Toyota screwed me!!!

I don’t understand how a massive company like Toyota can sell me a damaged vehicle as a Brand New vehicle (2022 Toyota Tacoma) and get away with it!!. I understand that Toyota didn’t realize that the factory installed roof rack was improperly installed at the factory which caused water to run down the inside of the interior which caused mold to grow throughout the inside of my interior and airbags leaving an overwhelming smell of mildew but that is exactly what happen. The water also ran throughout the inside of the dashboard which caused massive electrical damage, I’m sure this truck will have electrical issues for as long as it runs. This truck spent over 6 weeks is the shop and has been to the dealership multiple times, but Toyota will still not give me my money back. I got nowhere calling the main Toyota complaint center, they actually acted as if they were doing me a favor for fixing it!!! The audacity is killing me!!! Be smart and don’t buy a Toyota as they obviously don’t care at all about customer values. It’s a shame that a billion dollar company like Toyota treats their loyal customers (not anymore) this way and take no responsibility in selling me a damaged vehicle as brand new and not taking responsibility to do what’s right!!!! Toyota are truly the scum of the earth!

 

Hell of a first post, but welcome.
If you came on this forum to rally the troops to boycott Toyota you’re not going to like the replies about to come your way. I understand airing grievances and I do agree thats a bit fucked up your roof leaked and jacked up your truck in the manner it did. There was no water staining or dampness noticed before the onset of the mold and such? I figured that wouldve been something visible early on??
That said my work Chevy is on its fourth transmission, full top end rebuild, wire harness replacement, and over $30k in repairs. My Taco (sold) and Tundra have been flawless. My husband’s Tundra has 310k trouble free miles. Thats the majority fan-base is that these trucks are reliable af compared to the big three, or four. Whatever. Joe-Shmo mustve slapped your rack in on a Friday afternoon or something. Photos?

 

I would look into your states lemon laws and see if it meets the criteria if it's had to be at the dealership that much.

 

https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/vehicle-lemon-laws-by-state/#:~:text=All 50 states and the,, used, and leased vehicles.

Lemon Law by state

 

Just out of curiosity how long was it leaking for before you brought it to a dealer originally, unless you parked in a sauna mold doesn't just show up over two or three days, I have repaired countless water leaks primarily in Fords but other brands as well and its rare for there to be mold unless the leak is actively ignored by the customer. Warranty claims where the problem was ignored by the customer thus causing far more extensive damage put the dealer in a very difficult/impossible situation with Toyota coroperate, It would be like telling the dealer your low tpms light came on but you didnt touch the wheel and drove 500 miles before bothering to bring it in, who pays for the blowout tire then.

 

Weird I have had to many Toyota's for someone my age and I will not buy another rig that wasn't a Toyota/Lexus. Good luck with your problem Trade it in and get another one

 

Jay,

Got any pictures?

Years ago I had a Chevy Beretta (Yeah...A LOT of years ago). Trunk seal was leaking always causing the trunk carpet to be wet. I took the carpet out so it could dry and took the car to the dealer to show them the puddle of water around the spare tire. Came back and they said it was fixed.

It had a lot less water in it when I picked it up "fixed", but wasn't dry so I left the carpet out so it could dry out better around the spare tire sump. Several days and a couple of rains later there wan't any more water in the sump, but there wasn't any less.

One morning I was thinking to myself, I wonder why that hasn't dried out yet. I mean, it can't still be leaking, because with all the rain we've had it would be absolutely sloshing around in there if the leak wasn't fixed. Never any more water, never any less....and then it just hit me like a bolt of lightning. I ran out to the car, threw open the trunk, unscrewed the spare tire hold down and threw the tire out of the way, and THERE IT WAS.

The drain hole they drilled under the tire where I wouldn't be likely to notice it. The area they drilled it was dimpled up slightly to strengthen the sheet metal where the spare tire was bolted down. Since it was about 1/4" high dimple, that meant the last 1/4" of water could never drain. But they had to drill it there so it would be hidden by the spare tire. Wiley Coyote - Genius level repair.

So...to the OP....I call your "Toyota is indifferent about my problem" and raise you my "The Chevy dealer literally drilled a hole in my trunk to avoid replacing a trunk seal".

 

Hire a lawyer.

One really bad apple in the bunch doesn't mean the whole company makes junk but I understand your venting here. Look into you state lemon laws. You have given Toyota the opportunity to satisfy your purchase. Now take the next step.

 

Was the roof rack factory installed or dealer installed?

 

I’m sorry for your frustrations in this situation. I’m sure like with every make and model of cars and trucks there will be things that happen, but I am sorry this happened to you. Hopefully you can take advantage of the lemon law as others have stated, it definitely sounds like you’re entitled to this law and issues like yours are why they came up with this safety net.

I’ve been driving Toyotas for nearly 40 years with minimal issues, Toyotas vehicles have been a positive in my life, again sorry this happened to you

 

Fuck Corporate!
They suck ass!
Sorry for your shit experience!

 

I wonder if she already did and made an acct here in hopes of rallying similar complaints to bolster her case.

(The OP is named Jason but identifies as female, but I guess that's common in 2023)

 

I can't really get pictures of behind the dashboard, plus the water ran INSIDE the interior where the airbags sit, I would have needed to take the interior apart to get pictures. Plus this was worked on at the dealership so i'm sure they won't share any pics of damage as it would only throw fuel on the fire.

 

Could be, I don't care if they're a turtle, I think they need to hire a lawyer. Interesting situation, if it's genuine.

 

Tell them to take pics of the damage. It's your truck.

 

That's questionable too, model year 2022 Tacoma purchased as "brand new" and just complaining now?

 

That's it, I'm selling all 5 of my Toyotas. Even though these and none of my previous ones needed warranty work, I'm not chancing it.

Seriously, Miss, sorry you are going through this but it sounds like they have offered to fix things and are trying. Just because you want your money back doesn't mean that's how things are going to play out. It sucks, but doesn't seem to be the norm.

 

No pictures to take as they have already fixed it but it smells like mildew, and I don't think I should have to drive a brand new vehicle that smell like mold because Toyota won't take this piece of shit back!

 

They created an account in an emotional state. 'Jay The Toyota Hater'. ? hmm sounds like an eventual magnet for getting trolled IN a Toyota forum.