09 Tacoma 4x4 - Warranty Coverage Denied

I have a bone stock 4X4 truck and I plan on taking it offroad. Its an SR5 not even a TRD, but it is going to hit the dirt and I will let the trail dictate what parts I need to upgrade. I can tell you tires will probably be first. I kind of agree with the guys saying that looking like an offroad truck but not being one is perpetrating the fraud.

 

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That looks like a Pierce with the old 100' Smeal ladder on it.

Rear area of the torque box (for the ladder) is probably wrecked too. ...
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Show some respect for the OP, this thread has a very specific purpose and target audience. TacomaWorld has enough member base to get Toyota's attention, however brief it may be (like an ADD 5-year old on Mountain Dew and Zingers). This thread should voice our concerns and thoughts as to how they are handling this issue, and how their customer is being treated by the dealer. I thank you and the OP (I'm sure) thanks you.

 

My experience too. Was at the dealer today and told my salesguy if I feel I need to buy an Extended Service contract (They are NOT "Warranties" it would be from the Northern region. There is already another line between the buyer and Toyota in the Distributor.... Don't need the distributor selling me THEIR Service Contacts. Seems to me a conflict of interst would be pretty apparent.,

There is no such thing as the "Toyota OEM platnium Warranty" They call it a VSA or Toyota Extra Care Vehicle Service Agreement. They really aren't warranties\ and are not covered under Magnunson-Moss

 

I completely agree. ( and I take no offense at the "Rugged Trail" jab..Sometimes having something different makes it a target.So be it . I would rather be different and find my truck easily in a parking lot full of stock Tacos

But two people can have exactly identical trucks. One that goes off road for fun an games and the other that goes to Mall to pick up the babes. Being identical BOTH are REAL trucks....however the OWNERS are different.....The purposes are different..same trucks. I think the offense taken was in that a truck is not a real truck becasue of the way its used. You might say an owner is not a read "trucker" instead a poser..... Not to worry happens all the time in the bike world. especially Harley riders amongst themselves. Whose the "real" biker and all that.

The problem is Toyota believes the OP is in the former group because he has mud on the outside of his truck instead of stained seats.....

 

No updates?
Ahhh The joys of owning a Toyota truck.
I buy a truck to do almost things a car can't.......
I buy 4WD to do what a 2WD can't......
I bought the TRD OFFROAD to do what the SR5 CAN'T!
But according to Toyota, off road is a no no. How about dirt roads?
I've had endless rear axle issues, first one the almost denied my claim, I told them to fax the bill to my lawyer. End of argument.
I have bought a total of 4 NEW Toyota's in the past 6 years. Decent cars, but I will never ever buy another Toyota truck. An F150 is my next truck, only because a Fronty (tough as nails, BTW), is not as good of a value.
END RANT!
Let us know how arbitration went.

 

yea but the people who have broken the rear diffs.. dont complain....so how is toyota going to do anything about it if more than half the people it happens too dont raise hell...
i know for dam sure if it happenes to me i will kick some ass in the dealership if they do not cover it....well within the warrenty time frame anyways.....

 

4 new Toyotas in 6 years? Why?

 

Agreed, as of right now. Next truck will be a silverado though.

 

All,

Thank you for your insight. Happy to report the arbitrator sided in my favor ordering Toyota to cover cost for replacement of rear differential in the amount of roughly $2600. The main decision point was that this vehicle is equiped with the TRD off road package designed for heavy duty off road use. The fact I had mud on the vehicle and scratches on my skid plate does not imply I was driving in an abusive manor. In the decision letter (sent to both Toyota and myself) the arbitrator stated he was acutally surprised at the good quality of vehicle both inside and out (includeing under cariage) for an off road vehicle advertised as such. Great Day! I will be celebrating. Thanks again!
Danny

 

great news.....................

 

yay

Totally crazy that you even had to go to arbitration though. Good god .. we took my wife's Subaru into the dealer for a whole bunch of warranty work - probably $3500 worth on 5 different issues. They just checked the computer to make sure each part was covered under warranty (it all was), approved the claims without argument and went to work. Amazing customer service. Which might help explain why Subaru was the ONLY car company to actually GROW during the recession (by a whopping 15%).

Props to the OP for coming back & sharing the outcome with the community.

 

Awesome news.

 

you were the 1% of people who stayed on their ass and it worked! they had no argument to begin with just trying to make money!

 

Congrats. Sad that it had to come to arbitration. Now make sure you don't do anymore evil off-roading.