Mitsubishi Pajero wheel rim damage
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 16:41
ThreadID:
110634
Views:
2363
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
Craig A3
I have a 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero and recently took it in to replace the tyres at 90,000 kms. The rims on all 4 wheels are severely pitted (some pits are up to 4mm in diameter) on the edge that contacts the tyre bead. Mitsubishi claim that it is because the car has been driven with the tyres deflated in sand, and so they will not cover them under warranty. The guy at the tyre place said this was only the second time has has seen this in 18 years and the other car had several hundred thousand km's on the clock. He said there was no sand whatsoever inside my tyres, so he does not agree with Mitsubishi. Has anyone encountered a similar issue after deflating their tyres to drive on sand? Surely if that IS the cause then hundreds of sand drivers would have encountered the same problem!!
Reply By: Gronk - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 18:45
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 18:45
Surely you didn't tell them it was driven on sand ??
Never let a dealer know more than they have to..
Doubt whether sand was the cause, but now the dealer has an excuse, very hard to have a win against them ..
AnswerID:
543830
Follow Up By: Craig A3 - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 20:10
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 20:10
Thanks for your reply Gronk. Yes I did tell them it was driven on sand - I didn't think I needed to lie. It's a 4WD - that's what they're meant to do!
FollowupID:
830909
Follow Up By: Gronk - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 20:32
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 20:32
No need to lie.....just don't tell them the whole truth..
When it comes to a warranty claim...just like an insurance claim...never admit to anything unless needed to..
Look on the
bright side.....now you can buy a nice set of aftermarket mags and really set the 4wd off !!
FollowupID:
830910
Follow Up By: Colcam42 - Friday, Jan 09, 2015 at 18:38
Friday, Jan 09, 2015 at 18:38
But don't their TV adverts show them driving on sand, in water, over rocks, anywhere that a rented car would go?
FollowupID:
831107
Reply By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 20:56
Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015 at 20:56
Steel wheels or alloy Craig ?
Scrubby.
AnswerID:
543833
Follow Up By: Craig A3 - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 19:48
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 19:48
Hi Scrubby, they're alloy. Craig
FollowupID:
830991
Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 08:16
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 08:16
I would try again with the same dealer .....appeal to his 'better side', then if that fails approach another dealer & try there. I think you have a legitimate claim.
Let us know what eventuates :-)
AnswerID:
543844
Follow Up By: Craig A3 - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 19:51
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 19:51
Hi Tony I've told the dealer that I'm not happy with Mitsubishi's response and I am going to escalate my claim. He is going to send the photos on to someone else to assess them. The tyre guy said he will back me up and say there was no sand whatsoever in the tyres. Craig
FollowupID:
830992
Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 09:19
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 09:19
Craig,
As others have said try again. Aus consumer law says that something that you purchase must be 'fit for purpose'. I am sure that Mitsubishi does not have a statement saying that a new Pajero must NOT be driven on sand. Hence they have no case to stand on. If you had badly damaged rims due to rocks etc then it would be fair enough. Dealers generally will come around if you persist and show that you know the laws regarding consumer agreements and warranties. Don't be aggressive just persistent and be prepared to write a few letters.
They may try to talk about beaches and salt corrosion. If they do ask them to show you where in the documentation provided when you bought the vehicle it advises against. It must be stated and explicit.
cheers
AnswerID:
543848
Follow Up By: Craig A3 - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 19:53
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 19:53
Thanks for your advice Alastair. I'll post any progress reports. Craig
FollowupID:
830993
Reply By: Bigfish - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 09:34
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 09:34
Go back to the bloke that reckons sand caused the damage. Tell him that as you are going to consumer affairs you felt it only right to offer him the chance to put it in writing that sand caused the damage and he can prove this because.........
Let him know that the tyre installer found absolutely no evidence of sand and if this is the case why aren't all wheels on Pajeros experiencing the same affect.
Contact Mitsubishi head office as
well.
Just don't sit back and accept what the dealer has told you. Most dealers are liars and thieves anyway.
AnswerID:
543849
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 15:00
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2015 at 15:00
Hi Craig
We have driven countless
miles in our old Pajeros and now my current 120 series Prado on sand tracks and remote
sand dune country and never had any issues with sand blasting of rims.
Sounds like the person you spoke with is a real knob and would not know the first thing about four wheel driving, or driving in sand.
Like above, Australian Consumer Laws will sort him out, so do not let him tell you any different.
All the best and please keep us all updated on how you get on.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
543866