Warranty Woes

So I purchase my 07 Taco at the end of May. It was having the frame swapped due to rust, so the dealer ended up keeping the truck for an extra month while doing that and fixing an actuator and cable. They put on new tires and brakes and such too. When I picked up the truck, I mentioned how it was rough driving and made a weird noise/vibration. I was told not to worry, it just the new off-road tires and they'll break in.

A month later, it's worse. So I take it back in and find out the truck has a bad driver wheel bearing, bad u-joints, and a bad carrier bearing. WTF right? For a supposedly inspected and repaired truck, I shouldn't have these issues. Or so you'd think.

Luckily, the wife and I purchased a warranty. Call them and find out they'll only cover the U-Joints... So after ANOTHER month of hassle, Toyota (the dealership) upgraded my warranty to the next tier so that all the repairs will get covered. Called AUL (warranty) back and they said they'll cover the U-Joints and Wheel Bearing, but not the Carrier Bearing...

Needless to say this is a bit infuriating. Has anyone else had trouble like this? Or know how I can get them to cover everything? I've got the "Estate Coverage" which should cover pretty much everything. It even lists Side Carrier Bearings. But not Center Carrier Bearings??

What group does the Carrier Bearing fall under? (axle, drivetrain, tranny, etc.) AUL is claiming that they won't cover it at all. Only under the "Reserve" warranty that's available for cars with under 25k miles.

 

eff that, was the truck fine before it went in for the frame replacement? If so its on toyota, have them replace em.

 

Sadly, I bought the truck while they were still doing frame replacement. My mistake for buying a truck that was literally in 5 pieces. Won't do that again

Looks like I'll have to brow beat someone at the stealership to get them to fix it at their cost.

 

You're getting a new frame, not a new truck. It's a ten year old truck. Some parts are going to wear in a decade, any you'll have to buy the replacements. You knew you were buying a used 2007 vehicle. I'm not bashing you, just suggesting that you think this through.

 

Oh I completely understand it's a 10 year old truck and that parts go out. And no, I will not buy a truck in that condition again.

What chaps me is that the dealer claimed to have done the 160 point inspection and that everything passed, and yet I already had to call them out on a bad actuator. And now there are these issues that should have been noted on the inspection. Even if they declined to fix them before selling it, it should have been noted. I've bought many used vehicles and they all have needed work at some point in time. It's normal for car parts to wear and go out. I just don't appreciate buying a truck that now needs $1700 worth of work.

 

I replied to your post earlier; then removed it. I got to thinking about what you said in your first post.

Why would a dealer do a frame swap on a truck unless it belonged to someone who brought the truck in for the swap? It's really none of my business, but I'm trying to understand how you ended up buying a vehicle from a Toyota dealer in this state?

 

^this. Seems odd, and I can see the OP's frustration if that's the case. Was it sold "certified used"? If so it would be weird it passed all the inspection and then immediately turned around needing $1700 in repairs. The weirder part though, is the condition they sold it in the first place.

 

Someone traded in the truck. They put it up on their website, but wouldn't sell it until the put the new frame on (it was apart of the recall). I happened to come by while they were doing the swap and they sold it to me. They had the new frame on and were reassembling it when I saw it.

It was not a certified pre-owned, but the listing still said it went through the 160 point inspection. Like I said, I'd understand if it was listed stating this was a known issue that they declined to fix. But the fact that it said it passed inspection completely is what's getting me. Two months later I'm needing all these repairs. And went I brought it up when I first got it, I was told it was just new tires. Then the problem got worse. I should've pushed harder for them to look at it when I first got it. I supposed I was a bit too trusting lol

 

That is your leg to stand on.

They need to make it right.

And the tires 'breaking in' is complete BS. Tires have a break in for mold release compound to wear off (grip related) but not for ride. So, as you've learned, procede with caution.

Being their worst nag (persistance) while being polite is the best approach. Up to and including asking for the GM or the owner if needed.

 

Not familiar with 3rd party warranties like AUL and their BS tiers.

If you can get the wheel bearing and U-joints covered by warranty parts & labor, and just pay the part cost on the carrier bearing (<$200), that could be an OK compromise. The carrier bearing is easy to access when the driveshaft is already apart for U-joint replacement.

 

For Toyota to sell something as "Certified used" the vehicle must be no more than 6 years old. Good luck OP. If it passed inspection, and you mentioned the rough ride when you picked it up, you should be fine.

 

lol. Never purchased warranties on my other vehicles. Never really thought to.

Yeah, I figured the tire break in was BS. I plan on being kind, but still firm. I worked in customer service, so I know I'm more liable to assist someone who is kind and persistent than someone who's a total jerk.

The price for the bearing is $240. I was thinking that they wouldn't really have to add more labor, so I'd be willing to at least cover part of the cost of the part if they'll handle the rest. We shall see.

 

Closing the barn door after the horse left but I guess you have to get what ever BS they give you in writing so you have recourse - talking about tires supposed to make noise like a bad wheel bearing - also I don't get 160 point inspection that doesn't catch anything a novice would catch. Is the 160 point inspection in writing.

 

It was written on the listing. I have the actual report and no where does it mention they looked at the drivetrain. I'm definitely all for getting everything I can in writing from now on. Had to do that on the last run with them. I literally hand wrote down everything I wanted done and had the owner sign it and took a picture of it.

 

"had the owner sign it and took a picture of it." sounds like you had you A-- covered - I guess the drive train slipped thru the cracks.

 

Look up the price of the part from a Toyota dealer with an online parts portal, like Toyota of Dallas (ToyotaPartSales.Com) or Village Toyota Parts, and use that as rationale.

 

Good call. I'll definitely check that out and use it for leverage.