Called Toyota about leaf spring recall

Spent a few phone calls today back and forth with a local dealer in Fort Collins, and they gave me a bit of runaround, mainly because the service writer did not seem to understand my questions. I have the 3 leaf, non-TSB, original springs on an 07 with 185k miles. The service writer kept explaining that they would be evaluated for configuration and condition to determine if they need replaced. I kept asking, "regardless of condition good or bad, if they are found to be in one of the bad configurations of leafs/shackles, they will be replaced, period, correct?" His answer kept being "the techs have a whole sheet of conditions and they will evaluate based on configuration and condition." He also kept saying that there may be exceptions which would not replace them, but would not give any examples. I told him that I realize that if they had already been replaced under something like a frame recall, I understand it would not get another new set, but in this instance, they are original factory springs, and I want to make sure that they will be replaced, and not subject to some techs evaluation of the condition of the springs.

When discussing the "inspection" he kept saying that they had to put it up on the lift and spend 30 min evaluating and documenting different things before determining if they would be replaced. From everything I see here and from what common sense tells me, an average tech is likely to just take one look at the config and instantly know that they need to be replaced. I explained that I understand needing to "inspect" to determine the configuration, but thats when he kept throwing that "condition" thing back in there and confusing the situation. The service writer was not technical, and kept jokingly saying that as an excuse as to why he couldnt answer my questions.

I finally got him to understand that I dont want to waste my time to come in, only to have some lazy tech mark my truck as not needing the SAFETY recall because they arent currently cracked or heavily corroded, and then Im screwed trying to get this done at any other dealer as well. While the springs dont look bad to the eye, they are weak as hell and squeak like a bastard and I just want some damn new ones because Toyota even admits that they suck.

Appointment made for next week.

 

I havent received another notice from Toyota yet so I called my dealer last week and the guy put my name down. I just got a call yesterday and am scheduled for monday to get mine replaced.

 

Just take it in. I wanted some specifics over the phone as well so I could just inspect myself and not waste time bringing it in but they were vague on what qualified. When I brought it in I was told one of two conditions - cracked or damaged leafs, and/or a certain amount of clips. I cant remember if he told be the number of clips that would force a recall but my guess is if they have enough clips they will send you on your way. My "inspection" yielded the recall, the hardware showed up to the dealer direct from Toyota but according the the service manager the leafs are being drop shipped from Texas and may take a 2 weeks.

 

I think you slightly misunderstand. I fully intend to take it in and I want the new leaf springs. Im damn certain that my leafs are the bad configuration and should be replaced. Obviously if they are broken or cracked, that would qualify for a replacement. What I wanted to clarify was that regardless of condition, if they were the bad config (low number of shackles/clips), they would be replaced and condition would be irrelevant. I did not want someone at the dealership using their arbitrary discretion saying "well, those are the old crappy configuration, but I didnt see anything wrong with them so no recall for you."

Others in the thread have described that the dealership notice for the recall has different wording and gives the dealer an out should they try to be weasels. This is why I was wanting a clear idea of what the inspection entailed. If it was just to confirm the bad config, Im certain that it will qualify for the recall and have no problem following whatever process they need to follow. If condition is somehow at play even with a bad config, I dont see how anyone can say that the original leaf springs are fine because they havnt broken yet.

 

I think it's really the amount of clips. They should tell you over the phone how many qualify, but there may be some caveats as well (configuration etc). My guess is if you have the required clips but the leafs are broken they will replace regardless. Agree it's some runaround. But I think it's their position that if a leaf breaks in the future and you have a safe amount of clips then it's not a safety issue, but a wear and tear issue, and that is not covered.

For reference I have a 2+1, there are two clips on the 2 pack, and one upside down bracket near the brake line that brackets all 3. This is in addition to the two U-bracket/bolts where the leafs mount to the axle.

 

Went in last night after work. Walked in and said "I need my leaf springs replaced" and he said "I need to check them first". I said "OK but there's no need since they are getting replaced". He walked out, kneeled down, got up and said "OK lets get you setup for the 2 month wait list" I said whatever I just need it done. Then he says....I shit you not..."You know this won't make the ride any better or smoother right"? I told him "I couldn't give half a turd if it rides like Sasha Grey in a gangbang scene I just don't want them to break and fuck up my truck"! He says "OK, see you in 2 months"!!! Whatever. Every stealership should at least have a small stockpile on hand in my book.

