[Resolved]  Chevrolet Spark — Defective suspension, Axle hitting the chassis defective ac, humming noise in cabin misleading ad on fuel efficiency

I have bought a brand new Spark Car on 24th August 2008 in my wife Pallavi’s name, from Ashtavinayak Auto, dealers of General Motors India Ltd, after seeing their advertisement in the media & studying the flier which we got from the dealer on taking the test drive. We expected that we would be given a good car, but after the car was delivered I found that we have been delivered a car with a lot of defects. Enlist;

1. There was a lot of rattling noise in the cabin when the car was running.
2. The suspension was also rattling as if it was loose.
3. The dash board was also creaking & rattling.
4. Everytime the car turned to left or right esp worsened when the car passed over a very small pot hole or raised road joint; there was a loud metal clanking noise.
5. The rattling would get worse if the car went on paver block roads or even a small pot hole on the road & road joints.
6. Engine vibration felt in cabin

I took the car back to the dealer & complained about the defects they said the speakers of the music system were not fit right. The rattle is because of speaker tray. All I felt assured but one day after the car came back all the complaints resurfaced so I took the car back on the 30th August & wrote to them ( Letter attached) They kept the car for 3 days & returned saying the problems were completely rectified. They told me they have replaced the defective suspension (vide Work shop Bill no 000456)
I asked the dealer why a brand new cars suspension would have to be replaced on the second day of delivery & had you not done any predelivery inspection on the car when I was given delivery on 24th August 2008? The dealer claimed they have done PDI on 100 items as per their procedure. It was not a satisfactory answer to my query.
After just 2 days all the complaints resurfaced. I took the car back to the dealer the dealer confirmed that there is a major defect in the suspension. I wrote them another letter on September 05 2008 & handed over the car to the GM dealers Representatives asking for a replacement.
Instead on the 12th of September 2008 the car was given back saying the suspension has been changed again & the new & modified suspension which has come from GM was now fitted in the car. I was told the other problems will be solved after first service.
After a week of running the car all the old complaints again resurfaced along with a few new problems, enlist;
1. Humming noise in cabin
2. Bubbling noise from compressor when it starts
3. Engine knocking on breaking especially when the car is slowing down in low gears
4. Spongy braking in spite of fitting sophisticated ABS braking system. Worse in slow moving traffic the braking is wanting so have to keep too much distance while driving in traffic.
5. Driver seat belt clicking noise
6. Very low average instead of the claim by company of 16.7Kms/ltr in media ads.

Misuse of Car: The car was completely misused by the dealer in all the days that it was with them & the odometer mileage confirmed that the car was used by the dealer. I had given them the car with full tank of fuel (vide copy of cash memo of petrol station) when they gave me back it was empty. The odometer showed that while the car was in Ashtavinayak autos service station a total of 300 kms were clocked. I have complained about the same in my various letters to Ashtavinayak.

I asked the dealer to replace the car they said they can’t do it but will ask zone Manager Mr. Sandip Deshmukh to see the car & take a decision. Mr Deshmukh came a few days later & took a test drive of the car acknowledged & confirmed all the complaints & requested me to give him a chance to set things right. I asked him for replacement of fuel & to take up the matter with the dealer why they have used my car for more than 300 kms. He said he will get the car completely assessed by the technical team from GM & get all repairs done & will also replace the fuel lost by me. He also said that if the complaints persisted after his personal attention they will replace the car.

The car was taken back on 30th September 2008 by Mr Vikram & after test driving he listed all the complaints he had felt were there. Vide the Pick up note attached. On the reverse he has listed in his own hand writing.

The car was delivered again on the 7th October 2008 claiming that the technical team had thoroughly looked into the car & found all my complaints justified & that there was some adjustment & loose fittings of various parts of suspension etc. The clinking noise from the front suspensions was due to the shorter turning radius given to the car & smaller axle but now all that was also rectified. The car was returned with invoice number 002271 dated 07 10 2008. Even though the fuel replacement was authorised by the GM person the fuel indicator was showing empty. I asked Mr Bosco who had come to deliver the car about it & he said there was a problem with the fuel station so it will be replaced when the car comes for first service.

I was asked to sign a Satisfaction note which I did along with my comments assuming that all will be ok. After one week all the complaints resurfaced even worse than before. I texted many SMS to Mr Deshmukh but there was no response from him. He would not answer my phone calls. I wrote him an email twice but there is no response from him.

No Receipt for money paid: I have not received any receipt for the money paid for the Cashless Ownership Offer listed under the column of Chevrolet Promise in the flier, informed about the same to Mr. Deshmukh but there is no response.

The first service is due but since I have told them I am going to Consumer court for redress, the company is not sent a representative to collect the car for servicing.

I have since made a lot of inquiries with other Spark owners while driving on the road many have confirmed facing similar problems. It seems there is a complete designing fault or something since the car is not getting repaired after all that has been done.

GM has been completely negligent & insensitive to my grievances. They have given me a defective car & have been very deficient in providing after sales services. My communications with GM & their dealer confirms their negligent & defiant attitude.
I urge your office to take up my case & help me get my money paid for the car along with the accessories fit in the car, RTO registration & taxes, insurance charges, All EMIs, bank charges & penalties for foreclosure of car loan, the amount paid for cashless ownership offer along with compensation which the consumer society deems adequate for all the physical & mental harassment & blatant violation of my consumer rights.

Thanking you
Sincerely,



Dr. Jimish Modi
For Mrs. Pallavi Modi