Maruti Suzuki has announced that it will challenge a consumer court order directing the replacement of a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid over alleged issues linked to E20 petrol, arguing that the vehicle was designed to be compatible with the fuel blend and that the problems occurred due to contaminated fuel.
The order, issued by the Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, is being considered the first known consumer dispute in India directly involving allegations related to E20 petrol.
The complaint was filed by Raipur-based Dr. Premraj Debta, who purchased a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Zeta+ in June 2024. The vehicle, however, had been manufactured in January 2023. According to the complaint, the SUV began experiencing repeated stalling and performance-related problems within five months of purchase.
Dr. Debta alleged that authorised service centres repeatedly cleaned the fuel tank after finding contamination, but the issues continued to reappear. A fuel sample examined at a government-recognised laboratory was reportedly found to contain a white, curd-like substance identified as ethanol. He also claimed that he was not informed at the time of purchase that the vehicle might not be fully compatible with E20 petrol.
After examining the documents submitted by both sides, the Raipur consumer commission concluded that multiple repair attempts had failed to resolve the recurring problems and that the vehicle continued to display defects. The commission also observed that E20 petrol had become the standard fuel available at many outlets, leaving consumers with limited alternatives.
The commission directed Maruti Suzuki and the dealership to replace the SUV with a new E20-compatible vehicle within 45 days. Alternatively, the company was ordered to refund Rs 20.50 lakh, which included the vehicle's cost, RTO charges and insurance expenses.
The order also awarded Rs 1 lakh as compensation for mental harassment and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs. It stated that interest would apply if the payments were not made within the prescribed period.
Rejecting the findings, Maruti Suzuki said the basis of the order was disputed and maintained that the Grand Vitara involved in the case was fully compatible with E20 fuel.
“The car in this case was an E20 compatible car, fully equipped to handle E20 fuel and so disclosed in the owner's manual. There is evidence of contamination in the fuel collected from the customer's vehicle. Several other relevant facts have also not been reflected in the order.”
The company further stated that it would pursue legal remedies against the decision.
The carmaker added that it will “take necessary steps to challenge the impugned order before appropriate higher forum in accordance with law.”
