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Never-ending problems on my Altroz diesel: SC unable to fix issues

1st November 2023, 19:06 by Rahul Nagaraj

I have withheld selling my Fortuner which is on sale due to these continuous issues with my Altroz.

BHPian AutoYogi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I would like to update you all regarding my Tata Altroz XZ diesel whose issues are never-ending.

I realized recently that the AC mode is not working. For example, the modes on infotainment display change whereas the air still blows only through face/front vents whereas the windshield and foot vents aren't working. Recently I got to know this since I rarely use the foot blower option. I have been wondering why my car doesn't defog the front windshield when it is set at front windshield defog mode all these days. I realised recently that the mode flap isn't working. TASC response - will require your car for a few days to check (which is their standard reply)
I have changed two sets of wiper blades and still the wiper blades start to slip and make a loud grrr sound every time I use them during the rain. I even tried aftermarket Valeo wiper blades and still the issue persists. I believe the windshield itself is defective.
A-pillar trim was finally ordered as I shared a video of the rattling while the car was being driven by somebody else they accepted and ordered the part which in turn took more than 2 months to arrive.
I hear a strange creaky noise that the rear suspension makes whenever I get in or get out of the car or whenever I lower my windows and drive into any undulation. The sound is like that of a rusty creaky metal part under friction it is hard to replicate at TASC. TASC response - it is because of the rainy season
The infotainment display continuously keeps dimming up and down until I restart the vehicle (Very rare occurrence)
Ambient light is deactivated and reactivated from infotainment whenever the car feels like it wants to.
Yet to fix the paint rusting issues.

I had been to TASC today to get the A-pillar trim replaced under warranty. Seat covers were not used and the mechanic had greasy clothes. The mechanic started to patch the existing A-pillar trim as I kept telling him that a new replacement part had arrived and he ignored me and went on repairing the current A-pillar trim. I went and got hold of my SA who came and confirmed the same. The service technician started removing the A-pillar trim using a screwdriver and the mechanic soiled the roof liner with his greasy hands.

When I asked the mechanic why he wasn't using trim panel remover and not bothered to keep his hands clean, he dismissed my request and just went on doing his work. The mech took 15 minutes to remove the A-pillar trim panel which is a 2-minute job. I told the mechanic that the tweeter plug should be unplugged using a very thin flat screw driver but the guy just went on using a heavy-duty screwdriver and pulled out the plug holding the two thin wires instead of the connector which could de-pin the connectors due to their rash behaviour. I requested them to stop this drama when one of the technicians finally removed the tweeter connector using a lot of force by pulling the wires. I told them to move away and they didn't bother to listen to me.

The mech got the new A-pillar and was struggling to fit it and I told him to first step out of my car and I fixed the new A-pillar myself. I then requested the other mech to look into the wiper noise and juddering issue. He went on to state that it is a wiper issue. I firmly told him to just go and get the demo car as we shall swap the wiper and wiper arm of both the cars and my car wipers were juddering even after replacing the wiper and wiper arm with the demo vehicle ones. The mech who had been ignoring the issues for the last few months accepted my analysis not so happily. With all this drama unfolding in front of me, I just couldn't tolerate it anymore and I sat in the backseat of my car and started shooting a mail to CCM and Tata Motors as the technicians were fiddling with my car and the service head found out that I was mailing Tata Motors and requested me to not send the mail as it would be again redirected to him. He requested me few more days time to sort out all these issues and that is when I just couldn't control my anger and frustration anymore and gave him a piece of my mind while still maintaining basic manners.

I have been going through all this for the last 8 months and just couldn't take it anymore. I have visited the service centre more than 10 times for various issues without any resolution or finding them either ignoring or blaming me and my analysis as wrong when it has been correct since day one. The last time I went they made me wait for 4 hours to tighten the wiper arm bolt. I have never lost my cool during any of my automobile purchases or maintenance services as I have done at Tata Motors. I really felt bad for losing my cool since I very rarely lose my cool and I prefer to treat everyone equally but today was a serious testing ground for me. Couldn't hold 8 months of pain, suffering and frustration anymore. I also felt hopeless looking at my situation and just packed my stuff and left from there. I told the service head that this would be my last ever Tata car and I thanked them for all the pain and agony they (TASC) and Tata Motors have caused me.

I left the showroom with a deep regret of purchasing a Tata product. I always prefer Tata products outside of TAMO viz. Voltas, Croma etc but Tata Motors which comes from the same Tata group is so much different from their other verticals. I feel cheated to trust Tata Motors and purchase a car for the second time. I sent a mail today to CCM Tata Motors South and Tata Motors customer care requesting to take back my car which has so many new issues that are arising every single week and also the QC/QA isn't Tata Motor's forte yet. Also, the mail is again redirected back to the TASC which is of no use. I have always respected the staff at TASC and have never troubled them. I tried to understand things from their perspective and have friended most of the SAs due to regular visits but a cool person like me losing their temper is no small feat and these guys achieved it. I would put 90% of the blame on TAMO for not assembling the cars properly. Every single car from the same batch is never the same in terms of fit and finish.

I have withheld selling my Fortuner which is on sale due to these continuous issues with my Altroz. I am now contemplating selling my Altroz but it is less than 8 months old and I have 4 years of EMI to pay. I am stuck without hope. Please let me know what can be done forward. The ASC is just interested in ripping apart interior parts even for minor issues without actually thinking about it. Tata Motors isn't providing me with any support either, all they do is redirect my mail back to TASC who in turn are only interested in closing the complaint and only want a 10/10 rating. The main problem arises because of the lack of quality control at the plant.

To sort out the ASC issues Tata can just appoint a quality compliance officer or a flying squad to each respective zone who would just barge into any Tata showroom like a regular customer and check the service centre behaviour, manners, etc and penalize the TASC for their demerits and shortcomings. It is such an easy thing to fix the TASC's quality and customer satisfaction if TAMO puts in efforts but they are only concentrating on sales, social media advertisement, fanboy ego massaging, etc. I strongly believe the time isn't far away when TAMO will see a reduction in sales and people will again boycott TAMO like they did after their indica became a hit and TAMO didn't give a damn about service. I have always recommended Tata Cars to people in my circle and a lot of them have purchased it but today I am not recommending Tata Cars to people in my circle.

I admire and have utmost respect towards Mr Ratan Tata ji. I am aware of Tata Group's contribution towards our country. But TAMO seriously needs a restructuring to fix QC/QA and ASC.

Now coming to the good things I believe even the worst things should end on a good note. I have covered 12,000 km in 8 months, I love the seating comfort, braking, stability, audio system, and lighting and I have a strong bond with the car. But what is the use of a beautifully designed and safe car when it is visiting the service centre every other week and keeps rusting in spite of getting regular TLC? I love the engine roar after 2000 rpm, I love the way the engine rushes when I want it to and I also like the nice drivability from the engine from low rpm's. That light clutch needs a special mention.

My cousin recently purchased an Altroz DCA and another friend of mine purchased the same colour and variant of the Altroz as mine. Both my cousin and my friend never considered Altroz but it was only after I purchased the car that they loved it when they drove my car. I warned them in advance about TASC but still they got their cars delivered recently, one DCA and one diesel. They purchased the car from the same TASC sales division where I got my car serviced and faced a lot of hiccups to book and get the car delivered. To sum it up in one line - Great cars from TAMO require a greater level of patience and persistence. Please refer below pictures.