The Hyderabad Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a massive payout of Rs 24.63 lakh to a business owner after a premium electric SUV suffered persistent failures despite multiple repair attempts.
- Hyderabad Consumer Commission ordered a total payout of ₹24.63 lakh for a defective EV.
- The SUV suffered from smart-key failures, locking malfunctions, and mid-road breakdowns.
- Service records proved the defects were 'old issues' that persisted despite repairs.
A Hyderabad-based business, which purchased a premium electric SUV from a prominent Indian automaker for Rs 27.98 lakh in August 2025, has secured a significant legal victory. The Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I ruled in favor of the buyer after the vehicle proved to be unreliable, frequently failing to start and leaving the owner stranded in traffic.
The commission, led by President B Uma Venkata Subba Lakshmi and members C Lakshmi Prasanna and B Raji Reddy, scrutinized the service history provided by the authorized dealer. The records revealed a pattern of recurring failures regarding the smart-key range and the central locking system. Crucially, the service logs categorized these as 'old issues,' confirming that previous repair attempts had failed.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this ruling sets a critical precedent for the burgeoning EV market in India. As manufacturers push cutting-edge technology, the line between a 'software glitch' and a 'manufacturing defect' often becomes blurred. This judgment reinforces that consumers cannot be forced to accept a lemon product under the guise of iterative software updates.
"When a high-value asset fails to perform its primary function repeatedly, the burden of proof shifts from the consumer to the manufacturer to prove the product is fit for use."
The dealer attempted to dismiss the complaint, arguing that no expert automobile engineer's report had been submitted to prove a manufacturing defect. However, the commission found that the internal job cards and the frequency of breakdowns were sufficient evidence of a 'deficiency in service' and the delivery of a defective product.
| Detail | Amount Claimed | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Refund (less depreciation) | ₹29,29,395 | ~₹23,98,000 |
| Compensation & Costs | ₹20,00,000 | ₹65,000 |
| Total Payout | ₹49,29,395 | ₹24,63,000 |
Ultimately, the commission directed the dealer to refund the amount after a 10% depreciation deduction from the base price. The ruling emphasizes the importance of maintaining a paper trail—emails, job cards, and service histories—which served as the cornerstone of the complainant's success in this case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can a consumer get a full refund for a car with software issues?
A: Yes, if the software issues render the vehicle unsafe or unusable and the manufacturer fails to fix them despite multiple attempts, a refund can be granted.
A: Invoice, warranty documents, all service job cards, communication logs (emails/letters), and proof of payment.
