11,000 miles Clutch Failure?

Bought a new 2017 TRD Sport MT last year and I have loved it. 11,000 miles on truck. Haven’t had any issues until recently. Due to medical issues, I haven’t been able to take the truck out much over the past several months. Last week, I noticed what appeared to be the clutch slipping with a faint odor of clutch burning. I needed to take the truck in for 15,000-mile service anyway, so I had the dealer take a look at it. They let me know that the clutch was done and that I was at fault (no warranty coverage). I feel like I have been easy on the clutch, but even if I had been somewhat hard on it, I find it extremely hard to believe that it would be failing after 11,000 miles on what is mostly highway driving. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

My thoughts are the warranties we get with new car purchases are a scam.

I don't know how you drive, and certainly you could be at fault, but damn, 11,000 miles and the clutch is gone?

Should last 100,000 miles, maybe more.

 

Very few people really know how to drive a manual. Even many who have owned one for years. A clutch either works or it doesn't. About the only way to wear one out in 11,000 miles is using it wrong.

 

There is a chance for mechanical failure but unlikely, the one possiblity is lack of free play in the clutch pedal. But that has other issues on top of wear.

 

Another person on here who said they've driven manuals all their life had his go out in 300 miles. Something's not right Imo. I have a 87 pickup with 270k on original clutch.

 

He was called out many times by myself and others in that thread.

11k miles could be a faulty clutch no doubt, you just don’t know how it’s driven. If someone stands on the clutch pedal all the time especially at stop lights, it’ll wear fast.

My 1st Gen was on 140k miles original clutch when I sold it, it was like new.

 

Before a dealer decides their not going to cover a clutch going this early in its life I really think they should have to take a drive with the customer in a manual. It's too easy for them to say it's your fault...11k is alarming

 

You never know. Could be anything. Bad clutch, weak PP, engine seal so some oil got on it? I've had them go out in a 1/4 pass in my racing days. But that was my fault. Too much HP on low HP clutch.... Lol

 

All I’m gonna say is it’s hard to get any dealer to cover a clutch. It’s considered a wear item and most of the time they are going to blame abuse.

 

You Are correct.

 

277000 on mine

 

Using the clutch as a brake when rolling to a stop, or riding the clutch, are the only scenarios I can think of that would cause premature failure.

 

^^^^ this.

OP, put yourself in the dealer shoes, evaluating a wear item.

How do you determine the item was correctly used?

Clearly 11k is odd, but when money is on the line, it's easier to say no than yes.

If you don't win the battle, at least have your replacement work done at a good independent shop and use upgraded aftermarket parts. 'Cause clearly Toyota doesn't deserve your money at the rates they'll want to charge.

 

Yes, I knew there was a 99% chance they were going to go that route. But at what point is the blame on them? I honestly feel like I would have to go to some serious effort to ruin a clutch at 11,000 miles. They’re going to try and charge me $2,000+ out of pocket to repair and replace.

 

2k is crazy. I bet you could get some better aftermarket parts for a couple hundred and a decent shop would charge maybe $600 to install it. That’s the better route to go. It’s a shitty situation, especially if you know how to drive manual and didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe try calling corporate and file a claim and see if there is any hope they or the dealership can goodwill this for you

 

After I bought the truck, I moved across the state (Texas). Thus, the dealership providing the service is not the dealership where I bought the truck. I have contacted the salesman at the dealership where I bought the truck, and I know he can vouch for my ability to drive a std trans. Seems ridiculous that it would need to come to that.

 

most of this new junk is junk 16/17/18 junk

 

Should I offer to perform a driving exam?

 

https://www.urdusa.com/urd-stage-3-clutch-for-2gr-fks-3-5l-v6-w6-speed-transmission/