Tata Safari EX-4x4 > 28000kms short term report.

[tanwaramit]

good to hear the truck is back. Time to reclaim your life back again

[jaysmokesleaves]

Ok guys, here goes:

The following items were for the service light resolution:

1. High pressure pump assembly
2. Fuel rail assembly
3. Injectors x 4
4. Washers for injectors x 4
5. Fuel pressure lines (rail to inj) x 4
6. Pressure line(pump to rail)

The above components totalled = 57,528/-

The following components were replaced because they were unable to open the jammed injector from the head, so they had to replace the head. The following components i guess were part of the head replacement.

1. Cyl head w/o injectors
2. Cylinder head gasket
3. Intake manifold gasket
4. Exhaust manifold gasket
5. Cylinder head cover
6. Vacuum pump gasket
7. Cyl head water outlet gasket
8. Set back leak hoses
9. Glow plug
10. Intake manifold to pipe gasket
11. Timing gear

The above components totalled = 37466/-



The following was charged to me. This includes cost of 30k service:

1. Auto tensioner stud
2. Hex flex nut Am 8
3. Anabond
4. Engine oil 15W40 Castrol GTX 7.5ltrs
5. Oil filter
6. System D (i purchased for future use)
7. Wheel alloy covers x 4
8. Brake pads x 2 pairs
9. Brake pad fitting
10. WD 40 rust leak
11. Front wheel alignment
12. Diesel(500/- for trial & testing)

The above components totalled = 9107/-


NOTE: Please dont ask for price of individual items mentioned above. The prices are available at the TASS. It would be sufficient to note the budget involved incase one were to replace the head or injectors outside of warranty.
FYI > Cost of brake pads = 3226/- + 400 labor.

Additional note> I was informed that TML decides parts replacement on a case by case basis. The above replacements were necessitated after all other trouble shooting failed. The trouble shooting process though is quite lengthy and reqires tons of patience and perserverance.

My footnote >
All in all I shall say that if one were to be using their vehicle everyday, then a 45 day visit to the workshop is not what you want or expect. It will get you totally stressed and put you off completely as a customer. I did get stressed as the days in the TASS started increasing. The TASS was apathetic to the situation, citing parts unavailability, weekend holidays, public holidays, etc. However, having said that, I must say that the support from TML customer care is good. If only TML had good quality control at the factory level in place then problems wouldnt arise in the first place. Work at the TASS moves at a very slow pace and without a push from TML customer care, you will end up waiting for Christmas. I now firmly believe that TML Customer care saves the day for TML. Without a good TML customer care, i would probably be left for dead at the hands of an apathetic dealer.

Alls well that ends well. Truck feels and sounds new. TRIP...????

[bhp1]

Extremely disgusting from a consumers POV!
These happenings are not expected of modern cars, Tata needs to revamp/iron out issues with the Safari. Otherwise, it shall be left for dead, sooner than later.
Earlier I was thinking of going in for a Safari, but now after reading such stories, I better keep off it!
Life is so fast paced these days, who can afford to take time out almost on a daily basis to take the vehicle to Garages! Tata shall remain Tata, lot of work is required before their vehicles become trouble free.

[jaysmokesleaves]

Originally Posted by bhp1

Extremely disgusting from a consumers POV!

Yes, I agree. But thankfully its TML is not a Skoda, else I would have to pay for all that and they(Skoda) would put all spurious parts to top it all.
Skoda... 'you' make 'me' feel good!!

[vivek.singh.73]

Originally Posted by jaysmokesleaves

Ok guys, here goes:

1. Wheel alloy covers x 4

Jay, what are these...wheel alloy covers?

[tsk1979]

Allow wheeled safari's have small cups which cover the center part. They tend to fall off now and then, and cost 230/piece

[nvldvr]

Congrats on getting your safari back. 45 days is too long a time spend waiting for your vehicle to get repaired, specailly if its the only one. I am sure TATA could have done better. Hope your troubles are over and you start tripping again.

