New car is missing a standard feature

[-Dutch-]

Long story short. Bought a new car, adaptive bi-xenon lighting package is listed as standard equipment on the manufacturers website for this model year and trim (2017 VW GTI SE). My car has the basic halogen lights that only come on the base model, everything else about my trim is correct.

Retrofit for people who upgraded prior model years ran 3k in parts and labor. First things to come to mind are model year overlap/factory error, or false advertising by VW. I'm reaching out to the dealership tomorrow. What should I expect?

Screenshot of VW.com showing lighting as standard:

[MHenry600]

Do you still have the window sticker?

If so, what does that say?

[RandyO]

I knew someone once who paid extra to not get AC in a Cadillac

[R7]

VW has to pay for that lawsuit somehow

[Falko]

I'm sure there is a disclaimer about misinformation on the website. Your window sticker is your only defense if it states what is supposed to be standard.

[Pittenger5]

I knew someone once who paid extra to not get AC in a Cadillac

If your stories in relation to the original post was golf, youd always be driving onto the wrong fairway.

[FriskyDingo]

Doesn't apply directly to your specific model, but as proof shit happens & VW still has some issues, I read these quotes on a car forum related to the 2017 VW Golf R apparently missing some options on early 2017 cars that should have been included and are included on current 2017 models:

guy1: Is it possible to get a 2017 manual without dcc/nav now? Truecar says yes, but VW.com doesn't seem to have the option. 35k seems reasonable.

guy2: 100% no. A few early 2017s were offered with partial DAP package but beyond that the only option was transmission choice.

guy1: What specifically did the early 2017s with DAP not include that the newer ones do have?

guy2: There are a few small things high beam assist, lane assist and park assist. Probably a few more I failed to recall.

And if the dealer isn't helpful, maybe mention you've talked to a lawyer

[jhawley]

as the dealer guy here I see this all the time.

option 1: you car is an oddball unicorn early build model, that did not have certain options they later became standard
option 2: people go on the lexus site and build a car to their hearts content, and then walk in and are like I want this car now, but its tough shit as the facorty is only pumping these things out in certain configurations. When I then tell them that they can get what they would like but it would be a special order they get pissed because they don't want to wait 6 months.

I cant see the 1st post because work sucks, but what does your window sticker say?

[scottieducati]

I mean, it's not like that's a feature you couldn't see plan as day without even opening the hood....

[-Dutch-]

I didn't even think about it, VW said it was standard on all 17 SE models.

[e30addict]

option 2: people go on the lexus site and build a car to their hearts content, and then walk in and are like I want this car now, but its tough shit as the facorty is only pumping these things out in certain configurations. When I then tell them that they can get what they would like but it would be a special order they get pissed because they don't want to wait 6 months.

I used to hate that, especially because even if they would wait it messed with the allocation process and they'd still want a blowout deal on their custom car!

[jhawley]

check the build date of you car, you can find it in the driver side door jam, i'm willing to bet you have an early build one.

similar thing happened here with the RX350 when they changed to the new body for 2016, The came out in Dec 2015 for the first 6 months non navigation cars were missing parking sensors.

[typeone]

also curious what your window sticker says. they def build cars with and without the LP package at the base level, i have one.

you def want that LP package if you can get it, the lights are fantastic.

[Garandman]

// And if the dealer isn't helpful, maybe mention you've talked to a lawyer

In MA, I've had good success calling the consumer protection division of the Attorney General's office. As you might imagine, problems with stealers are common. One call from them and the dealer went to bat for us with Ford and we got what we wanted.

That was MA, don't know about RI.

[jhawley]

In MA, I've had good success calling the consumer protection division of the Attorney General's office. As you might imagine, problems with stealers are common. One call from them and the dealer went to bat for us with Ford and we got what we wanted.

That was MA, don't know about RI.

You realize that the dealer didn't build the car.
If its not on your car's monroney sticker, your beat.

But if it is indeed, you have something.
But if you brought the car several months ago and now VW is advertising this on NEW 2017s, your still beat.

[-Dutch-]

It's not in the sticker, I double checked this morning. I bought the car a month ago and that feature was listed as standard at least in October when I started looking.

[typeone]

bummer, and the sticker says SE? they didn't offer the LP as a standard feature until '17. it was a ~$1,000 option for '16 and below.

[-Dutch-]

Yup, 17 SE.

[jhawley]

It's not in the sticker, I double checked this morning. I bought the car a month ago and that feature was listed as standard at least in October when I started looking.

Not to be a dick, but your beat.

Its not in the sticker, end of story. But also with something like the lights, I would have noticed something was up the first day I took it home and had to drive at night. I mean that's is something very noticeable. At least then the dealer would be more apt to try to help you out and possibly get you out of that car and into the correct one.

[Danz19899]

You can try the dealer but I'm willing to bet you will end up having to talk to VW.

[drop]

It's not in the sticker, I double checked this morning. I bought the car a month ago and that feature was listed as standard at least in October when I started looking.

is your build date prior to october?

[-Dutch-]

08/16 build date. I don't know what the site said prior to October because I wasn't really looking at that point.

[carsick]

Wait, you bought a VW and they lied to you? There should be a law.

[-Dutch-]

I sold back my 09 TDI to buy this...

[Stoneman]

A friend of mine THOUGHT he bought an AWD Ford Escape for his wife one early Spring not long ago. Everything indicated it was: sticker, paper work, etc., but there were no badges on the vehicle to indicate either way. Realized the first winter it went through that it was only FWD. Unfortunately by that point, they had almost 10K on the clock. They went to hell & back trying to get the dealer to make good. It took a lawyer & some help from the state of Mass and Ford themselves to get the dealer to take the vehicle back and eat the mileage in exchange for what everyone thought they bought. Even the dealership at first insisted it was AWD...