Advice/Help Needed: Suzuki Vitara Brezza recurring issue

[thecurto]

Hi Carb gearheads,

Looking for a bit of advice regarding my 2021 Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GLX Auto.

I bought this new at the end of October 2021. It's my first new car ever. I was tired of the headaches of failing parts on second hand vehicles in the past, so I thought it's time to adult and get a practical car with a valid warranty and service plan. The plan was to get it new, take good care of it, pay it off and hold onto it for a very long time. The dealer also reassured me that these engines are bulletproof which probably jinxed everything that ensued.

I love the car. It's got all the basic tech I need and it's very economical. Plus I don't drive too much so I thought I was finally set for the long-term.

However, at about 6,000 kms on the clock (April 2022), the engine was starting to sound a bit rough when starting and then the noise got worse and could be heard while driving. I recorded a video and emailed it to the Suzuki Cape Town dealership and they promptly booked it in for a service. I still needed to get around during this time so I Ubered everywhere which cost a small fortune.

Diagnosis: A faulty water pump which they replaced with a new one.

Fast forward another 6,000 kms and sure enough the same noise starts popping up again. I book it in for another service which coincides with the 1 year mark (October 2022) so I get the first regular service done at the same time. This time, I ask for a courtesy car which I was denied because there is no stock, so I Rent-a-Cheapie for 8 days for around R4000. Not at all happy about this.

I also asked Suzuki what's going on and they said they've never seen it before but they believe both water pumps were faulty. I also asked what happens if water pump number 3 fails and I couldn't get a straight answer.

We arrive at the present, and lo and behold, with about 17,800 kms on the clock that familiar gruffness is starting to trigger my ear drums. I'm already out of pocket over R8,000 from Ubers and car rentals and have no extra money for therapy to work through the PTSD I've developed from this headache. Naturally, I'm dreading making the call to Suzuki again.

So TLDR: What can I do about a recurring water pump failure every 6,000 kms on my new Suzuki Vitara Brezza?

- Can I demand a replacement vehicle considering this is now definitely a defective vehicle?
- Or, am I just supposed to factor in another service every 6,000 kms while I have a warranty, and after which I am royally screwed?
- Do I have any other options?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks to those that read my long rant/sob story.

 

[Areola Grande]

Get them to replace the water pump under warranty. Then trade it in for something else.

 

[igg]

Did they tell you what's wrong with the failing pumps? These things are supposed to last 100k km+. Sounds more like it was either installed incorrectly, or something else is wrong that's causing it to fail like clockwork.

 

[thecurto]

Get them to replace the water pump under warranty. Then trade it in for something else.

Thanks, I'll ask about this once water pump 3 is replaced. I was trying to avoid this route as I'll have to start another 5/6-year payment plan from scratch and with the crazy interest rates I'll likely only be able to afford a lower tier car. Sigh.

 

[disipher]

Hi Carb gearheads,

Looking for a bit of advice regarding my 2021 Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GLX Auto.

I bought this new at the end of October 2021. It's my first new car ever. I was tired of the headaches of failing parts on second hand vehicles in the past, so I thought it's time to adult and get a practical car with a valid warranty and service plan. The plan was to get it new, take good care of it, pay it off and hold onto it for a very long time. The dealer also reassured me that these engines are bulletproof which probably jinxed everything that ensued.

I love the car. It's got all the basic tech I need and it's very economical. Plus I don't drive too much so I thought I was finally set for the long-term.

However, at about 6,000 kms on the clock (April 2022), the engine was starting to sound a bit rough when starting and then the noise got worse and could be heard while driving. I recorded a video and emailed it to the Suzuki Cape Town dealership and they promptly booked it in for a service. I still needed to get around during this time so I Ubered everywhere which cost a small fortune.

Diagnosis: A faulty water pump which they replaced with a new one.

Fast forward another 6,000 kms and sure enough the same noise starts popping up again. I book it in for another service which coincides with the 1 year mark (October 2022) so I get the first regular service done at the same time. This time, I ask for a courtesy car which I was denied because there is no stock, so I Rent-a-Cheapie for 8 days for around R4000. Not at all happy about this.

I also asked Suzuki what's going on and they said they've never seen it before but they believe both water pumps were faulty. I also asked what happens if water pump number 3 fails and I couldn't get a straight answer.

We arrive at the present, and lo and behold, with about 17,800 kms on the clock that familiar gruffness is starting to trigger my ear drums. I'm already out of pocket over R8,000 from Ubers and car rentals and have no extra money for therapy to work through the PTSD I've developed from this headache. Naturally, I'm dreading making the call to Suzuki again.

So TLDR: What can I do about a recurring water pump failure every 6,000 kms on my new Suzuki Vitara Brezza?

