Brand New Suzuki Baleno Car - Bluetooth Does Not Work

"NEED HELP "

I bought a brand Suzuki Baleno car for my wife on 11/08/22 last week, up on playing with apple play and google play while i was at the showroom, i realised that bluetooth mic wasnt working, i can her other person's voice but other person can not hear my voice, i was told by sales consultant that its a new system so it will be ok once you switch off and on couple of time.

I went home, tried couple of things, didnt work so contacted showroom, was told to come around 1.30 pm on 16/08/22, it wasnt perfect time for me as i had to call my wife to finish work early and pick up kids from the child care so i can visit the car showroom as they didnt have any further appointment available.

After driving 45 minutes to showroom, waited for nearly 1.30 hrs, i was told that mic is not working, they also damage little panel near the system which they are going to replace as well, they will order a mic part, may take couple of weeks to come.

NOW my question is what is their responsibility if this doesn't get fix sooner.

my wife is really emotionally down as this is her first brand new car in her life.

Please guys help me in this matter

Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • +54

    they will order a mic part, may take couple of weeks to come.

    NOW my question is what is their responsibility if this doesn't get fix sooner.

    There is no responsibility, it's a bluetooth mic, not a bad gearbox…

    • +6

      Might not even be the car. Has OP tried with another phone/device. The Google Pixels, for instance, are notorious for having broken Bluetooth functionality and bugs.

      • +2

        Has OP tried with another phone/device. The Google Pixels, for instance, are notorious for having broken Bluetooth functionality and bugs.

        Are you suggestion that OP might be blame shifting, because it'll be easier to pick on Suzuki than google?

        my wife is really emotionally down as this is her first brand new car in her life.
        Please guys help me in this matter

        Or OP could learn to calm the farm.

        • +1

          If that's the way you want to translate my comment, you do you…

    • What are the chances that the mic is not connected to the stereo ???

      • Wouldn’t be surprised, once had a few screws half installed on a brand new Japanese TV!!!

    • +1

      Come on, 1st world problems deserve 1st world rage.

    • I don't think OP really understands bluetooth technologies.

      There are so many versions now up to bluetooth 5.2 it would be extremely unlikedly OPs wifes phone and car have the same bluetooth version, therefore creating an unlikely scenario where the phone is incompatible with the system in the car.

      If it is the mic, well, just gotta suck it up and wait. Would think service dealer tested on their own phones and determined as such.

      It's a MINOR defect. In the current environment, everything takes time. We cannot all go crying to mummy when something goes wrong and find someone to blame, we would honestly get nowhere as a civilisation.

      If the wind doesn't blow in the direction we want it to, sometimes we just have to suck it up and deal with reality.

  • +17

    It's not a major defect FYI

    You'd likely be waiting longer for a new car anyhow.

    Just drive your car, give them a month to fix it and then go from there.

    The car still functions as a motor vehicle anyhow and they are permitted to fix it, don't go all karen on them.
    Just use your mobile on handsfree, i've probably used my internal car microphone once in 3 years.

    Have you tried turning it on and off again.

  • +86

    Car - Bluetooth Does Not Work

    Try updating the driver ?

    • +11

      I am sure OP will ask for a loan driver as well

    • +23

      If op’s wife is emotional when her Bluetooth isn’t working, imagine how emotional she’ll be when he asks for a new driver

    • +1

      And if the new driver makes it worse? Is there a procedure to roll back to the previous driver?

  • +6

    You can ask for whatever you like, but they're not obliged or required to do anything other than fix it under warranty. Frustrating but all electronics fail, some earlier than others. It happens.

    In the meantime, she can use a pair of wireless headphones (even though I really don't think people should use those while driving) or maybe something like Amazon Echo Auto unit:

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Echo-Auto-Add-Alexa-To-Your-Car/dp…

  • +24

    i was told by sales consultant that its a new system so it will be ok once you switch off and on couple of time.

    I don't think so. They were talking out of their a$$ and just wanted you out of their showroom. You sound very entitled for a minor inconvenience. Shit happens dude.

  • +10

    I see that you are in Adelaide, like me.

    The Jaycar https://www.jaycar.com.au/visor-mount-rechargeable-bluetooth… Bluetooth hands-free kit will cost you the grand sum of $11.95 to keep your wife connected while driving.
    CBD, Modbury, Clovelly Park, Gepps Cross, Reynella and Elizabeth are all Adelaide stores.

    Altronics show https://www.altronics.com.au/search/all/?sr=bluetooth%2Bhand… as a couple as well.

    Just do it!

