YOLANDA M

Brand new R300,000 Suzuki Swift unsafe after first service — Negligent alignment, inadequate inspection, recurring shaking

I purchased a brand new 2025 Suzuki Swift. From the day I drove it out of the showroom until its first service in December 2025, the car was absolutely perfect. Not one fault. Not one vibration. Nothing. After the December 2025 service at 15,000km, everything changed. The steering began vibrating severely on the drive home. I was still on holiday and had to drive slowly under dangerous conditions. When I reported this to the dealership, instead of inspecting the car, they sent me to Tiger Wheel & Tyre. Tiger Wheel & Tyre confirmed the wheel alignment, which I had paid for in the service, was completely wrong. I paid again out of my own pocket to fix their mistake. In January 2026, the car developed further mechanical sounds. Suzuki collected it and took it to Penta Motor Group Menlyn. It sat there for days with no communication. No feedback. Nothing. After chasing them, they eventually issued an inspection report on 28 January 2026 stating no faults were found. That report did not check wheel bearings, suspension, physical steering components, brake system, or tyre balance, the exact things most likely causing my symptoms. It only ran a diagnostic scan. No electronic fault code does not mean no mechanical fault. This report gave a false clearance. The car came back with new braking sounds that weren't there before. On 22 April 2026, the vehicle began shaking dangerously again. I stopped driving it immediately, called for it to be collected, and refused to risk my safety any further. It is currently with them for diagnosis. This is a nearly R300,000 brand new car that has been unsafe since its very first service. At every step, I have been dismissed, ignored, and given inadequate responses. I have now formally complained in writing to Suzuki head office and plan to file with MIOSA and beyond where needs be. Suzuki must account for this negligent service, that is risking the safety of my life and my family.