- Can I demand a replacement vehicle considering this is now definitely a defective vehicle?
- Or, am I just supposed to factor in another service every 6,000 kms while I have a warranty, and after which I am royally screwed?
- Do I have any other options?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks to those that read my long rant/sob story.

i am assuming you combed the interwebs to see if other peeps are having this problem?
I do not think its the water pump itself but something that recurring breaks it,
sounds like you are treating the symptom, not the actual problem causing it.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: Common Problems and Solutions | BreakerYard.com

www.breakeryard.com

 

[thecurto]

Did they tell you what's wrong with the failing pumps? These things are supposed to last 100k km+. Sounds more like it was either installed incorrectly, or something else is wrong that's causing it to fail like clockwork.

The last report they showed me just had a one-liner that said a faulty water pump was replaced. I'll ask to see the full diagnostics this time. It makes sense that an adjacent part is badly fitted which would cause the water pump to rapidly deteriorate.

 

[thecurto]

i am assuming you combed the interwebs to see if other peeps are having this problem?
I do not think its the water pump itself but something that recurring breaks it,
sounds like you are treating the symptom, not the actual problem causing it.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: Common Problems and Solutions | BreakerYard.com

www.breakeryard.com

Thanks, I did scour the interwebs and I couldn't find anything to indicate this was more than an isolated incident.

I'll ask the service team if they can also replace the connecting/adjacent parts this time because it would be utter madness for them fit another water pump and call it a day.

 

[TheJudge]

Yeah, water pump you generally only replace with the cambelt change as a precaution or if it fails. Have they indicated WHAT failed on the pump each time? The 1.5l engine is widely used by Suzuki (and as a result Toyota) so it would be a known fault by now if it was widespread (I haven't Googled it).

The same engine is used again now in the Grand Vitara / Urban Cruiser range.

EDIT: I see you answered already for other posts.

 

[SteveIndeed]

@thecurto Suzuki SA has been in the consumer-motoring journos' crosshairs for a while, particularly after the rusty Swift saga and other magnificent failings. Brenwin Naidu at TimesLive motoring is one of them. I'm sure he'd love to hear this story and he'll be able to get you some answers. Get the water pump replaced first and then approach him - it's better to have the work seen to before Suzuki SA decides to develop a sour attitude towards you and shortchange you wherever possible as a result.

 

[thecurto]

@thecurto Suzuki SA has been in the consumer-motoring journos' crosshairs for a while, particularly after the rusty Swift saga and other magnificent failings. Brenwin Naidu at TimesLive motoring is one of them. I'm sure he'd love to hear this story and he'll be able to get you some answers. Get the water pump replaced first and then approach him - it's better to have the work seen to before Suzuki SA decides to develop a sour attitude towards you and shortchange you wherever possible as a result.

Thanks @SteveIndeed for the insight. This is very helpful.

I'll see how Suzuki handle this round of repairs and then get in touch if I'm still stumped.

 

[ettiene]

Start learning about mechanical things or buy vaseline in bulk.
These dealers types you got to baby sit the whole time.

 

[ettiene]

Just another note, these parts is dirt cheap. Suzuki dealers are mad with their prices. I am sure a water pump is much less than what you paid for uber etc.
If it fails again replace skelm yourself without them knowing.

 

[Areola Grande]

@StangV2_0 sell this guy a Hyundai.

 

[Spontaneous.Spinach]

Start raising your voice , you seem too polite!

 

[ettiene]

Its like 1500 rupees in India. So like R350.
Dealer probably R7500

 

[Areola Grande]

Somewhat disrelated, but my Corsa decided it hated its gearbox at 13,000km.

After a few “inspections” where they were “unable to verify” the fact that I couldn’t get it into fucking gear, I finally made the workshop foreman drive it until he saw the issue. They then decided to have it rebuilt.

The key here was persistence. And by that I mean a persistent string of choice adjectives, detailed descriptions of the various types of discomfort the dealership and it’s employees could potentially experience in the near future as well as an eloquent monologue detailing my specific thoughts regarding their handling of the situation thus far.

It seems that when expressed with enough clarity, effusiveness and facts, one can in fact drive home the point that it would be far better to resolve the situation now, than it would be to deal with the consequences of not doing so.

In short, it’s time to start getting a little more energetic with your handling of the dealership. The vehicle is under warranty and they are obliged to fix it. Moreover, they are obliged to fix it to your satisfaction which may or may not include a detailed analysis of what exactly is causing the fault and a proper fix being applied.

 

[TheJudge]

Also ask for the broken pump after the service. They're meant to provide you with all parts they replaced.

