Radiator Damage

I recently developed a coolant leak on my 2015 Tacoma. Dealer says the radiator was punctured and needs replacing. He also noted that it is very common with Tacomas and the factory warranty does not cover road hazard damage. Has anyone else experienced this type of damage on their Tacoma ? Thanks.

 

Why are you posting in 3rd Gen (2016+)?

If the damage is physical (puncture) I can understand why warranty wouldn't cover it.

Skid plates are not a bad idea. If if only to prevent road debris from fucking up your radiator.

Have you seen the damage yourself to make sure they're not full of ish?

 

1) welcome to TW

2) you are in the 3rd gen forum, '16 +. Your '15 is a 2nd gen

3) look at where it's leaking. If its a puncture, the dealer is correct, it's not a warranty item. It would have to be a manuf. defect to be warrantied.

4) its not a hard DIY to change. If you aren't a DIY guy, you need to find a quality independent mechanic for all your services. It'll save you 30-50% on most items.

 

A common problem in Tacomas,the dealer is an idiot thats just trying too get your money.If the radiator does have a hole in it,its real easy too replace it yourself.

 

Thanks for the responses. My bad on the post location.

I was not disputing whether the warranty covered the damage. Unfortunately, my truck is 7 hours away with my daughter at college. If it were here with me, I would already have replaced the radiator without consulting with the dealership.

I was looking for a DIY fix that someone else had used to keep it from happening again.

 

Not a common problem...

 

Dealer is trying to play you for a sucker.....

 

Let's start asking the right questions....
1) How did it happen? Do you know what punctured it? Is it an isolated hole or does it appear the entire thing got bent in?
2) What does the front of your truck look like? Did you hit something?
3) This is a very rare issue to have. My radiator has taken a BEATING and still has no leaks (at least at this point).

 

Does the A/C still work - it may be more than the radiator.

 

Where is the puncture? I would assume from the front? The A/C core sits in front of the radiator core so if the radiator core is punctured, then the A/C core is most likely punctured also. This is only the 2nd that I've ever heard of a radiator getting a puncture and it was on a different vehicle. It was from a rock that kicked up and punctured a small hole on the front bottom of the core.

Also the real answer you're probably looking for is that no, it's not covered under Toyota's warranty. However, it should be covered under your car insurance comprehensive warranty though it will all depend on how much your deductible is that you'd want to go that route.

 

That's the problem right there. College age girl bringing a 2015 Taco into dealership. They assume she doesn't have a clue and is backed up by her parent's credit card.

Not sure you have any particularly good options beyond sucking up what the dealer is saying or getting it to an independent shop for a different opinion now that they have decided it isn't under warranty.

And no - this is not a common problem at all. Hope it works out OK!

 

Here are the pics of the radiator.

 

Just looking at those pictures, it looks like the back side of the radiator. Also covered by the shroud. Well it's not impossible but highly unlikely place to get a hole. Do you know what happened to the truck to get that hole?

 

Rock damage. Not a warranty issue.

 

I am at a severe disadvantage by not being able to physically inspect the damage. That being said, my daughter did say that recently she had heard two loud thumps under the hood while driving. Coincidence ? Bottom line is that the radiator was replaced and she has transportation to classes again.