    • +18

      Get out of here with your logical solutions

      BuT I WaNt TO DemOnSTratE My AnGER

      I WanT COMPENSAZION

      • +30

        demand a merc amg hire car and 100k compensation
        unacceptable

        maybe get get rhc solicitors to help

        • +4

          maybe get get rhc solicitors to help

          Smooth. Comment of the day right here.

    • I see that you are in Adelaide, like me.

      A bit presumptuous, but ok.

      • +2

        Only someone in Brisbane would say that

  • +6

    What was your wife using before this car to talk hands free, can't she still use that?

    Find workarounds, like others have said, this is not a MAJOR fault. Get it fixed in your 'spare' time… not worth the meltdown imho.

  • +12

    Forget the Accc, Take it to the prime minister.
    This will not stand!

    Refund with double your money back or nothing.

    • +2

      Hey, Gus!

    • +9

      Take it to the prime minister.

      Could have worked if ScoMo was still around. He would have created the Ministry of Bluetooth and appoint himself as minister and have your issue sorted in no time.

      • +3

        Albo is a houso though so can probably get you a good deal on a second hand car stereo.

    • Don't forget to add in inflation whilst waiting for the spare part to arrive!

      • OP would also have to come up with a $ figure for the trauma caused due to lack of Bluetooth.

  • +2

    What exactly would you want them to do? Buy you a house and land package, or just fix a $2.00 Bluetoof mic ?

    Your missus has to get used to making the call instead of on the way, call as she leaves last client… problem solved.

  • +11

    Oh, goody, another “I want muh compensationz” thread and trying to use the ACCC as your threatening stick.

    No one gets emotional distress over a failed Bluetooth microphone, but, hey, you never know, maybe run it all the way up to the Supreme Court and let us know how it goes.

    Also, the ACCC are not going to give a shit because the dealer is doing their best to rectify the issue and it is not a “major fault” that would require them to do better.

    Tell your princess to suck it up. Buy her a $5 phone mount, disconnect the phone from Bluetooth and use the phones speaker and mic to make her ever so important phone calls.

    Or, alternatively, tell her to pull over. Park the car, make the 30 second call, put the phone down and get back to driving.

  • +1

    You should always test everything in the showroom before signing the papers.
    Dealers will always try to get you to sign them first and even lie saying they will check it over with you after.

    • +8

      Do you test absolutely everything before signing? I find that hard to believe, especially with so many modern systems that require actual driving. It’d take a few hours at least to test EVERYTHING.

      My 21 model vehicle user manual is about 900pages. There’s no way I could go through all that and work or what isn’t working. The dealer did help me connect my phone before driving off, but we didn’t make a call with it.

      • +1

        Toyota specifically helped me connect with mine before leaving.
        Yes, you should absolutely text everything reasonable and practical before signing. Don't be over technical saying OmG You CANT test EVERYTHING. Connecting to Bluetooth and making a call takes a couple of minutes, you want to test all door locks, windows, wipers, switches, lights interior and out, seatbelts and so on. Especially if it's something you care about and an essential feature like op then ofc it should be tested.

        • +3

          I’ll take my chances. Test the main things, then know that they’ve got decent quality control, a warranty and they are pretty good at fixing stuff. I’d be more concerned in checking for superficial damage inside and out they are hoping I won’t notice.

      • +3

        My dealer setup most features before I left, but I was still finding new features a year after I bought my car!

      • Everything I care about enough that not having would cause me to be emotionally 'down', yeah, I'd check it.

        That said, nothing in a car would cause me that degree of distress so no, I didn't check that stuff.

    • He did - “while i was at the showroom, i realised that bluetooth mic wasnt working”.. “i was told by sales consultant that its a new system so it will be ok once you switch off and on couple of time.”

      Now why you would believe this is another question..

  • Get her a cheap bluetooth headset with a mic and connect it to her phone as a temporary solution?

  • +2

    You took delivery of a knowingly faulty new car. Seriously?

    You do not need BT to talk hands free - temporarily - but doable.

    But now you must just be patient until it is corrected.

    My normal vehicle with BT is off the road and temp vehicle has nil BT, but the speaker phone function…. functions.

    Don't stress, it is not a biggie.

  • +1

    Honestly, this is something so minor. Like, it is what it is and sh!t happens. I had a clock spring fail in my 4-month-old Ford Ranger, took 3 weeks for the part to arrive and it to be fitted.

    • It’s pretty major and annoying seeing how fines for touching a phone is >$1000 now

      • No excuses ever for touching your phone.

  • +7

    Step 1: be annoyed
    Step b: get it fixed.
    Step iii: relax and enjoy.

  • +3

    Please tell us the name and address of the car dealership. The OzBargain community will visit it carrying baseball bats.

    Relax. This is just training for multiple individual malfunctions in the coming years from a brand new car.

    • Careful. OzBargain might encourage leaving a review. And then op gets sued

  • Any software update available? What brand is the entertainment system? If not known, maybe you could ask Suzuki so then you could ask the manufacturer for the fix?

    • Really? You clearly haven't read this thread. We are talking about a brand new Suzuki system here.

      • When you get your new phone, do you have to do an update? Mine does all the time.

        • Sometimes, yes. But you clearly haven't read what the brand is and what they have advised/done so far.

          You would also think for a new car, that gets run through the workshop before you pick it up, would have its updates applied. Plus, in newer cars you can often connect it to your own WiFi and do your own updates. My Ford Ranger can do that.

          • @geekcohen: Ah ok. I don't have the newer entertainment system on my older car so just writing what comes to mind :)

  • +1

    Suzuki's have notoriously bad Bluetooth in their vehicles. I've known people to take ten or more attempts before finally getting a connection. Great cars. I've seen them honour stuff that way out of warranty.

  • +6

    I dont understand all the crap going on. It is a warrantable item they are obliged to repair
    If it takes too long so be it . Im sure she can do without using a phone whilst driving for the while! We are so addicted to mobiles these days this is another example of modern day I cant do without syndrome Incidently I do not have a mobile!!

  • +12

    You bought a baleno. $19,000.

    Settle petal, they will fix it

    • Yeah, I doubt that the Baleno's Bluetooth mic quality will be all that great anyway. You might actually be better off using your phone on speaker.

  • +2

    First world problems and waste of resources. There are many other issues that OzBargainer needs to fix.

    Better you change your wife instead of a car, I dont know people get stressed and depressed when the Bluetooth mic does not work and ignore how great the whole car runs.

  • +12

    "my wife is really emotionally down as this is her first brand new car in her life."

    People that get upset over stuff that minor really shouldn't buy new cars, just wait for the first scratch, you'll be in marriage counselling.

    • +1

      Or wait until someone make a ding at supermarket parking lot and left without notice.

      Life is full of (profanity).

  • +7

    The car is basically undriveable. I'd be contacting consumer affairs, a current affair and ASIO.

  • +2

    OP just wanted to brag that they bought a new car.

    • +2

      Yeh for sure baleno gets all the babes

  • +3

    If it was me I'd set it on fire in front of the dealership…

    Make a video and post on youtube.
    Video goes viral and Suzuki practically begs OP to take it down to avoid reputational damage and offer a brand new Baleno as replacement.
    OP then refuses to accept the offer unless they are wiling to replace it with an Audi RS3.

  • +10

    Sorry to hear that mate - I can understand the disappointment, frustration, and anger you're experiencing right now. While most on the sub seem to think that it's not a big deal, a Bluetooth mike on a car does get used very often. What most on the sub don't seem to understand is that you and your wife were both really excited about your new car and having an even minor error on the first day of ownership has taken away the joy you were experiencing.

    If I were you I would definitely write to corporate about the situation as the dealership is likely to close ranks and fob you off. Specially angry about the sales persons half assed suggestion that "turning it on and off will fix it". Had he been upfront that this is an issue and we'll order the part and address it in two weeks you wouldn't have been as frustrated and would have managed your own expectations.

    Hope you get some freebies out of it, just ensure that you're polite in your dealings and outline the amount of time you've lost due to the issue.

    Hope it works out.

    • +3

      I understand your frustration too, OP.

      However, I am quite surprised you agreed to drive it out of the showroom knowing it did not work. "Switching on and off a couple of times" should have been done before driving out of the showroom and signing the papers.

      Just stay calm and get in touch with them. But definitely keep after them. You paid for that functionality, after all, regardless of what others on the thread say. I myself, find that functionality extremely useful, especially when answering calls in the middle of a drive - which a lot of commenters do not seem to have considered. (You can choose when to call other people - you don't always get to choose when other people call you).

      • +3

        You paid for that functionality, after all, regardless of what others on the thread say.

        No one has disagreed with that, and nor has the dealer as they've ordered a replacement part

        • +2

          I realize nobody has disagreed with that, but the sentiment of the majority of comments seems to suggest it's OP that's in the wrong.
          I guess a lot of people probably don't care too much about brand new stuff they buy, but I am one who expects brand new stuff to work as advertised the first time, and if not, expect the seller to make it right with due promptness. I understand not all vendors are as ethical as that, which is why I'm advising that OP keep after them.

          • +4

            @jatyap:

            Can i ask for any compensation for the loss

            Any wonder no one is on the OP's side?

            • @spackbace: Fair enough I guess… OP's statement was a bit hard to understand. I initially thought he meant to ask if it would be replaceable or would he be given compensation (in case it's not fixed). My bad, I guess I misunderstood.

