Technical Is this luvduvs' 3rd (and final) official complaint?

[luvduvs]

Those who have been on FF for a while would know that I've had my fair share of pain with my GP. Here's the latest, and possibly final straw that would push me over the edge:

In a nutshell, the car is pulling to the left, and has caused uneven wear to the front tyres - front left has only 3mm left while front right has 5mm.

Whenever I take a left turn, then let go of the steering wheel, it does not return to the center position, but remains at 10-11 o' clock. This does not happen with right turns.

Its had at least 2-3 wheel alignments done, and its not that.

The first dealer I went to could not fix it after 3 attempts. so about 2 weeks ago I went to another one, which I took a technician on a road test and he acknowledges there's a problem. They contacted Fiat AU, who confirmed there had been several cases of this and replacing the "steering motor" would fix the problem.

So it took a week for the part to arrive and the car to be booked in again. I called them up today, and they said despite having the part replaced, it made no/very little difference. From the sounds of things, they have no idea how to have this rectified.

Obviously I'm not going to leave this the way it is knowing my tyres are being chewed up. There is definitely something wrong with the car, and I don't understand why I should put up with it. I've been very patient with this, and given them every possible opportunity to sort it out. But if they can't sort it out, what are my possible next steps?

I know they will not do any of the below, but I have to at least start somewhere:

• Replace the entire car.
• Provide me with a new set of tyres every 5,000km.
• Replace the entire steering system (or whatever you call it).

Thoughts?

(Thanks for reading )

 

[blebo]

Don't know about Oz, but in UK we have the sales of Goods act. Which means that if the product is not for for purpose it was intented to be sold i.e has a fault that cannot be rectified then you are entitled for a refund/exchange for the full value that you paid for the goods.

Faulty steering is a saftey issue and if I was you I would be leaving the car at the dealers and telling them they have 2 weeks to fix it or you want a full refund as car is dangerous.

Show them that you mean business and you'll be amazed at the results.


Been there done that....basically swapped my GP active sport for a new Bravo

 

[luvduvs]

I did another search and found several possible "leads" - worthwhile mentioning to dealer?

• Drop arm bushes
• Bottom ball joint on front suspension arms, wishbone
• Steering column/rack/motor

Guess anything is worth a try at this stage..

Don't know about Oz, but in UK we have the sales of Goods act. Which means that if the product is not for for purpose it was intented to be sold i.e has a fault that cannot be rectified then you are entitled for a refund/exchange for the full value that you paid for the goods.

Faulty steering is a saftey issue and if I was you I would be leaving the car at the dealers and telling them they have 2 weeks to fix it or you want a full refund as car is dangerous.

Show them that you mean business and you'll be amazed at the results.


Been there done that....basically swapped my GP active sport for a new Bravo

Well here's the thing: while I acknowledge that all cars will have its niggles & faults, and therefore a need to revisit the dealer every now and then (especially for a budget car like a GP), its gone beyond a joke. I have literally lost count of the number of times I've gone back to the dealer, not to mention the amount of money (bus/train fare), time (arriving late/leaving early for work, taking days off) and productivity wasted.

So yes, I'm aware that I need to give the dealer ample amount of time/opportunity to work on the problem(s), but come on, I think I've been more than generous. When I bought the car, the intention was to use it, not leave it over night at the dealers every month. Yes, there are courtesy cars available, but they're charged at a per day basis. Now why should I be paying for anything when its supposed to be under warranty?

Safety aside, every time the car is driven its costing me money in premature wear and tear. Now that both the dealer and Fiat AU acknowledges there's a fault, I certainly would not be tolerating this any further. I'm sure there are consumer laws here, and although I don't know how far they go, I won't be afraid of going down this path this time around.

