Feeling frustrated: Harrier AT breaks down just 3500km into ownership

Continued driving and in few minutes warning lamps were on and soon I realised something is wrong.

BHPian asr_b500 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

This is definitely not kind of experience with my new harrier I wanted to post here in team-bhp. I was noting down all the good moments with the car since its delivery to make a detailed review. But I had to share this heartbreaking experience here first!

Took delivery of my Harrier XZA+ mid of September from Cauvery motors Bangalore and drove about 3500kms in about 2 months. Did my first service after crossing 1000kms from the same showroom/service center. Delivery and service were good and had no complaints. I was getting a feeling that we made the right decision getting Harrier.

Incident 1: Rear left door latch issue

After first service, accidentally figured out that the rear left door lock is not working. Issue was that the door will not get locked or unlocked with centralised lock system. Once it’s manually locked or unlocked it will not be unlocked or locked with the central lock system. Took it to Marina motors, Kozhikode to get it fixed as before travelling back to Bangalore as I wanted it fixed at the earliest. They thought latch has to be replaced but later found it was some connection issue within latch. It was fixed and covered under warranty. Pure QC issue and unfortunately I missed during PDI also.
One day gone getting it fixed, still kept calm hoping this would be the last issue I would face.

Incident 2: Breakdown at 3500Kms (15.11.2023)

Me, wife and our 4 year old son were travelling back to Bangalore from Coimbatore. Was driving mostly on cruise control keeping speed and not crossing 100kmph. After entering Salem, heard some noise (kind of something hitting in a fan). No warning lights and I was not sure if it was from car or from a nearby truck that passed by. Continued driving and in few minutes warning lamps (engine failure and low engine oil pressure) were on and soon I realised something is wrong. Luckily, it was just after a flyover and could safely park nearby. This is at about 5.30 in the evening. It took another 1.30 hour to get it towed to the service center. Response from service center (True Sai Works, Salem) was faster than I expected, thanks to Mr. Easwaran who also arranged a taxi for us to travel to Bangalore.

As expected there were only few people at the Service Center as it was already past 7 when we reached there. Didn’t get any feedback on what was the issue. They assured to get me the details at the earliest. Obviously had no other option than leaving car at Salem and travel back to Bangalore. I would have stayed back to see what is the actual issue if I was alone.

Heading back with a heavy heart and a thousand questions in mind:

• What was that sound??
• Checking the engine oil dipstick, I felt it was completely dry. Didn’t see any sign of oil leakage though. Is it possible overheating dried complete oil?
• Any possible severe damage to the engine?

Sad, frustrated and disappointed with what happened today. Don’t even want to mention how sad my son was when we left the car at service center and came out.

16.11.2023:

Felt restless as the root cause was not clear. Got a call back from SA around 4pm and told that it was an issue with water pump assembly (broken) that its a manufacturing defect of that part. No issues found in the engine, oil was not fully dried off. Order for the parts for replacement is placed and expected to get the vehicle back in 4-5 days (parts have to come from Pune).
Slightly relieved to hear engine oil was not fully drained and no major issues noticed in the engine. However, I don't know if I should blindly believe that!

Parts to be replaced: Water pump assembly, idler, belt

I asked for pictures of vehicle/parts damaged but they denied stating company policy. Missed taking pictures after breakdown as this whole thing was completely new and I was totally lost!

What next?

Escalate incident: Not sure how to do this, contact numbers from TaMo website are not reachable. Will try sending email to the customer support.

Compensation (extended warranty, financial losses due to breakdown):

• Trauma my family had when our two months old car had a breakdown during mid of a long journey
• Financial loss: Arranging taxi to continue journey, travelling back to Service center at Salem for checking the car once its ready
• Loss of trust: If a 28L car from Tata can breakdown just in 3500Kms, how can I think that it will take us to places without such incidents?

Any suggestions, feedback would really help for my next steps.

Here's what BHPian Jaggu had to say on the matter:

Sorry to hear this, any temperature warning had come up when you heard the sound? If not don't worry too much. Most likely it was just failed water pump and drive belts giving up.

Ask the workshop to ensure that 1) if the part failure has left some debris inside the water channel. If so 2) Ensure it's completed cleaned up somehow. Chances are failure might have happened at the part outside water channel.

Just when you think things have changed and are improving, you hear of these breakdowns

Here's what BHPian NavtejS had to say on the matter:

For the engine oil, it depends on when the oil was checked. The oil should be checked when the engine is cooled down. If you are checking it while the engine is hot, you will not get an accurate reading and will feel like it is very less.

The correct way is to check when the engine is cold. At this point of time the oil is in the oil sump.

When the engine is hot, the oil is rotating in the engine to transfer heat and avoid premature ageing of parts. So the entire qty of oil won't be there and will not show on the dipstick.

Here's what BHPian gauravdgr8 had to say on the matter:

It's good to hear that you were able to stop the car safely on the highway. While you should surely write about it to Tata and escalate via social media handles, keep a watch for the cars performance after you get it back. If the car runs well, you should be good.

As the service centre mentioned about the faulty part and it's coverage under warranty, it will be mentioned in your car service history. This will be taken care in future too.

Harrier is a good machine. Enjoy it. Wishing you many more happy miles

Here's what BHPian Maverick5490 had to say on the matter:

Are you sure it was the Engine oil pressure warning, that would be a critical failure. Please get all the error codes from the day of the breakdown to confirm what faults were stored. Also demand for all the repair details like pictures and what components were replaced. It is your car and you have the right to know.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.