I have a car which I can’t drive anymore and have to still figure out how to make arrangements for my work related travel!
BHPian revved_up recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Hello All,
I recently purchased a Tata Safari Dark Edition XZA+ and took delivery in the end of Feb 2022!
I have been getting embarrassed for choosing this car from day 1(Literally). So here is how it went till now:
Date – 23 Feb, 2022 – Delivery Day
As expected, my complete family was very excited and reached the dealership on the requested time to take delivery of our new car! After some paperwork which took hardly 30 mins, i was told that the car is ready for delivery and i will be given demo of the case for the SA.
We sit in the car and during the demo, the infotainment screen restarts on its own! I was told this happens sometimes and if i face any issue i can just hold the volume and scroll button down and system itself reboots and self-heals.
During the demo it happened again! Now, the SA called the technical person to check. He promptly said, lets disconnect the car battery. They removed and refitted the battery and now both engine check light and immobilizer light came on. Now, i was told not to worry, just drive the car for some time and these lights will go away.
I was trying to be patient and told them, i am not driving. If you think this will go away with driving, go drive. He did a short test drive and the light did not go away.
They now took the car to their service station to get the car checked. All this while my entire family was waiting at the showroom.
They came back after almost one hour and said the errors are gone and they have updated the software as well. However, there is still an issue! The sensor for air purifier is malfunctioning and doesn’t display the AQI. The sensor was not in stock, so it cant be repaired right now!
At this time, i got a reality check! This was the first time a brand new car had malfunctioned on the delivery day for me! I was obviously pissed off, but decided to not spoil the day further and took delivery of the car on the assurance from dealer that the required part will be replaced at my doorstep the next day.
24 Feb 2022 to 2 April 2022
The airpurifier sensor was replaced and all became well.
During these days i drove the car about 2000 Kms and on multiple occasions infotainment system and the lcd in the instrument cluster used to randomly restart on its own and come back up. I did not make any issue about this and sort of mentally prepared myself to live with it, hoping in the next software update this will be resolved.
3 April 2022 – First Free Service
It was time for first service and i booked my appointment at Autovikas Moti Nagar – Delhi for the first slot knowing Sundays are usually busy days. I reached the service Center at 9:10 am full 20 mins. Before the schedule time of opening.
Since mine was the first service, I was under the impression that it should at max take a couple of hours. However at the time of opening the job card, I was told my car will be delivered latest by 2 pm. I was surprised but anyways I had no option. Little did I know that the ordeal had just begun. So below are the issues I faced:
- Even though there was a rush, Several cars were given out of turn priority and atleast 4-5 cars were inserted and given a wash before my car. These cars were probably belonging to people who knew some employee there. I saw several customers raise this with the staff but they were casually told they can’t do much since there is a lot of load today.
- While my car was being washed, they didn’t even bother to wash the underbody by taking the car up on the hydraulic lift. They were not doing this for any car. When I asked the staff why were they not washing the underbody they said ok they will do now and obliged.
- After my car was given a wash, again several cars were made to jump the queue causing my car to stand unattended in the sun with dried water marks all over the body.
- Finally when the car was taken to the final bay, I got to know none of the prescribed work had yet been done – like DEF top up, attend the horn issue I reported etc. i had to again hunt for the service advisor and request him to get the car attended.
- It was 1 pm now and it was lunch time. I again requested the service advisor to get my car attended on priority and ensure my car is delivered by the promised time of 2pm.
- It was 2 pm now and car was still standing unattended and several technicians who were working on my car were randomly pulled to work other more important cars while my car standing unattended.
- Service advisor pulled the guys and they started getting the car ready. In the meantime he got billing done for me.
- Now I was taken to the main gate and I was shocked to see the car was dirtier than I bought it in the morning. I asked service advisor for the complaint book since I had given up now. He took me to another gentleman who
- Apparently was the customer care manager and told him that the staff has done a very bad job and even after several reminders they didn’t listen to him too. Both of them started shouting at the cleaning staff now and they spent next 10-15 mins again trying to clean the car.
- By this time it was 3pm and I had mentally given up and decided to take the car back and decided I will get it washed again outside and left.
After this, i sent a formal complaint to tata customer care to share the feedback. The service manager from dealer called me back the next day and offered to get the car cleaned, which i refused since i already got it cleaned.
