Holden tops list of new car ‘lemons’

[Express]

It's bit short on any meaningful detail but it was reported in today’s Daily Telegraph so I’ve posted it up.

Holden tops list of new car ‘lemons’


PAUL GOVER
Chief reporter, Carsguide
News Corp Australia Network



Holden has topped the list of complaints, with 68 per cent of owners reporting a problem.


MORE than two-thirds of the new cars sold in Australia cause problems for their owners inside five years.

High-tech electronic systems including Bluetooth are the biggest culprit, sparking 21 per cent of complaints, but engine problems also account for 15 per cent and the long list of dramas runs from interior blemishes and faulty batteries through to odometer fraud.

The shocking results are revealed in a comprehensive survey of 15 leading car brands by CHOICE, which is agitating for more protection for new-car buyers.

“While the majority of these issues were minor, 14 per cent of new-car owners faced major problems that either caused the car to stop working or seriously impaired the operation of the car,” says Alan Kirkland, the CEO of CHOICE.

Holden tops the list of complaints, with 68 per cent of owners reporting a problem, ahead of Ford and Audi.



Ford came second in the list of problematic vehicles.


Even Toyota, recognised as the quality standard in Australia, had problems in 50 per cent of cars and Mazda, which did best in the CHOICE survey, only rated 44 per cent.

The results are better than similar surveys in the US, where the J.D. Power organisation routinely tracks customer complaint rates beyond 80 per cent, but still a worry for the Australian consumer body.

CHOICE is also concerned by the number of owners who are required to sign confidentiality agreements to get their cars repaired.

“This research shows that car companies are trying to cover up the scale of problems with new cars by forcing consumers to sign nondisclosure agreements in order to get problems fixed,” says Kirkland.



Audi drivers have also been hit with problems.


“This practice is totally unacceptable when cars are such a significant purchase and problems may relate to vehicle safety.

But the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, which represents car companies, disputes the claims.

“New-car buyers in Australia are protected by some of the longest warranties in the world and competition in the market means that FCAI members have an imperative to give support,” says FCAI chief executive, Tony Weber.

“This is inconsistent with what we saw last year in a consumer survey in Queensland. They had very few people come forward. This sort of analysis is useless unless the undermining research is able to determine the cause.”

But CHOICE says 15 per cent of people with problems were unable to resolve them, a number which is slightly higher for women.

“While some companies are doing the right thing, others are treating consumers’ statutory rights to replacements, refunds or repairs as an optional extra,” says Kirkland.


Brand — percentage with problems:

Holden — 68%

Ford — 65%

Audi — 62%

Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Volkswagen — 61%

BMW — 57%

Mitsubishi — 55%

Kia — 54%

Subaru — 53%

Suzuki — 51%

Toyota — 50%

Honda — 49%

Mazda 44 %


Problem areas:

In-car technology (Bluetooth connectivity) — 21%

Battery/electrical — 20%

Car interior — 20%

Engine — 15%

Tyres/wheels/suspension — 14%

Brakes — 11%

Bodywork/exteriors — 11%

Gears — 9%

Clutch — 6%

Exhaust — 4%

Odometer fraud — 2%


Originally published as New car buyers being sold ‘lemons’

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/tec...0450c078aa05da