We purchased our Avan Ovation Fiat Ducati motorhome last July, and have had three trips along the east coast of Australia already.
First lesson learnt, don't travel during school holidays and wow it can get really really hot in the middle of Australia.
Our motorhome is 7.2 mt Avan Fiat Ducati 2011 model. This motorhome is in great condition with only 21,000 k on the clock.
We fell in love with it straight away and have had on a few minor problems until now.
The last trip away, we noticed the paint started peeling of the metallic parts of the Fiat. By the time we got home, a hand size section had completely peeled off and now most off the body had started to peel as well.
As it is out of warranty we went to Fiat to with hope to get it repaired under some sort of goodwill claim. After about 2 weeks they respectively declined our request stating, we could only claim manufacturing error if we where the original owners.
Does not seem fair to me. Anyone else out there had similar issues.
Anyway thanks for reading my first post and Sharon and I hope to share many of our road experiences with you all in the future.
Regards
Jeff
Aus-Kiwi said
12:14 PM Feb 13, 2018
Consumer Affairs ? Ask them . Itâs the motorhome manufactures issue . Is it the clear coat ? Or whole paint ? Can be expensive to repair . To an expert ? Easy job ..
laracat said
04:27 PM Feb 13, 2018
Thanks for the response
Tried that, they where not interested in taking it on.
Told me my best option would be the ACCC or civil action
I was hoping this would not cost us any more money.
Regards
Jeff
Aus-Kiwi said
04:36 PM Feb 13, 2018
Insurance ??
Cadpete said
07:21 PM Feb 13, 2018
G'day Jeff and Sharon and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. Reckon Aus-Kiwi has covered the bases re the paint problem.
Pete and Marion
Dougwe said
07:33 AM Feb 15, 2018
Welcome to the gang Jeff and Sharon, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Sounds like Avan are living up to their reputation of not wanting to know you once you leave the show room floor. Sad really. At least they are still aroun to fight with as my mob have gone down the drain, bugga.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
dorian said
10:23 AM Feb 15, 2018
Wow, I couldn't believe the huge number of Google hits on this subject!
BTW, Ducati is a motorcycle. I doubt it would have the pulling power you need.
-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 15th of February 2018 10:23:24 AM
the rocket said
11:51 AM Feb 23, 2018
Hello laracat, welcome. Any luck getting it fixed yet?
laracat said
12:41 PM Feb 23, 2018
Had them offer to pay 50%
Refused
It is clearly a manufacturing fault and by law they are required to repair no matter what age the vehicle
Tony Bev said
05:33 PM Feb 25, 2018
Welcome to the forum laracat
As Dorian has already pointed out, there are a few problems with the Fiat Ducato paintwork
I have a 2006 model Fiat Ducato Maxi, purchased secondhand, with the paintwork missing bits on the bonnet, and drivers door
Let us know how you eventually get on
laracat said
05:08 PM Feb 27, 2018
Hi Tony
Very frustrating dealing with FIat over this issue.
They do not have good customer relations skills at all. It is sad because we love the car. It is great to drive and has plenty of power. It has not missed a beat with several long trips we have
done.
However this paint peeling issue is just not fair. If you do not push them hard they will not pay for the respray.
Many owners back to 2004 models have allready had there's done.
I think all owners of Fiat should keep a very very close eye on the metal parts of the vehicle.
Today i spent 1 hour on phone with ACCC to voice my disapproval.
I think every Fiat owner should do the same. It will need many people complaining about them for the issue to become easier.
I know of many many people who have had their vehicle repaired at Fiat's cost.
So i am guessing hundreds have just given up.
So sad really
Regards
Jeff
Ps I will not give up on this even if it cost me money to achieve the result. I owe that to all the other owners who they have intimidated to give up.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:58 PM Feb 27, 2018
Yea go halves .. pfft Iâll get it done you pay ME half !! Like we trust them what the real cost is ??
laracat said
08:26 PM Feb 27, 2018
Not really the issue
I have established now from talking to all the people that have had their van resprayed that the cost ranges from $5700 to
$6500
Just get a quote
jules47 said
03:07 PM Feb 28, 2018
And a re-spray - they could say that a re-spray at their choice of spray painters would be $1000.00 - but surely they have to prep the parts to get it ready for painting, - not just a matter of driving in, they spray it, you drive out. Don't let them get away with it - we have a Fiat Ducato 2010 Jayco MH - no sign of paint peel - ours doesn't get washed very often, and we do a lot of k's, in all weathers.
