20th May 2005, 16:34
| #1 |
| BHPian  | FIAT PETRA Power Steering problem and FIAT India's responsiveness! Guys, I am back! Writing after a while but did not had anything to write earlier. Okay here is the update on the Power Steering problem: It has been rectified but no thanks to Fiat for that now lets start with series of events: Problem first felt as soon as I took the car out of showroom on 6th June 2004, reported the same to Dealer?.response ?It is a new car thus you are feeling steering a bit hard? Problem reported again within 3 months at first service?response ?Sir, the car is perfect you are just feeling it?absolutely no problems?. Bought my wife?s Palio GTX in September 2004 and as soon as I drove the car from FIAT company, I told myself again ?this is smooth (GTX?s PS) there is definitely some problem with Petra?s PS? but again dealer could not locate any issue?still they considered it my imagination! Second service in Jan 2005, complained again?.still same response. Decided to drive the car to Delhi and show to dealer I trust (Samyak). Samyak got PS manufacturer (Rane Industries) and the Engineer confirmed there is a problem. PS rack replaced by Samyak?.Steering smooth but still sticky feeling while turning steering to 15/20 degrees on left. Since I had to leave next morning for Bombay, decided to show to dealer on my return. Feb 28, called up dealer, asked me to come, checked car and certified ?alright??again sticking PS was my imagination! Anyways returned and drove for 100 KMs more before putting my foot down and confronting dealer. Dealer advised to send the car again and this time I refused without Dealer getting all spares if required for replacement as each trip costs me 500 bucks (Double toll at airoli included). Dealer agreed to send a mechanic and get my car checked. Mechanic came and I proved to him, he agreed that there is indeed a problem. In the mean time dealer kept on promising me to arrange all PS spares and get my car picked?.6 weeks passed!!!! No response! Finally gave up and sent car to dealer on 29th April for checking and arranging spares. 1 week later car returned, informing that PS problem has finally been solved. FIAT checked and it turned out to be an ?alignment issue? drove car on 5th May and SURPRISE???????The damn thing is exactly same as it was a week ago.Had enough, gimme a solution! Damn it!!?.Assured of getting all experts and resolving issue definitely ASAP but since I had to be away at Kolkata for 10 days, left the car just parked. Returned from Kolkata on 13th night, called up dealer immediately in morning who picked up the car. FIAT expert suggested on phone to check alignment again, as they were sure that this is not a mechanical issue. 4 Alignments later problem persisted, I took advice from one industry expert and he suggested checking Strut bearing. Advised Dealer to check strut bearing?. THEY WERE FOUND JAMMED! I was happy that at least this would solve my problem. Strut bearings were replaced, dealer confirmed that this issue has been around since FIAT has discontinued rubber caps for struts in post NV all vehicles. Went to dealer post strut bearing replacement on 18th May to pick the car, Problem persisted and for the first time dealer accepted that there is a problem indeed and PS really gets stuck!! Called up FIAT?.surprise again?.FIAT INDIA HAS ASKED ALL IT?S EMPLOYEES TO PROCEED ON 15 DAYS LEAVE (INCLUDING ADMINSTRATIVE AND MARKETING STAFF) AND THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!! I somehow managed to get Mr Bhatnagar (After Sales Support HEAD) and his response?..?We have no one to address your issue, today is 18th, please wait till 24th May when staff returns on duty and I would arrange for an expert to check your issue?. By this time I have had enough told him point blanc that I am not moving from workshop until my problem is resolved and I would ensure that no one from workshop leaves till my problem is resolved. Dealer was reluctant to get any spares as they are expansive and told me that these days FIAT refuses to honor any warranty spares until unless there own people visit from company and certify it to be faulty. Imagine! Hearing this after leaving your car in workshop for more than 2 weeks! Anyways?.told dealer Fu@# FIAT and Fu@# YOU!! Change the entire damn thing right now!! The dealer arranged for a PS rack and replaced, test drove the car after alignment and Voila!! Jackpot!!! It?s smooth as butter and exactly as my other car GTX. Later dealer told me that they have been refused any replacement and he would have to manage this rack?s replacement by some hook or crook method?.I DON?T CARE!! Dealer confessed that many recent Petras and Palios have reported similar issue but due to apathetic attitude of FIAT, they are just telling customers?.?It?s there imagination!? Got my baby back yesterday after cleaning, earlier with 2 weeks in workshop it looked 10 years old! And I am happy!!! Issue resolved. Best part, I sent car with tank full and they sent me a bill of 900 for Petrol  Parts changed: Power Steering Rack twice. Strut bearing both sides. My baby is rocking now as it should be. I have enjoyed the steering after almost one year of purchase! And it was not my imagination?.there was an issue!! I know FIAT would not change so here is a backup?.I now have all workshop manuals (Palio/Petra) around 1500 pages and with Bosch service around and my warranty getting over in 10 days, I would manage stuff on my own (looking a manual it doesn?t looks that difficult) BUT don?t you think FIAT should feel ashamed about this entire episode?..1 YEAR TO RESOLVE A PROBLEM! My next car ?Skoda RS P. (though I would keep my Palio GTX and Petra as just classic collectibles, absolutely unbeatable fantastic cars!) Bye Bye FIAT INDIA forever! On the lighter note?..I just treated myself with a 30 GB Creative Nomad Jukebox Extra to de-stress from FIAT India, man it rocks! Don?t go for iPod. Next is Belkin FM transmitter for wireless music in car. Phew!! Regards, -Rishi. PS: I wanted to post this in long term section but seems I dont have rights to do that. In case this makes more relevance in that section, please copy-paste. |
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20th May 2005, 16:47
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20th May 2005, 17:04
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20th May 2005, 17:17
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20th May 2005, 17:23
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20th May 2005, 17:28
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20th May 2005, 17:43
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20th May 2005, 17:48
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20th May 2005, 17:55
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20th May 2005, 18:20
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20th May 2005, 19:44
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20th May 2005, 22:43
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20th May 2005, 23:17
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