Truck broke down today...

Toyota of el Cajon on arnele

 

nice so now you blaming OP, in first post she wrote she towed 4600-5000 lb how is that excess ?
Next thing we will find out 2016 Tacoma is only for looking at...

 

Mismatched VIN, we are talking about a Toyota Tacoma, not a freaking Ferrari.
An authorized dealer is doing the work, so once complete, the system will show the new block serial number with that VIN, because it will be registered by Toyota.

Mismatched VIN

 

If you talking about DMV than great, except anybody on the market for new vehicle with half a brain will avoid that vehicle...
So you going have to discount it, so you need to buy cheaper, so owner who got engine or transmission swapped by Toyota gets shafted....

Thats all....

 

^^^
How much longer before this guy gets banned

 

Maybe the OP wants to hold on to this truck for the next 15 plus years, therefore, trade in/resale value means nothing.
A vehicle is not meant to be an investment, so I never consider resale when buying a vehicle.
I have had my Dakota for 11 years and I don´t really care what I can sell it for or trade it in for when I am ready, because it has served me well and I feel like I have got my moneys worth out of it.
If you want to buy a vehicle for good resale value you need to find a couple in the middle of a divorce and the husband has a nice sports car that he is willing to sell cheap so the wife will not get much. Then you can resale it for twice what you paid, other than that, resale/trade value should not be a consideration when buying a vehicle.

 

Lindsay,
You have to look at it from all points. Though you may be inconvenienced now, when said and done you will have either a new rebuilt or a new engine. The only thing you need to ask yourself is if the truck accomplished what you needed it to do (tow horse trailer) prior to it blowing up!!! If you felt it was wanting then Lemon Law may be the route for you. Good luck whichever way you decide.

 

I'm just not keen on having a rebuilt engine at 5000mi is the only thing. I bought a brand new truck and want a brand new truck, engine, etc. Not a rebuilt one which, in my opinion, is a hit on value. I do plan on keeping this vehicle for the long haul, as long as i can get out of it. But i still want my truck to match up to the value of a like truck with same miles and year...in my opinion, my engine being rebuilt lowers my trucks worth.

 

I've never been down this road before and hearing all the different opinions really helps. Im not sure what road I want to take yet. Want to get my truck back and see what happens. I am leaning towards getting it replaced if it ends up in the dealership for 30+ days.
At minimum contacting Toyota about my rights.

 

Personally, I would call corporate Toyota and say this is ridiculous, I want my truck replaced, not just the engine. To be without a truck you purchased so recently is not a great new customer experience. It never hurts to ask.

 

I agree...I certainly wouldn't want a new (or re-manufactured) engine in my truck if it was new. You are assuming the technicians will replace every bolt/nut and torque all to factory specs. A friend of mine bought a small Cadillac some years back and had nothing but trouble with it from the start. He got so pissed off about their lack of solving the multiple problems with the car that he parked it across the street and put a huge sign on it denoting how the dealership was "screwing" him. After a couple of days, the dealership got him another new vehicle from Cadillac. Not sure this would work in OP's situation and I wish her only the best of luck in resolving this issue.

 

Right on brother! So fricken true it's scary. Gotta say my time is my most important resource today.

OP thanks for keeping the thread updated. By your documentation & posts, it sounds like you are clear headed, responsible, and realistic. I hope the dealership is the same. My dealership has Tacoma's and tundras as loaners. I'd swap that rav4 in tomorrow. Good luck.

 

Why does everyone get all bent out of shape when someone mentions "reman". I understand the fact that you say I bought a new truck, I want a new engine. However, a reman engine has been completely torn down, cylinders honed out and measured, all bearings replaced, etc. A reman engine meets or exceeds all specs that a newly built engine has. I have put reman parts on many boats and those usually seem to be of better quality than new parts off the line. If you ask me, I would be just fine if they said it was a reman engine, it will still be backed by warranty.

