09 Tacoma 4x4 - Warranty Coverage Denied

All auto manufacturers have a representative that deals with owner/dealership conflicts. They have titles like area manager, or zone manager. Go to Toyota USAs website and search customer service, or whatever page gives you info about who to contact regarding disputes.I have done this several times over the years, and it has always resulted in a call from the dealership telling me to bring my vehicle in, and they will make the repairs or provide the service they had previously denied.



Dealerships do not like to get calls from the zone manager.

bill

 

Indeed they did

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/eventcoverage/131_0403_donahoe_toyota_tacoma_baja_1000_race/index.html

The trucks/SUVs were stock except for suspension for larger tires...Only SUVs and trucks are allowed in the class.

The point is its a long arduous race off road.....It is an endurance test more than speed....Who can outlast the elements with a stock vehicle. I was just as surprised as anyone at the results and the Honda's ability off road. Baja is not exactly rock crawling but it is considered a major off road venue.

 

The problem is Toyota is set up differently with another layer of ownership in the regional franchise distributors. They answer to Toyota but are independent at the same time and apparently set their own sticker prices and even "factory" After market Service contracts.

The "zone" manger could be a member of the Moran family in the Southeast who owns the SET distribution rights. (and the company that administers the "Factory Extended Service Contract" through a company they own called Fidelity

 

It is truly amazing how one persons story can really take away your feeling of comfort. I drive my truck assured that if something happens, such as premature wear on a key component, I am covered under warranty.....WRONG. I started reading this thread a little too late, to suggest anything that hasn't already been said. You certainly shouldn't have to be going through all of this, it is absolutely ridiculous that you as a consumer has to fight for an auto manufacture to stand by their product that they market as "off road capable". I am really bummed out as I sit here and read this story, I feel for you and I wish you the best of luck. I will post this on the Face Book page also.

 

Don't need one persons story. I have a dealer who would do the same thing. I hesitate to bring the truck in for anything. I am beginning to think if you are going to buy a new truck for the warranty you had better spend more time shopping service depts then vehicles.

 

I honestly have received great service from my dealership, HARR Toyota in Worcester Mass. I completely understand that dealerships vary, and that other people experience less that satisfactory service. I hope that I do not experience any trouble with my truck, if I do I hope my dealership takes care of me, time will tell.

 

When the dealer's have close competition as in an urban area, you can really shop service. My best Toyota service dept is 80 miles away. The local dealership is not so hot.

 

You absolutely have to shop service depts. its absolutely ridiculous. if i just want some plain jane maintenance i go to my local dealer where i bought my taco. if i want to go to a horrible service dept i go to the next one down. if i needed some serious warranty maint i would go to the 3rd dealer thats about 50 miles away but its also only about 20 min past my work. this is not even including the dealers that are on the other directions.

 

Toyota DID Not put that Tacoma in that race. I know the people at Icon which some of then were Donahoe very well and I've even been in that Tacoma a time or two. Honda on the other hand put all of it's resources into building that very one off vehicle for that race. It was no where near what they have on the dealer lot and had sub frames built into to help it survive the rigors of Baja. Honda had a fully sponsored race team behind them to run that rig and the Donahoe Tacoma was a private vehicle owned and driven on the streets by a mem ber if Donahoe racing at the time.

 

This whole situation makes me sad as well. I have have alway bragged about my Tacoma (I owned a 99 PreRunner before my 09 TRD. Great truck!). Now I feel like not only is the Tacoma's quality gone down the tubes, but Toyota is turning a blind eye to its customers and blameing Toyota's poor quality on such things as "outside influence" as brought on by its customers. I am thinking about selling the 09 and going back to one of the earlier models like and 2001 4x4.

 

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/eventc...oe_toyota_tacoma_baja_1000_race/photo_01.html

Doesn't look like an unsponsored stock street truck to me. Loosk like its ready to run the Baja. and Toyota put the FJ in the race and it was taken out buy a rock.

What Baja races did Toyota enter a Tacoma in "officially" and how did they finish? Seems to me only the 4 Runner actually won. Another Uni body

I happen to respect that race for what it says about a vehicles durability. Especially the Stock mini class. They really cannot do a whole lot to those vehicles in that class.

I am sure that Taco has its own custom suspension as well. The point is people are always ready to bash another truck brand whether Ford or Honda and they have proven themselves worthy for their owners. I simply don't think the Ridgeline is all that bad of a truck and offers the capability of a pickup with the comfort of an SUV. I would consider one if I need it's capabilities as a 4WD.

 

Can we do the OP a favor and NOT further bastardize and polute this thread with pointless discussions of Ridgeline vs. Tacoma? Start another thread if it's that fucking important to you. This thread has most likely gotten the attention of Toyota, so use it accordingly, it's a valuable thread!

 

This whole situation makes me sad as well. I have have alway bragged about my Tacoma (I owned a 99 PreRunner before my 09 TRD. Great truck!). Now I feel like not only is the Tacoma's quality gone down the tubes, but Toyota is turning a blind eye to its customers and blameing Toyota's poor quality on such things as "outside influence" as brought on by its customers. I am thinking about selling the 09 and going back to one of the earlier models like and 2001 4x4.

 

Toyota's "quality" is running on reputation fumes.....

I hope they are reading this thread.

 

Arguing with Wyatt not advised...

 

The whole "outside influences" excuse is piss poor. The real measure of the reliability and toughness of a truck is how well it interacts and handles "outside influences", if that's how Toyota categorizes a farm road.

 

Thank you HomeGrown. This thread has gotton the attention of Toyota. They have commented on the Facebook post with the link to this forum. I am looking forward to arbitration. I am curious to hear the reasons I was the reason my rear end blew up. I will be sure to post the results here. I am told arbitration will not happen for a month due to processing and paperwork. I have a feeling Toyota will do everything possible to defend themselves against me in an effort to make their claim that their vehicles are still what they were and thus shutting this forum down. I am ready.

 

Good Luck....Can't wait to hear results

 

It's fairly obvious Toyota is appealing to those "would be" off roaders who like the "idea" and "image" but in reality believe the truck is not suited for such from the showroom to the desert. They don't even view it as a hauler as evidenced by the 5 years TSB for rear springs strong enough to actually haul. Of course we don't see advertising of 600LBS of crap being dropped from a crane into the bed.

They are selling an"image" more than a solid off road truck. Advertise but do not dare put YOUR truck in those situations pictured "Professional Drivers on a professional course" and all that jazz.