DESPERATE!

<p> </p> <p>We bought a Fiat 500 for my daughter to commute between Strand and Stellenbosch on a daily basis. Excellent little car, however we have experienced major problems since Fiat Helderberg changed the brake pads.</p> <p>My daughter kept on complaining of funny noises, and we returned to Fiat a few times. On the 3rd visit they diagnosed the problem as blocked brake hoses. Said it would take up to 21 working days to get the parts as they and Fiat SA didn’t have any in stock. However, when I told them that the car was needed on a daily base, they told me that they could “make up” the hoses, but that there would be no guarantee on the work, however it would solve the problem.</p> <p>3 Months later, on the 19th July 2016, on her way from Stellenbosch my daughter phoned and told us that warning lights went on in her car urging her to check her brake pads.</p> <p>On the 20th July 2016 we took the car back to Fiat Helderberg – diagnoses = blocked brake hoses. Fiat Helderberg once again told us that they didn’t have brake hoses in stock and that there was no stock available in SA, after confirming with Fiat SA. Once again we were told that we had to wait 21 working days as the parts had to be imported from Italy. However, before they could order, we had to pay a deposit.</p> <p>On the 21st July 2013 my husband phoned FIAT SA and spoke to Zandile and she told him that the parts would take 3 weeks (11 August 2016) and that they would do everything possible to expedite the process. My husband send a follow-up email to Zandile on the 10th August 20116 without receiving any reaction.</p> <p>Meanwhile I kept on phoning Fiat Helderberg to try and get information from them. Questioning how it was possible for a closed system to get blocked after changing the brake pads. Why after unblocking the brake hoses the first time, did it block again? Did they not check the hydraulic fluid for contamination? Why did they not order brake hoses for the Fiat 500 seeing that they saw what happened with our car? Did they not try and find out what caused the blockage....Why are they just treating the symptoms?</p> <p>I also enquired about the part and estimated arrival in SA; however they could not give me answers. I was told on numerous occasions that they will come back to me, but with no avail. </p> <p>Last week 15th August 2016 I phoned Fiat Helderberg again enquiring after the arrival of the parts once again. After confirming with Fiat SA, Fiat Helderberg confirmed that the part will arrive in SA on the 17th August 2016 and that they will be at Fiat Helderberg on the 17th August 2016. Ronel Botha ********** at Fiat Helderberg once again told me that she would phone me to confirm on Friday the 17th August 2016 – to no avail. I phoned Fiat Helderberg this morning 22nd August 2016 and spoke to Ronel Botha again whereupon I was informed that they only received 1 x brake hose although they ordered 2 x brake hoses. She phoned Fiat SA to enquire and was told that the person responsible would only be in on the 23rd of August 2016 to give any answers.</p> <p>In the meantime my daughters use my car to commute to Stellenbosch and I am without transport all week. Also, now we spend an average of R500 per week on petrol, which is totally unacceptable.</p> <p>Please, what else can I do to rectify this?</p> <p>Kind Regards</p> <p>Jo-Ann</p>