Dealer Mishap

So I took my Tacoma in for it's 20k checkup, no big deal. Some oil, tire rotations, and a visual inspection.

Well after my truck got done, 16 miles down the road my wheel fell off on the highway, doing 60, talk about a ride. My pregnant wife wasn't too thrilled.

My question is, what should I make them look at or replace? They said only one rim, studs and a brake drum. But I've done worse damage with a curb.

Any input would be awesome. Thanks guys.

Also, I got stuck driving a Prius. FML.

 

Wow thats insane. YOu may want to talk to an attorney.

 

That thought process is a big problem in america…….. stuff like this happens why do you feel the need to sue them blindly? he didn't say he was injured.


Do you have aftermarket wheels? Id make the dealer your bitch and replace anything in that area, wheel, studs, brakes, any body damage, free alignment with print out etc..

 

I have aftermarket rims, that's my big thing, 3 of them will now be 5 years old and one brand new, an odd duck.

And no, I wasn't injured, but after sitting on hold for more than 20 mins, we waited in the 10 degree weather for an hour until they sent someone to pick us up.

 

Because stuff like that should NEVER happen.... There should be no margine for error on such a thing. I am he least sue happy person you will meet but the dealer should have serious repercussions.

I'd have it inspected thourghly by a third party... I wouldn't be surprised if there was frame damage... And at that point it's a total loss and the dealer would need to give you a new one.

 

And what irks me is the dealership is acting like it wasn't a big deal, I put the rims on by hand with a 4-way when the truck had 450 miles. They lasted on there until now, some 20k miles later and the first time the dealer rotates them, I have one fall off.

 

Pics or it didn't happen

 

anything that touched the ground should be replaced by them. Anything that could been messed up by suddenly being slammed off of and dragged across the ground.

I'd have them looking at the bottom of the body, exhaust, drum, diff, leaf etc.

 

I don't have pics, maybe my only screw up, but I wasn't risking getting hit by a car for a photo op, I got to the dealership before they opened the next day and it was already in the shop. I may have messed up there. But oh well.

I don't want an attorney for money, I want an attorney for protection to make sure it gets done the way I want, the way they see me, I'm a punk 24 year old kid, that has a brand new Tacoma, but I've worked hard for everything I have and its not gonna get wasted on a dealer mishap.

 

Make sure they check out everything in the front end. Who knows if that kind of knock killed your tie rod ends, frame, front axle since you are 4x4. I would make sure they change everything or give you a 100k mile warranty on everything in the front end.

 

Dealer error doesn't mean he should sue them. It means the dealer should replace what they damaged. In his case he has aftermarket wheels, which is often a problem with toyotas because of their shorter wheel studs. That being said it probably was the dealers fault slamming the lug nuts on with an impact gun even if it had a torque stick. With aftermarket wheels usually the lug nuts have a lot less thread bite. So the dealer should have used a torque wrench to avoid this scenario. That being said they should replace what they damaged. But it's not ethical to go to an ambulance chaser for money

 

Amen, brother.

 

I'm glad you and your wife and child are OK. That must have been harrowing. Others should know who the dealer is so they can avoid if they choose to. Thanks.

I don't get the "shit happens" reaction to what is a possibly criminally negligent behavior by the dealer's mechanic. Quite frankly, that incident could have killed three people or more.

 

Wow luckily your family is ok. It could've been a big deal. Dealership needs to feel the consequence of their big time fuck up

 

They need to replace any parts that are damaged and do a full alignment. After they are done you should take it someplace of your choice perhaps another dealer or where ever and have it completely inspected for damage with a fine tooth comb for anything they might have missed and they should pay the bill for the inspection. I suggest that you do not sign anything releasing them of liability until you have it inspected by someone else, they pay that bill or reimburse you, and you are satisfied with the outcome. Explain up front you are taking to have it inspected and request they pay for that inspection. If they refuse get a lawyer! By the way be kind when speaking with them.

 

The dealer is Pappas Toyota in St. Peters MO.

 

Thanks for the input all. I just had no idea where to start. Never had any kind of trouble before.

 

In addition to the mechanical suspension damage, be sure to look underneith it and check for any scrape areas on the body or frame or bumpers...if its scraped from where the truck was dragging, make them replace that too even if its part of the cab. You want the truck to be made the way it was before their accident.

Sounds like they are hastily looking to sweep this under the rug by offering those replacement parts for you. If you accept the repairs, then you are aggreeing that there are no more issues with this occurence.

The fact that their severe f*** up caused you an inconvience, you can reasonably ask them for $50 per hour of inconvience to compensate, including all the time you have spent dealing this outside if the accident scene. This can be a small claims court case...Not sure if you can go to regular court on the grounds that there was potential for a more severe injury, which thankfully didn't occur.

 

All good information there. I would also ask to speak to the owner. Have a polite face-to-face with him. Let him know your concerns, and that you expect the truck to be in at LEAST the same condition it was in when you came by the first time. I am thinking wheel, rotor, dust shield, possible hub, front bumper damaged when truck hit ground? Lots of things that may not be noticeable. I would ask for the owner to do a walk around with you when you pick up the truck, and have SOMETHING in writing. Actually, now that I think about it, you have the best defense. And you don't need a lawyer. Call your insurance company! Have it fully inspected and all repairs verified, then be sure that the dealership pays for any deductibles, and that the insurance company notes that the damage was due to the dealership negligence, not owner fault.

 

I'd go after them like a missile....
Not everyone is that lucky to be able to tell that story after having a wheel go flyn while doing 60.
I am pretty sure there is more to be done than replacing the wheel..... but i am no expert, but common sense will lead you to think there are more damage done.