Trouble returning vehicle

[Doom5003]

Some background.

On 7th July 2025 I bought a Chevrolet Cruze 1.4T.
It has since then had numerous faults and repairs:
Malfunctioning rear door locking system - replaced
Loss of power, MAP sensor - replaced
Still loss of power, wiring fault - repaired
Oil leak and misfiring - repaired
Faulty thermostat - replaced
Complete breakdown, ignition coil pack and sparkplugs replaced
Still loss of power (can hardly keep the car at 100km/h when when going up hill even in 4th gear and experiencing rattling sound similar to putting a card in bicycle spokes)

I have contacted the dealer after the breakdown requesting a refund, he refused. They said car will be fixed and i must take it back.
Then they them self have said that there is a recurring problem with the engine and after more than R20 000 nobody can find the issue.

So i was given the option of finding a replacement on their floor, but there's nothing within my budget or too my liking.
They are now trying to get me to take a Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost, but i am not interested, besides, are they not notorious for problems with the wet timing belt?

The Ombutsman and NCC could take months to sort this out and i am in need of a reliable car NOW.
Lawyer says if i go to court this could take years so even worst.

I have thought about notifying them in writing that I request a FULL refund (as the manager says they wont be doing a full refund (if at all) since a have been driving the car for some time) and said refund must be issued within 7 days. Failure to do so, i will be laying a complaint with the MIO. Furthermore, that i will continue to utilize said vehicle in the meantime. And that should any further damages be caused due to the usage of the vehicle, i will not be held accountable.

Does this seem like a good course of action?

I have contacted a manager at ABSA FF since they have financed the vehicle for assistance but that is going nowhere slowly.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I know someone who has an ongoing ombudsman case. It is now almost 12 months, and the last update was that they don't have enough people available to prioritize the case. A lot has happened to the vehicle in question since... This is not concerning a purchase, but an overhaul. The person asked me to have a look at his case, and it is legitimate in my opinion.

I can't say how you should go about it, but it is advisable to open a case with the ombud, given what you have said. It is a process, and you have to ventilate it through reasonable steps, and all steps need to be civil. There are always lawyers, and that can be kept civil too.

 

[Doom5003]

I know someone who has an ongoing ombudsman case. It is now almost 12 months, and the last update was that they don't have enough people available to prioritize the case. A lot has happened to the vehicle in question since... This is not concerning a purchase, but an overhaul. The person asked me to have a look at his case, and it is legitimate in my opinion.

I can't say how you should go about it, but it is advisable to open a case with the ombud, given what you have said. It is a process, and you have to ventilate it through reasonable steps, and all steps need to be civil. There are always lawyers, and that can be kept civil too.

Cant they log a claim with the NCC as well as the MIO? Not sure if it is allowed

 

[Fulcrum29]

Cant they log a claim with the NCC as well as the MIO? Not sure if it is allowed

I am not sure about much. I am not involved in any way. It is also a matter that isn't settled so I can't talk about it in detail anyway.

 

[maumau]

Wendy Knowler - the world will know the dealers name.

 

[Doom5003]

Wendy Knowler - the world will know the dealers name.

I did submit my story/trouble on her website with all the info but as per the reply, she won be able to attend to all cases as she receives a lot of them.
So im not getting my hopes up.

 

[ghaye]

Have they determined that the problem is not the VVT sprockets? Seems to be an issue with these Chevys'.

 

[Doom5003]

Have they determined that the problem is not the VVT sprockets? Seems to be an issue with these Chevys'.

I believe the dealer doesnt want to through any more money at this vehicle, hence the why they said i should look at the cars they have in stock and then proceeding to try and sell me on the Ford, cause they have nothing else.
I am more incline for a refund since they have nothing i am interested in, unless they are willing to reduce other stock prices by about R30 000 or more. Which i did mention to them but they ignored that idee, which was expected.

I just want my refund, settle the debt on current car and proceed to buy something else as soon as possible. Especially considering the family and i are looking at visiting the family in October.