The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has directed Maruti Suzuki to replace a Grand Vitara after ruling in favour of a customer who alleged repeated vehicle issues linked to E20 fuel.
According to reports, the complainant, Dr. Premraj Debta, claimed that his Grand Vitara experienced frequent engine stalling after being fuelled with E20 petrol. He stated that the SUV was taken to the service centre multiple times, where the fuel tank was cleaned on several occasions, but the problem continued.
After examining the submissions and documents presented by both parties, the consumer commission directed Maruti Suzuki to provide the customer with a new E20-compatible vehicle within 45 days.
If the replacement is not provided within the stipulated period, the company has been directed to refund the vehicle’s cost, amounting to Rs. 20.50 lakhs. This includes the price of the vehicle along with registration and insurance charges.
The commission has also ordered Maruti Suzuki to pay Rs. 1 lakh as compensation for mental harassment and Rs. 10,000 towards litigation expenses.
In its order, the commission observed that the vehicle sold to the complainant was not compatible with E20 fuel. It also noted that the manufacturer and dealership did not provide an E20-compatible replacement despite the recurring issues, which it considered a deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice.
The order further states that if Maruti Suzuki fails to comply within the prescribed 45-day period, additional interest may become applicable on the compensation amount as per the commission’s directions.
The case comes amid continuing discussions around E20 fuel in India. Since the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, some vehicle owners have raised concerns regarding fuel efficiency and compatibility. Automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, have maintained that their E20-compliant vehicles are designed to operate with the higher ethanol blend, while the government has stated that offering both pure petrol and E20 fuel simultaneously across fuel stations is not feasible due to logistical and cost-related constraints.
