New Clutch after 6 months - SCAM???

Please HELP! I have a 2006 Tacoma 6 speed 4x4 V6 manual trans. I have been on some loose dirt roads and through some small puddles. I was driving on Thanksgiving and stopped at a light. When I went to put it back in gear I couldn't. I was totally locked out of all gears. I had it towed to the local Toyota Dealer (James Toyota in Flemington NJ) They told me the clutch was totally flooded with mud and leaves and that I caused the problem. Its going to be a $2300 repair bill. He also told me that it isn't covered under warranty and said that I burned out the clutch. Am I being scamed? I never got the truck stuck, I've neverd towed anything, I don't have oversized tires. How did I burn my clutch out in 6 months of normal driving?? If it was burned out why couldn't I get it into gear, wouldn't it just slip?? Most importantly how the heck did water and leaves get into the bell housing? Isn't that a sealed component? If anyone can shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently thinking about taking this whole ordeal to court.

 

Banshee, thanks for the info and feedback. I totally agree. I am not going to back down. The customer service rep was completly usless, I have to talk to the district mgr. Anyone else with feedback or info is greatly needed. I want to build a good case in my favor. Thanks to all.

 

Dude they are scamin you. I have the same truck and I got mine stuck in a big puddle, needed my buddy to nudge me out and I drive the thing like I just stole it. There is no way in six months you smoked your clutch. I'd get a lawyer if you can. The court route can be a long and confusing route.

 

i would have to say there is no reason for a clutch to go in six months. fight the man!

 

Thanks for everyones support. Here is the final verdict.

I had a TOP NOTCH transmission mechanic go to the shop with me and view the "damage" first hand. There is NO damage to any of the clutch parts except for the clutch plate itself. It was totally fried. There was 2 inches of water laying in the bottom of the bell housing. The largest puddle that I went through was about 6 inches deep and I did hit it pretty hard. I've never crossed a river, never had it bogged down, never even used 4 wheel low yet. The fact stands that the water made the clutch slip until it actually welded itself to the flywheel. No smoke or burning smell because of the water in the bellhousing. Both mechanics say that in all of their 20 years of working on transmissions, they have never seen such an issue. The only explination is that I left if overnight in a river. Which I didn't do. Its a 6 month old 06 with 9k miles on it. I baby the hell out of it. I now have to pay $1100 to have the new clutch assembly installed. I'm going to call Toyota and tell them that if no one has ever seen this before, could it be a defect? I'm still under the feeling that I can't drive my truck in the rain for fear that I'll get water in the bell housing again. I CAN"T BELIEVE THIS!!!