Aug 27, 2006 08:37 AM
16437 Views
I bought a new WagonR Vxi BIII, on 8th June 2006 from Trivandrum. The first service of the car was done at around 750 Kms on 7th July with a complaint of the tightness in the second gear. However, the car was not washed due to motor pump burnout and electrical problems. I was given a token for a wash on later date. After driving the car for another 100 Kms, I found an unusual sound in the car. Then I reported the problem to the service station and gave the car back for service and wash on 18th July 2006 with a complaint regarding the same. I was informed that it was due to manufacturing defect of clutch disk and pressure plate that needed to be replaced. The defective unit was replaced the next day and I took a test drive along with a service engineer, but the sound persisted. Now the service engineer took the car again for replacing the defective unit for second time and again on test driving the car, I was surprised to find the unusual sound to be more profound. The service station went for third round replacement of the unit and delivered the car on 22nd July 2006 at my office . When I drove the car, a vibration on the clutch pedal was felt and reported the same to the service engineer. I was suggested to drive the car for a few days in order to verify whether the problem persisted. Meanwhile, I posted a complaint with Maruti at contact@maruti.co.in and I got a complaint number HT20060721_0000000133 for future references and also was given the contact number to Maruti’s Regional Office, Cochin. Though I tried to contact Maruti, nobody from Maruti took initiative to contact me and give a proper explanation on the defect.
Later the next day when I drove the car with four passengers, the whole car started vibrating very severely, then I realized there was a severe problem with the car and again reported the problem to the service station. The service engineer came to pick the car from my office on 3rd August 2006 and later informed me that there was some issue with the flywheel that needed to be replaced. After replacing the flywheel, the service engineer found the vibration still persisted. The car is being kept at the service station itself.
The whole situation was so embarrassing and deeply frustrating that, I was forced to visit Maruti office on 5th August 2006. I met Maruti officials and requested them to replace my car with a new car. They said they would inquire the issue and give me a reply the same day after checking with the service station. However, I did not get any call that day.
On Monday 7th August 2006, the manager at the Service station called me and said the whole engine needed to be replaced because of the wear in crankshaft bearing. I declined his suggestion immediately because I didn’t feel it was appropriate to replace a company fitted engine with another one at a local service station at such an early stage. Immediately after the call form the Service station, the service engineers of Maruti in Cochin called me and repeated the same words mentioned by the service station manager.
As a qualified mechanical engineer, I am well aware of the importance and prominence of an engine in a vehicle and replacing the engine or repairing the engine at 1000 KMs doesn’t looks to be a fair idea as far as a brand new car is concerned. Now, if I had to replace the engine in very short run after purchase, I could have done so by purchasing a second-hand car and put a new engine instead of going for a new car. I am totally disagreeing to the suggestion to replace the faulty engine with another one. I am really surprised that a reputed company with Suzuki name doesn’t have a proper quality check to find such faults before delivery.
I have already sent a detailed grievance mail with a request to replace the engine damaged car to Maruti by post with acknowledgement card. I have got the acknowledgment card back but none of them responded properly. After one month, I got a call from Maruti that the engine had been arrived from Delhi and it would be replaced. I am really shocked at of late message. I lost nearly one month without driving the car and I am paying EMI simply.