 

[Confucius]

Also ask for the broken pump after the service. They're meant to provide you with all parts they replaced.

Is this true even if replaced under warranty. If they. Don’t keep the old pump, I’m sure dealerships can have a free for all replacing parts under warranty and claiming for it.

 

[Confucius]

Get them to replace the water pump under warranty. Then trade it in for something else.

This.

Best advise here.

Sell the Japanese POS and buy a German POS or if you really desperate, a Korean POS.

 

[Smurf]

So also Driving a Brezza just the manual, bought new last year June. I had my aircon pump fail on 6 500km which was also like WTF cause how does something fail if I do not use it.

Maybe instead of the Waterpump it was the Aircon pump? Cause numerous people I have came across had a Aircon pump fail on low Kilo's which is really kak

 

[Smurf]

This.

Best advise here.

Sell the Japanese POS and buy a German POS or if you really desperate, a Korean POS.

Think my previous POS Korean i20 had less rattles than this POS Japan/Indian car...

 

[Old_Liver]

So also Driving a Brezza just the manual, bought new last year June. I had my aircon pump fail on 6 500km which was also like WTF cause how does something fail if I do not use it.

Maybe instead of the Waterpump it was the Aircon pump? Cause numerous people I have came across had a Aircon pump fail on low Kilo's which is really kak

If this was the case, wouldn't the noise only show up when the A/C was on?

 

[TheJudge]

Is this true even if replaced under warranty. If they. Don’t keep the old pump, I’m sure dealerships can have a free for all replacing parts under warranty and claiming for it.

In all honesty I'm not sure what the situation is there, I think it would depend on who the customer is considered to be. For a warranty claim I suppose Suzuki SA might be the customer.

@StangV2_0 might be able to shed some light.

VW used to have a big sign up in their service section declaring all replaced parts their properly back in day so you never got to see the part they claimed they replaced.

 

[Smurf]

If this was the case, wouldn't the noise only show up when the A/C was on?

Mine was with the AC on and off but made a louder noise on certain revs with AC on, seems like the pulley driving all the pumps and belts run on the same setup

 

[Confucius]

Think my previous POS Korean i20 had less rattles than this POS Japan/Indian car...

The Getz was a good Korean POS.

Most new vehicles are average or bad POS.

 

[PandaAttack1]

This.

Best advise here.

Sell the Japanese POS and buy a German POS or if you really desperate, a Korean POS.

Every time something fails on my German POS, it is the cost of half a Japanese POS to repair.

Good luck OP. You should be deliberate with your service advisor and ask them to note on your service plan that this is the third time it is replaced and you are dissatisfied and concerned. If it happens again, you have a bit more wiggle room to go to head office with complaints about the car.

Have you asked your service advisor what options you have when the same part consistently fails?

 

[BlueCrayon]

A car bought brand new and only driven 17 800km with things breaking is not your problem, take it to dealership and say you want something else and you're sick of the car and you won't take it back home.

They will jump. I did this when I bought a problem Nissan last year, and battled for more than 2 months with multiple visits to the dealership and sat with 3 different loan cars. Only after I did the above did they REALLY do something about it.

Ps . Don't buy Nissans

 

[Smurf]

A car bought brand new and only driven 17 800km with things breaking is not your problem, take it to dealership and say you want something else and you're sick of the car and you won't take it back home.

They will jump. I did this when I bought a problem Nissan last year, and battled for more than 2 months with multiple visits to the dealership and sat with 3 different loan cars. Only after I did the above did they REALLY do something about it.

Ps . Don't buy Nissans

POS French car

 

[disipher]

Just another note, these parts is dirt cheap. Suzuki dealers are mad with their prices. I am sure a water pump is much less than what you paid for uber etc.
If it fails again replace skelm yourself without them knowing.

he will lose warranty. all of this has been done under warranty. the only part he is screwed is when they have the car in for repairs, a courtesy car however should be available, depending on the contract.

This.

Best advise here.

Sell the Japanese POS and buy a German POS or if you really desperate, a Korean POS.

not German. back in the day, yes. not now. my Audi gave me countless problems.

Mine was with the AC on and off but made a louder noise on certain revs with AC on, seems like the pulley driving all the pumps and belts run on the same setup

Yes, it is the same belt.

 

[Nyt Ryda]

Looking for a bit of advice regarding my 2021 Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GLX Auto.

Go to another Suzuki dealership and bring it in, involve the workshop manager too (don't replace anything yourself, you void the warranty).

I can't believe a water pump can fail 3 times in 20000km. Even looking on Suzuki's Hellopeter, I can only find one person complaining about replacing a water pump and that was on a 1.0 S-Presso.

Maybe there is another issue with the belt as mentioned above.