Dealership full of crap on Service?

Well the dealer where i bring my truck, thats all they had from what i could tell, seasoned mechanics, They currently have a help wanted sign out in front of the service area.

 

My thoughts as a retired Dealer Auto Tech on free/dealer oil changes. Usually: it will be performed quickly by the lowest paid tech, They will try and sell you every thing they can (t-body clean, inj. flush, decarbon service, trans service, etc.), it will be parked tightly in an overcrowded parking lot (door dings), and they may use the cheapest bulk oil.

 

This is another reason that I go to the local garage they run a family business so no newbies to screw up their name. Dealers you never know what damage is cause till later down the road and even then who is the blame chances the fluky is gone.

 

I built a car in my garage once. Compared to that, doing an oil and filter change on a modern vehicle is quite literally a cakewalk. I keep receipts and know which end of the wrench to hold

 

Reminds me of that time ....

 

I did the "free service" one time in 2006... Picked up after their work and there was oil all over the engine bay. Seems the tech just unscrewed the filter and ripped it out.
Never went back. In a 2014 now and I laughed the first year or so when they called about my "free service".

I can get Mobil 1 full syn oil for $27/5 qt. and OEM filters off Amazon for $4.59 each (10 pack). The dealer is just not worth my time nor do they provide value.

 

Didn't do what they said they did (In writing....)
I paid for the first oil change at 1k (I always drop the oil at a thousand miles - old habit....) I paid $$$ for that one out of pocket.
The dealer records show that they changed the oil at 4,500 and 7,000. I guess the dealer thought that no one ever reads the service receipts and wouldn't call them out on it. I don't trust these A-holes to begin with - This just solidifies it! Now, when I bring my wifes vehicle in (To a different dealer!) I make them bring me to it and show me what they're taking off and putting on. I like the idea of ToyotaCare - But it's BS when they don't do the work!

I lodged a complaint with Toyota. Corporate customer service called (Glen Toyota- NJ the dealer) and the service manager said "they made a mistake" (Twice !!) when they stated that they changed my oil and filter during the 2 recalls. (I.e. they were submitting for the ToyotaCare reimbursements and never doing the work.) The CSR said "It's not a big deal because the first oil change is due at 10k"! I explained to her "It's the principle! They falsified service records and didn't do the work"

I did the oil change myself and the skid plate bolts were never touched since it was built. Can't change the filter without dropping the skid plate! Liars!

OEM oil filter never changed by dealer:

 

This thread is discouraging... Are there any Tacoma Owners who have a good dealer to take the truck to?

 

What, a 2017 with only 11k miles? How many times have you always done your own maintenance? Twice?

Mine just turned over 60k... its used now

 

Took my vehicle in for the first oil change early this month at 3,xxx miles. Purchased the vehicle in March and have always changed it, on all my vehicles, every 6 months as a habit.
The dealer (Titus-Will Tacoma /who's also on TW) has the drive thru type oil change station and I can watch the tech perform the task from either outside or near the bay area. No problems here so far.

 

I'm going to take my Sport to Koons in Easton, MD. I told the Sales Rep who helped me buy my truck, what happened at the dealership in Delaware. He said, "that won't happen here...I'll make sure of it."

I will hold him to that promise and come Feb 2022, I will report my experience.

On a side note, I've heard excellent reviews of Koons Easton, MD so I am confident the work will be done correctly and to my satisfaction. I'll ask if they can show me their procedure or at least talk to the tech and make sure they use ratchet instead of power tool to take off bolts.

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I'm sure there's good dealers out there (Somewhere). When you live in the NY Metro area you just accept the fact that they're all crooks! Like they say: a good mechanic and doctor are worth their weight in gold~! "Keep them" (Until they retire....)

 

Can't say for every State. But, you are entitled to receive any part that has been removed from your vehicle. Those parts are your property.

So, before you accept the keys and sign the paperwork.....request the old parts, Ie:the oil filter. They either have to dig it out of the trash bin or create one. If they can't produce the filter, ask them to complete the oil change with a filter.

Trust but VERIFY

 

I have never cared for or trusted the dealers in any department for that matter.
Just got my 2022 two weeks ago and it'll be a while before I go back.

 

F***, that's what my Tundra oil filter looked like too. The plastic housing seemed to not budge at all and took a sh** ton of force to spin freely. Seems like the anti-seize were all melted away. Did you get any clarification on this?

 

Yeah, Better explanation on another post: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...using-with-metal.545972/page-13#post-26540354
Had the same issues- Broke the OEM plastic housing and replaced with metal housing.

So, that picture was the filter at 7k. If the dealer actually did the oil/filter changes when they said they did it would be pristine!

 

im sure the majority of people are happy with their service... just not me and the people on this thread

 

Good point. It would be great to have a thread where "Happy and Satisfied" Taco owners can post their good experiences about a Dealer. (And maybe one for dealers that suck!? )

This way a Taco owner can search for a dealer who has a good track record.(And proceed with caution with dealers who don't take care of their customers)

 

Good idea!

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I do a lot of maintenance on my vehicles based upon a schedule even if it's really not needed yet. On the Tacoma...

Oil and filters changed once a year sometimes twice. Tires rotated twice, engine and cabin filters cleaned frequently, brakes cleaned and lubed as needed, brake fluid flushed once. Coolant topped off once, power steering fluid checked regularly. Also, tire pressures checked frequently, wiper blades replaced as needed, washed, waxed and detailed more than frequently , replaced a cracked washer fluid reservoir once, installed new headlights and fogs. Battery charged at least a couple times a month with a ctek float charger. Also, I have a new third brake light waiting to be installed. Diff/ transfer case fluids/ belts and hoses will probably be replaced soon.

Lots of little minor stuff as low mileage vehicles don't need much. I do start it up and let it run for a bit if I haven't driven it much in a while.