Imagine saving up for your dream car, only to have it start breaking down repeatedly just days after purchasing it. Frustrating, right? That’s exactly what a Tata Safari facelift buyer in Surat, Gujarat, went through. To draw attention to his situation, the owner, Suresh Suthar, has publicly demanded a full refund from Tata Motors after facing multiple issues with the vehicle shortly after buying it.
Going Public with Frustration
Suresh Suthar posted a video on Instagram showing his Tata Safari facelift being towed away on a trailer. In the post, he also shared an open letter expressing his dissatisfaction, describing the car as “error-prone” and “defective.”
The Purchase and Initial Issues
According to Suthar, he purchased the top-spec Tata Safari with the registration number GJ 05 RW 5643 from Pramukh Tata in Surat on October 11, 2023. Shortly after, problems began to emerge. He noticed that the digital display screen would randomly shut off while driving, followed by repeated system failure alerts, causing constant anxiety whenever he was behind the wheel.
Worsening Problems
One of the most concerning issues Suthar encountered was with the ignition system. He reported that the car would sometimes lose power unexpectedly, even though the music system continued to run. This drained the battery, leaving the vehicle unable to start after a short time. Additionally, the fuel gauge misled him by showing a range of 88 km when the tank was actually empty, leading to a breakdown on the highway.
Other issues included inaccurate handbrake indicators on the display, showing the handbrake as engaged when it wasn’t, or vice versa.
The Final Breakdown in Rajasthan
The situation reached a critical point on July 9, 2024, while Suthar was in Jalore, Rajasthan, for business. As he prepared to head back to Surat, a new issue arose: the system displayed a “KEY WAS NOT FOUND” message, even though the key was inside the car. Unable to start the vehicle, Suthar had to have it towed to the nearest Tata Motors service center, 140 km away in Jodhpur. This delay disrupted his business plans and led to financial losses.
The Customer’s Demands
In his open letter, Suthar demanded that Tata Motors fix all the issues with his car immediately and compensate him for the financial losses he incurred due to the vehicle’s repeated failures. He also requested that Tata Motors cover the cost of transporting the car back to Surat and arrange safe travel for him and his family. If these demands are not met, Suthar is asking Tata Motors to buy back the car and refund his money.