

Based on recent customer reviews, Foton Auto Sa is facing significant customer experience challenges, particularly around vehicle reliability and after-sales support. Customers consistently mention mechanical failures shortly after purchase, including gearbox issues, electrical faults, turbo failures, and body defects on relatively new vehicles. A recurring theme is poor communication from dealerships and delays in obtaining spares, paperwork, and warranty resolutions. While a smaller group of buyers highlight smooth finance processes and impressive vehicle features, the dominant sentiment reflects frustration with accountability, unresolved defects, and inadequate dealership response.
TrustIndex
2.3
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bought a Foton truck mate with box boddy on 16 March 2026 cash, not finances from Foton eMalaheni BMW. Very hapy to start a new chapter with a brand new truck, delivery took place two days later. With the delivery the problems started, no spare keys. 21 days aftet delivery temp permit exp. No problem drive 120km on my on cost and get a nother permit. Still no spearekey. Now the second permit has exp efter I asked the sales person a day before it exp fot the NATIS doc he replyed 5 days latet and told me he is on it. I cant do my deliverys and colections, the truck is not roadworthy and the insuranse will not pay if someting happens. Total lost per day in income is between R20 k and R30 k a day. Thank you Foton/BMW eMalaheni for the bad service.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bought a Foton truck mate with box boddy on 16 March 2026 cash, not finances from Foton eMalaheni BMW. Very hapy to start a new chapter with a brand new truck, delivery took place two days later. With the delivery the problems started, no spare keys. 21 days aftet delivery temp permit exp. No problem drive 120km on my on cost and get a nother permit. Still no spearekey. Now the second permit has exp efter I asked the sales person a day before it exp fot the NATIS doc he replyed 5 days latet and told me he is on it. I cant do my deliverys and colections, the truck is not roadworthy and the insuranse will not pay if someting happens. Total lost per day in income is between R20 k and R30 k a day. Thank you Foton/BMW eMalaheni for the bad service.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Please stay away from the Foton Brand , i have bought a brand new Miler in November , in December it broke down with 1700 km , it was standing for more than 30 days . At the end they needed to remake the whole pully/cooler system as it was put together with pratley steel and rusted pipes . Now not 2000 km on the ecu/computer box burned out , the electician dont want to work on it as they say it is a mess . Standing for the seconfd week now with no feedback . Contacted everyone from CEO maruis Mall (mail from Dealer ) to Trevor Morey , heas of Sales and what else .
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Please stay away from the Foton Brand , i have bought a brand new Miler in November , in December it broke down with 1700 km , it was standing for more than 30 days . At the end they needed to remake the whole pully/cooler system as it was put together with pratley steel and rusted pipes . Now not 2000 km on the ecu/computer box burned out , the electician dont want to work on it as they say it is a mess . Standing for the seconfd week now with no feedback . Contacted everyone from CEO maruis Mall (mail from Dealer ) to Trevor Morey , heas of Sales and what else .
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
My name is Anicky Mangotlo I recently purchased a G7 Futon in Randburg, and my experience has been extremely disappointing. Just two weeks after buying the vehicle, I started experiencing problems with starting the car. I contacted the dealership, and they advised me to take the car to Polokwane to have the key batteries replaced. I followed their instructions, but unfortunately, the problem persisted. I reached out to them again, and this time I was told to purchase a new car battery, with the promise that I would be refunded. Trusting their guidance, I went ahead and bought a new battery out of my own pocket. Now, instead of honoring their commitment, I am being told that they first need to test the battery before processing any refund. It is unacceptable that after purchasing what is supposed to be a brand-new vehicle, I am expected to deal with faults so soon and cover additional costs myself. A new car should not come with a faulty battery, and customers should not be inconvenienced or financially burdened for defects that clearly fall under the seller’s responsibility. I am extremely frustrated with the lack of accountability and poor after-sales service. I hope this matter is resolved urgently and that the dealership takes responsibility for selling a defective vehicle.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
My name is Anicky Mangotlo I recently purchased a G7 Futon in Randburg, and my experience has been extremely disappointing. Just two weeks after buying the vehicle, I started experiencing problems with starting the car. I contacted the dealership, and they advised me to take the car to Polokwane to have the key batteries replaced. I followed their instructions, but unfortunately, the problem persisted. I reached out to them again, and this time I was told to purchase a new car battery, with the promise that I would be refunded. Trusting their guidance, I went ahead and bought a new battery out of my own pocket. Now, instead of honoring their commitment, I am being told that they first need to test the battery before processing any refund. It is unacceptable that after purchasing what is supposed to be a brand-new vehicle, I am expected to deal with faults so soon and cover additional costs myself. A new car should not come with a faulty battery, and customers should not be inconvenienced or financially burdened for defects that clearly fall under the seller’s responsibility. I am extremely frustrated with the lack of accountability and poor after-sales service. I hope this matter is resolved urgently and that the dealership takes responsibility for selling a defective vehicle.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
