Toyota Sitting On Their Hands

Still no word on when Toyota will replace the rear leaf springs. Here is how my call went with the local Toyota service department (TSD) yesterday:

Caller: Hello. I see that Toyota is still sitting on their hands and haven’t notified us yet of when they will replace the rear leaf springs. Have you heard anything yet?

TSD: Nope. We have not been told anything yet.

Caller: So, what do I do in the meantime?

TSD: Nothing until you get notified.

Caller: My rear leafs are completely flat. In fact, they are slightly inverted. Toyota won’t replace them before they break?

TSD: No, there’s nothing I can do.

Caller: Amazing. So, in the meantime we have to wait until a spring gets broken before it gets replaced?

TSD: Yes. If it does break though then we can replace it. We just had a truck in here with a broken leaf. We replaced it. And, it will get replaced again when Toyota is ready to replace the springs for the recall.

Caller: So, in the meantime, I guess Toyota knowing that a break could cause a serious accident, that I should be in touch with my attorney in the event of any catastrophic event. Is that correct?

TSD: Yes, I would say so.

Caller: I’m a little stunned that they would send out a notice as early as last fall and still have not made a decision. Do they normally take this long?

TSD: They probably can’t make the springs fast enough.

Caller: How could they not be making the springs fast enough, if they haven’t even replaced any of them yet?

TSD: Well, they probably have to make a certain amount first, like 250,000 before they can work on the recall.

Caller: Ok, I guess the saga continues. Have a great day.

TSD: You too.

Well, there’s goes my fishing season. I’m sure as hell not going to be towing a boat this summer with the looks of those flat springs. Hopefully, they will get replaced soon, but remember this. If Toyota really cared about your safety, they would not be sitting on their hands this long.

 

LMAO. Don't forget to add a crash helmet.

 

I feel your pain OP. After 5 months of waiting, it sure does feel like they told us "Hey your springs could break and your truck could start on fire.... just thought we would let you know". Now I know that isn't really the case, and I'm sure there is more to it than what we realize.

If you really don't want to miss out on the fishing season, you could always look into air bags like DoorDing said, or just buy a better leaf package (which would be better for towing a boat). Money doesn't grow on trees, but if fishing is what you love to do, a few hundred $ could still save your season.

 

It sounds like you are understandably frustrated and the service department was very patient with you given they don't have any control over the situation.

Unfortunately parts for recalls and TSBs take time to make and ship to dealers. Sometimes a frustratingly long time. Go read a few of the frame recall threads if you'd like to share in other people's pain

 

Or... replace them yourself for approximately $400.

..."Summer" is worth more than $400 i would hope

 

I love how people DGAF about their truck and what's happening, until they get a notice saying they can possibly get free stuff.

OP, here's what's going to happen, your leaves are flat, theirs already a TSB in place to replace your 3 leaf pack (2+1 overload) with a 4 leaf pack, unless you have a 2012+ then they already fixed the 3 leaf pack to be beefier. If you got the recall notice, all they did was put an additional wrap around the front of the leafs to stop the leaf from puncturing your gas tank. It's still the same shitty leaf pack that will be flat again in a years time.

Do yourself a huge favor and replace the leaf pack with something aftermarket that will actually last and do its job.

Coming on here to bitch about how shitty we already know Toyota is, won't help you lol.

Hint* go to a different dealership and tell them you have a "harsh ride" and you cant support any weight in the bed and you're riding bump stops. That equals a free leaf pack for 2005-2011.

 

As long as you're under warranty still*

 

I sent an email to Toyota on April 14th, 2015:

Hello, (2007 Tacoma) I have received the first letter for the Leaf Spring
Recall. When will the permanent fix part be available? I load my truck
and pull trailers often with my truck and would like to get this fix asap.

Toyota reply:
Thank you for your reply with photo concerning your 2007 Tacoma.

We would like to take this opportunity to explain that Toyota Canada Inc. will be initiating Special Service Campaign # 253, on certain 2005 through to 2011 Tacoma vehicles to resolve an issue related to the rear suspension.

