2005.5 Jetta Brake Problems at 14,000 miles?

Question

@ 14,000 miles my brakes were squealing.
Took it in for service and was told that my Front Brakes needed to be replaced and that the rotors were a little bit damaged but I could get away with just changing the pads.

Now at 17, 000 miles I am told that my Rear brakes need to be changed. The service manager said that the pads probably only have 2,000 miles left and that the Rotors are burnt from Canyon driving. . . (???)
Said I need to replace both for $450.
and that its all normal wear and tear and not covered under warranty.

I have only had the car for a little over 1 year.
How can I be having all these brake issues already?
and with no coverage under warranty?

Am I being ripped off?

thanks

Answer 1

That model jetta is known for having rear brake issues - especially vr6. the pad material has been updated to a better grade of brake pad. As for your front brakes, pad wear down is not necessarily a reason to replace pads. If your rotors are glazed, they will heat up your pads higher than normal and reduce their effectiveness regardless of thickness for the rest of their useful life.

There is nothing you can do but to replace all the pads and front rotors (rear rotors only if really damaged) - sine vw rotors only allow 2mm to be taken off when resurfacing, it's unlikely for glazed rotors to be resurface to within specs and without causing future brake issues (brake pedal vibration, squealing) that will lead to rotor replacement anyway.

As for your service manager, he's an idiot for mentioning canyon driving as a reason for increased wear and has lost your confidence in his department's competence. Simple highway driving habits and late braking can cause this condition. As for coverage, brakes, belts and wiper blades are only covered for the first 12 months or 12k miles on most every vehicle , most every make sold in the US. No dealer will goodwill a brake job unless authorized by a manufacturer representative. It is up to you to pursue this matter further if you really feel that it is unfair. But normally I would recommend to just have your brakes replaced - but at another dealer with a smarter service manager.

Answer 2

The question that first comes to mind is ...How come they didn't check the back brakes the time they did the front?
Noises have a funny way of transferring themselves. What you think comes out of the front could be well coming out of the rear.
17000 miles sounds way too short. Ask at other dealerships about their cars and the length of time the brakes would last with no trailer in tow. I am sure the number will be way different.
A car is a car is a car. They all do the same thing, use the same fuel, oil, coolant. So if one takes way more to maintain....that company won't last very long. If you are not covered, go to an independent brake shop. Otherwise get clarrificationb on this "canyon driving" and see "if you were born yesterday"