SA
Sharlene A

1 reviews | Active since Mar 2021

08 Mar 2021, 16:33

New Toyota Starlet 1.4L Xr MT (75D) swaying from side to side on the road. Life Threatening.

Good day. I bought a new Toyota Starlet 1.4L Xr MT (75D) on 23 December 2020 from Barloworld Toyota Kuilsriver. What a big mistake. Rupert Mansfield was the Sales person. On 31 December 2020 my husband informed me that the car is swaying from side to side from 100kms up and when the wind is blowing. I immediantly informed Rupert. He wanted us to book the car in on 04 January 2021. Due to my husband's work, the car could only be booked in on 15 January 2021. The service adviser was Gerber du Preez. We went to fetch the car on 16 January 2021. The swaying from side to side was worse. We drove immediately back to Toyota and voiced our concern. One of the Tecnicians took the car for a test drive and he also experienced the swaying from side to side. We were advised to go to HQ in Kuilsriver. One of their technicians took the car for a test drive and his exact words were that the car is all over the place. Apparently the wheel alignment was out. The problem was fixed and my husband informed me that the handling of the car was much better. However the true test would be when he drives on the N1 or N2. Monday, 18 January 2021 the handling of the car was fine. The following day, Tuesday 19 January 2021, the swaying from side to side was back again. I sent an e- mail to Rupert on Wednesday 20 January 2021 to inform him of this. Also informed him that we do not want the Starlet anymore, as we lost all confidence in the car. The driving experience was not good at all. We actually feared for our lives when the car was on the road. Especially when the wind is blowing. He called my husband and said he doubt that the car is swaying from side to side. We were appalled by Rupert's response. The following day, Thursday 21 January 2021, we received an e- mail from Shirley Kuschke New Vehicles Sales Manager and she asked us to give her the opportunity to collect the Starlet and assess the problem. My husband was given a loan vehicle. Shirley herself came to fetch the Starlet. We got the car back on Friday 22 January 2021 and they said the car is fixed. On Monday 25 January 2021 my husband experienced the same problem swaying from side to side. I asked Shirley how many times must a new vehicle be fixed. It defeats the purpose of buying a new car. On Thursday 28 January 2021 Shirley sent us an e- mail to say that she has taken up the matter with the workshop Manager Grant Cole and the master technician. They would come fetch the vehicle and once again my husband were given a loan vehicle. I rep**** to Shirley's e - mail and said how many times must a new vehicle that we bought be assessed and tested. My husband and I felt by now that it is too much to ask. We want a new car that we could experience an enjoyable driving experience. Not a car that has to be looked at, assessed and fix the whole time. On Tuesday 2 February 2021 Shirley asked a feedback report from Grant. He responded by saying that they are still doing some testing and have sent a report to Toyota SA. They are waiting for feedback to rectify the concern. We felt sick to our stomach when we read this e- mail. To rectify the concern. For a new vehicle. A report was sent for a new vehicle to Toyota SA. We got the car back almost a week after Grant them took the car. Took them so long to try and fix the problem. Grant informed my husband that the problem was fixed for once and all. On Friday 12 February 2021, my husband informed me that the car problem was not gone at all. The car was still all over the road. I sent yet another e- mail to Shirley and Grant on 12 February 2021 to inform her of this and what are they going to do this time again. Do some more assessments and testing. I told her this car is life threatening on the road, a big danger for everybody on the road. I received no response from either Shirley or Grant. Sent a follow- up e- mail to them on 18 February 2021. They did not even bother to give me and my husband the courtesy of a reply. We do not have an extra vehicle, so now my husband and I must drive in our new car that is still swaying from side to side especially when the wind blows. We are so unhappy with our purchase. If we would have known about this problem of the Starlet, we would have never went to Barloworld Toyota Kuilsriver to buy the car. To think we were loyal old customers of Toyota Kuilsriver. We first bought our Toyota Etios in 2014. We traded it in for the Starlet and after all of that loyalty to the Toyota Brand we get treated like this. Unbelievable.

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Replies (1)
NMI
NMI's reply11 Mar 2021, 16:56
Official
Good day,

We have received your review and it has been forwarded to the relevant management.
 
Regards.
Barloworld Motor Retail