Pay `20K for ‘defective steering’, Ford told
The Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-i on Monday ordered Fortune Automobiles (India) Pvt Ltd and Ford India Pvt Ltd to pay `20,000 compensation to a car owner, who complained that the vehicle developed certain defects soon after purchase.
Ravuri Padmalatha, resident of Nallangandla, Lingampally, told the commission that on December 26, 2016, she paid `9,53,658 to Fortune Automobiles, a Ford India dealer, to purchase a car. The vehicle's warranty ran from December 26, 2016, until December 26, 2019.
The complainant stated that she and her husband experienced driving problems as a result of allegedly defective steering. It became hard after 30 minutes of driving at speeds of more than 20 kmph.
The husband of the complainant apparently experienced health problems as a result of the steering problem.
The complainant visited the dealer in person and sent numerous emails asking for a solution. The complainant and her spouse followed the dealer's recommendations and went to various authorised service locations to have the manufacturing flaw fixed. However, the complainant noted in her petition that “it was not done properly”.
While Fortune Automobile failed to appear before the commission, Ford India filed a counter-stating that that as of October 16, 2019, the vehicle had logged more than 35,976 km, which would not have been possible if the complaint's allegation of an inherent manufacturing defect was true.
“The vehicle repair history indicated an underbody chassis damage pursuant to which the wheel assembly system was replaced under the cover of an insurance agency and the same was deliberately and intentionally concealed by the complainant,” Ford India contended.
Further, the manufacturer argued that it could not be held liable for steering problems that are known to be caused by underbody chassis damage and related problems.
After hearing both sides, the commission directed the automaker to correct the steering flaws, pay a compensation of `20,000, and `10,000 towards litigation costs.