Help with my 2007 Holden Viva

[leopuppy04 0]

Am looking for some help/ suggestsions as what may be wrong with my car here, or if anyone has had similar experiences. The car is currently at the dealership and they are drawing up loose ends with what might be wrong.

 

My car is 2 years old and still under it's new car warranty.

 

Since earlier this year, I have been having problems where my car will sporadically switch off / stall and the "engine malfunction light' will come on. What is concerning is that it has previously happened where driving along the freeway the car has locked up, where I couldn't press on breaks or anything like that and it completely shut off.

 

This has since happened again - after Holden having my car for over a week, being unable to fix anything and taking a stab in the dark. They have my car again, and rather than replacing it, they want me to just take the car back and 'deal with it' until it happens continually and then they will fix it.

 

My concerns are obviously for my safety. A car that stalls whilst sporadically driving it isn't exactly a safe vehicle to be in, particularly when it is still under warranty.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might be able to do and where I stand in this debacle?!

 

Thanks

[Wally 0]

Doesn't make much sense them not knowing what the cause is. It sounds more like they are stalling too.

 

The VIVA is really the Daewoo Lacetti as I recall, with the Australian made no frills Family 1 engine. So if the engine is made in Oz by Holden, then Holden should know why it's conking out.

 

My tack would be to see the manager and politely and careingly ask him if it is too hard for his blokes and whether you should take it somewhere else. This strikes right at their sense of worthiness and they will be more determined to show you how good they are.

[leopuppy04 0]

Thanks Wally.

 

We've had numerous headers with them and while they are very polite about it, they don't seem to be willing to budge on finding out what the issue is... it's like they are washing their hands off it.

 

My other question would be that given it is still under warranty, what does this entail me to in the way of replacements, should they not be able to find the problem!?

[Ghost 0]

have you by chance noticed the fuel level when your Viva stalls? did you just fill up, half tank, 1/4 tank? does it happen mostly on the highway or in town?

[Wally 0]

If the dealer won't budge, send a letter to GMH and ask them what you should be doing to get it fixed, as their dealer doesn't seem to have the expertise.

 

You know you don't have to go to the dealer that sold the car, for warranty repairs?

[leopuppy04 0]

have you by chance noticed the fuel level when your Viva stalls? did you just fill up, half tank, 1/4 tank? does it happen mostly on the highway or in town?

 

Makes no difference with the fuel unfortunately. It's happened on full tank, 1/2, 1/4... LOL... it's not fussy . They've checked for dirty fuel, but that has come out clear.

 

If the dealer won't budge, send a letter to GMH and ask them what you should be doing to get it fixed, as their dealer doesn't seem to have the expertise.

 

You know you don't have to go to the dealer that sold the car, for warranty repairs?

Thanks Wally, yeah I know that I dont' have to take it back to the same place. I will chase up with GMH and see if we can get more answers. I ha ve contacted them before, but they aren't overly helpful either unfortunately and also want to wash their hands of the matter.

[Wally 0]

Yes I tink Holden know the Viva was a giant fail and just want to move on to making the Cruize. The unfortunate thing is that none of the other brand dealers would be treating you any differently.... Ford are notorious for standing on their digs.

[joehughes 0]

I had a similar sort of stand off in the uk. Here's what worked for me. I sent a letter "registered post" to both the dealer, the manafaturer (I copied in the legal team, and ceo) stating what the problem was and the potential consequences.

 

I then stated that the dealership said to continue to keep driving this "death trap".

 

I told them I was happy to take their companies recommendation but put them on notice that if I or any other car driver had a serious accident because of this undetected fault I would ensure the appropriate civil and criminal legal action was taken as they ALL have been given full notice of the facts.

 

I signed off saying I apologise for the tone of the letter but I did not know what else to do as I was concerned for the safety of me and my family.

 

The result? Less than 1 month later I had a new car on the drive. A bit of work but it was worth it.