2017 Brand new nightmare

Hey guys! Love to hear your opinions on this one. I just traded a 2013 Tacoma access cab SR5 V6 auto for a 2017 Tacoma SR5 double cab V6 auto. The 2013 had no problems with it since I purchased it new. I towed a boat that weighed 5000 lbs was great in the snow never had a problem with it. I traded that one in because I had 75,000 miles on it and I also needed the additional back seat space. This is where the nightmare begins.....

I picked up my 2017 drove it for 6 days and 500 miles on it. While driving slow speeds (10 to 15mph) I noticed a noise that sounded like flat spots on the tires. It would make this noise no matter if I drove it for 3 min or an hour.

I decided that this can't be right and drove it to a Toyota dealer. I explained the problem and they told me no worries we will take a look at it and let you know what we find. 2 hours later the service manager came up to me and request that I should call Toyota. I asked why and in his exact words were " this truck has some major problems. Our mechanic confirmed there is a noise and it could be from the transmission or your transfer case. Either way we will have to take down the tranny and trasnfer case to see what is going on. Furthermore while we were inspecting your truck we noticed its leaking oil heavily from your valve covers."

At this point I wanted to freak out but il kept my cool and told the service rep that I would contact Toyota. I call and explained the situation at hand and basically told them seeing how this truck only has 500 miles I want them to exchange this truck for a like for like new one. I was told that can't ha and they would have to attempt to fix this one. Toyota sent to technicians to the dealer and the both confirmed that it needs a new transfer case and that it is leaking an excessive amount of oil from the valve covers.

Toyota has since put me in a rental car and my truck has been at the dealership for 11 business days now. I called this afternoon asking for an update as to when I would receive my truck and the dealership flat out told me we haven't worked on your truck because the transfer case has been back ordered and we are not sure when the new transfer case will arrive.

I must have the worst luck on the planet! My first payment will be do before I even get my truck back!!!!

 

Damn that sucks and I agree bad luck. I have had my '17 double cab for over a month and haven't had any issues with it (knock on wood). I hope they get your truck back to you soon.

 

Wow that sucks, I have never seen or heard of such a sad release of a new Generation Vehicle. Same thing just happened to my friends Brand New Rav 4 Limited. Ended up with a another Brand New Rav 4 Limited. The Fore Father's of Toyota must be turning over in their graves

 

That really sucks to hear .... hope everything works out but i'm thinking like you and would want a new truck in place of the defective one .... this doesn't fall under the lemon law?

 

I have to wait until day 15 but after that I'm applying for the lemon law.

 

Welcome to the show fellow Derek. Good luck on the fix.

 

I know this is not what you want to hear but honestly all I can say is be cool with them because they will do what they can to make it right, I was also unlucky with my 16 but they made it correct. I would suggest you stay in close contact with the service manager, they actually have a lot of say in the matter.

 

Thanks 16inferno

 

That sucks. Hope the dealer gets it sorted out. I just had a giant headache on a customers 2016 chevy with 96 miles, 1 hour old.

 

It does suck, but like 16inferno said, be cool. It happens. I had problems back in the day with my Caliber....cracked engine block that required complete tear down. It was stress full in the beginning but never had a problem with the car for 100k miles.

Don't you need multiple failed correction attempts for the lemon law?

 

What state are you in?

 

Call the customer care number and ask that the regional representative call you. Explain to them what is going on and tell them you didnt agree to make payments on a vehicle so it could sit in the back lot at the dealership. Its a major mechanical error on a new vehicle and you want a different truck. And since im in the car business I HATE to tell you to do this. But tell them every survey you receive from here on out, if the problem isnt rectified, you will roast them on. We had a new f150 that threw a rod with 38 miles on it. Ford ok-ed us to reverse the deal and sell the customer an identical truck.

 

Jesus that is terrible. What bad luck. Bet it makes you wish you kept the 13', aside from the extra space.

Good luck

 

That truck must of been built on a Friday afternoon

 

StormtrooperLV from what I read the lemon law stars the dealer has 3 attempts at fixing it. After 3 attempts you have have to notify the manufacturer with a letter of final attempt to fix. This allows Toyota a 7 day period to attempt to fix it. If the can't fix it or fail to acknowledge the letter you can apply.

Another way the lemon law works is if your vehicle is less than a year old and less than 15,000 miles and has been in the shop more than 15 days you are eligible to apply.

Thats my understanding. If I'm incorrect please someone chime in and let me know.

 

Kiichiro Toyoda, may he rest in peace....

wait, is he even dead?

if he's not this may do it

 

Depends on the state. 30 days in the shop is another way to declare lemon status and it sounds like he is well down that path.

 

Reading some of the posts here, it sometimes seems the assembly line only runs on Monday and Friday.

 

I don't understand why they insist you call Toyota. That's what they are for. Although it seems to be a good thing to call Toyota and issue a complaint.

I wouldn't worry about the transfer case being back ordered. Of the truck is in the shop for more than 30 days, normally that qualifies under a lemon law. While they may fix the issues and you never have an issue with the truck again under the factory base warranty, it is a little unsettling buying any new vehicle and it need major repairs.

My advice hang in there another week or so. Stay patient. Get an update and I'd still on back order start looking into your states lemon law. Also file a complaint with Toyota and let them know your unhappy. I would do this towards the end of the repair. That way they don't act fast to pull parts for you. Then you may have a better shot at them missing the time frame and you can return it under lemon law. If they repair it before the lemon law applies then I would bitch and moan because you have a legitament reason to and make sure they give you an extended warranty on the powertrain

 

All in all it sucks!! However I'm still a huge fan of Toyota and the Tacoma. I know this is probably a lemon. I just wished Toyota could have backed me up a bit more than they did.