 

I agree, we are getting to almost 2 years on a recall that could cut a brake line or cut into the gas tank. You think they could step up the production and have all Tacoma's with new leaf springs within 1 year of the recall. Just my-2 cents

 

Absolutley! I told him (when he said he has to check my springs out) "oh there gonna get replaced, they break and my truck fucks up and i'm hauling my kids around and they get hurt or die.....they'll be hell to pay"!
With it going towards 2 years it does feel a little russian roulette...(I know that's extreme but I pull a trailer quite a bit loaded with camping gear, other shit etc.) but I don't like that game.

 

I haven't got a letter yet, but I called Toyota a few months back to see if anyone in the world knew when they'd be rolling out the fix for a recall on 200 year old tech (shouldn't be that challenging to get parts right when their concept predated cars). The person I talked to told me that almost everyone who submits for reimbursement is denied, and if you do your own installation there's 100% chance they'll reject any reimbursement.

I'm guessing the only case for a partial reimbursement would be if your factory springs actually failed between the end of warranty and the initial recall letter you got, and then only if you went out of pocket for OEM replacements at a dealer, but the service rep at corporate wouldn't tell me anything meaningful about what factors are even considered by the department that makes the decision, so I could be entirely wrong about that.

 

I hear you, just last fall I filled my bed up twice with gravel, it was a 60 mile trip home that must have been pushing the limits the Tacoma can carry. I looked at the leaf springs and they looked like they were at a 90 degree angle, I was sweating bullets. I was thinking, OK I'm on the highway, my spring breaks, will I damage the truck and if I don't damage the truck, how can a tow truck tow me with about 2 tons of gravel in my bed?

 

They just seem so nonchalant about the whole thing. There just pissed off because they have to shell out the money so they couldn't give anymore fucks. I also hear that the service dept hates warranty, recall, tsb work.....they just like doing oil changes.

 

I heard that each Tacoma that gets new leaf springs will cost Toyota at least $1,300 x 711,000 Tacoma's = close to 1 billion dollars. I also heard that the service dept. doesn't make as much money on recall work, so they only do it when there isn't regular work.

 

2 months? Damn. I honesty think I was among the first, if not the first, to get it done at Kendall.

 

I'm in the Northeast, which is the first stage on their leaf spring recall and if it wasn't for TW, I would have never known a remedy is available. I still haven't gotten a notice from Toyota that the remedy is available. This recall seems to be rolling out without urgency, which I wonder if it's on purpose because Toyota doesn't seem to have the means to produce enough of the springs.

 

Just chiming in on my experience:

January 2015 - I had the original Passenger side leaf pack replaced (with a recall type 4 Leaf/6 Clip pack) due to one of the leafs in the original pack was fractured. This was covered under my extended warranty (minus $50 deduct.) I requested the driver side be replaced too, but they refused to replace the driver side (4 Leaf/4 Clip pack) at the same time, stating that the driver side was fine and wouldn't be covered under warranty... Even after having the passenger side crack, they sent me on my way with a potentially weak driver side, but hey, they don't care about potential loss of breaks or fire..

January 2016 - I received a recall letter in the mail, informing that there is a recall, but they are collecting the parts necessary to perform the change at the time, so sit pretty and wait.

Fast forward to last week (End of April 2016), I received another recall letter in the mail, this time telling me to call in and book an appointment for an inspection before giving the ok for a replacement. With my shitty work schedule I couldn't afford making two trips (One for the inspection, then one for the replacement) I called in and told them that I knew what they were looking for in the number of clips but I had one set that was proper, and one set that would need replaced. He informed me that the recall kits come in pairs and I would receive two brand new leaf packs regardless. He ordered the leaf packs without the inspection and we scheduled a date (Today) to have them change them over. Picked the truck up today and have no issues!

TLDR: Two new 4 Leaf/6 Clip leaf packs = Overall better feel while driving, but the truck still squats like it is trying to take a shit in the woods..

 

Dealer offered to pay for a rental car for me last week after the inspection. Passed it up, but if the leafs are not in by next week I will take them up on their offer.

 

No deaths or lawsuits = give a fuck by Toyota. The hardball approach doesn't work. I'm still waiting on parts that should have taken just a couple days despite my letter telling me the "remedy" is available.

 

How much does a similar leaf pack cost out of pocket? The Dakars give 3" of lift, are there upgrade leafs that give 1.5-2" of lift? I have 884s and some OME shocks and an AAL in waiting for this recall.

 

I looked up my Tacoma on the NHTSA website using my vin and the only recall found was for the incorrect load capacity cards on the door jam pillar.

I have a 2011 Off-Road, and figured it would be in the list for the springs recall. Since I didn't get a ping on my VIN, is mine not under the recall, or should I call a Toyota dealer and try it anyways?

 

Try the official Toyota website. If it isn't on there, your outta luck.