried me 3 times again yesterday!

Another Service Campaign, unpublicised  - like the Fabia mk2 vRS DSG was.

 

 

no reason not to notify the Customer in Writing, with reasons for the change- just good Customer relations.

 

 

Understand that but just good communication and best practice to inform, in my book. Nice to know !

 

 

I can understand why they don't send a personal letter to each and every customer.

 

1.  It is expensive.

 

2.  It risks giving Skoda negative publicity

 

3.  The letter might worry some customers, many of which will have no idea what a "software update" is and wont be aware that updates are quite normal for mdoern vehicles.

 

4.  Some drivers (like me) are only interested in whether their vehicle is running or not running, and don't care whether there is a software update to tweak something or other. I get enough junk pushed through my letterbox as it it 

I can understand why they don't send a personal letter to each and every customer.

 

1.  It is expensive.

 

2.  It risks giving Skoda negative publicity

 

3.  The letter might worry some customers, many of which will have no idea what a "software update" is and wont be aware that updates are quite normal for mdoern vehicles.

 

4.  Some drivers (like me) are only interested in whether their vehicle is running or not running, and don't care whether there is a software update to tweak something or other. I get enough junk pushed through my letterbox as it it 

Only points 1&2 are really important to Skoda!

Bad or no communication to Customer can be expensive to Skoda as Customer may buy elsewhere in future. On that basis a letter of information is cheap!

Reputation is the BIG one for VAG - THAT CAN BE AND HAS BEEN VERY EXPENSIVE FOR them- Fabia vRS MK2 ENGINE ISSUES has been a an on going costly warranty example !Yet they still try to owing up to a problem at the Customer expense and frustration.

Your point 3&4 are an individuals preference.

You can either take an interest and retain with you car history,when you sell on, for their reference, or as in your case chose to bin it.

Fully respect your opinion, although if differs to mine

 

Software updates are not always indicative of a major problem. Even though vehicles undergo testing during the years before launch, there are always minor software bugs that only appear under "odd" or uncommon combinations of circumstances. Post-launch, manufacturers also monitor vehicles and always discover small performance enhancements that are then coded into an updated SW packet.

Re post #13.     Why Skodas reputation is going down hill, as are the VWG other manufacturers.

 

Insread of chasing top 3 places in Customer Satisfaction surveys by doing Service Campaigns unadvertised,

just get the information on Skoda UK News & Information Press Releases.

Then more might trust Skoda, VW, Audi. Seat.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/337617-skoda-service-campaigns-no-recalls-being-done-briskoda-forum

Re post #13.     Why Skodas reputation is going down hill, as are the VWG other manufacturers.

 

Insread of chasing top 3 places in Customer Satisfaction surveys by doing Service Campaigns unadvertised,

just get the information on Skoda UK News & Information Press Releases.

Then more might trust Skoda, VW, Audi. Seat.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/337617-skoda-service-campaigns-no-recalls-being-done-briskoda-forum

Your point about using the Skoda UK CS website was put to Tom Chadwick(senior manager reporting to Brand Director) by me over 3 months ago.

He told me that he had presented this idea at the CS Executive meeting,unfortunately it would seem,that it has been discounted .

A mistake I BELIEVE as this would have been a very simple,low cost, way of keeping the CUSTOMER INFORMED.

I've mentioned similar things to Tom's colleague Dan Wilson as well.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

I've mentioned similar things to Tom's colleague Dan Wilson as well.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Seems like good ideas suggested by Customers, fall on infertile soil at Skoda UK CS

Edited 21 December, 201411 yr by vrskeith

Some find a Skoda Qatar Dealership VIN Checker or on occasion a UK one.

This might show 'Service Campaign work required'.

 

What is so difficult about Skoda UK having a VIN Checker prominent on a Website,

& like VW UK had a list of Service Campaign items.

 

Well they did until one day when i Linked their site all over Briskoda & the net and it Crashed and quickly was updated that day.

Reason being it was inaccurate & misleading, on Recalls.

 

Alasdair Stewart 'Brand Director Skoda UK' is very keen on Positive News on Increased Sales, 

Awards Received and the likes,

Maybe concentrating on Information useful to those that have already spent money at Skoda UK Franchised Dealers would be of more use.

 

http://skoda.co.uk/about-us/news

 

Not going to be so very difficult for Skoda UK to add another Section.

Service Campaign & Recall News, Information, Help,  * VIN CHECKER.*

 

They already have more information already for Business & Fleet Users.

Edited 21 December, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

What happens if heaven forbid, you do not take your nice new shiny Octavia to a dealer for a service?

What happens if you trust your local garage to do the service better with improved communication and price?

Once a tight Tyke always a tight Tyke!

There seems to be some confusion between service campaigns, product recalls and minor software updates.

 

a.  If there's something majorly wrong that could cause failure and negatively impact on the manufacturer's warranty costs, they will be letting you know, of that there is no doubt.

