Warranty coverage on 2003 3.4 engine

I have a 2003 Tacoma that is 5 years 4 months from its purchase date. (4 months out of warranty) The mileagae is 56060. 3940 miles under warranty. On Aug 26 I threw a rod. The truck has been serviced regularly (not by a dealer) and is in excellent shape. I purchased this vehicle 2nd hand.

The local toyota dealership has not been very helpful and the 1 800 # person was not very helpful. I called the the service rep and asked for a contact # for the district or regional service rep and was told that they do not give out their phone numbers.

The certified mechanic that has taken my motor out told me that from his initial inspection that it was definitely hardware failure. (broken rod most likely)

Any advise on how to proceed and what the likelyhood of any support from toyota will be?

The Service rep at the dealership told me I had a weak case and that he wouldn't go through the expense of arbitration. (I didn't know arbitration would cost me anything)

I am new to forums and am looking for been there done that type of advise.

Thanks
aj

 

My father owned a Cadillac years ago. The engine self destructed 3000 miles out of warranty. He called GM and got told "tough". He threw a fit, threatened to post all over the Internet, park his car outside the dealership, hire a lawyer, contact Consumer Reports, etc.

They split the cost of a new engine with him.

Squeaky wheel and all...

(yes this is the same father that has hit everything that could be hit with his new Lexus)

 

yep.....gonna have to raise hell man. call the bbb and tell them about whats happening, also, call toyota's 800 number again, and threaten to go to the local news station and newspaper if they aint gonna stand behind their product. sorry it happened to ya buddy.

 

stand behind their pruduct? the truck is almost 6 years old and this guy isnt the original owner...first owner may have redlined it all day every day... I mean I understand being upset when something blows right outside of warranty, but it does happen and its not always the manufacturs fault/problem ... other thing is with it not being serviced at a dealer they really have no way of knowing if the first owner changed oil at 3K or 7K

 

Find a dealer who sell the most cars. Go to them..

if you where in CA, you would go to Longo Toyota. they well 1300 cars and truck a month.
The hirer volume dealers are more willing to help.

I would call your loca paper and get a write up fast. I know some new station have reports who love this stuff and they might be able to help you, more than you think..

Also search local College with T-TEN programs. You might find help with was. THey train poeple to be toyota tech. You might know some one who can help you out this way.

Start asking around. SOme one might have a friend who knows someone.

This is a tuff thing to get fixed, but it done all the time.

 

Yes But aren't the warranties 3 yr or 36,000 mile? Whichever comes first. That is the way it is on my 2005.

 

Exactly, good point. I can see it different if you were orig owner & the dealer did all maintenace.

 

Got a call from The local Toyota Dealership Service Rep. I had asked if I could speak to the District Service Rep last week. The local Service Rep called me today to tell me that the District Service Rep in Chigaco will not call me. The local Service Rep told me that Their positon is that I should have brought the vehicle to them for repair.

Funny thing when I had initally called and talked with the service department they told me that my bring the vehicle to them would be no help and that I needed to contact Toyota directly; I called Toyota and told them I really wanted to take the vehicle to a dealer for them to inspect and Toyota told me this would not help and that I would have to go through arbitration.

I bought this vehicle from a man in his mid sixties; he sold it because his wife had trouble getting in and out of the vehicle. I am close to 60 and I don't think the previous owner redlined it and I know I didn't.

Sure the warranty five year limit was exceeded by four months and they do not have to help me in any way; however the truck is under the 60,000 mark by 3,940 miles. After hearing that "Toyotas last for 200 and 300 thousand miles no problem" I thought they might be willing to help.

Another thing I did not know that warranties were only for the original owner and that if you did not have your vehicle serviced at a Toyota Dealership that raised questions about the vehicle quality of service. What little reading I've done on this web site shows that some of the Toyota service workers do not even know thier product that well;i.e., what is standard or after market product.

Last overpriced Toyota for me ; oil cooler that will fit in the palm of my hand and is Dealer item $571 dollars.