[ZB86]

Hello Folks,

I am reaching out on behalf of a friend who purchased Slavia 1.0 TSI, AT on 24th March 2022 from Skoda TAFE Access, Bangalore. Within 3 weeks of delivery, and barely driving few hundred KMs her car ran into EPC / Auto Start Stop issue.

She handed over the car to the service center and their diagnosis was software upgrade. The car was handed over to her and she ran into the same error again after 11 days. From 5th May, 2022 her car has been lying at the service center, and it looks like the concerned people at the service center are quite clueless about the issue and are unable to fix it. The reasons given for possible causes also have been quite vague. For such an expensive car or any car for that matter, getting stranded can be a difficult experience. More so for a woman, if something like this happens at an odd hour can deflate your confidence in the car.

I am quoting her ordeal below for you all to read. The same has been posted on LinkedIn, Skoda's Facebook page, and she has also tagged Skoda on twitter but the issue seems to be going nowhere as of now.

"I’m reaching out after multiple efforts to contact the dealer (Skoda TAFE Access, St Marks) and their service centre who has not provided me with a resolution.

I've waited for 18 years to buy a good car for myself and after a lot of years of hard work and savings I finally decided to buy a Skoda Slavia.

Being a woman, I wanted to get a car in which I felt safe as my work timings are late and I have to travel a long distance at odd hours. Keeping that in mind I wanted a safe and reliable car. On delivery, a good and safe vehicle was all that I hoped for, unfortunately the issues and mental agony started within the first 3 weeks of purchase.

As I was driving, the car showed a noticeable lag in response time while accelerating and braking, and dash board showed ERROR: AUTO START/STOP check light along with EPC check light.

I contacted TAFE dealership from whom I purchased the car. After several attempts & waiting for hours they sent someone to look at the car and since the issue was not fixed that day, the car was picked up the next day (22nd April 2022). They mentioned they have done a software upgrade and the issue has been fixed and delivered my car (23rd April 2022).

After just 11 days (5th May 2022) the horrific EPC error showed again. I contacted the service centre and my car was picked up and a courtesy Kushaq was given to me this time around.

Since 5/5/ #22 till date, I have only been mentally harassed with no proof that the car is fixed. There is a lack of sincerity from the dealer's front as well.

Every single day I wake up, knowing that my EMI’s are due and I’m paying for a defective car to be parked in the service garage.

Faults & Errors noted in the car:
1. EPC Error
2. Auto Start Stop Error
3. System Voltage Low (P0562)
4. Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input (P0113)

These faults have been cleared on probable causes. No root cause analysis or proof of fix has been provided to me.

1. I need a proof of what has been fixed ? I need to understand what is the root cause (not probable cause), what has been diagnosed in specifics and how has it been resolved? Once resolved a proof of what has been replaced and fixed needs to be sent to me.

2. I have mentioned that I need a new car or refund multiple times as the fault is not getting fixed and I’m very concerned about my safety as a women, since I drive at late night after work. I was told a case would be put forth for replacement or refund. I don’t have any update on that regard either.

1st fault has occurred within 30 days of purchase! EPC is a fault in the engine control system. How can the team ask me to take a faulty car back? The response I get is manufacturing defects are covered in warranty. I did not spend my hard earned money to get a defective car. I do not want to be harassed any more.

Request you to support and get this a permanent fix.

Thank you,
Yours traumatised customer
Harsha Kripalani "

Link to the LinkedIn Post :

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/harsh...336594432-1Bs_

Link to Youtube Shorts Post :

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YhIrYfuGPfo?feature=share

If any of the Slavia owners have faced a similar issue and were able to resolve it then please reach out to me or any kind of help will be appreciated.

Tagging @iceman91

Thanks & Regards.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by ZB86

Hello Folks,

If any of the Slavia owners have faced a similar issue and were able to resolve it then please reach out to me or any kind of help will be appreciated.

