Truck broke down today...

This is my exact concern. I took my truck in for it's 5k service, pulled out of the dealership and went 20feet before my truck said it was low on engine oil. I turned around and had them check. They said it may have been a touchy sensor being as the oil level was within the "green limit." They topped it off anyway and I never had the light come back on. However, I noticed a thrumming (loose metal tap?) every time I accelerate from a stop. So something they did was not put back on correctly. I was in the works of taking it back in to have them check it out when this whole incident happened.
I drive 50 miles one way to work and back and I'm nervous that if this engine is thrown together, it could fail again and potentially hurt me. It's all freeway for me to work and, in San Diego, we don't exact respect the speed limit nor tailgaiting laws.... I just have no faith in how this will run when I get it back. Sorry to the hard working dealership techs...it's just not what I signed up for when I purchased a brand new vehicle.

 

You are worrying too much Lindsay. They will put your motor back together with a new short block. The short block is everything below the heads just as you see it in the pic. Been there and done that with other vehicles with no issues. Dont let these other scumbags get you down. You have good advice...keep the vehicle and move forward or go to arbitration for a new vehicle. You already have enough to think about with having to think about all the crap being spewed here.

 

This is so brutal to read...here's hoping they make good on giving you a new truck!

 

Thank you for this. Truly! This is something I'm trying not to get all up in arms about. It's hard when I don't fully understand what's happening with my truck.

 

I believe they are going back with a short block. Either the guy you are talking to doesn´t know what to call it, or he is trying to keep it simple in hopes that it won´t sound as bad. However, in reality, a short block would sound a lot better to me than a lower end, but I use this terminology everyday. The short block will come from the factory with the pistons, rings, crankshaft, all that good stuff already precision measured and assembled in a clean environment. All the tech will be doing is taking the outer portions, heads, wiring harness, plug wires, etc, and transferring to the new block. I feel like you can rest easy, because this is not a difficult task for a seasoned Tech.
As Sam B said, you are worrying too much. I know it can be hard to not worry, but it looks like they are making it right. I have done this same thing with inboard boat engines, which are basically a GM V8. Had the block already there before starting the job, pulled blown engine, transferred all required parts, reinstalled, aligned, fluids filled and took for a lake test all in two days. That customer now brings his boat to me for yearly service and it has been running great for three years now with no issues. I think your truck will be o.k.

 

Thank you! The only thing I know the SW said was that there were multiple parts being shipped from Toyota and they were replacing parts as they arrived.
I would feel more at ease if they were sending out a pre-assembled short block but it sounds like it's several kits over the span of a week or so from corporate.

 

It is a short block. Service writers are not mechanics. He/she misspoke.

Toyota dealer techs does not rebuild lower ends. Short blocks are supplied and the mechanics go from there.

 

It could be the block, gaskets are coming separate, they may be sending new injectors. It could be little things that they are going to change that don't come with the block.

 

This makes me much more optimistic! Thank you guys!!!

 

I need "high levels of feeling" all the time when I'm driving. Actually it's kind of annoying the chug of Atkinson cycle in certain gears if you don't give it a bit of juice. (6 MT)

 

Subd for outcome. Good luck op. After this weekend, you're gonna be getting close to those 31 days

 

Yeah, it's day 20 right now.
I guess the Lemon Law states "the vehicle is out of service because of the repair of any number of problems by the manufacturer or its agents for a cumulative total of more than 30 days since delivery of the vehicle."
So...even if they make it to day 21 and it breaks down again in the same manner for the same reason and I take it back...it will "resume" from day 21. The 30 days do not have to be consecutive in the dealership.

(Referencing: https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/cars)

I'm holding out that everything just goes smoothly and the truck runs fine. But I'm holding on to this information as well just in case.

 

I have been reading your scenario for days. Tough situation but you are in but don't sweat it. They will rebuild your motor correctly and to standard. Toyota hasn't become the automotive powerhouse it has by taking shortcuts. If it comes up defective, I think even Toyota would have a hard time arguing about replacements. Just sucks for you that you had to be one of those unfortunate souls who got a truck with some issues. Just curious, have you gotten within the time frame of lemon laws in your state? Either way, best of luck to you. Don't let everyone get you all freaked out in here. Just wait and see bro.....and it if it comes back defective, raise Cain and burn that motha down!

 

Definitely makes sense. I don't see them scrapping things together just to get it back to the consumer only to have more issues on the return. I've been calm and understanding with them because they have been very willing to work with me and keeping me updated in a timely manner. I'm very very pleased with the way they are handling it to be honest.

 

Being Calm and Understanding is the key here. I hate to say it, but in the tech world those calm and understanding customers do get the preferred treatment. You are doing the right thing.

 

After reading nearly every post on here I hope they correct the issue on your truck. I'm not a fan of the new 3.5 so far just due to a number of concerns I have with maintenance. I love my 2nd Gen 5 lug and I too am having issues but mine are from hard use to abuse.
I do believe they will eventually get this right the only thing I would request from the dealership is some free servicing such as oils and filters for the headaches. I can personally attest to Toyota doing right in the past so keep your head up and if you have concerns the dealership is just slapping parts in hope for a fix call the Toyota main service line and file a complaint. They usually know what buttons to push to make things happen.

I myself purchased a new Ram 2500 diesel a day have had the headlight assemblies replaced 4 times on the driver side and 1 on the passenger due to moisture. Kind of upsetting that a truck nearly 60k in cost could have this issue from day 1. The dealership wouldn't do anything and after a call to Chrysler they changed their attitude completely.
Things will get fixed just keep the pressure on.
Take care and be hopeful fellow Taco owner.

 

Been on the opposite side of the fence myself and these words hold a lot of truth.

 

Exactly how I feel for this guy. Really hope they take care of her.

 

Good luck OP.