Toyota service frustrations.

My experience has been the same. The first Toyota dealer I went to for warranty concerns was Smart Toyota in Madison,WI. Absolute trash dealer. Would never recommend due to how I was treated. Now I go to East Madison Toyota which is a Penske owned dealer. Top notch service every time.

 

They're the ones who brought up the extended warranty, and I own my truck outright.

That's been my gameplan.

 

Not at my dealer,they tell me what are you worrying about?you have plenty of warranty.i took it back over the transmission shuddering and they wouldnt even check the fluid so i called Toyota corporate and they backed the dealer.

 

Strap a go pro to your chest and see how they react now.

 

So true I just had mine at a dealership the other day. I told them the truck felt sluggish when making turns at low speed it seemed like it was struggling when I pressed on the gas pedal. They looked at it for 2 hours and told me the truck needed an software upgrade 144.00 so I said ok. My truck is a 2017 with 84,000 miles on it. After they completed the software upgrade they told me I needed rotors and a brake job, flush radiator, and fuel/air induction service for a total of 900.00 dollars. I told them no thank you and took my truck. Well that software upgrade did not fix my problem. I then took my truck to a AAA mechanic shop and had them look at it they told me it was my tires ko2 that needed rotation. They also told me you do not need a brake job or rotors. Well that tire rotation fixed my problem. Looks like I found a new mechanic. No wonder they call dealerships stealerships

 

I can't remember how many times I've heard from my dealer that I need new brakes, only to go to another shop and they can prove that the brake pads are way thicker than what the dealership stated.

The brakes must mysteriously inflate or grow in size after leaving the dealership. I know I don't.

Or "Sir, you need a new air filter." I strap the box shut to keep them away from my K&N. They will seriously start pointing fingers at everyone else saying that they were lying after I call them out on it.

 

I'd be pissed and go back with caliper measurements to show them they are liars, probably in a loud fashion for other customers to hear.

 

I have had the worst experience with Penske owned dealerships.

I also had an experience where they remedied the issue to my satisfaction after an executive phone call.

In both situations, the issue was the service advisors, failure to communicate and arrogant management at the GM level.

I have options in town for both BMW and Toyota that are not Penske which helps.

 

Then I would find a different dealer. I never had an issue to get the SM or Tech to take a ride with me so I could show them the issue. Didn't matter if it was Dodge, Toyota, or Nissan. Seems Toyota dealership service is not what it use to be at some dealerships.

As far as the transmission, go to a independent shop that works on Toyota models, check it yourself, or find another dealership who will address your issue with the transmission. I realize you will have to pay the independent shop yourself.