Leaking diff, we keep your truck???

So I took my truck (2016) in for the 15k service. While it was there they did the inspection for the rear diff recall and determined mine was leaking. They said that they are supposed to pull my truck off the road until Toyota comes up with an official "fix" There seems to be some confusion about this.

In the official Toyota letter I saw it says if a leak is detected the dealer is supposed to replace the diff carrier gasket and install new bolts. If the rear diff is determined to be damaged they are to replace the whole thing.

However in the service flowchart I saw it said basically if there is ANY leak, pull the truck off the road until an official fix is released which seems sort of overkill to me and conflicts with the directive in the letter.

My dealer wants to just give me a loaner and keep my truck an indefinite amount of time which I am not cool with. I use my truck for real work and I am not going to use a rental truck in that manner obviously. Has anyone else run into this situation yet? If so how did you handle it?

 

They can't take your truck. Demand it back.

 

Holy crap. I just scheduled my 15k checkup. This has me nervous. Please keep us updated.

 

I already told them I don't agree to their solution and will sign a waiver that I am ok to drive it until an "official" fix is released. My service advisor said they already pulled two trucks off the road for a couple weeks and there is no clue as to how long until an official fix is released.

 

I had a very similar situation when the wiring harness for the passenger side curtain airbag was deemed defective. They wanted to keep my truck as well because the part took a month to get in. They had to get an "official authorization" to let me sign off to drive the truck during that time period. They better let me do the same thing this time or just replace the gasket and bolts like the letter states.

 

Yep there's a YUGE thread already on this

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ossibly-lose-control-of-vehicle.488536/unread

 

I agree with this. There is a really great podcast/youtube video on this subject. Lehto's Law ep. 3.23 "Your car is Unsafe to Drive!"

 

Use the link from Smitty, its been discussed to death. Basically, your truck your rules. They can piss off and can't forcefully take your vehicle.

 

Tell them to give you a rental truck on their dime

 

Even if they give me a rental truck I will be hesitant to use it as I would my own. Plus I don't want my truck sitting on some dealer lot for months.

 

They cannot take your truck against your will, you own it; however, if anything happens because of the leak/recall, you basically will have the short end of the stick when it comes to litigation. Extreme circumstance is the diff cracks while you are on the highway, you wreck the truck and 5 other cars, YOU are liable at that point (for your car and 5 others) and may not get any compensation from Toyota. All depends on state laws. You knew about the issue, so Toyota is not responsible for damages if you do what they advised.

I personally would be trying to sell the truck and go for something else BUT you should fight for a truck loaner (treat it how you would your own).

 

This is where I'm torn the more I think about it. I use my truck to haul fishing stuff and kids. IF they wanted to keep my truck and let me use theirs (free) I would be inclined to do it. On the other hand, I don't want my truck damaged (hail, etc) on a dealer lot.

At any rate, time to check out the other threads I missed on the subject. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I've decided to skip my "Toyotacare" dealer service until this is resolved. I don't have a leak, but don't want to risk losing my truck to the dealer.
I do as good or better oil change as the dealer anyways.

 

save your receipts and keep notes

 

Get them to give you a fully loaded tundra for a loaner and beat the shit of it. that's what I would do if they refused to give my truck back... asshats

 

Old News.

Search Function.

Recall Notice.

At least you're getting the loaner!

 

Free vehicle indefinitely ? I'll take it all day long. Time for a cross country trip.

 

This is why when I found out I discussed it over the phone & sent them pics
of the rear diff. SA said, they showed the pics - a few spots of weeping that were
dirt dry to the touch - to a tech, he said yep, he needs the parts. I told her I'd
have to put off the 15k checkup and to call me when the parts are in, you're
not keeping my truck on the lot for months. They had no problem with that.

 

Nice user name OP.

 

Take pictures of the truck on their lot to document the condition of it so in case their is damage they are responsible for it. Demand the exact same model of truck that they have taken from you. Drive their truck as many miles as you want to on their dime until they fix yours.