 

b.  If there happens to be a new software packet containing a few NON-CRITICAL tweaks for better or smoother performance, or to remove minor bugs in e.g. the menu navigation (that 99.9% of users might never even encounter), then most manufacturers wont fart around advertising that. The clue's in the name, "NON-CRITICAL". They'll simply update vehicles that are serviced through the dealers. From their point of  view, getting the latest SW packet is one of the benefits of servicing your car at the dealer. If you choose to get your service done at cheaper independent, then the level of service you get is always going to be different. It's a bit like choosing to fly Ryanair and then complaining because you don't get an in-flight meal.

 

This is how it works:

 

1.  You pay for your car. You get a car.

 

2.  You pay for a dealer service. You get a dealer service, including latest software tweak packets.

 

The money you pay at 1 does not include a post-purchase right to the latest software tweak packets. If someone's concerned about having the latest SW, drop into the dealer and ask him to check. And pay him something to do it.

Forgot to add...

 

You only have to worry about this for another decade or so. After that point, most new vehicles will likely be fitted with some sort of telemetry system, which will include remote SW updating.

"they will let you know, of that there is no doubt."

 

Well actually, no!,    There is doubt in the UK.  

 

There were Failures with 1.4 TSI Twincharger Engines from 2009 in the Seat Ibiza Cupra, then Fabia vRS from 2010,

Polo GTI then the Audi A1 185.

 

Many Owners and registered keepers 4-5 years on have never known there was a ECU Update,

and many cars never got it from 2010-2012 when the Engines were revised,.

it is Now over 20% of the 1,800 Skoda vRS CAVE cars engines that have failed.

 

http://revotechnik.com/support/technical/14tsi-twincharger-engine-issues

**If anyone knows of any Information given to Owners /Buyers of these cars from VW,Skoda,Seat or Audi about 

the need of Software Updates (ECU Update) on 2009-2012 engines please post the LInk or where to find this,

that is other than on a Dealership /Technicians Technical Advice that many never follow.**

Now the Software & Update Enhancements from the Skoda Database are supposed to be done at a Main Dealer Service,

but still all are not done.

 

then the DSG DQ200 7 speed twin dry clutch Service Campaign started in May 2014,

Synthetic Oil changed to Mineral & a DSG ECU Software Update

& still no Publicity from VWG or Skoda and many cars that do not have Dealership Servicing or people that bought outwith the Dealership Network have never been contacted.

That is after a 'World Wide Recall'. which did not include Europe.

Service Campaigns that contacted owners in some World Regions,  but not in Europe, UK part of Europe.

 

At least a Service Campaign in New Zealand lets REgistered Keepers know.

(Like a 'Recall', not like a 'Skoda Secret Service Campaign.)

http://skoda.co.nz/news/dsg-service-campaign

Edited 24 December, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

There seems to be some confusion between service campaigns, product recalls and minor software updates.

 

a.  If there's something majorly wrong that could cause failure and negatively impact on the manufacturer's warranty costs, they will be letting you know, of that there is no doubt.

 

b.  If there happens to be a new software packet containing a few NON-CRITICAL tweaks for better or smoother performance, or to remove minor bugs in e.g. the menu navigation (that 99.9% of users might never even encounter), then most manufacturers wont fart around advertising that. The clue's in the name, "NON-CRITICAL". They'll simply update vehicles that are serviced through the dealers. From their point of  view, getting the latest SW packet is one of the benefits of servicing your car at the dealer. If you choose to get your service done at cheaper independent, then the level of service you get is always going to be different. It's a bit like choosing to fly Ryanair and then complaining because you don't get an in-flight meal.

 

This is how it works:

 

1.  You pay for your car. You get a car.

 

2.  You pay for a dealer service. You get a dealer service, including latest software tweak packets.

 

The money you pay at 1 does not include a post-purchase right to the latest software tweak packets. If someone's concerned about having the latest SW, drop into the dealer and ask him to check. And pay him something to do it.

In my opinion, you clearly don't get the point of being informed and having some knowledge of changes.

 

It also appears to me that you are far to Trusting of the manufacturer explanations for their changes. 

 

We have examples of Skoda and other manufacturer convincing Authorities that their updates are minor "Non Critical".

(your description) 

 

The Fabia vRS DSG- Oil change and ECU update. This clearly, in most owners opinion, had a Safety aspect to it.

Manufacturers (Not All) have a happy knack of treating the Customer with a lack of Respect - and consider them to be ignorant on technical matters, there are a high proportion that are not  and like to understand what is going on within THEIR vehicle..

Your example, is a case in point relating to Aircraft, I expect the same standards of Safety whether I am flying Ryanair or  British Airways or others, as they are governed by an independent authority ,with whom  the Customers safety is paramount.

 

The Future - well your comments/vision about this would have me even more worried, change via the ether ,with no prior communications even more alarming. 

Edited 24 December, 201411 yr by vrskeith