Galaxy/alhambra/sharan Reliability

[PabloH20]

Currently thinking about buying 1 of the trio. I have seen the posts about the aircon and I was just wondering what other faults are out there !!

 

I have a Picasso which spent a fair amount of it's 1st year travelling back & forth to the garage to fix faults & rattles and I really don't want to go through the same experience again.

 

So I was wondering if there are many faults/ reliability issues or are the faults on here like most things - people voice complaints more than sing praises.

 

Your responses would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Pablo

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Hello Pablo and welcome to the site! Do you work in the water industry (H2O)?

The forum is a great source of help and advice, hence many posts are problem related. If you can afford to go for a facelifted model (late 2000 onwards) they are supposedly much improved over the early models. Aircon system is badly designed in all models/versions, hence numerous problems although some people have had little or no, trouble. Electrical gremlins also persist -eg wiring loom through tailgate often breaks, brake lamp switch on brake pedal is prone to failure etc, but I suspect that all cars have their own peculiarities and problem areas.

[HJT]

Like most cars they have their particular faults and peculiarities but don't be put off by the fact that it seems to be all about problems on here. The very nature of a forum like this is a place to come when you have a fault or query.

There are certain problems that seem to affect the range some small, some more serious.

MAF sensors in TDI

Aircon reliability

Disconnecting rear wash pipes

Damage to wiring at the tailgate joint

Anti-roll bar bushes wearing

Etc etc.

The thing is you may get all, some or none of these problems. Personally I have only had the anti-roll bar bush problem so far, which was easily fixed under warranty.

As you can see from your Picasso experience, no car is ever 100% guaranteed fault free and reliable.

 

Howard

[HJT]

Sorry Ivor I've virtually repeated your post. I was typing at the same time as you. Great minds think alike ehh :huh:

 

Howard

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Too true...

[PabloH20]

Thanks guys for your replies.

 

I know what you mean about the very nature of forums being problem based but I know one of the Picasso sites I used to go to had an excessive number of complaints about the car which can give you some hint to the reliability/build quality of the car & how good the garages are.

 

To be honest the whole experience really put me off & I've lost faith in the car which is why I want to change cars. The next car I buy I want to keep for a fair few years which is why I was asking about the reliability !! lol

 

By the way I don't work in the water industry but it's a username I always remember !! lol

 

Thanks again.

 

Pablo

[Richmond]

I've owned my Galaxy for about 15 m, about 8000 miles. Apart from a sticky electric window switch and a broken n/s wing mirror (not Ford's fault, although it would be handy if they automatically folded in when the igniton is switched off), no probs at all :rolleyes: . Aircon fine, washers fine, engine going fine, it's all fine.

 

Now I've written this, the thing is going to start falling apart immediately, of course :lol: .

[Dave-G]

I'm into my 3rd shalaxy,yep they do got little niggles sometimes,but it's worth it when you consider the overall practicallity [is thst spelt rite?] :lol:

 

How many cars dont have bits and pieces?...and remember,you're actually talking about three cars here :lol:

 

what i mean by that is that some people are "VW" people?...they only buy VW's,and were probably unaware that it was 'also a ford'/SEAT :lol:

 

:P well I know what i mean :rolleyes:

[Tigger]

Go for it. The problems will make the relationship more close! :lol:

 

I think you will find most of us love these cars!

[Guest Turbo]

I bought my 4 year old TDI Galaxy with 166000 miles on the clock (yes,166,000 miles) last September from the car auction in Carlisle. I was very worried when it came to driving it away incase there was a serious problem with it. I had visions of fighting for gears, or gears crunching in, clutch etc, but it was fine. All I have had to do is fit a MAF sensor. Then I found this Galaxy site and found out just what can go wrong. I think it`s a hit and miss thing with them. If you`re buying secondhand, go for one with a full service history if you can as they generally tend to have had any faults put right while in for service, (well sometimes !). They are brilliant though. Go for it mate !!