⚠️ Just a heads up to anyone thinking of buying a Foton Miler… Be very careful. I bought a Foton Miler and unfortunately missed my first service by about 3,000 km (completely by accident). Shortly after that, my turbo failed at only 13,000 km. When I took the vehicle in, they refused to replace the turbo under warranty because I was late for the first service — and voided my warranty. I understand rules are rules, but this was a small delay and a major failure on a fairly new vehicle. Just something to keep in mind: Make 100% sure you stick to every service interval exactly, otherwise you could sit with big repair costs. Sharing this so others don’t learn the hard way 👍
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
⚠️ Just a heads up to anyone thinking of buying a Foton Miler… Be very careful. I bought a Foton Miler and unfortunately missed my first service by about 3,000 km (completely by accident). Shortly after that, my turbo failed at only 13,000 km. When I took the vehicle in, they refused to replace the turbo under warranty because I was late for the first service — and voided my warranty. I understand rules are rules, but this was a small delay and a major failure on a fairly new vehicle. Just something to keep in mind: Make 100% sure you stick to every service interval exactly, otherwise you could sit with big repair costs. Sharing this so others don’t learn the hard way 👍
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
On 7 January, I submitted a clear written request for a home demonstration of a Foton V9 Automatic. I was asked to provide my home address so the request could be taken to management, which I did. No feedback followed. Only after I chased the matter on 8 January did I receive a response — which incorrectly claimed that I had agreed to visit the dealership instead. This is not true and not supported by the written communication trail. At no stage did I request a loan vehicle or a showroom vehicle. My request was simply yes or no on whether a home demo could be accommodated. This is a case of poor communication and misrepresentation, not refusal. As a serious prospective buyer, I expected professional, transparent engagement. Rating reflects service and communication, not the vehicle.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
On 7 January, I submitted a clear written request for a home demonstration of a Foton V9 Automatic. I was asked to provide my home address so the request could be taken to management, which I did. No feedback followed. Only after I chased the matter on 8 January did I receive a response — which incorrectly claimed that I had agreed to visit the dealership instead. This is not true and not supported by the written communication trail. At no stage did I request a loan vehicle or a showroom vehicle. My request was simply yes or no on whether a home demo could be accommodated. This is a case of poor communication and misrepresentation, not refusal. As a serious prospective buyer, I expected professional, transparent engagement. Rating reflects service and communication, not the vehicle.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bought new foton bakkie. Has problems. Mazda Clearwater no response. Stitching coming loose, holes in loading bay, bumper a big issue. Owe me a payment due to late settlement. Not foton Mazda headoffice helping. Bakkie not been driven. Request cancellation or new bakkie. Just no response.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bought new foton bakkie. Has problems. Mazda Clearwater no response. Stitching coming loose, holes in loading bay, bumper a big issue. Owe me a payment due to late settlement. Not foton Mazda headoffice helping. Bakkie not been driven. Request cancellation or new bakkie. Just no response.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I came to the vereeniging dealership to do test drives of new vehicles I would hope to purchase one day. Mercedes was obviously happy to do so, MG? Of course. Foton said I was wasting their time ( or maybe they meant petrol). That is disgusting. Merlin, you are are poor salesman.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I came to the vereeniging dealership to do test drives of new vehicles I would hope to purchase one day. Mercedes was obviously happy to do so, MG? Of course. Foton said I was wasting their time ( or maybe they meant petrol). That is disgusting. Merlin, you are are poor salesman.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
IF you are thinking of purchasing the 2025 Foton G7 Tunland Single Cab bakkie I would urge you to re consider! My vehicle has a passenger cabin creak that was confirmed by CMH Foton to be emanating from the passenger cabin body welds! This makes the vehicle unsafe and will effect durability and re sale value! The reaction and assistance from Foton SA, well at this stage None ! We have through the CPA now demanded a full refund as the act clearly states inherent Manufacturing defects that compromise safety or durability demand a full refund. Its not isolated to just my purchase as without any investigation am aware of two other identical models with the same defect.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
IF you are thinking of purchasing the 2025 Foton G7 Tunland Single Cab bakkie I would urge you to re consider! My vehicle has a passenger cabin creak that was confirmed by CMH Foton to be emanating from the passenger cabin body welds! This makes the vehicle unsafe and will effect durability and re sale value! The reaction and assistance from Foton SA, well at this stage None ! We have through the CPA now demanded a full refund as the act clearly states inherent Manufacturing defects that compromise safety or durability demand a full refund. Its not isolated to just my purchase as without any investigation am aware of two other identical models with the same defect.
Based on recent customer reviews, Foton Auto Sa is facing significant customer experience challenges, particularly around vehicle reliability and after-sales support. Customers consistently mention mechanical failures shortly after purchase, including gearbox issues, electrical faults, turbo failures, and body defects on relatively new vehicles. A recurring theme is poor communication from dealerships and delays in obtaining spares, paperwork, and warranty resolutions. While a smaller group of buyers highlight smooth finance processes and impressive vehicle features, the dominant sentiment reflects frustration with accountability, unresolved defects, and inadequate dealership response.
Foton Auto Sa has a TrustIndex of 2.3 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 12 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Foton Auto Sa across 44 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →