A member of our local Land Rover club gathered over 200 complaints about Defender roof linings that come loose. Then he approached Mike Dawson of LRSA with the issue. His reply was really disappointing. (read below)
Is this a common problem in the UK too?
Have Land Rover made any attempt to remedy the situation?
Any tips on how to fix this problem?
Kind Regards
Sean Steyn (GP 2160)
Cell: + 27 (0)83 417 3011
"Two roads diverged in the woods and I,
I took the road less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-----Original Message----- From: Renzo Blasa [mailto:nospam.co.za] Sent: 14 September 2005 10:17 PM To: 'South African Land Rover Owner Mailing List' Subject: [za-lro] Defender roof lining feedback
Ok, got a reply in writing from Mike Dawson.
In a nutshell, out of warranty, will not help. No interest in the case,
not appear worried about how widespread the problem is. Mentioned
existence of official channel to report problem, but neither offered to
do so nor gave details for me to do so. My guess is that reporting it is
some form of acknowledgement of the problem. Has confirmed thet new
Defenders still have the same roof linings, no changes, so can expect
more of the same from 5 years' time onwards.
I have just sent another letter to him, requesting clarification on a
number of issues, especially trying to get the problem reported to LR UK
so that they can change the linings for the future, and a formal answer
on my belief the the roof linings have a latent defect. I have also
again highlighted how very widespread the problem is.
Will await the reply.
Ciao
Renzo
-----Original Message-----
From: snipped-for-privacy@land-rover.team.net
[mailto: snipped-for-privacy@land-rover.team.net] OnBehalf Of Renzo Blasa
Sent: 24 August 2005 13:51 PM
To: 'South African Land Rover Owner Mailing List'
Subject: RE: [za-lro] Defender roof lining summary
Ja, the feedback is that I have submitted letters of complaint, in
writing, twice, to Mike Dawson, and I have not even received an
acknowledgement from LRSA that they have received my complaint. Some of
you will see "typical of Mike Dawson"...
The points I have tried to put across is the fact that there is a
problem with the materials, and that because they still continue to use
the same stuff to this day, the same problems will happen in a few years
time.
So, what now? Do we round up 200 owners with the problem, get each one
of us to chip in R100, and take out a page advert in the Sunday Times to
get LR's attention?
Or do we send Mike Dawson 200 faxed letters to drive the point across?
Or do we chip in and offer LRSA's MD to send Mike Dawson on a customer
care course because he clearly ain't got a clue of his job description?
Ciao
Renzo