Hyundai Motors directed to replace faulty Creta SUV to customer, penalised

Hyderabad: A Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum in Hyderabad has ordered Hyundai Motors India Ltd to pay compensation to one of its customers Dr. M. Ram Manohar Babu for selling its car with faulty spare parts. The forum has also ordered the company to replace the Hyundai Creta SUV, which was bought by the customer in 2017.

According to the complainant, he bought the vehicle in April 2017. However, within seven months of its purchase, the clutch became dysfunctional and he had to replace the clutch plates.

“I was shocked that the vehicle’s clutch plated had worn-out just after 1000 kms of driving. The service persons blamed me for bad driving habits whereas I have been driving cars for three decades.”

According to the complainant his car got stuck in the middle of traffic on several occasions.

Vexed with the repeated breakdowns and constant repairs the complainant sought a replacement or refund. However, it was outright rejected. With no other option left, he approached the Hyderabad consumer forum for relief.

Denying the complainant’s claim of manufacturing defect, Hyundai in an official statement, said the complaint was frivolous and ill-conceived, and contended, “Just bringing the vehicle repeatedly to service center does not mean that the vehicle has a manufacturing defect. Also the claim is not supported by any expert opinion.”

After listening to arguments from both parties, the forum said that the repeated breakdown of vehicle is due to defective clutch and gear assembly clearly shows the manufacturing defect in the vehicle. “In spite of complete replacement of five parts, with problem remaining as it is proves that there is some defect in design or assembling.”

The forum asked the company to replace the “Hyundai Creta SUV” with a new vehicle and the complaint was directed to surrender the old vehicle.

The forum further said, “Sudden breakdown of the car in the middle of the road might have certainly caused mental agony to the complainant for which we are of view that a sum of Rs.5,000 be awarded as compensation.”

The forum also directed Hyundai to pay Rs 5, 000 towards legal cost.