Extended Tacoma Warranty Not So Good

Hi Guys,

I own a 2006 Toyota Tacoma V6 Pre-Runner. I'm the 2nd owner of this truck and it has 74,000 miles on it. It also has the Toyota Extended Transferrable Warranty to 100k. About 4 days ago the motor started knocking unexpectedly. I took it to the dealership in Oklahoma City and they're telling me its in the bottom end but that the warranty should cover it no problem. Now they're telling me they want my oil change receipts. I mean when someone spends $20k plus on a new vehicle they take care of it. However, the fact of the matter is is that the vehicle has had the proper maintenance performed since the day it rolled off the showroom floor especially where the oil changes are concerned. I'm 110% certain of that. It wasn't a work horse tow vehicle either as the guy drove it to and from the highschool he taught at. If Toyota denies this claim I honestly don't know what to do. They're telling me the repair will run upwards of $6,000. The reason I bought this truck was because of the warranty and I was tired of fixing my last domestic truck all the time. I honestly never thought I was going to need to use it anyway considering this is a Toyota. What good is an Toyota extended warranty if a company can just blame the operator and deny accountablility?

 

I'm horrible about keeping reciepts too but eh... try another dealer though it's probably already logged in the system. The real question now is why did it fail? Unfortunately there's not much you can do other than try other dealers... :/

 

The onus is on them to prove that something you did caused the failure.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus01.shtm#Magnuson-Moss

 

Hey Guys,

Ya'll rock and I appreciate the replies. Thing is the dealer is working with me here. It's Toyota Motor Corp that's is questioning why the motor failed at this piont. I mean its going to be a costly repair and I'm sure they don't want to pay. Mechanical items (even if maintained properly) tend to fail. Other than that I have no clue.

 

god that sucks.not to common on these trucks.hope the best for ya bud.

 

Good to know the dealer is working with you. Unfortunately, extended warranties are moneymakers. Of course they don't want to pay out if they can avoid it. I would review the specifics of your warranty and read every word to make sure there aren't any requirements that you fail to meet. Good luck.

 

I'd fight it for sure. If you need to then hire write them a letter describing how you plan to handle the situation (i.e. Attorney and recover legal costs). The burden is on them to PROVE that the lack of oil changes caused the problem. (Unless stated otherwise in the warranty documents, READ THEM).

You also could get a notarized affidavit signed by the original owner and yourself and maybe they'll accept that? Just be honest with them.

 

Hopefully you get things covered and fixed properly.

It has been stated here many times that if you get your maintenance performed outside the dealership get the independent shop to sign and stamp your maintenance book, or keep the receipts from your supply purchases if you do the maintenance yourself.

Don't fool yourself and think that because people pay allot of money for this truck that they take care of it properly. Just last week there was two individuals who posted that they were nearing 80,000 miles and had done nothing but oil changes. That's TWO major services missed and well underway into the third.

This is standard procedure and nothing personal. Hope it works out for the best. I wouldn't worry until they flat out denies your claim. Keep a calm character and present yourself in a professional manner.

Best wishes.

 

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

I would think that they are just dropping the pan to check for metal shavings and debris - not to check for sludge or pan cleanliness. It'll also allow them a decent view of the bottom end to do some more trouble shooting.

Hope everything works out.

 

Well the service writer said specifically they wanted to look for sludge/oil debris. He also said that Toyota Motor told them to pull it down to the piont of failure. At that piont, it will be decided it the owner is to blame or if Toyota is liable by the adjuster. If I am, I gotta pay for the teardown. If not, Toyota pays for the repair. Its like Vegas or something.

 

I have officially been denied warranty service because Toyota says the oil wasn't changed enough or run low on oil which caused excessive rod bearing wear. Lesson learned here, if you buy a Toyota (or any vehicle) with a warranty get and keep oil change receipts from the shop you get the oil changed at or have it done at the dealer. My 2006 Toyota Tacoma has officially lasted me 3 months and 3,000 miles before needing an engine overhaul. Nice move Craig

 

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. It seem like Toyota is going the way of the American companies. I had an '89 Toyota truck with 90k/7yrs. and the 12/36k warranty on it and they fixed the leaking head gaskets ($1200) with no questions asked. Seems like times have changed. Good luck. I hope everything comes out good for you.

 

I just got the final word from Toyota. They have no idea what caused the bearing failure because the oil wasn't sludged so they agreed to cover it. Rock on Toyota and thanks for all the replies.

 

Good to hear! What transpired in the last 10 days that made them change their mind?

 

great news!

 

I really don't know although it might have something to do with the fact that I wasn't rolling over.

 

toyota still sucks for jerking u around at all

 

thats great news.hows vegas doing now.lol.

 

glad you got it taken care of!!