While I'm at it I might as well: here's a summarised list of all the faults that I've experienced (in decreasing order of seriousness):

*** Reverse light came on only when it felt like it
(Took 2 attempts to diagnose/replace part - RESOLVED)

*** Steering pulls to left
(As per this thread. Have already spent close to AUD100 for 2 wheel alignments - UNRESOLVED)

** Check Transmission Handbook
(Twice - first time caused a traffic jam in the middle of the city because the car refused to start. Second time ruined my holiday by stranding us by the side of a highway - https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-pu...-5-hour-ordeal-two-month-old-gp-dualogic.html. Both times were caused by a faulty brake switch - RESOLVED)

** Juddering Dualogic
(Lost count at number of diagnostic attempts - UNRESOLVED)

** Reverse clank
(Couldn't even be diagnosed - UNRESOLVED)

*Creaking when turning (hard) left
(Seems to have disappeared by itself - RESOLVED?)

* Tape A Playing message
(Harmless, but still ridiculous - UNRESOLVED)

* Dash trim out of place
(Replaced, twice - RESOLVED)

 

[RichC]

I really feel for you mate, its a shame that your experiencing so many problems.

I too am having the same problem with the steering. When i had my fronts done there was 3mm remaining on the left and 6 on the right. Ive had the tracking done and its still the same.

Rich

 

[sledge]

Kev?
Go and speak to a Solicitor mate, find one thats very clued up on Aussie consumer and trading laws

 

[luvduvs]

I really feel for you mate, its a shame that your experiencing so many problems.

I too am having the same problem with the steering. When i had my fronts done there was 3mm remaining on the left and 6 on the right. Ive had the tracking done and its still the same.

Rich

So you've left it chewing up your front left?

Kev?
Go and speak to a Solicitor mate, find one thats very clued up on Aussie consumer and trading laws

One of T's (thanks again T :worship mates works at the dealer where the car is at now, so hopefully he can help me out before I take things further. Otherwise I don't have much of a choice..

 

[RichC]

So you've left it chewing up your front left?

I dont plan on leaving it that way, its going back to the dealer to have the rear brakes sorted so ill get them to look at it then. By the sounds of things though they arent likely to be able to.

Rich

 

[sledge]

Kev?
Some food for thought.
I remember now I once had a company Mondeo that was forever scrubbing front tyres....in the end it turned out that the front subfame was misaligned with the body........perhaps your GP has a similar problem.

Have you thought about getting a second opinion, another Fiat dealer or a reputable garage or a motoring organisation or even bringing in a consultant automotive-engineer? OK its gonna cost you but if it turns ugly you have a chance of claiming it back.

 

[luvduvs]

Kev?
Some food for thought.
I remember now I once had a company Mondeo that was forever scrubbing front tyres....in the end it turned out that the front subfame was misaligned with the body........perhaps your GP has a similar problem.

Have you thought about getting a second opinion, another Fiat dealer or a reputable garage or a motoring organisation or even bringing in a consultant automotive-engineer? OK its gonna cost you but if it turns ugly you have a chance of claiming it back.

Thanks for that - I'll mention it to them today.

Yep its already at a second dealer. If that doesn't work I suppose I can go to a third, fourth, fifth etc until I've tried every dealer there is. But when is enough enough? And the chance of claiming anything back - I doubt it!!

 

[fiatdownunder]

Hey there
Me again!

Have you resolved the Dualogic faults?
There is new software being released over here within the next week-10 days with regards notchy gear changes and stalling dualogic cars. The previous update (that should've been done) was a faulty update and actually made things worse, part of it was not actually loading up and was therefore skipping the update completely.
Question your dealer about it.

If your tyres are getting scrubbed off quicker on one side than the other you may find your shockers are not aligned. however, if the dealer has found the fault and told you what it is and is going about fixing it then i'm afraid you have no claim on consumer guaruntee's. They have found the fault and fixing it.
If they turned round and said "tough sh*t buddy" then you have a case.

 

[luvduvs]

Hey there
Me again!

Have you resolved the Dualogic faults?
There is new software being released over here within the next week-10 days with regards notchy gear changes and stalling dualogic cars. The previous update (that should've been done) was a faulty update and actually made things worse, part of it was not actually loading up and was therefore skipping the update completely.
Question your dealer about it.