Tagging @iceman91

Thanks & Regards.

Sorry to hear about your friends ordeal. I don't have a solution to this issue but to me after driving my Slavia and dealing with German cars at work, I can somewhat point this issue out to a battery drainage due to a very aggressive start stop system. In my car the engine shuts off so many times in bumper to bumper traffic, I am not sure if the battery has enough opportunity to charge. In an ideal driving cycle with lesser stoppages, this would not be a problem. But if used mainly in dense traffic, I feel at a certain point the battery runs out of sufficient charge which is also pointing out to the system voltage low error. Low battery voltage wrecks havoc in German cars and hence you get EPC error and obviously the start stop system is disabled.

Same thing with the AC. The AC of the 1.5 isn't weak but the frequent engine off cycles hardly give the compressor a chance to run. Hence if I turn off the start stop, AC cools well in bumper to bumper traffic.

The earlier EPC errors due to fuel pump is different. If this issue is resurfacing after a few days gap without any changes to hardware of the car itself, then it's nothing but a weak battery due to poor design of the start stop system

[Vid6639]

It's shocking they still can't fix the EPC issue in the 1.0L TSI AT even after 1 year of it being in the Kushaq.

What is Skoda doing. Why were these EPC issues not there in the Rapid, Vento and Polo but are plaguing the Kushaq and Slavia.

Having a 1 month old car with these issues is simply unacceptable.

[Col Mehta]

It's bizarre, isn't!? These issues still persist and they keep selling these half baked defective cars to us.

Originally Posted by ZB86

Being a woman, I wanted to get a car in which I felt safe as my work timings are late and I have to travel a long distance at odd hours. Keeping that in mind I wanted a safe and reliable car.

Ironic and a very poor choice - with her requirements. I wish she had someone at the time of car purchase to advise her to stay away from VW/Skoda 2.0 products.

I hope things will get sorted for her soon.

[Durango Dude]

Can't fault her. She's a digital influencer and that's a drool worthy car, looks like even if you buy a non DSG Skoda also you won't be spared from the gremlins of Skoda. On top of it they're already deleting features like the 10" touchscreen blaming it on chip shortage. Skoda is a mass market car with all the 'trappings & idiosyncrasies' of a luxury German. Would give you the feel of what it's like to have a (Czech-)German in your garage before you buy one from the true blue German Big 3!

[voldemort]

I feel she should push hard for a refund or replacement, and be given extended warranty and everything.

Originally Posted by Durango Dude

Can't fault her. She's a digital influencer and that's a drool worthy car

Is the Slavia a drool worthy car? I mean, I don't know. I have felt the old Octavia was drool worthy, but not the Slavia.

looks like even if you buy a non DSG Skoda also you won't be spared from the gremlins of Skoda.

Thanks for pointing this out. In another thread I had mentioned that if I were to buy a VAG car, it would be a non-DSG. I suppose it doesn't really matter.

Would give you the feel of what it's like to have a (Czech-)German in your garage before you buy one from the true blue German Big 3!

Actually, I think BMWs are rather reliable. Mercedes too, for the most part. Expensive to maintain, but fairly reliable. I don't think BMW and MB cars have a fundamentally flawed design. However, with VW/Skoda — especially the cheaper models — I have reasons to believe that the whole design is flawed.

[JoshMachine]

Originally Posted by ZB86

The same has been posted on LinkedIn, Skoda's Facebook page, and she has also tagged Skoda on twitter but the issue seems to be going nowhere as of now.

Zac Hollis has responded to her on Twitter:

Faults & Errors noted in the car:
1. EPC Error
2. Auto Start Stop Error
3. System Voltage Low (P0562)
4. Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input (P0113)
-------
No root cause analysis or proof of fix has been provided to me.

A quick search yields the below information:

What the P0562 code means:- A vehicle’s charging system works to maintain a normal vehicle voltage level, usually in the range of 14.1 to 14.4 volts DC at idle with headlights turned off. If for any reason, the PCM detects that the vehicle voltage level is too low, the P0562 code will be set, and the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) or Check Engine light will illuminate.

