Dealer can't fix... what should I do

Long story short.
Bought a 2012 new in Dec 2011.
Since 500 miles it has a bad popping noise in the cab.
The dealer has tried to fix it four times starting in 2012.

Things they say they fixed

Visit 1 - said it was an accessory behind the seat that they removed
Visit 2 - said it was Loose wires that were fixed
visit 3 - said it was a cab mounting bushing that they replaced
Visit 4 (They had to call in a Toyota factor guy) - said it was a broken weld on the cab. They removed the bed to get access and fixed something. The pop is still there according to the body man.

Currently the truck is still sitting at the dealer... been there for a week now.

Any suggestions how to handle this?

 

Well just drive it and take all loose items out of truck. Check all the panels, bolts, and even go underneath and check everything.

 

possible lemon law?

 

X2 there. I am usually the first to throw the glove when I challenge peoples "This thing is a lemon law", but this time it does sound like you have a potential claim there. Do you have all the repair orders documented and copies?

 

It's just depressing to pay 33K for a new truck and it sounds worse than my 1997 jeep.

 

Ya that kinda sucks hope you get it fixed

 

The dealer that it was purchased from has done all the work.
It's all in their system

 

im x3 with t he lemon law. Time for a 2014 tacoma

 

What was the accessory they removed during visit #1?

 

I agree. This why this law exists in Wisconsin.Even Toyota produces an occasional lemon

 

It was like a rack to hold some sort of tool.

 

The most they will do is get him an identical year/model or give him fair market value. They are not going to give him a brand new 2014.

The bad part is deciding what warrants "a defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a vehicle." To some people, a noise like that would fall into that definition. To others it wouldn't, but your research does show that he may be out of luck on time.

 

Seeing as how well Tacomas hold their resale value, fair market value isn't a bad option at all. I'd be leaning towards the lemon option if they can't solve the issue.

 

What type of popping are you hearing? I know some double cabs (mine included ) doors have a lite pop. Specifically when any cab flex occurs and the radio is off. Its the sound of the weather stripping breaking seal.

 

I don't have the popping noise, but for what it's worth:

1) If the door seals and door frame are really clean the seals stick to the door frame better, then when the truck twists a bit they can make a small popping sound. This happens from time to time on one of my cars. Try armor all or something similar on the seals.

2) If the spring shackle bolts are over tightened they can make a noise that sounds like a pop. Search TW for threads on that for more info.

These ideas might not work, but at least they're cheap to do. Another thought is to have someone else drive while you ride in back, or close to wherever the popping sound seems to come from. It's almost impossible to track where the sound is coming from when you are driving. Good luck.

 

The popping / cracking seems to be coming from the member that the cab mounting bushing is attached to. It is really noisy and irritating. I can even hear it over my radio. Even the dealer had to finally recognize that something isn't right. The mechanic said that it would drive him crazy.
The problem is that they can't isolate the problem. To show the extreme, it has been at the dealer for 6 days in the body shop. Very frustrating.
I'm going to run the wheels off the loaner Toyota. I said I'll keep your car until you fix mine. Don't call till it's fixed.

 

[/quote] but your research does show that he may be out of luck on time.[/QUOTE]

This has been going on since the very first oil change at the dealer

 

+3

 

The factory Toyota rep. said that it is a broken weld somewhere.

 

Yeah, when I worked at Lexus, NVH can be a real bitch. Especially on those cars whom people think should be built like the Space Shuttle. One of the typical problems is that as a flat rate mechanic, you're trying to make time and you've this noise problem. They should put a shop foreman on it who is hourly.

I would assume they stripped the interior and had a second person ride so they could listen as the other drives.

Hope it works out for you.