Dualogic is still the same, and although I live with it now, will raise it with them.

Shockers as in shock absorbers?

If your tyres are getting scrubbed off quicker on one side than the other you may find your shockers are not aligned. however, if the dealer has found the fault and told you what it is and is going about fixing it then i'm afraid you have no claim on consumer guaruntee's. They have found the fault and fixing it.
If they turned round and said "tough sh*t buddy" then you have a case.

Nope, they haven't been able to pinpoint the problem yet

 

[fiatdownunder]

Aussie dealers suck :bang:

 

[luvduvs]

Update: they've asked for more help from Ateco, so its a wait-and-see.

He said the pulling is not causing premature wear and tear as the wheel alignment/tracking is perfect. Can anyone confirm/deny that?

Aussie dealers suck :bang:

...........

 

[Mad Mike]

I sympathise. Having had so much trouble with my 1.3 Multijet 90, I complained to the garage owner and Fiat on numerous occasions and was eventually offered such a good deal on a new Fiat that I would have been silly to ignore it. However, I preferred the 1.3 to my new 1.9 Sporting.

I am sorry to say that the Service Departments are not always capable of diagnosing faults, let alone fixing them!

 

[luvduvs]

So realistically, what are my options if they cannot fix it?

(And I don't believe that the uneven tyre wear is not caused by the pulling)

 

[RichC]

So realistically, what are my options if they cannot fix it?

(And I don't believe that the uneven tyre wear is not caused by the pulling)

Its difficult to comment because im not sure if the laws are the same there as they are here. If so then you are entitled to a replacement as it is not fit for the purpose. There is no doubt though that it will start getting very very messy.

I dont believe that either, as i said before ive literally just had my tracking done and its still pulling, yet to see if the tyres wear unevenly obviously, ill keep you posted.

Rich

 

[auto_blanco]

this may be completely off base, but when I picked up my old Volvo 240, it pulled terribly to the left, so I had the tracking/allignment done and it was just as bad, however on a hunch I put a cheap 2nd hand but decent tyre on the front left corner and the pulling was completely gone, if your tyre is just a little bit defective it may cause this trouble, maybe try fitting the spare and taking it for a spin.

But dont forget if all your tyres came from a questionable batch it may also be defective....my car improved lots when I changed from Bridgestones, they seem to go out of round easily.

 

[luvduvs]

this may be completely off base, but when I picked up my old Volvo 240, it pulled terribly to the left, so I had the tracking/allignment done and it was just as bad, however on a hunch I put a cheap 2nd hand but decent tyre on the front left corner and the pulling was completely gone, if your tyre is just a little bit defective it may cause this trouble, maybe try fitting the spare and taking it for a spin.

But dont forget if all your tyres came from a questionable batch it may also be defective....my car improved lots when I changed from Bridgestones, they seem to go out of round easily.

But that wouldn't explain why the steering doesn't return to the center position...

 

[luvduvs]

Update: Called them and they said Ateco doesn't have an answer as yet, which will probably be another 2-3 days, in which the dealer will contact me. In the meantime I'll be collecting it this afternoon as I need the car.

So its back to square one. Would it be a bit much for me to lodge an official complaint now?

 

[SimonP]

In a nutshell, the car is pulling to the left, and has caused uneven wear to the front tyres - front left has only 3mm left while front right has 5mm.

I have this exact same problem. I reported it to my dealer(Corban Wollongong) at my 30,00kms service. They said it needed the Steering Rack replaced. I had to wait 6 weeks for them to get the part in.

They replaced it last Monday, they said 'it will still pull a little to the left as your tyres are scrubbed a little on one side. When you replace them, it should be fine.' I haven't replaced the tyres yet. It has improved a little, but I suspect the problem will still be there once I have replaced the tyres.

I'm very interested in finding out how they propose to fix yours..