Skoda Superb II 1.8 tsi DSG breakdown 3 times.

Hi Guys,

I have the misfortune of owning the new Skoda Superb 1.8 Tsi DSG August 2009 model bought from Krishna Auto Sales Chandigarh in INDIA

I have already owned two skoda octavia's before and my experience has been pretty ok but this superb is simply not an automobile as it does not serve the purpose of transporting you from point A to Point B with any reliability.

The Brief description of problems i have faced until now:

1. Auto Transmission breakdown / Mechatronic failure not once, not twice but 3 times with first one happening within 48 hrs of purchase of the car with only 200 kms on the odometer and the last one on 11-10-2011 on the highway with my entire family with me and the car is still at dealership. All the times leaving me stranded in the middle of the road and the car had to be pushed to the side.

Infact they didn't even provide a courtesy car to pick up my family instead had to call my friend who picked my family and dropped them home while i came back on the flatbed tow truck. That's what they mean by the "7 star experience" i.e. the catchline skoda uses to sell its superbs in india.

2.Clutch replaced two times as it had developed problem leading to vibration while accelerating from low speeds.

3. High engine oil consumption with the engine needing a litre of engine oil top up every 2500 kms. And the company says its normal consumption. I think even a truck might be having less engine oil consumption. i have to remember when i topped so that i must get it topped up before leaving on a long journey.

4. Whole drive train from gearbox to axles faulty as there was lot of vibration during hard acceleration at speeds above 80 km/h, took them 2 months to diagnose the problem and procure parts all the while car at workshop.

5. Engine heating problem as coolant was leaking from the water pump. Water pump replaced.

All these problems i have faced in 2 years of ownership and the car having done only 41,000 kms i.e not telling you about other minor problems.

My car has spent more than three months at the workshop of my two years of ownership and was informed by the dealership that the car is ready for delivery on 31 oct. 2011 i.e. after 20 days of breakdown leading to great hardship and now I have no intention of taking delivery of this car at it does not serve the purpose of it as it has zero reliability. As repeated catastrophic failure of major components like transmission is totally unacceptable and then the car does not move an inch after the mechatronic gives up that too with out any warning. It is a very high safety risk as i dont want to get stranded at night at some isolated area with my family or imagine this happening at high speed while overtaking especially in indian conditions... it can be fatal and it totally is not worth risking the safety of myself and my family which includes my 1 year old son.

I have had tons of interaction with skoda via emails to all levels of their management and even to the Czech Republic but to no avail. The management is blatantly arrogant and shameless and gives two hoots about its customers safety forget convenience and other small hardships.

This is the reply i get from Skoda Auto India Customer Care Head Mr. Karthik on 04 nov.2011 as i refuse to take delivery of this vehicle:

Dear Mr. Manu Puri,

This is in continuation to your below mail regarding the subject car concern and as per your discussion with our Area Manager Mr. Tarun Alagh. We understand your concern and place our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. You are our esteemed customer and your satisfaction is our primary concern.In view of the same we request you not to have any apprehension on the quality of the product and services as your vehicle is shielded with applicable warranty conditions.While we understand the inconvenience you have experienced, we would like to assure you that the car has been attended as per our standards and is in perfect roadworthy condition and all the systems are working within the specifications of Skoda auto norms.

We once again request you not to have any apprehensions about the problems in future; any concern will be addressed to your entire satisfaction as per the Service history of the car and in line with the Skoda Auto warranty policy. We hope you appreciate that it is unjustified on our part to replace the vehicle, which is beyond business jurisprudence. We regret for any difficulties and inconvenience you have experienced.

We request you to road test the vehicle up to your satisfaction and take the delivery of the car. We remain committed and responsible for providing our customers a uniformed service in addressing their needs, in time. We truly appreciate that you have continued to place your trust in us with your loyalty and patronage.

Thanks & Regards,

Rahul Kulkarni | Customer Care

SKODA AUTO India Pvt. Ltd.

501, Wing - A Signature Towers, South City - I | Gurgaon- Haryana 122001| India | Tel: +91 124 335 1315

This is the reply you get after going through 3 traumatic gearbox breakdowns and what i understand from this mail is that the car can have innumerable repeated failures of grave nature but it is absolutely ok as long as it is repaired by company under warranty.

I have seen other many mechatronic failure cars at the dealership during my innumerable visits in these two years and the internet is full of these horror stories it is clear that their 1.8 tsi auto transmission is flawed but still they are continuing to sell this vehicle and have zero accountability for it. They are playing with lives of their customers.

This is my plight after having spent an equivalent of 40,000 US$ on the Skoda Superb. The car doesn't work for me i have to work for the car.

All your help will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

Manu Puri