Broken tab on cabin filter door

I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. I follow the severe service requirements and replace my cabin filter every 30 - 45 days. I live in the desert and work in an extremely dusty, gritty environment. The right side retainer snapped off of the door. I'm still under 36000/3yrs and have the Platinum extended. My original dealer says its not covered and will cost $1464.10 to fix. They say the dash has to be removed and the entire airbox needs replacing because the door is integrated into the box. I am taking the issue up with Toyota and travelling to another dealer. The tabs have always been stiff, It still seals, but I would prefer to fix the damage.

 

Velcro?

 

Maybe, I am still in shock over the price quote. I have a case with Toyota corporate, waiting to hear from them next week. They say it should be covered.

 

Duct tape?

 

It's taped for now.

 

I'm wary of any repairs that involve removing the dashboard. I've had repairs on previous vehicles that involved removing the dashboard and I feel it's just one of those things that never goes back together 100% right.

Here's the thing - if you're going to be changing your cabin air filter often and the dealer would be replacing it with the same part, odds are that the new part is going to break too, leaving you back in this situation. It might be worth figuring out another solution like adding some other type of latch.

 

I had the same thing happen to me on my 2015 when I changed the filter this past weekend - one of those stupid little tabs broke off!

Did you ever come to a resolution on this @aztac0 ?

 

Yes, Big Two Toyota in Chandler, Az warrantied the repairs. I got my truck back Friday. They had to remove the entire dash to repair it, but its as good as new now. It's dealers choice whether they will pursue it as warranty work. If you have a good dealer, they should fix it for you.

 

30-45 days seems like it is way overkill to me. I run in some dusty conditions at times. I might pull mine out twice a year. Even then I normally just blow it off with the air compressor. I am on my second in 67k miles. Took it out 2 weeks ago and it had some leaves and stuff on but was clean other than that. I try not to run the HVAC system when I am on dusty roads.

 

I work in the sand and gravel industry. The dust is powder and extremely abrasive. I enjoy air conditioning on the 100 plus degree days. 42 miles on dusty crazy roads per day between 3 pits. I had an a/c condenser coil fail after clogging with said dust. I was changing my filter every 60 days. If you can get by with 2 filters in 67000 miles, more power to you. I would prefer not to have to pay for another coil. Filters are cheap. Coils are not.