Good luck - keep us posted please.
Aus-Kiwi said
03:32 PM Feb 28, 2018
About $5k labour .. Sheesh !!
allanandmichelle said
05:34 PM Feb 15, 2022
Does anyone know if there is an active class action for this defect. This is what is required to instigate a class action
The Australian class action regime
there must be seven or more persons with claims against the same defendant;
the claims must be in respect of, or arise out of, the same, similar or related circumstances; and.
the claims must give rise to at least one substantial common issue of law or fact;
1 Dec 2021
https://www.allens.com.au 2021/11
Class actions in Australia: An overview - Allens
hanso said
05:04 PM Feb 18, 2022
I have A problem with my Kokoda caravan I had Paintseal gen 3 applied and in 2 1/2 years it faded so bad you can see the undercoat I when,t back to co and they will not refund me with the cost of application of product or pay the cost of any repairs has any had any problems with paintseal Thanks Hanso
86GTS said
04:43 AM Feb 19, 2022
A Fiat hauling an Avan, the perfect combination.
In my life I've had the misfortune of owning a Fiat car & I still own an Avan caravan, both of them purchased new.
I wouldn't go near either of them with a 50ft pole.
At one stage Fiat disappeared from Australia completely for about 15 years.
In other words no-one wanted to import them from Italy.
Avan after sales service leaves a lot to be desired as many others have found out.
Hi Everyone
Just joined and this is my first post.
We purchased our Avan Ovation Fiat Ducati motorhome last July, and have had three trips along the east coast of Australia already.
First lesson learnt, don't travel during school holidays and wow it can get really really hot in the middle of Australia.
Our motorhome is 7.2 mt Avan Fiat Ducati 2011 model. This motorhome is in great condition with only 21,000 k on the clock.
We fell in love with it straight away and have had on a few minor problems until now.
The last trip away, we noticed the paint started peeling of the metallic parts of the Fiat. By the time we got home, a hand size section had completely peeled off and now most off the body had started to peel as well.
As it is out of warranty we went to Fiat to with hope to get it repaired under some sort of goodwill claim. After about 2 weeks they respectively declined our request stating, we could only claim manufacturing error if we where the original owners.
Does not seem fair to me. Anyone else out there had similar issues.
Anyway thanks for reading my first post and Sharon and I hope to share many of our road experiences with you all in the future.
Regards
Jeff
G'day Jeff and Sharon and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. Reckon Aus-Kiwi has covered the bases re the paint problem.
Pete and Marion
Sounds like Avan are living up to their reputation of not wanting to know you once you leave the show room floor. Sad really. At least they are still aroun to fight with as my mob have gone down the drain, bugga.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Wow, I couldn't believe the huge number of Google hits on this subject!
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=ducato+paint+peel
BTW, Ducati is a motorcycle. I doubt it would have the pulling power you need.
-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 15th of February 2018 10:23:24 AM
Hello laracat, welcome. Any luck getting it fixed yet?
As Dorian has already pointed out, there are a few problems with the Fiat Ducato paintwork
I have a 2006 model Fiat Ducato Maxi, purchased secondhand, with the paintwork missing bits on the bonnet, and drivers door
Let us know how you eventually get on
Good luck - keep us posted please.
I have A problem with my Kokoda caravan I had Paintseal gen 3 applied and in 2 1/2 years it faded so bad you can see the undercoat I when,t back to co and they will not refund me with the cost of application of product or pay the cost of any repairs has any had any problems with paintseal Thanks Hanso
In my life I've had the misfortune of owning a Fiat car & I still own an Avan caravan, both of them purchased new.
I wouldn't go near either of them with a 50ft pole.
At one stage Fiat disappeared from Australia completely for about 15 years.
In other words no-one wanted to import them from Italy.
Avan after sales service leaves a lot to be desired as many others have found out.