Am I getting played....

Ok, so I have a 2017 DCSB Sport MT with just over 36,000mi.

At ~35xxx I wanted the dealer to run through the truck to find anything or hopefully nothing before the 36k warranty expired. Here is a quick summary from a e-mail I sent to the dealer about a week and a half ago. I kept dealer names out of it at this point.

"My 2017 Tacoma Sport has been in your service department three times now for the same issue and has not been resolved. About 2 to 3 weeks ago my "Engine" light and "Trac Off" light came on. Below is a quick summary of the three trips, which have been covered under warranty
Trip #1 - Made a appointment and we brought the truck to your service department could not find anything, but a few old codes, which were cleared? A few days later, the engine light and trac-off light come back on, so we make another appointment.

Trip #2 - Brought the truck in and the service department found that the carbon filter was clogged or not functioning? According to your service department, this would cause the solid engine light and the trac off light. The service department stated they will order the part and when it comes in, we will make another appointment. We also rented a car for my wife since going to the dealer is not exactly convenient to our schedules. Not a issue, but I try to make it easy. This Monday I got a call from Toyota of (XXXX) stating the need part is in and made appointment for yesterday, Thursday.

Trip #3 - My wife again brought my truck into the service department to get the engine light and trac-off light taking care of, for we thought the last time. In addition, I called yesterday AM to add on a oil change since this is three trips and did not want another just for a oil change. Around 3pm yesterday my wife went to pick up my truck and the oil change was not completed. While she waited, you performed the oil change and comped it, which was very generous.
Today, I get into my truck, start the engine and sure enough the Trac-Off and Engine light are back on. At this point I am frustrated as to why this has not been resolved after three dealer visits? I am at the point I need to bring it to another dealer to fix my truck, but unfortunately (said dealer) is the closest. I am calling (another said dealer) this morning to set-up a point to get this issue resolved once and for all. Overall, can you advise as what is causing this Trac-Off and solid Engine light. I feel like I am getting the run around and I am tempted to call Toyota Corporate. My truck has 36,000 miles and I feel like I have been to your Service Department many times and I feel like I have issue after issue.


A week ago 2/19 I bring my truck back for the 4th time same issue. They claim it was under the hood fuse panel as a prong was bent. As of Friday they were having wire harness issue. As of yesterday PM still no word when my truck will be fixed. This has all been covered under warranty and have a complimentary loaner (POS Camery LE).

Overall, am I getting fucked/run-around? Should I be patient? Should I go for Lemon Law?

Thanks for any advice

 

I think that they are having trouble finding the problem and will continue to replace parts until they fix it. They might be incompetent or it might be a really hard problem to diagnose. Hard to say. I'd probably try to continue with patience, but you've been patient for a pretty long time. It also sounds like they're not really good at communicating with their customers...

Anyhow, you're probably a long ways away from Lemon Law territory. If it makes you feel better to switch dealerships, then do it for peace of mind. And you should definitely complain to corporate if the dealership is jerking you around.

Just my 2-cents.

 

I get your frustration bro. I'd say continue to be patient. It sounds like they are at least trying to figure out this issue by replacing parts. If they were just telling you "Oh we cleaned this so you should be good now" then that's another issue. Have them give you a warranty on the work they're doing since your's is about to expire.

 

Just spit balling but maybe grab an ODBII connector and try and diagnose yourself? I'm looking into that I really dont like the dealers in my area

 

Taco_Craig, thank you for the reply, I do appreciate this. As I quoted you above, this hits this dealer square between the eyes. I have to call them every day to see if we are picking up the truck or not? We need to make room in our schedule to go get the truck or keep the loaner ( move car seats leave work etc..) To be honest, this may be be the most frustration part.

Overall, I do believe they are trying to fix it and there is no out of pocket expense for me. So I will take the advice here and be patient.

 

Some problems, unfortunately, are not easy. Patience.

 

Op, the dealer does not know what the phantom electrical problem is. This is why they are shotgunning parts at it. Eventually something will do the trick. That's the nature of the beast sometimes with electrical problems on vehicles. That is why some of us moan and groan everytime someone wants to see a new electrical gizmo on a vehicle. When that shit breaks, good luck fixing it.

On a separate but related note, what's wrong with a Camry LE? They are nice cars.

 

Do you have OEM gas cap or a stant locking gas gap?

 

Thank you for reply, nothing really wrong with the Camery except it is not my truck. Compared to the new Forester premium it feels cheap. Anyway, we live in NH and always have 4wd or AWD vehicles for commuting to work on crap days. My wife is driving the Camery, as I have her new Forester . She dropped my truck off and her name is on the loaner, so I get the new car. Of course I have put more miles on the forester than she has and it still has less than 1,000mi

 

OEM cap - all stock except 265-70-17 KO Bros.

 

I'm not saying you're getting the run around, Just wanna say my distrust of my dealer's service dept. I'm a former repair shop owner and know how the business should work. I've taken my truck in just because it was the free services. First time 5k, I as them to do the transmission TSB, explained the symptoms. Also the hood bracing goo was separated. Their response was never heard of such TSB and the goo was supposed to be like that (loose bracing). I had to call the manager and inform him of my background and didn't appreciate the BS I was hearing. When I picked up the truck, it was fixed.
10K service up. Asked the service manager to also check Differential, transfer case fluid, and transmission. Response was you can't check the transmission fluid, it's a sealed system. I then say yes it's possible and how to do it, to which he says, Oh, ok. I understand dude isn't a technician, but he should be knowledgeable of the vehicles they are to be servicing. I'm learning with the free services, you get what you pay for. Even though I did buy the truck from them.

 

Any updates here @dnlskier ??

 

What state are you in? Lemon Law is unlikely with the number of miles you have.

 

From your dissertation... sounds like the dealer is not providing workers skilled in the tasks assigned to them.

 

I agree and this is a problem plaguing the entire industry, not just 'Yota.

 

Electrical issues are often the worst to troubleshoot, the problem has to be there for them to find an issue and electrical issues are often intermittent. I would say be patient and let them continue to do their work.

 

UPDATE: Truck came back last Fiiday 3/1 and so far, so good. I have yet to go thoroughly through all the paper work, which I requested.

The basics, #1 - the fuse box under the hood had a bent prong, the replaced the entire under-hood fuse box.
#2 - having trouble with wiring harness from said fuse box - replaced
#3 - replace entire wring harness from front of hood to rear - not sure what this is?

Overall, all on warranty and had loaner Camery for no charge. They claimed Toyota Field regional manager and Toyota regional Parts manager were involved, I assume for warranty issue? The dealer had the truck for a total of 11 days this 4th trip. I have never ever had a car this long at a dealer before, kind of left a sour taste in my mouth for a car I plan to have for a long time.

 

Sounds like they are trying to fix it and you are not being patient. I understand that 11 days is a long time and not convenient. But I don't understand why you have a "sour taste" in your mouth after the truck was returned to you with multiple electrical parts changed out and, so far, no issues. Sounds like they are doing everything they can to take care of it for you...

 

I agree . Electrical problems are tricky . Sounds like a great dealer doing a good job .