Warranty Claims Advice Please

[TC.Barky]

Hey guys,

Drivers seat base has developed movement over the last couple weeks which is getting worse as time goes on. Gonna try and nip it in the bud while I've got an ado/rdo combo over the next couple days. Having never had new car warranty, is there any advice I should know before ringing the dealer tomorrow? Was hoping to use a different dealer than the one where the car was bought, will that be OK? Was thinking I'd bookmark a couple threads where the problem was mentioned previously in case they don't wanna play ball.

[TheTaipan]

A different dealer is fine mate. The warranty on my NS was always done buy a different dealer from purchase. Never had a problem with them.

I did take a snake or two or six to show them. Used to bring the whole workshop to a stand still. Thats mechanics, service consultants, service manager, cleaner and coffee lady.

[Downunder35m]

From past exerience I have to say most companies take the new car warranty serious.
After all it would an unsatisfied customer if an expensive car is not kept in shape properly because of warranty issues.
I would just show and tell them and if there is any issues, which I doubt, remind them on the warranty laws that state a purchased item has to be fixed under warranty if they failure is way before the due time for normal wear and tear.
Just in case mark the base so you can see if it was replaced or repaired.

[spot01]

This is a common fault with NT & NW - they will have seen plenty before - should be no problem getting it fixed.

Any dealer is OK.

[TC.Barky]

Well I've just dropped it in. Gotta say first impression is that it probably won't be fixed. "That would be very unusual and we've never heard of it" no interest in viewing forum threads. Now I've gotta wait 4hrs. Got a late recall so was too tired to drop it in first thing dare say they won't find anything. Pretty minor movement at this stage

[Downunder35m]

That is quite unususal for a good dealer.
In cases of know defects and fatigued parts every dealer has the infos coming from Mitsu headquarters, same for other brands by the way.
But they won't make any money doing repairs under warranty, and replacing parts is even more costly.
Seems you found yourself a cheap shop
Remind them on the AU warranty laws that state failures of parts before a reasonable usage time has passed always have to fixed by the manufactorer, even if already a bit outside the warranty time.
For a brand new car it is simply not acceptable to have failed parts like a seat - you find 30 year old cars at the wrecker with perfect seats, that should make them wonder about their quality in a new car.

[Uncle Fester]

I just hope they don't try and charge you like they did with me. Took it in for a warranty problem and when I picked it up they said that the part was not under warranty and that they had fixed it. $$$ please here is the invoice. At first I said to them that they should not have fixed it unless it was under warranty and they should have contacted me before fixing, not to mention that there $125+GST per hour is just ridiculous. In the end I got it for nothing and they billed MMA for the fix as it had actually been done under warranty once already by the previous owner (NSW Police Force).

[TC.Barky]

I just hope they don't try and charge you like they did with me. Took it in for a warranty problem and when I picked it up they said that the part was not under warranty and that they had fixed it. $$$ please here is the invoice. At first I said to them that they should not have fixed it unless it was under warranty and they should have contacted me before fixing, not to mention that there $125+GST per hour is just ridiculous. In the end I got it for nothing and they billed MMA for the fix as it had actually been done under warranty once already by the previous owner (NSW Police Force).

Yowsers. Yeah I won't be paying for squat trust me. Unfortunately I've scoped out the yard (incidentally outlander PHEV is an interesting car) and there's no GLX-R trims here only two VRXs with the different seat. Gave em a wiggle though and there's no movement. Hopefully that's enough for my argument when they eventually get to my car.

[TC.Barky]

No joy unfortunately. I didn't press the issue. He seemed genuine about it. Said it was likely due to having the seat height adjusted up but if it gets worse to come back.

[Downunder35m]

That is utterly crap as a statement.
The seat height does not affect it all.
Just take it to Vicroads and ask them nicely to have a look and offer an opinion.
I personally would not accept a moving seat in a new car and I guess it is safe to assume that a problem like that only gets worse but not better.
From other cars I know the movement is often caused by cracked runners.
Also the actual mounting points for seat and base sometimes develop fatigue.
If the problem gets worse and your dealer still plays up take the seat out and check all parts from the floor mounts to the actual seat base, would not surprise me if you find some hairline cracks somewhere.
Didn't I tell you during our last trip you need to loose some weight?

[Yclept]

...
If the problem gets worse and your dealer still plays up take the seat out and check all parts from the floor mounts to the actual seat base, would not surprise me if you find some hairline cracks somewhere.

The dealer should have removed the seat to check. I had a similar issue in my Grand Vitara and it turned out to be a broken weld in the seat base. Suzuki replaced the seat base.

[TC.Barky]

That is utterly crap as a statement.
The seat height does not affect it all.
Just take it to Vicroads and ask them nicely to have a look and offer an opinion.
I personally would not accept a moving seat in a new car and I guess it is safe to assume that a problem like that only gets worse but not better.
From other cars I know the movement is often caused by cracked runners.
Also the actual mounting points for seat and base sometimes develop fatigue.
If the problem gets worse and your dealer still plays up take the seat out and check all parts from the floor mounts to the actual seat base, would not surprise me if you find some hairline cracks somewhere.
Didn't I tell you during our last trip you need to loose some weight?

Hahaha ruuuuuude :-P
It's a common enough fault with the pajeros that I'm happy its a design flaw rather than an isolated case of cracked runners etc. It's not a huge problem... yet... as the movement only occurs intermittently on the occasional corner (though it is notably rattly when you grasp the base with nobody on it) and its probably only a mm of movement in it. Felt it wasn't worth a shit fight this time and I'll keep an eye on it for any changes. Will mention it again down the track

[TC.Barky]

The dealer should have removed the seat to check. I had a similar issue in my Grand Vitara and it turned out to be a broken weld in the seat base. Suzuki replaced the seat base.

Yeah I'm gonna give it a visual inspection for piece of mind later, particularly with those kinds of stories floating around. It's not the whole seat that moves, just the bit you put your arse on (that is adjustable, hence I think why it's only ever reported on the drivers seat)

[MoreliaMatt]

I would go and see what a different dealer says about it... sounds like crap to me! my 4.5 year old paj doesnt move! So your brand new one shouldnt!!!

[spot01]

I have driven 4 different brand new Pajeros (NT & NW) - 2 had the movement in the drivers seat base appear within the first year & 2 didn't, ie, 50% of my sample! I didn't try to have it fixed as I wasn't keeping the 2 cars with the fault, but IMO it should be fixed under warranty - best to ask asap, in case they try the "wear & tear" argument. It is a very annoying fault when driving.