In a significant ruling, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad has held Tata Motors accountable for a Nexon EV fire incident. The Commission has ordered the automaker to refund the purchase price of Rs 16.95 lakh, along with interest, to the vehicle’s owner, Jonathan Brainard.
Brainard had purchased the Nexon EV in 2021. Shortly after, he began experiencing problems with the vehicle’s high-voltage (HV) battery pack. While Tata Motors did replace the battery pack, the issues persisted.
On June 1 of the following year, Brainard was driving his Nexon EV when he heard a loud explosion. The car veered off the road and caught fire, resulting in a collision with another motorist.
After a thorough investigation, the Commission determined that the fire originated from the front of the vehicle. They concluded that Tata Motors was at fault for delivering a vehicle with a manufacturing defect that led to the fire and caused injuries to the other motorist.
In addition to the refund, the Commission ordered Tata Motors and three other parties to pay a total of Rs 19.45 lakh. This includes Rs 2.5 lakh as compensation to the injured motorist.
This ruling serves as a strong reminder to automakers of their responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. It also highlights the importance of consumer protection and the need for accountability in cases of product defects.
Reference- Team-BHP, Rushlane, News24, Bar & Bench, Autocar India