              I'm not sure what he meant by "cancelling his wife's job early", as well.

      • +1

        OP should've now learned the lesson that Sales people will say any bullshit they can to complete the sale. The (profanity) would you trust some sleazy car yard goon about electronics/mechanics. The typical one doesnt do or understand anything more about cars than 1/2 the guys you see in the street every day.

    • +2

      a Bluetooth mike on a car does get used very often.

      For some maybe. I hate phone calls while driving and know quite a few people the same.

      It’s not like there aren’t alternatives. If I do get a call and I don’t have Bluetooth, I either pull over or don’t answer. It’s not that hard.

  • Sue Suzuki

    You must have justice for this outrage

  • +2

    Eeeemotional Damage!!

  • If you want a free solution to get you through until the repair, put call on speaker phone and wedge phone between sun visor and car ceiling.

  • +2

    "my wife is really emotionally down as this is her first brand new car in her life."
    Sue Suzuki for this traumatic experience and emotional distress.

    I'm quite confident the OP is trolling.

  • +3

    Also, we're talking Indian quality control here versus the similar Swift which is more expensive and made in Japan.

  • +1

    Yes this is why you should buy corolla or camry

  • Does it have carplay/Android Auto?
    Plug it in. Most new cars you can plug the phone in and it will connect to the head unit even if its just for sound

  • its suzuki, don't expect much from them

    • Normally pretty good, though the Japanese build quality is far better than the Indian quality of the Baleno

  • Sucks that they said that before you took the car
    It also sucks that they failed to keep the appointment time
    Is it that dealer that claims they’re in the city? Yet not?

    • +2

      waited for nearly 1.30 hrs, i was told that mic is not working

      I'd be guessing that was the diagnosis time

      • +2

        Oh in that case it seems fair

  • Should have bought my 1998 Mazda mx5 instead. I installed carplay myself so i made sure the mic works

  • +1

    OP, I am having a hard time empathising with you regarding this minor fault.

    The fault is not major nor life-threatening and your wife is still able to do everything before she had the car. For a mic to not be working that caused your wife emotional distress is quite farfetched IMO. There is a special button on the phone called "speaker", she can use that.

    It's a broken mic not a broken steering wheel.

    The dealership is replacing it and has to order the part, they are under no obligation to fix it sooner. If you want it fixed sooner, go order the part yourself and fix it yourself.

    I don't know what you want the public to say in your post, cause the dealership has already given you a resolution?

  • I had a problem with a new Toyota Corolla. I upgraded my phone to a Samsung SO and also checked it with my wife's phone. I thought it was the mic the dealer did not even look at the first 2 services. After I complained about it they swapped out the mic with no improvement. About service number 5 the Bluetooth was still unusable people just could not hear me for crackling. I asked for the service manager and let him know that their inability to fix it was evidence that the repair was beyond their skills in my opinion. I told him that he could have one more go at and if it was still faulty I would take it to my own auto electrician who would fix it and I doubt that the repair would be cheap. I would of course expect Toyota to recompense me.

    The service manager agreed to put in a new head unit. This was done on the subsequent service. However, people can hear me fine but the same crackling is present to a lesser degree my end.

    I sometimes think that dealers are good at employing the DDD process. Delay Defer Defeat. In future I won't accept delivery of a car without testing the Bluetooth. I certainly are no longer a fanboy of Toyota's. I am sorry to hear of your experience. One of the service staff suggested that I get a good quality Bluetooth earpiece. Apparently they get a few faulty head units.

  • How much is the car?

  • NOW my question is what is their responsibility if this doesn't get fix sooner.

    As long as they agree to fix it in a reasonable amount of time you will have to accept and move on.

  • +1

    my wife is really emotionally down as this is her first brand new car in her life.

    Lmao.

    God I live OzBargain

  • +2

    Entitlement is rife these days.

    If the engine was rattling or sounds were coming from the car I'd understand her upset.

    This a problem with you and your spouse not the car. Use this time to seek counselling.

    • I see it all day every day especially dealing with the effects of natural disasters.

      Any grant/assistance the government puts out people think they are entitled to receive money for nothing a) because they were too stupid to have insurance and b) because they had a little bit of water leak from rain because they didn't keep up with their own maintenance.

      The payments are for the seriously affected. 90% of applicants are minorly inconvenienced at best.

  • +1

    A toyota dealer removed my radio once for a warranty claim. I had this massive hole on the dashboard for a few months while they sourced a replacement.

    I'm scarred for life.

  • +4

    i would rather buy a 2nd hand anything, than a brand new suzuki baleno

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