What causes the P0562 code?:-A number of issues can occur to cause the vehicle voltage level to drop and the P0562 code to be stored, including:
* One or more poor charging system grounds
* A defective alternator
* A large battery drain
* A defective voltage regulator
* Faulty wiring or connector(s) to the alternator
* Defective wiring connecting the alternator to the PCM
* A faulty B+ battery cable running from the alternator to the battery
* A defective battery and/or battery cables
* A faulty PCM (rare)

Common mistakes when diagnosing the P0562 code:- The most common mistakes involving the P0562 is a rushed misdiagnosis. Often, it’s assumed that the problem is a faulty or dead battery or an issue with the starter. Replacing either will not keep the code from storing and will not solve issues with stalling and other symptoms.

How serious is the P0562 code?:- If the vehicle voltage level dips too low, the vehicle may stall at idle and may not be able to start again. For this reason, it’s important to address the problem immediately to ensure your safety and the safety of others when you’re on the road.

What repairs can fix the P0562 code?:- A few of the most common repairs for a P0562 code:
* Repairing or replacing any faulty, loose, or otherwise poor charging system grounds
* Replacing a bad alternator
* Replacing a bad battery and/or battery cables, including the B+ battery cable
* Replacing or repairing a defective voltage regulator
* Finding and replacing faulty wiring or connectors to the alternator
* Replacing or repairing a faulty PCM

Source

[Raghu M]

That is not good at all. A woman having to face all this and that too on a brand new car that is a first purchase will leave a bad taste in the mouth. I am surprised that in spite of all the horror stories that are exclusive to Skoda, people still prefer to buy their products. What is build quality worth if the car cannot move? People bash up TATA and M&M for their poor service (which has actually improved by leaps and bounds) but just keep praising these VAGs for I have no clue what.

The maintenance is high and the machines are just not reliable. It's like the old saying 'move two steps forward and come back one step'.

[GTO]

Quite sad. Such incidents seriously dent Skoda's reputation even more. The more I read of these problems, the more I get convinced that Skoda doesn't have a clue of how to sell volume cars. They are best at managing 200 sales / month models like the Octavia, Superb, Kodiaq etc (and even there, we hear of so many horror stories). But the company simply doesn't know how to deal with 5000 new customers a month (Slavia & Kushaq) or how to properly build 5000 cars / month. Am worried of how the VW-Skoda group will handle a combined 10000 sales / month, once the Virtus launches.

These problems & issues show Skoda hasn't tested the cars properly and is not building them properly, the continuous deletion of features shows their supply chain planning is messed up, the long resolution times indicate the dealers aren't capable of handling such volumes...in summary, it is not easy to sell thousands of cars every month. Maruti, Hyundai & others make it seem easy, but it takes years of planning, execution & logistical brilliance to sell + support 10000+ new cars every month.

I also see thunderstorms coming our way, once the DQ200 cars cross 3 - 4 years and 30,000 km of running.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by GTO

Am worried of how the VW-Skoda group will handle a combined 10000 sales / month, once the Virtus launches.

We have been voicing such worries since the launch of Vento & Rapid(s) since the early 2010s when VW-Skoda group reached their peaks sales in the range of 8k - 10k per month, and never got around improving beyond that. I don't think they will ever hit the 10k number again.

And even if they ever do that with the Virtus or any other future product, it's pretty clear the scene is going to be a ridiculous mess as seen over recent years. In my opinion, they had the best control of the quality of their products, their dealers & their support network back in those days and since then only have gone downhill.

[gauravdgr8]

This is exactly the reason why the Honda City is preferable over a Skoda Slavia/VW Virtua by me. Driving pleasure aside, peace of mind and hassle free ownership is a much bigger thing.