At this time, Toyota Canada Inc. is currently finalizing the list of affected vehicles and we expect to begin sending letters to owners of affected vehicles by First Class Mail shortly. All vehicles affected by this campaign will have the repair performed at no charge to the owner.

As such, you may reply to this e-mail confirming your mailing address to ensure that our files are up to date for any campaign notifications that we may send out.

We hope this information is helpful and thank you for taking the time to write.


I replied the same day:
Thanks for the information, I hope to get the letter soon....

In the first letter, it is indicated that you didn't have a fix for the problem. Have you come up with a fix for the problem? What will you be replacing?


Toyota reply:
Thank you for your recent correspondence.

Please be advised that at this time, Toyota is finalizing the list of affected vehicles and preparing the campaign remedy parts. We apologize for any inconvenience that you may experience while awaiting for the launch, but Toyota appreciates customers patience during this period.

In the interim, should you have further questions regarding these impending Special Service Campaigns, or if your vehicle is experiencing issues as described, please dont hesitate to contact your local Toyota dealership.

Thank you once again for taking the time to write.

 

Have 2008. Most likely will get a 4 leaf pack and get it done now instead of waiting for possibly another crappy leaf system. Just interested in seeing if anyone has heard anything concrete. Sounds like nothing yet.

 

ok folks, think of this way. Most likely this are made oversea's and let say they take 180 days to manufacture and ship. Now, think about manufacturing enough to cover 7 years worth of vehicles.

Toyota would rather send out the letter saying they are ready to replace the springs when the inventory is complete and in the dealers hands instead of looking stupid having no springs to replace.

Now, what they SHOULD have done was when they announced the TSB from the start say it could be 12-16 months before parts are available.

 

You could get a used 3+1 from one of the guys that replaced it with a Dakar pack for example (cheaper than buying them new) it takes about 30min do swap them out each side.

 

If you are doing regular towing, you would love having air bags. Total adjust ability. 1st and 2nd gen springs are weak. Spend a couple hundred bucks for bags and you will have no issue for the life of the truck.

 

This is what I did. Found a complete suspension with the 4-leaf pack and OE leveling kit off of a 2015 with less than 500 miles on it that I am installing on my '09 for ~$300. IMO it's the best way to go if you don't want to wait around on Toyota.

 

Just get a set of these: http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-297hd.htm

or these:

I have the Generals. They're much better than the Toyota leafs.

 

Get a set of wheelers HD springs for 400 bucks. They will outperform the oem and raise the rear end 2 inches. A set of adjustable bilsteins up front set at 1.75 will match the factory rake. Keep your receipt and Toyota will reimburse you for parts and labour to fix the rear.. Voila, your truck rides better, looks better and can actually be used as a truck... Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

 

The only thing I question on this is whether Toyota will reimburse you for the aftermarket parts when your oem leafs didn't actually break. If they will reimburse, then this is clearly the way to go... but I am skeptical.

 

Unfortunately not everything in life is free.

 

What is an OE leveling kit? I was unaware that Toyota made one.

 

It is obvious that not many work in the manufacturing world. It takes a lot of time for a company ( The one that makes the springs ) that is operating at or near their OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) to make extra parts to cover a recall. If they are not operating near the OEE then they are loosing money daily.

That being said they can usually get another maker to step up and make parts, but this also takes time for process proofing and buy off acceptance testing etc before they actually produce parts for use.

They don't have the ability to just gear up overnight and make more parts on a whim. If you think they do, then you would be wrong.

I am sure that Toyota is not "sitting on their hands".

 

As posted, go aftermarket and forget about Toyota in equation. keep your OE leafs and receipts. If Toyota steps up, you get OE $ so you're out a couple of Hundo. Toyota is only gonna replace a subpar part with a better subpar part. Buy leafs, go fishing and be done with gnashing teeth, torn garments and flailing in ash.