Another car caught fire -Cerato

[Osiris]

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,...,141803,00.html?

 

DID SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSE THIS?

 

Car catches fire, engine destroyed

Value almost halved, car company offers owner new vehicle at discount

By Faith Teo

 

September 14, 2007

THE charred, wrecked remains of his car's engine greeted Mr Hairudien on 6 Aug.

 

The engine compartment of Mr Hairudien's Kia Cerato was destroyed in the fire.

That was the day when the 33-year-old's silver Kia Cerato caught fire. Mr Hairudien was sleeping when his father woke him up around 4am and told him to rush down to the open-air carpark in their block.

 

By the time Mr Hairudien reached there, firemen had put out the fire that had engulfed the front half of the silver 2 1/2-year-old Kia Cerato.

The freelance graphics designer later found out from the SCDF report that the fire was probably due to to an electrical short circuit.

 

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

He told The New Paper that the car had been sent for repairs about two months before the fire, because of mechanical problems.

 

He said: 'A few times, when I stopped at a traffic light or junction, the car would stall. The light indicating that there was something wrong with the engine also came on.

 

'So I sent the car to the Kia workshop, and the technician told me that they had to monitor the car for a week.'

 

When he collected his car a week later, he was informed that the car's purge valve, which controls the flow of fuel, had been replaced for free, as the car was still under warranty.

 

Mr Hairudien bought the car for more than $60,000. The 10-year loan, including interest, came up to more than $70,000. He said he couldn't recall the exact loan amount.

 

Now the car has been officially valued at $32,000. The valuation depends on the car make and model, and how old it is.

 

A salvage buyer has offered to pay this amount, excluding a $500 insurance excess which Mr Hairudien has to pay.

 

His insurance company, AIG, will pay another $1,400 towards settling the balance of Mr Hairudien's car loan with Maybank.

When The New Paper contacted AIG last Friday to ask why the insurance amount was so low, they said they are investigating the matter.

 

But as of yesterday, Mr Hairudien claimed the company hasn't contacted him.

Despite the offer from the salvage buyer and the payout from the insurance company, Mr Hairudien claims he must fork out $13,500 to settle the loan amount by tomorrow or Maybank will start to charge him interest.

 

He said he has been paying $588 a month for the last 2 1/2 years as part of his repayment plan.

 

He had also traded in his earlier car to offset the new car's cost.

 

Mr Hairudien approached Kia twice - on the day his car was burnt and then on 21 Aug. They offered him a new car at a discount.

Kia offered to pay the $13,500 upfront, and then add the sum to the total cost of his new car, to be paid back in instalments.

 

When contacted, Cycle & Carriage, which distributes Kia, declined to comment on the loan repayment offer but said it would act in accordance with AIG's conclusions.

Customer assistance centre manager Dora Yan said: 'Mr Hairudien's accident case is currently being handled by his insurance company, AIG. They are looking into his case and Cycle & Carriage will assist AIG in this matter.

 

'As for the sum of money that he has to pay to his finance company, Maybank, we are not in a position to comment as it is the bank's decision.

 

'Our company offered Mr Hairudien a goodwill discount on his new car package, should he wish to purchase a new car from our company.

'This is done purely to show our appreciation to Mr Hairudien for being a loyal customer.'

I just hope the fault can be traced to faulty parts not rectify and the responsible party be liable for the loss.

[Mzrmazda3]

http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/General_C1..._wrong_P2050480

 

Bro, there is another thread on this topic too

[Kelpie]

Wow..like that also can, stayed stationery and the car could burn by itself depsite recent servicing and replacement of faulty parts?

 

Regards,

[Osiris]

thank u thank u. the title a bit off, so tot how come no one posted

[Mzrmazda3]

 

No worries Bro

[Toyo]

I thought kia cerato has a battery saver device that will cut off electrical supply once engine is off. why still short circuit?

[Kelpie]

beat me too? Human error or a genunie design issue? If it is neglience then hard to say liao...

 

Regards,

[Kyousuke]

This is the hazards of getting yourself into a 10 year loan.

[Maersk1]

damm....I guess the car owner is stuck in between of his car insurance (AIG) and bank loan (Maybank).....but guess what C&C is willing to offer him a new car under good will...but there is a condition.

 

can say...this C&C is toally wash hand and wish not want to interfere, knn they very smart

[Keithpapa]

strange to me also.

[Kelpie]

This is the hazards of getting yourself into a 10 year loan.

 

1. Actually whether or not to get 10 year loan is a personal decision. I know of friends that paid 29~30% car price up front and settle the rest with a 10 year loan.

 

2. I wonder why that guy didn't go Kia and bang table? What if he is inside the car at the moment?

 

Regards,

[Dynaway]

bang table at kia for wat....whaha... no use... the car didnt burnt at their place or workshop... no issue at all...

[Sci10213]

if can prove that the fire arises due to mechanical defect, then KIA is in deep sxxt.

[Dynaway]

mechanical defect... but stationary vehicle with nothing moving, how the hell is that going to happen..

 

if u say electrical + leaking fuel line i still see some possibility.

 

battery explosion may be a likely cause

[Typhoonz]

Some would love to criticise Kia at this point... But I think it's an isolated case...

[Yeobh]

Maybe leaking fuel vapour is the most possible cause as the last replacement is related to fuel system. Either the replacement is not correctly fix up or the fuel system is faulty and the fault not detected.

[Dynaway]

battery seems gone... looks like its where the fire started.... battery area seems badly burnt

 

anyway, this burnt vehicle doesnt fit in the bill to be in a total lost case....

 

i thikn the insurance company is jus playing cork bull story to save on their side..

 

 

Total lost due to fire, the interior of the car must catch fire, meaning the dashboard must have melted/deformed or burnt

[Babyckh]

"Some would love to criticise Kia at this point... "

 

The likely reason is they are using nokia handphones.