Quality control issues on 2017 models?

Beetlejuice, beetlejuice, beetlejuice!

 

I tried.

 

I think he just had a kid (he said something about expecting a visit from the stork a week or two ago) so he's probably so sleepless he's hallucinating that he owns a truck at all, right now.

 

This data requires the defective component to be replaced/warranty'd, right?

If the part is never replaced and/or written as defective it wouldn't be included in this sample?

 

This covers customer issues where a component is replaced or adjusted. Since I showed the NA blower motor data I'll use it. If the blower motor is replaced or "adjusted" (fan balance clips) due to abnormal function or noise then the data is collected in to the trend for part failure. If the customer comes in and a mouse has build a nest in the HVAC causing debris to sling around and all the tech has to do is clean it out then that is not added.

And for Toyota - if the part is replaced then it is always written as defective. It would be my job then to prove if there is an issue, why there is an issue, and root cause.

In my experience customers are usually the ones who break something or are over sensitive.

Do we make bad components sometimes, sure. Imagine a bell curve with all perfect components dead center. There will always be outliers low and high. But complaining that your 6 speed trans shifts too much or that your rear leaf pack squeaks... it's all subjective.

 

He got put on ice for 30 days for his constant negativity and sniveling.
It's been really nice reading threads today without seeing his snarky posts in them.
Hopefully he either comes back with a better attitude, or just doesn't come back at all.

 

Understandable. What I'm getting at in Toyota's case (and I'm willing to admit a confirmation bias here) is that if one was to adjust the parameters within which a part is considered in spec; whether its the level of vibration or noise acceptable, tolerances on components, or...shall we hint...the level of perforation a frame must have to warrant a full replacement, it is evident that simply changing the rules can change outward appearances.

If I dictate the acceptable characteristics, it certainly helps reduce my warranty claims (losses) when a vendor misses the bar or a component I verified and tested within spec results in a bad batch. OR, when I continue to use the cheapest part because my losses on warranty claims outweighs the redesign and replacement of the bad (the still vibrating, failing needle bearings for example).

Toyota has of course obligated portions of each sale for warranty claims, but they are going to do everything they can to extend those customers outside of warranty periods so that they can use the obligated funds for when they have to replace tens of thousands of frames on 10 year old trucks.

When a customer has an actual problem with their truck, and the response from Toyota is that it falls "within operational specifications"...a... "characteristic of the vehicle/component", or just a simple "its normal." It releases them from reporting the failure, and subsequent warranty replacement of the component.

If they simply move the benchmark until customers are outside of their warranty period, push dealers to not pursue unknown sources of issues, and leave customers uncomfortable with their truck long enough to buy an extended warranty for work that should be performed within the factory period, Toyota saves money.

 

But in most cases both statements are true! Is the door frame in spec but on the low side and is the door seal in spec but on the high side? Sure! Happens all the time and may need adjustment. That's why you get the nice warranty. My 2000 4Runner needed a few small things when I first bought it as well as my 2015 tacoma. As for vehicle characterics complaining that your trans shift too much but then also wanting better mpg... there is no winning.

Don't get me wrong, OEMs always want to protect them selves and bullshit like the frame replacements and paint defects do happen.

All I am trying to say is that Saying the gen 3 is worst then gen 2 and is just subjective opinion and that compared to other vehicles tacoma has fewer traceable failures.

Sorry typing on a iPhone isn't the most useful tool. Haha

 

COMPLETELY agree. We're definitely not at a place yet to point at "generation" differences in terms of quality. What I am finding is that my current Tacoma has the identical type and quantity of issues that my 2013 Tacoma had, ironically nothing was fixed between the gens. What has changed immensely is the way that Toyota is handling said issues, with it being significantly worse now.

 

Honestly ever since the auto market crashed all OEMs have been Pushing warranty charge responsibility to save money. Usually that means placing blame on others. I am tier 1 so I take the blunt of it. I (DENSO minion) supply to everyone but Toyota is usually easy to work with. Honda and Hyundai are the worst by far and FCA does really care about their products.

 

This happened

 

New baby in the house, getting 30 days is probably a great thing for him (and us, "by association" lol)

Have to say, that was a surprise turn of events.

This thread though.....

 

Yep, a little surprised myself but probably a good thing for both sides. He can concentrate on the new kid for a change.

 

I certainly hope so.

Raising children will really separate the men from the boys imo.

Best of luck to you with das Kind, Smitty

 

Yep, he thought he had his hands full with his truck, this is a whole new world to deal with....

Congrats @smitty99! Hope the wife and kinder schnitzel are well.

 

Oh yeah, make good use of the time off too!

 

On a somewhat related note. I think part of what's hurt some dealers service departments....in terms of customer service....is Toyota Care. Before TC you had 3 types of people in for service.

1. Warranty
2. Those who think Toyota has to perform routine maintenance because they own a Toyota.
3. Those who think Toyota has to perform any repair work because they own a Toyota

Enter Toyota Care. Suddenly dealerships are flooded with people taking advantage of that free service. My local dealer has become an absolute cluster fuck in the service department. They even converted the main shop into nothing but TC bays and moved legitimate repair and warranty repair to a building that was a warehouse at one time.

All that pressure as hurt customer service to some extent. Having worked in that field for a few years...I can tell you that dealing with the public is brutal. It's most of the reason I left. So you add more customers to an already over stretched system of service writers/advisors....and things are bound to deteriorate to some extent

 

sorry to hear that. A few lemons do get pushed out of these plants since they are rushing to get these trucks to the dealer lots.
I know it's frustrating to have issues with a $30k+ vehicle but it happens when the Toyota plants are trying to meet demand for these trucks.
There has been Camry's, Corolla's, and Rav4's that roll off the assembly lines with issues. It's possible though since those vehicles sell 300,000-400,000 units a year.
All you can do is take your truck to different dealerships until one can fix the problems your truck is experiencing.
You may be at your wits end with the truck and contemplating trading/selling it privately on something else and can't say I don't blame you. Getting rid of the vehicle would be after I exhausted all options though.

 

YUP

 

I've owned one Hilux, three 1st gens, one 2nd gen, and now my 17. The 17 has so far been even better that the others. I really like it a lot.