Defective vehicles being sold

I baught a brand new Suzuki swift 1.2 model in May 2019. On 25 Dec 2019 we drove down to the South Coast for our first family holiday since our daughter was born. On our way past Durban my husband started realizing that the clutch was slipping. As all dealerships were closed we waited until 27 Dec to take in in to the Suzuki in Port Shepstone. The technician told us that there is a problem with the clutch and that they will have to investigate who is liable for the damage. After a fight and a back and forth with Suzuki we eventually got a courtesy car for the time being as we had no one fami**** to help us get around.

They reported that the shaft seal was leaking into the gearbox which caused the slipping and offered to replace it under warranty. This was the FIRST manufacturing default on this vehicle. We collected the vehicle on 3 January 2020 and made our way back to Magaliesburg.

On our way back the right front breaks started sounding as if metal was rubbing against each other. Initially I thought that it was dust /sand from the coast. I took my car for a proper wash when we got home and the vehicle still made the sound. I took the car back to Suzuki and they picked up that the break disc must be scimmed and another disc needs to be replaced under the warranty. This is now the SECOND manufacturing default on this vehicle.

I am sending this e-mail t as I am not confident enough in driving a vehicle that has been returned to Suzuki for two manufacturing defaults than needed to be replaced in only two weeks. One with only 15000 km on the odometer and another 16000 km and after it has been serviced. If this is the case I am worried what could happen within a year.

We live in Magaliesburg which is quite far from the nearest hospitals and towns. (30 minute drive). I often drive with my three year old in this car. If something had to happen to either of us because of ongoing manufacturing defaults I would be devastated. Actually I am extremely devastated to be driving a vehicle that needs to be returned regularly for manufacturing defaults. I have asked for advise and was advised that I am driving a defective vehicle.

Today, Suzuki Montana contacted me and informed that only when something else breaks Suzuki South Africa will do something about it. I believe that I am not getting a product which I paid for. This is unacceptable.

The fact fact that Suzuki South Africa cannot / will not contact the clients is also VERY unprofessional and unacceptable and leaves me with no choice as to inform the public about defective vehicles being sold. I was also told that my vehicle is not the only one with these defects.

I will not advise anyone to buy a Suzuki ever again. In fact /i will convince them other wise as this service is exploiting me as consumer.

I was promised a trustworthy vehicle, a easy to run vehicle as per your adverts...and I am experiencing the total opposite..that is close to false advertising!

I will be looking at an alternative vehicle and advise anyone I meet to NOT support Suzuki AGAIN. This experience has been nothing but unnecessary stress and pressure. And not to say devastating. I will be taking the matter further as you do not value me as a consumer. No apologies, no replacement vehicle offered, which is a consumer right.

I paid for a vehicle to take the stress away from driving around but this has left me no where but stressed.

Carla du Plooy