Tata Nano investigated for electrical fires

By Matt Brogan | October 27th, 2009

Could it be that quality sacrifices made in producing the world’s cheapest car have led to its downfall?

The Tata Nano – that retails in India for around $2,500 – is under investigation by the company following reports from three owners of electrical fires.

According to The Times of India, the fires appear to be the result of an electrical short in the car’s steering column. To date no injuries have occurred as a result of the defect with all three cases happening when the ignition switch was in the ‘off’ position.

Tata has inspected two of the three vehicles with the third expected to be looked at in the next few days. So far an official recall has not been announced.

“We do not believe that this is generic and we are not considering any recall. However, a pre-emptive check may be carried out on cars that are to be handed over or those that are with customers, purely as a precautionary measure,” a spokesman for Tata Motors said.

The news comes at a bad time for the Nano model as Tata prepares it for sale in other world markets. It is expected the Nano will be sold in Europe from early next decade before also heading to the US.

Planet Automatic

Big deal.All car manufactures have teething issues. Out of 8000 cars 3 had minor issues.

Heck even ford like others has issues.

Oct 14 2009
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/ford-defective-switch-forces-recall-20091014-gvxm.html

“…Ford Motor Co says it will add 4.5 million older-model vehicles to the list of those recalled because a defective cruise control switch could cause a fire….”

just doaa search in google every single automaker has some sort of defects which it revamps and corrects.

Its all part of the business, tatas are doing a wonderful job and have an indian jewel in their stable.
Old Dog

There’s a significant difference between “could cause a fire”, and “has caused fires”

towie

If you were talking to a sensible person, then yes.

If you are talking to a car company, then “could cause a fire” means “has caused fires, and now we have to tell you; in fact it’s probably burning now and you should check.”

Generally.

Rao

I do agree for the above comments, incedence are very little, and people are makeing issue.. but As a customer of NANA, I approached to TATA customer care,mumbai, Hyderabad.. Responce is “we will inspect the vehicle” when I contacted Concord service they are responding that “WE DONT KNOW” the issue … I am experenced that the responce from services team is not addressing the issue.. poor service..
Shak

For the amount of effort and money that TATA has put into producing and marketing this car, three that may catch fire is very good statistics when you compare the stats to the bigwigs.
ptwhite2003

Man, that thing’s just crying out for some 18 inch rims and a body kit.

Maneesh

and a side view mirror! (on the passenger side)

http://www.carazoo.com/ Carazoo.com India

Eagerly waiting for the investigation to complete.
RallyWhiz

This car has to be banned for the following reasons:

1. Most unsafest car on the planet. Look at the pathetic tyres, the body etc.
Terrible.

2. Most ugliest car on the planet.

3. Best suited for Toy Car movies. Just like the new ridiculously styled Mazda toy
car lineup.

4. Dont even think about quality.

5. Only suited for straight line driving. Manoeuvring curves at speeds over 60kph
might result in the car toppling, tumbling and finally ending up in the roadside
bush, garbage pile or whatever.

6. Strictly for city or non-highway driving only. Driving next to a 5 tonne truck
or even just 6-Cylinder Sedan might result in the car being blown away to the
other side of the media or in some cases the car might even land up on a branch
of a passing by tree.

7. 0-100 in…let me guess.. 10 minutes may be.

8. 100 – 0 in 20 minutes. Care must be taken to avoid sudden braking.

Its about time that Indian Car Manufacturers start thinking about Quality, Safety
and Reliability.

If I missed anything…guys..please add.
Frugal Sun

Nano Ford
——————— ————————

Cause = Faulty Switch Ford Fire Cause= Faulty Switch
In= Less than a year Ford = Over a Decade of problems
Nano Injuries=0 Ford Fire Injuries=Over 300
Damage Control = Fixed/Repaired Damage Control= Recall and Lawsuit Compensations.
Nano Damage= Wiring and Panel Ford Car Damage= Upto full blazes
Nano Compaints=3 Ford =1500 Complaints
Investigation=0 Investigation= Yes.. Feral Investigation.
Recall Type :None/ Recall Type: Largest EVER Automative Recall.Ever.
Recall Number=0 Recall Number= 14.5 MILLION vehicles .
Frugal Sun

Nano Cause = Faulty Switch / Ford Fire Cause= Faulty Switch
NanoTime= Less than a year / Ford = Over a Decade of problems
Nano Injuries=0 / Ford Fire Injuries=Over 300
Damage Control = Repaired / Damage Control= Recall and Compensations
Nano Compaints=3 / Ford =1500 Complaints
Investigation=0 / Ford Investigation= Yes.. Feral Investigation.
Recall Type :None/ / Ford Recall Type: Largest EVER in History.
Recall Number=0 / Ford Recall Number= 14.5 MILLION vehicles .
E M Sunderraj

i won a nano cx Regn No PY01BA3124.i was called to bring my car for safety fittings, and they are fixing a cover on the catalytic converter. no extra fuse and no change of starter motor is being done.My vehicle was produced during november 20099. as per the information on the website all the cars produced before 31st jan 2010 needs change of starter motor. kindly clarify weather my vehicle needs change of starter motor, if so please issue suitable advice to the concerned under intimation to me Thank you and awaiting a reply .