Never go to Hollywood Toyota for anything.

Hey guys I just wanted to share my story with everyone how terribly sad Toyota of Hollywood is. It started with my truck having the blind spot sensor throwing a error code saying it wasn’t functioning. I previously took my truck in for this same issue roughly 6k miles ago and they replaced all the sensors for free. This time around after dropping it off they called me back saying it’s going to run 1000$ to recalibrate something happened with the sensor and it got disconnected. I than stated to the service guy “Adrian” that they had done previous work on my truck and that shouldn’t it be covered by the warranty work they did. He than proceeds to say he will check in which 3 hrs later I get a call saying that it’s not going to be covered because I’m out of warranty. I than repeat myself a 2nd time and state this was work that they had done… He than proceeds to ask me if I did any off roading and when did the sensor give me the error. After roughly 10min of him talking to somebody else which I’m assuming is the tech they said they’ll call me back vaguely saying it’d be covered. Fast forward to roughly 5 pm I get the call that everything is covered and that they need the car for the night it’s gonna take more time. Fast forward today 9am I call the dealership and “Adrian” isn’t working today, so the lady I’m talking to is “ Veronica” who than tells me he’s not working today let me ask around to see what’s up. Than proceeds to tell me after 10min that nobody knows what’s going on with my car and that I have to talk to “Adrian” Monday to find out what’s going on. Of course I’m a little upset and ask is there somebody you can ask or maybe like the manager? Now she starts giving a little attitude and says no the managers out today and that if I were to come in now that she I would get no answer from anyone. At this point after numerous questions the gyst is I have to wait for “Adrian” to call me.

Note* this dealer doesn’t pick up their phone ever. Nobody picks up the phone 95% of the time. The trick is to call to make an appt or call sales and than they physically walk to the service area and look for somebody. That’s how bad it is.

While I’m talking to The lady I suddenly get a call from Adrian telling me he’s on it no worries he will call me back immediately after he talks to his tech. 1.5hrs later I call again and suddenly Adrian is the person picking up on the service line. He proceeds to tell me he will call me back in a minute after he talks to the tech what’s going on. He calls me back and says they took the bumper off and that the sensors are dirty and they tried to remove dirt and rocks from the sensor. It’s still giving codes.

*note the truck had the original mud flaps in the back and LA hasn’t rained in prob years… there wasn’t any caked up mud etc… oddly enough they said the sensor need to be replaced which than begs the question why does it matter if the sensor is dirty than? He than says the Service manager is willing to give me a discounted price for parts and labor… so I say sure what’s the price? He kinda mumbles in the background and say 2445… doesn’t even say the word thousand cuz he knows that I’d prob freak out. He says they gave me a discount of 400$ from the labor and roughly 200-250$ for the part. So originally this was going to be a 3000$ fix. I say thank you but please put my car back together and I’ll figure it out. He than proceeds to tell me they need another 6 hours to put my car back together….. after that price I realized something interesting… they were going to charge me labor to install the part even though the labor up until now and even as they put the car back together is free???????

the saddest part about this story is that I work for Toyota Corporate Marketing and handle all their digital marketing as in emails etc… I decided not to argue with the service people and prove them wrong because they have my awesome truck with them. I emailed corporate and going through the proper channels to get this resolved properly but holy cow am I disappointed with this “stealership”.

do not go here at all.

Toyota Hollywood
6000 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
United States

 

I wouldn't take money back to them eve. If they to fix it for free after my encounter with Hollywood Toyota

 

Thanks for the heads up.

Am I the only one super paranoid of all dealership service departments? I’ve been searching for a good one to take the truck to for the first 10k service.

 

I think if your sure it’s warranty work go for it. That’s always been my opinion . Update to the story is they pushed me to get my car Monday afternoon. The tech and the service guy both took a half day suddenly and so they are under staffed. I feel bad cuz I talk to a different service guy who tells me they have high turnover at that dealership. The managers are assh….

 

Ugh that sucks. I only buy vehicles if I have a good dealership I can go to, too many horror stories I don’t want to deal with. Thankfully Cabe Toyota has been great.

 

Nope, I am terrified and horrified by all of them.

 

dang i wish i had blind spot sensors

 

Sometimes you don’t, trust me. Too much tech is a bad thing, especially when stuff shorts.

 

I was blessed to have a good one close by that my wife has dealt with, fortunately.

My suggestion is look in the local forums and ask for a referral.

 

Thankfully, my neck still works

 

Just got my truck back. Hilariously everything works normal again and they didn't change out the sensors. They tried to tell me it might work but it might not. I think they fixed the initial problem by just reconnecting the connectors. No charge at all but hilariously they also disconnected my dash cam and didn't really explain why it's working now.....

 

Can't say that I've ever found decent service from a dealership....for anything...of any make. Chapman Honda of Tucson tried to upsell me services my Ridgeline didn't even need...basically tripling the service the truck needed, which was the 100,000 mile timing belt replacement. I did find a decent local shop, so that's where everything goes that I can't do myself.

 

The Ducati dealer in Newport Beach is amazing. I would imagine most exotic car dealers have pretty great service too.

 

Honestly im surprised anyone still uses dealerships for anything other than buying the car. Tons of amazing independent shops especially in socal that do honest work.

 

Maybe because they're still under the manufacture warranty? For example, like mine, I just purchased it so it has the standard toyota care for 20k miles, also included from the dealer I purchased from was the 20yr/200k limited power train warranty. In order for the warranty to be active I need to keep receipt of work done and keep up with the service from a dealership if I want the warranty covered. This sort of puts some of us in a bind. Do I do the work my self (as I do with all my vehicles) or let the stealership do it and hear their BS and upsell.

I have yet to read any reviews as to which stealership in SoCal is good. Anyone???

 

You don't have to go to a dealership to do required warranty maintenance, as long as they are licensed and do the job correctly you are covered.

 

Wow that sucks. Glad you got your truck back. I always go to Longo Toyota great prices for oem parts in person, but everytime I call the parts department I have to call 15 times for them to answer the phone.

 

Hollyweird.

Never go there.

Got it.

But yea, that's shady af. They have no reason to disconnect your dashcam especially. That would raise some serious red flags with me. I had my previous vehicle in for a free oil change (only reason I'd ever go to a dealer) and they did a drive because it was new and I was asking about some odd shifting with the CVT (which, btw, never get a vehicle with a CVT) and watching the camera after was hilarious. The lead guy was passenger and I watched him point it out. Immediately expressions changed and conversations were "customer states..." right on topic, lol. I've also taken it to the local tire guys at Les Schwab to rotate cuz they do it for free (back when I bought rims and tires from them) and with my disability it's just easier. Some, the honest ones, could care less... others will take a couple looks and make sure their shit is straight and they are doing everything right lol.

But man, really sorry you had to go through this crap. It's such a shame to see businesses, even stealer ships, operated this way. O well, karma's a mfer, and you are doing the right thing. But I also agree with others... the last place I'd go is a dealership, especially one that I didn't know. Taking it to them for a diagnosis is not so bad. I'd let the dealer I got mine from do the basics or at least give me the details, and they would, but that one you went to needs to be avoided all together. Thank you for exposing them.

 

I have used Toyota of Glendora and Longo Toyota with good results. I really only go there for warranty work though. They both try and sell me services but I just tell them “let me think about it” and that usually put an end to the upsell

 

Good to know. Glad you got your rig back