Mini recall, or just information?

What's the real price of a Suzuki Grand Vitara

Aug 22, 2009

Special to the Star

Q: I recently took my 2003 Mini Cooper for an oil change at my local mechanic and asked about the airbag light staying on. I was told there was a recall service bulletin (No. 720103, dated July 2006) for this.

I then went to Mini Durham. They advised that this was the problem addressed by the recall, but that it did not cover Canadian vehicles. Thus, I paid $590 for the repairs.

BMW Canada also said there was no recall coverage available.

Since it's the same car sold in the U.S. and Canada, why are owners in one country covered and those in the other not?

A: Rob Dexter of BMW Group Canada corporate communications replies:

The item referenced by the customer is not a recall bulletin but rather a service information bulletin that outlines a repair procedure for various potential airbag warning system faults. There is no recall relating to these repairs either in the U.S. or Canada.

Such repairs would be covered within the warranty period. However, as a 2003 model, this vehicle would now have exceeded the warranty parameters.

Nevertheless, after bringing this situation to the attention of our Mini regional manager for review, I am pleased to report that this repair will be covered as a goodwill gesture by Mini Canada and a reimbursement will be made to your reader.

Q: Newmarket Suzuki recently had a Grand Vitara on display with huge lettering on the side. The first line, which was crossed out, read: "From $25,995, plus 0% finance." The second line read: "Now, $22,995."

I tried to purchase that car, but was told the price didn't apply to that car or even that model.

Suzuki Canada and the dealer say this is standard advertising practice.

A: Toronto lawyer Greg Chang (bcbarristers.com) replies:

Advertising practices for the sale of cars are subject to the federal Competition Act, Ontario Consumer Protection Act, and Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

In short, these laws require dealers to set out in detail the true cost to a customer to buy or lease a vehicle.

For example, in newspaper ads, the fine print sets out the breakdown of costs in addition to the sale price.

The onus is on the dealer to allow the potential customer to easily determine the all-inclusive price of purchasing the vehicle.

In this case, confusion might have been avoided by having the sign state, "Model XX now from $22,995," with an asterisk after the price indicating that more charges would apply, and posting those extra charges on the car window for potential buyers to review.

Suzuki Canada customer relations replies:

As noted, the word "from" is clearly visible as part of the pricing reference applied to the on-vehicle advertising.

In such a situation, we believe most consumers would simply inquire with the dealer if the offer applied to that specific vehicle or if it was another trim level.

At that point, the dealer would ensure the consumer was shown an example of the actual vehicle that the referenced pricing applies to.

Got a beef about something?

Write to Eric Lai at wheels@thestar.ca.

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Toronto Star