[IREV]

Originally Posted by voldemort

I feel she should push hard for a refund or replacement, and be given extended warranty and everything.


Is the Slavia a drool worthy car? I mean, I don't know. I have felt the old Octavia was drool worthy, but not the Slavia.


Thanks for pointing this out. In another thread I had mentioned that if I were to buy a VAG car, it would be a non-DSG. I suppose it doesn't really matter.

Actually, I think BMWs are rather reliable. Mercedes too, for the most part. Expensive to maintain, but fairly reliable. I don't think BMW and MB cars have a fundamentally flawed design. However, with VW/Skoda — especially the cheaper models — I have reasons to believe that the whole design is flawed.

Going to off-topic. India spec BMWs are quite reliable but India spec Mercs, a big NO. India spec Mercs are defective messes . I heard a lot of complaints from GLE300d owners regarding overheating issues and fuel pump failures. Also I know one GLE53 owner who faced a lot of breakdowns within 3 months of ownership. He also had R-Class and GLS which were nightmares. However his BMW 6GT, X7, Skoda Kodiaq, Superb and Volvo V40 have been very reliable till now. He told me that Mercedes-Benz India is doing cheap standards in terms of reliability and he advised everyone including me to stay away from India spec Mercs.

People who bash VAG for poor reliability should look at the reliability of Indian spec Mercs as well. In fact, I'd be more confident on BMW or VAG more than any Mercedes car sold in India.

[AKSarkar1]

I'm sorry but I believe I have to play the devil's advocate for this particular thread even though I have been quite vocal critic of all the misses that VAG India has done with their India 2.0 strategy.

1) The Slavia is a new car and it is bound to have issues like this, I don't think it is particularly correct to call the car a lemon/faulty as this is more of teething issue over anything else. It would be a different story if the car was facing more issues and/or unique issues than an average Slavia/India 2.0 model owner. Even a non-car person can deduce from common sense that new cars are going to come with new issues.

2) I also believe that the issue hasn't been raised through the correct medium of communication, using LinkedIN or Youtube Shorts for car issues will most likely not yield the desired results.

3) There will be no clarity from the workshops because quite frankly they themselves don't know what they are dealing with yet as their new problems coming up quite frequently and this is the ground reality of the situation. Thus the owner should be cognizant that even if the current issues are sorted then there is still scope for future problems.

4) The Skoda team has already made clear that all of these defects and problems are taken care of under warranty, seems like an appropriate response. Has the owner been asked to pay anything so far for the problems that they have faced?

4) Option of getting a new car/refund is also extremely ambitious, if the owner is truly facing the extent of mental agony that she claims to be facing then it is better to sell the car. The car is yet new and she would not lose a lot of money on this. Mental peace is priceless and therefore it makes sense for her to do this.

Overall I am sorry to say this but the issues highlighted in this case are not limited to one owner, many of our fellow BHPians too have suffered from similar issues. The owner has simply made their case into a pity case when I believe there has been an adequate amount of support from Skoda. The legal option always remains if the owner truly thinks that she has been handed a lemon.

I am not impressed by the way VAG India handles their India 2.0 situation so much so that I have cancelled my plans for a Virtus. Hoping that all the owners gets their cars in acceptable condition soon!

[shancz]

Unacceptable and quite disappointed with Skoda/VW.

The EPC issue should have made them pull up their socks and do a comprehensive evaluation and correction for their lineup.
Should've been easier since they share the same platform.

Issues like this, coming this late post the launch of the platform (counting from Kushaq), indicate otherwise.

[manchandap]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Sorry to hear about your friends ordeal. I don't have a solution to this issue but to me after driving my Slavia and dealing with German cars at work, I can somewhat point this issue out to a battery drainage due to a very aggressive start stop system.

Sounds Logical explanation.

Is it possible to disable (i.e. temporarily switch off) this start/stop system and use the car in same road conditions (where the error appeared) to validate if it is the root cause of the issue?