Date 16 April 2022
I was on a trip to Rajasthan with my family over the long weekend.
In the afternoon we decided to step out for lunch. I started the car and within 30 seconds, both the infotainment screen and instrument cluster went blank. At first, i thought it was the regular reboot that happens, but the screens never came up! I stopped the engine and powered on a couple of times hoping the screens would come back up, but they did not!
Here is the video showing the issue.
So, i decided to move on to the lunch destination which was only a few kms away. Now, there was a tata service station nearby so i called them up, they asked me to bring the car in to check. While, my family was waiting for lunch to come, i decided to visit the service station.
I was attended promptly and the first thing they did was disconnect the battery, but unfortunately that did not resolve this. next, they checked all the fuses behind the glovebox and found them to be alright too!
Now they checked with someone at Tata and were told that this is most probably the “silverbox” which is basically the controller which controls both the displays. They obviously dont have it in stock and advised me since the car is running fine otherwise, i should drive back to Delhi and get it changed there. I had no option, so decided to do the same
Date 17 April 2022
Today was my journey back to Delhi. In the morning itself i emailed Tata customer care and Autovikas service manager about the new issue in the car. I got a call from Autovikas service manager and she said they already have 5-6 cars which are waiting for this part to come! So apparently, this was a known issue!
She told me she will get the part ordered but she doesnt know by when it will come. Again, I had no option, so i had little choice.
Now, i started the journey back to Delhi which was roughly – 250 kms. The screens werent working so i did not have the below functionalities available to me:
- Reverse camera and parking sensors
- AC temperature control
- Fuel level
- RPM
- Engine temperature
- Trip meter and odometer
- Almost all warning lights like – door ajar, engine check light etc.
To me this was a risk to drive the car all the way back in such a condition, but again i had no option and since the service center had assured me that i can drive on, i went ahead.
About 2 kms left in the journey and i was about to reach home – now suddenly the car started beeping. This beep was similar to the seatbelt reminder beep. But all of us were wearing seatbelts. Here is the video of the same
Now, i was guessing why this beep! Possible reasons could be low fuel, so i filled up on the petrol pump, but still beep didn’t go away! Since i was almost home, i decided to go ahead and parked the car. I checked the Tata iRA app and ran the diagnostics – it showed car status as ok!
I now called the Tata breakdown toll free number. The guy on the phone told me since the car is running I should drive it myself to the service station.
I refused to do so and told him, i am not driving the car with such loud non-stop beeps. He said if i refuse to drive he will have to get the car towed. but if i chose to get the car towed there will be damages and scratches on the car since that is normal while towing! I was shocked to hear this and told him, i am not going to accept any damages on my car! He said, he will check what he can do and call back, but never did!
I called up the service manager at Autovikas again and by this time it was already 5:30 and she assured me she will get someone to come to my place tomorrow morning with the diagnostic laptop to get the car checked.
Again, i have no option but to wait!
So, this is the story till now! I have a car which i cant drive anymore and have to still figure out how do i make arrangements for my work related travel tomorrow!
After buying the flagship car from Tata, i am really disappointed with this car! A car that costs 26 big ones shouldnt break down this often!
Even my 8 year old girl told me, Papa you made a mistake by buying this Tata car. We never had such issues with our Duster. This sums up the embarrassment i have had to go through in front of my family and friends!
To be continued……..
Here’s what BHPian Col Mehta had to say on the matter:
I’m sorry to hear about the ordeal you have had to go through. A very painful read. One of the reasons I would never touch a Tata car. Making safe car is all great, but reliability is equally important and that’s something these guys at Tata just don’t get it!
I hope the issues are sorted and you can enjoy your new car without any further headaches.
Here’s what BHPian vamsi2390 had to say on the matter:
I’m so sorry to hear this. Even I am very much interested in upgrading from my 5 year old Duster to a harrier. But, to be honest have been hearing too many cases of engine check light and issues like yours. More than issues, the worrying part is the service centre experience which almost always seems to carry the same message.
Renault service isn’t great to be honest but Duster (at least the 85ps one ) is a pretty reliable workhorse and touchwood the experience has been peaceful for me till now .
May be I will just hold on to the Duster longer and just get an Innova/Toyota when it is time. There is nothing like peace of mind!
I really hope you get your issues resolved soon !
Keyword: Facing multiple issues on my new Tata Safari