Quote:
You haven't mentioned on the build quality. How does it rate?
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The first rattle appeared at 2800 kms.
Let's pick up on the vehicle pulling problem that
still hasn't been solved.
The car was taken to Vitesse on 16-11-07 at 1474kms to attend to two problems.
1. Steering not Centered. -
Solved.
2. Vehicle pulling to left and/or right. -
Not Solved.
After I gave a poor feedback to Vitesse on their feedback form I was called and they apologised for the unsolved problem. They said it was a minor issue and I can bring the car over anytime I have time and they will make sure it's solved as it appears to be a minor issue. I ask them if it's ok if I bring the car over at the time of it's second service and they say it's perfectly okay.
On 4-1-08 with approx 4550kms on the odo the car is taken for it's second service. The complaint is made. To be fair to Vitesse, the problem didn't show up at the time of the test drive. Still I insist that there is a problem and the service advisor says he will test drive it later and see if the problem is there. At about 4pm, I get a call saying that the car is ready and there is no problem of vehicle pulling. I am told the tyre pressure in the rear tyres was at 28psi and thats why I must have noticed the issue. I tell him I will come to take delivery and we will talk then.
6 PM: We take the car out for a test drive. The service advisor sits next to me doles out advice on how the tyre pressure should be checked and set at manufacturer recommended levels. I leave the steering and the car immediately pulls to the left. Now the convo gets REALLY interesting.
me: See the car is pulling to the left. This is what I was trying to show you.
Service Advisor (SA): The car will go straight for 75 feet and then lose direction. Every car does that.
me: I know that but this car didnt go 75 feet.
SA: No it did. The problem is tyre pressure and you got to keep the steering straight otherwise the car will lose track.
me: Do you realise that you are now selling a 8 lac rupee car and none of your SX4 owners are first time car buyers. Give this line to a M800 or Alto owner not to me.
I leave the steering and the car again pulls left. This time the pull towards left is sharp and more immediate.
me: So you mean the car now went straight for 75 feet? This isnt even 0.75 feet!
SA: quiet.
SA: Sir, Lets turn back. I will check the car in the service again.
We turn back and luckily find a empty stretch. I reach 60kmph leave the steering the car goes to the left. This time the turn to left is very sharp.
me: Do you now agree that there is a problem? You can be honest. If you think there is no problem then there is no point in you checking the car. You have to be convinced that there is a problem.
SA: Lets go back to the dealership. I will have it checked.
The car is taken into the dealership service area. The service manager is nowhere to be found. 20 mins later the car is back out.
SA: We will go for a TD now. The problem should have been solved.
me: What did you do in 20 mins?!
SA: We interchanged the front tyres.
me:
And you think this has solved the problem?
SA: Take a TD sir.
me: Ok. It's useless but I will do it for your satisfaction.
Onto the main road, I leave the steering and now the car immediately darts to the right!
me: Now the car is going right! This is what I am telling you. It sometimes goes left and sometimes goes right. It can't be alignment problem.
SA: Sir, keep the steering straight.
me: Are you trying to teach me to drive?
SA: Quiet.
I leave the steering and again the car pulls to the right.
me: Well?
SA: This is happening because the car is going over the joints on the road. Due to uneven joints and road surface the car will lose track.
me: Did Maruti make this car for the German autobahns or Indian roads? Besides, why does a NHC, Santro, my own Palio go over the same joints and still go straight? Forget other cars, why does a Wagon R, Zen, Swift go over these joints and still track straight?
SA: Can you leave the car today?
me: No. I want a Maruti engineer to take a look at it. Call him on a friday and I will bring the car back.
Back at the service, we talk to the service manager who claims it's a minor issue and they will call the engineer to take a look at the car and it will be solved next friday.
Because the car didn't show this fault in the morning, I want to be fair to them and give them one more chance. I have been told that even if the Maruti engineer doesn't come, the dealership will make sure the problem is solved next friday. I have a 10am appointment.
I had made a complaint to Maruti through their toll free number on 26-11-2007. They gave me a complaint number. Thats it. No action from their side till date.
The owner's manual comes with a feedback form which is to be mailed to the company. This problem has been listed there. Again, no action from Maruti.
So much for Japanese reliablity and Maruti topping CSI in J.D.Power survey's year after year.
PS: I made a complaint about the trunk that needs to be shoved hard at least 3-4 times before it closes. SA said thats normal across all SX4 cars.