Of all the components amounting to 57000/- that were changed, i'm sure not had gone defective. Replacement of parts and hoping to nail the part
that actually is defective seems to be Tata's way of defect rectification.

Its all good as long as its covered under warranty. What about after the warranty has lapsed. I'm sure no customer would want to shell out thousands for this hit and trial method. Every defect has to be accountable to one or a few parts at the most, and not a long list like this. And finding that part / parts should not be as herculean a task as tata service people make it seem like.

Tata really does not to get its act together.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by nvldvr

Its all good as long as its covered under warranty. What about after the warranty has lapsed. I'm sure no customer would want to shell out thousands for this hit and trial method. Every defect has to be accountable to one or a few parts at the most, and not a long list like this. And finding that part / parts should not be as herculean a task as tata service people make it seem like.

Tata really does not to get its act together.

After warranty a Safari owner will need a very good independent Tata mechanic to own the safari. however, you still may still need to go to the dealer to read error codes. etc...

[jaysmokesleaves]

Originally Posted by nvldvr

Of all the components amounting to 57000/- that were changed, i'm sure not had gone defective. Replacement of parts and hoping to nail the part
that actually is defective seems to be Tata's way of defect rectification.

Its all good as long as its covered under warranty. What about after the warranty has lapsed. I'm sure no customer would want to shell out thousands for this hit and trial method. Every defect has to be accountable to one or a few parts at the most, and not a long list like this. And finding that part / parts should not be as herculean a task as tata service people make it seem like.

That unfortunately is the worst part. Tata is unable to pinpoint the actual cause and the actual defective part or process.
One would be forced to go to a TASS for ECU & related problems, and they would just go on a parts replacing spree at the customers expense. This will lead to astronomical cost of ownership post warranty.

[phamilyman]

I'm totally convinced (once again) that I did the absolutely smart thing by going with a Swift VDi - doing 17k in 7 months without a single sweat!

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

I'm totally convinced (once again) that I did the absolutely smart thing by going with a Swift VDi - doing 17k in 7 months without a single sweat!

Well don't be so sure look at this thread on Swift Dezire

hitting a stone on road does not break cam shaft and to top it Insurance companey is not willing to pay

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post1332913 (Swift Dzrie Vdi Rightful Insurance claim denied - Beware of Royal Sundaram CHEATERS !)

So in Indian context we should keep fingers crossed always.

[bhp1]

Originally Posted by amitk26

Well don't be so sure look at this thread on Swift Dezire .

What a joke, can't compare Swift's reliability to Safaris, what a weired sense of comparison!

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by bhp1

What a joke, can't compare Swift's reliability to Safaris, what a weired sense of comparison!

What's wrong with your reading comprehension ? Is it a comparison of reliability or what one may have to go through in freak cases.

And now you are on topic of reliability Why don't you check the Swift threads and cases of service lights / turbo hose coming off exactly same issues which are considered unreliable for Safari ?

How come clearing the error code in ECU is an acceptable solution for smaller cars where as service center goes all the way changing the parts on Safaris. Is it just because Maruti does not go on providing replacement parts they get away cheaply ? Points to ponder

[bhp1]

Its just over the top paranoia & nothing else!

Maruti is far ahead/better than Tata in terms of reliability, after sales service, availability of spares, etc, etc. So much so, there's no comparison et all!

You can go to any lengths justifying your statement, but facts don't change, its a futile effort, lets compare apples to apples!

Moment doesn't seem far off when someone raises head & starts comparing Toyota here!

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by bhp1

Its just over the top paranoia & nothing else!

Maruti is far ahead/better than Tata in terms of reliability, after sales service, availability of spares, etc, etc. So much so, there's no comparison et all!

You can go to any lengths justifying your statement, but facts don't change, its a futile effort, lets compare apples to apples!

Moment doesn't seem far off when someone raises head & starts comparing Toyota here!

I do own a Maruti and Tata and have experience in visiting both A.S.S
and buying parts for Maruti any way i am not sure why you should consider that Dezire thing as something related to reliability in general rather then what one goes through if things go wrong in freak case.

And yes nothing changes whatever you and me say