09 Tacoma 4x4 - Warranty Coverage Denied

I own a 2009 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 TRD Off-Road. Last weekend I was on a farm road that required me to use my 4wd to get up a steep short hill. As I was climbing up, my dad (whom was in the passenger seat) and I heard a loud pop. We backed down the hill. My dad is a mechanical engineer (57 years old) and mechanic by hobby. He and I determined is was a breakage in the rear axle. We were using this vehicle well within it means. Both he and I were incredibly stunned that this could have happened. We have owned trucks our whole lives and this was unheard of. Of course we both were aware that Toyota has been slipping on the quality of their vehicle construction. Fortunately for me, my truck was still within the limits of the 60,000 miles drive train warranty. After we hobbled off of the muddy farm road I we intercepted a tow truck who towed me into Fairfield Toyota. This was last Sunday. Today I got word that Toyota is declining coverage ($2300) due to "outside influence". The rep I spoke with at Fairfield Toyota said they sent pictures of the muddy truck into Toyota Corp (It was muddy because I was on a muddy farm road and we saw a record amount of rain in March. It was not muddy because I abused it cause I didn't.) When Toyota saw the muddy truck I was told this is when they declined coverage based on "outside influence". Pardon me? I used this vehicle well within the parameters this truck has been advertised for. Its called "TRD Off-Road". I was not even Off-Road...I was on a farm road. I am being taking advantage of and Toyota is not living up to their obligations and agreement I signed into when I purchased the vehicle in 09'. Any help is appreciated. I am going to great lengths and spending an exorbitant amount of time on this issue because I fully believe Toyota Corp is not living up to their obligations.

 

Looks like its time for a lawsuit. An axle shouldn't cost that much, unless the diff was full of shrapnel.

 

I am not sure if toyota is slipping on its quality but things do break no matter what kind of vehicle you own.. It seems to me that it should be up to you how clean or unclean you decided to keep your truck and that should have no impact on warranty.. I would definitely fight this..

 

im not big into lawsuits but i think this calls for one. sorry to heir this!

 

That sounds about right for fairfield toyota..I would never buy anything from them..

 

Let's see the photos! Make the dealer give them to you. This sounds bogus.

 

If your truck ever leaves asphalt, just pretty much get ready to fight the dealer on everything.

 

I would make them explain exactly what outside influence they're referring to.

 

Cards on the table - what modifications are you running?

 

Also today being April 1 and all, you're gonna have to tell us in good faith that this isn't another fools day gag.

 

He's been reposting this shit all over TTORA for the past two days. It's either no joke, or VERY elaborate.

 

Not right this second. All kinds of code gibberish.

 

If this is for reals then toyota would have to show you exactly what caused the damage and you could have them give you a written explanation as to why they are denying coverage.

 

This is just smoke and mirrors to try and dissuade him from pursuing the warranty claim. If he keeps on 'em, he'll get it warrantied.

 

Lets be honest here, the Toyotas of today are defiantly not the Toyotas of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. They have slipped in quality and there is a ton of evidence to support that.

Now don't get me wrong, they still make better vehicles then 80% of the cars/trucks on the road, but they used to be much much better.

 

zero modifications. all stock

 

I am new to these forums. This is no joke. I did request from the dealership to send me the photos via email they used to concluded "outside influence". I will post.

 

That sucks. I hate dealers.I've seen alot of fj cruisers be denied cuz of offroading. The best part is they have that truck offroading on the website.no one stands behind their products anymore.I would give them hell

 

Really , whatever you do , don't take your Offroad , off road .

WTF is that ?

 

Did you get a receipt or anything from the Tow Truck? Call Toyota corporate yourself and get the word straight from the horse's mouth.