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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car failed catastrophically on the motorway

114 replies

CakeMake · 14/10/2022 17:02

Hey

Just wondering what others think of this.

My parents have a car that is 11 months old. Three days ago when my father was driving the electrics completely cut out without warning. Nothing worked and the car had absolutely no power. Luckily my father was just about able to glide the car to the hard shoulder where it came to a stop (not even the hazard lights were working).

It was purchased directly from the manufacturer. When it was towed to the manufacturer they ran some diagnostic tests for a couple of days. He received a call from them this morning saying it was fixed. The guy said that is was a “well known issue” with this model and has something to do with the software and the hybrid mechanism.

My issue is this: it’s a nearly brand new car. This shouldn’t happen. He could have been seriously injured or killed had the motorway been more busy or there was no hard shoulder. If it’s a well known fault shouldn’t it be publicised or maybe recalled so other owners can have their cars looked at?

I’m just worried someone is going to get hurt. It’s a very common car and in the top ten most popular.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Piglet89 · 14/10/2022 17:04

yes. Definitely.

Anydaynowonewouldhope · 14/10/2022 17:05

I would prepare a template letter and send it to EVERYONE.

mps, car ceos, martin Lewis, trading standards, the police.

it’s easy these days to do with email.

something like this is terrifying

also get tweeting!!

Aquamarine1029 · 14/10/2022 17:05

After someone dies is when they will issue a recall. That's usually how it goes, unfortunately. Luckily your dad is ok.

girlmom21 · 14/10/2022 17:06

Yeah they should be recalling it. I'd start drafting emails to senior board members.

SedentaryCat · 14/10/2022 17:10

Is it a Peugeot? I had a 206 from new and every so often it would cut out, usually on a corner, and for no reason. Thankfully it never happened at speed.

The first time it happened it was terrifying - no steering or brakes. Peugeot couldn't find anything wrong with it and couldn't (obviously) recreate the issue. From reading around the internet it seemed to be a common fault with the car, one which wasn't necessarily acknowledged by the manufacturer.

They upgraded the software when the car was 8 years old and it didn't do it after that.

I'm pleased that your folks are OK - very scary situation. I hope the fix has worked but I do agree that they should have recalled the car.

Original poster
CakeMake · 14/10/2022 17:14

@SedentaryCat I hope your car is working properly now! Theirs is not a Peugeot, but what you described does sound similar to issues they had been having with the car before this happened. Randomly cutting out and not starting when in a car park etc.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I am in North America until Sunday but will speak directly to the manufacture myself on Monday to get a better understanding and then start writing some letters!

OP posts:
TwoTowels · 14/10/2022 17:16

This exact thing happened with my sister's car on the motorway. And then all of a sudden (after about 60 seconds) it started up again, just like that.

I'm trying to remember the manufacturer, I think it was a Korean brand. A very boxy-looking thing. She doesn't own it any more.

MassiveSalad22 · 14/10/2022 17:16

Well say which model of car it was for a start, if you want to spread the word?? Very scary, sorry that happened to your dad!

Believeitornot · 14/10/2022 17:18

MassiveSalad22 · 14/10/2022 17:16

Well say which model of car it was for a start, if you want to spread the word?? Very scary, sorry that happened to your dad!

Yes this!!!

Original poster
CakeMake · 14/10/2022 17:19

@MassiveSalad22 Sorry! I am worried about getting sued. I’ve already gotten into trouble on here once before…

@TwoTowels I am glad your sister is okay! I’d like my parents to get rid of this one tbh. Not sure how ethical that would be until this is sorted though.

OP posts:
larkstar · 14/10/2022 17:20

Can you ask the dealer if there was a recall in place at the time the car was bought - I would have thought they, if they are responsible dealer would have checked this and implemented a fix before it was delivered. I'd also ask if there are any other recalls that affect your vehicle - I'm sure I've been on a website to check for recalls on a VW Van I bought this year - there weren't any - I can remember if it was a VW site or a generic site - check on line and see if there is a way - perhaps you can confirm there was a known recall/issue at the time the car was purchased. If it's not the subject of a recall perhaps you need to push for that - it sounds like it could have been far more serious given different conditions on the road and with the traffic.

SedentaryCat · 14/10/2022 17:21

@CakeMake Thanks - yes it carried on fine for a couple of years before I had to scrap it. Hope you get some joy from the manufacturer.

TheVanguardSix · 14/10/2022 17:21

Yes, please do tell us what make/model car it is.
It’s the stuff of nightmares and I’m so relieved the outcome wasn’t worse. It’s bad enough though. Your poor folks!

Original poster
CakeMake · 14/10/2022 17:23

@larkstar Thanks. I will see if I can find anything.

They ordered the latest model so maybe there’s just not much online yet.

OP posts:
Smilelesstalkmore · 14/10/2022 17:24

You won't get sued will you? Tell us what the car is!

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 14/10/2022 17:26

This happened to my now exh. Luckily he wasn't on a motorway, but driving home from hospital after I'd given birth. The car just stopped, in the middle of nowhere. The electronics had failed. Won't buy a Vauxhall ever again.

Original poster
CakeMake · 14/10/2022 17:28

@Smilelesstalkmore I received a threatening email a few months ago about an honest review I left here. Literally two days after I posted, so did another person. They threatened to sue me for defamation so I’m quite careful.

This is what the DVLA says about the car:

No outstanding safety recalls found

This information is provided by the vehicle manufacturer. If you think the information is wrong, contact the vehicle manufacturer's dealership. Please do not contact the DVSA, as we are not able to change the recall status.

OP posts:
miceonabranch · 14/10/2022 17:28

Back in the 90s my Ford Fiesta took to doing this. I was terrified. Had to take it back to the main dealers for some sort of adjustment.

reigatecastle · 14/10/2022 17:28

I think this is more common than we think - the government ran that campaign recently about what to do if you lose power on the motorway about getting over to the hard shoulder (if there is one).

OP you can't get sued for telling the truth, If your parents have a particular car that broke down, you can say so.

reigatecastle · 14/10/2022 17:30

Dear everyone. You cannot be sued for libel if the thing you are saying is true.

That is the end of the public service announcement.

And even if it was a lie, they also have to show that you caused them serious reputational damage. Not sure one post on MN can cause a massive global manufacturer serious damage.

I received a threatening email a few months ago about an honest review I left here how did they know your email address?

MichelleScarn · 14/10/2022 17:31

I had this with a vauxhall astra. V scary!

sm40 · 14/10/2022 17:33

We had this with a 2 day old car! Luckily the car came to a stop before we drive into anyone.
Sent the car back and got a full refund and a 'goodwill' gesture!
We decided not to go hybrid again. Too much tech to go wrong for my liking.

Original poster
CakeMake · 14/10/2022 17:34

Horrifying this has happened to so many people!!

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/10/2022 17:36

This is an anonymous forum, you can't sue someone you don't know, especially it's factual!

This happened to a colleague in a hire car this week. Not sure what it was, probably a Corsa.

CaptainofmyownShip · 14/10/2022 17:37

Yikes, you're scaring me....I've got a Toyota hybrid..