 

Yep the road never travelled always gives a wealth of lessons.
My pre-tacoma 95 toyota truck was 2 different shades of blue pearl off the assembly line. Drivers side was metallic while passenger had no sparkly specs more flat. I didn't notice on delivery because it was picked up in the middle of the Vermont winter. Short days and no sun ever. When May rolled around, a friend, who ran a body shop, saw my truck in glaring sun. He said, your truck is 2 different shades right up the middle. A paint gun must a misfired on the line. Toyota took my truck loaded it on a transport truck & sent it back to port for a full repainting!! It was gone for 29 days.
I was pissed for awhile about that but after it became a distant memory. I drove that truck for 15 years.
Now I know getting engine work is not the same as paint. I think I'd want a new truck too if it was out of my commission longer than 30 days.

 

Wow glad this post is at least somewhat back on track. Sorry to hear about all your troubles OP. I would politely bring up the same concerns you have brought up here to the dealer and then to corporate. Sounds like you know better than to go in there guns blazing if you don't have to. In my experience I've always gotten further by talking to them like human beings instead of screaming and beating on them like they're a broken vending machine. I've got (free) new leaf springs on order for a squeak and they just checked my trans fluid without any raised voices or threats. Alot of it could be chocked up to luck in dealership choice but if that's the case I've had great luck on my last 3 service departments (Toyota, VW, and Honda)

 

A lot of people don't realize that this happens in many industries. When you submit an item for warranty replacement, it is usually policy to send you back a refurbished item. However, that is besides the point.

On that note, I would take separate paths depending on who rebuilt the engine. I would be very hesitant of an engine rebuilt by dealership techs. I am sure there are great dealership techs, but I want someone who works on building engines day in and day out. I would only accept an engine that was rebuilt at toyota's main engine facility or a site dedicated to engine maintenance/repair/overhaul. That will have the best chance of being done right.

By all means though, try to press to get a brand new engine. That is always the best option.

 

.
... ^^^ ... Excellent and real world advice.

Since the truck only had 5600 miles ... I would push for a new engine and/or explore lemon law option and etc.

This is a new platform model and Toyota wants a sooth introduction without too many hiccups ... especially on the beloved Tacoma.

My 2007 Tundra 5.7 (new platform model) had an automatic transmission go out at 500 miles and Toyota Corp fixed it fast with a new transmission and gave me an OEM Platinum 100K warranty. Toyota has always been fair with me (knock on wood).
.

 

The lemon law has been reviewed and I can only act upon it if my truck stays at the dealership under repair for 30+ days. On that 31st day (if it comes to that...) I will be calling corporate to go forward with getting a new Tacoma such as my right. Today is day 14 that my truck has been at the dealer and when I went to pick up my rental car, I asked the service writer who has been overseeing my truck if it was truly necessary I deal with getting a rental (per my previous concern about renting through Enterprise) and he said "I would estimate your truck being here another 10-14 days." So it sounds like I may have the right once that 31st day comes around.
I am emailing Toyota corporate right now to let them know. At least get whoever is behind that screen on the same page. Although an extended warranty would be cool...(despite me having the 100k warranty already) or a gift certificate, etc...my main concern is simply that I receive back what it is that I am paying monthly for; a brand new Tacoma, inside and out.
My knowledge about vehicles and how they are assembled, maintained, repaired, etc. is minimal. So majority of my anxiety regarding this is that I do not know what's happening. What should be considered an acceptable "return to the buyer" practice. All I know is, those around me locally, are saying that a vehicle that has had catastrophic engine failure at 5600mi has no right being in the hands of a buyer for a 36k price tag without some serious overhauls (new engine or new truck overall).
I just don't want to get screwed. But that's also why I am continuously updating this thread. You guys have the knowledge that I need.

 

I have never had any experience regarding lemons but I would think that playing your hand too fast with the dealer or Toyota may result in them getting the truck out to you faster than they would have anticipated. If your goal is to get a new truck I would probably wait to contact Toyota or let the dealer know what your intending to do. You may want to consult an attorney who works in lemon law cases and get their advice. The consultation would probably be worth it's weight in gold.

 

^This, toyota is a still company and one that wants to maximize profit, by giving them the upper hand of knowing your intentions they will definately make sure they mitigate their costs by making sure you get the truck back before they have to a)provide you a new truck b) buy back your truck, though you want to think they are on your side and care about you as a customer that is far from the case in today's world, they may be better than other manufacturers but they are still looking after their interest, I'd contact a lemon law lawyer first before telling toyota anything.