The shop DROPPED my truck

... Like literally dropped it!
Mostly I'm on here to tell a short but interesting story but also to see how you guys would have reacted and maybe some advice.






THE DROP
So truck was under warranty and was getting a new transmission and rear main seal.
They had it up and down several times and my truck does have a shell and a storage system in the back, but not sure why this time was special but it tipped backwards OFF the lift.
I actually think the new transmission was already in.

From the reports it sounds like it hit the back tires and the front went up hitting against part of the lift damaging the fenders and the hood. Oh and in case you're wondering ... no one died or got injured. The mechanic was at the front. (and was pretty shaken up)

INSPECTION
They said they inspected it thoroughly and then me and a buddy went and visually inspected it after they sent it to the auto body shop. Surprisingly we couldn't find an impact spot of where it may have hit the ground so their story of landing on the back wheels may actually be true. Though it may have hit the hitch which my hitch is scraped anyway so it would be hard to know.

There was nothing visually we could find in addition besides the shell shifting 1/2" backwards which actually made it hard to open the tailgate. And worried me a bit more because in 3 years of lots of offroading in the mountains it's never budged a millimeter.

I have yet to drive it or take it to other mechanic friends.




EXTRA INFO
- This incident happened 2 weeks ago today. (4 days after taking it in to get new transmission)
- I'm supposed to get it back today.
- Body shop was done on monday.
- Reported reasons why i don't have it back are:
A. they said they had to put in an o2 sensor (which i knew about)
B. then they wanted to drive it thoroughly which i guess could make sense because they weren't driving it before with a damaged hood that probably couldn't close.
- I've been in a ford focus rental first paid by warranty and then extended by the dealership of course.
- When i first brought it in I also had them do front brakes and get water pump replaced just because it was time which was gonna cost about $400 for both. And while the truck was at body shop i took advantage and had them replace a gas lid and push out a dent in back rear panel total about $100
- They're obviously covering hood and fenders which were totally fine before hand so it's not like I gain anything from that.



MY CONCERNS
- I've been without my truck 2 weeks and had 2 weekend trip plans where i actually wanted to use a truck. (Had to cancel one and had to jump in the truck of another person to avoid dirt roads on the other trip)
- Also I'm concerned about devaluation of the truck.
Keep in mind two things
A. Body Shop said because of the nature of it and it's just out of pocket for dealership they're not doing insurance thus it's not on carfax.
B. I'm also not the type of person to not disclose this if i were to sell my truck to private party. etc
- Obviously one never knows what could happen to the truck later on.
I would assume after driving it if i found ANYTHING they'd cover it. But what about later on?




FEEDBACK FROM YOU

1. How would you have reacted? (i'm pretty low key)
2. What would you be most worried about? (let's assume it landed on the back tires softening the impact)
3. What would you expect the toyota dealership to do?

I have told them I have most interest in a renewal of extended warranty. I'm at 97k miles and my warranty (which has easily paid for itself the first time) is up in 2k miles. Also it just makes sense because their cost on those things are pretty low and it covers those potentialities of the truck having troubles later. They have also mentioned Credit at the repair shop prior to me asking about extended warranty.

 

I woulda lost my shit.... lost it. Like conniption fit.

I'm not sure what I'd do. Maybe wait for others to chime in. But getting the dealership to extend warranty another 50k or something seems fair to me, at least. IDK. that's iffy man. Really iffy. How high did it fall.

The frame could be weak somewhere

 

I’d be getting a new truck. If they can’t use a lift, I wouldn’t trust their wrenching ability either.

 

I'd go ape shit.

After I calm down:
First thing I would is to request extended warranty at their expense - because like you said, you don't know if there's any drivetrain damage that was not addressed/seen.

 

Sorry man. Sucks to hear.

 

holy crap lol, yeah I'd be furious but...as they say, shit happens. As long as they are being honest and assertive in making it right, I would let it play out with them and see it through to the end.

 

I would be fairly pissed. Definitely warranty!

 

WTF is happening to Toyota

 

Ask to see if there was video footage inside the bay.

 

Maybe they tried to “torque” something to “spec” and made it fall.

But I would be wanting a new truck, that kind of fall might cause some unnoticed damage that will show itself later

 

Sad news buddy.

Fight this hard! I'd consider insisting they buy the truck.

Short of aircraft-style metal x-rays, there is no way to know how the frame was stressed by forces it was not designed for.

I had a friend who had a car dropped off the lift. That car had gremlins for years, the shop fixed the first few, but of course became unwilling after a while.

Here's the way I look at it: Will you ever fully trust that truck again?

 

That’s an excellent point! I’m sure there’s a camera that caught it.

 

That sucks. I would find somebody to check the frame. Is it out of square or u shaped.

 

You have lost value now that the truck has damage against it now. You still should have to disclose it even if it is not on carfax if asked. And the paint will match perfectly, not fade ? This is bs.
Get a trade on a new one. A damm good trade in price at that, maybe equal. 97K is up there though.

 

I hate to play the card but I would probably enlist the advice of an attorney. I don't feel like the truck fell off the lift falls into the category of a common "mistake". I understand mistakes sometimes happen, but that wasn't your mistake and it absolutely should not of happened. Mistakes, although unintentional, do not mean there are not repercussions. I don't think the shop would be very chill if you accidentally drove into their lobby.

 

Tell them you have a YELP account.

Ask them if they have contacted OSHA. Offer to help.

 

Didju check where the hitch bolts to the frame to see if it shifted? Such a bummer man.

 

I’d be willing to bet the shocks are toast at minimum.

 

lol.. 1/5 Dropped my truck off the lift and caused irreparable damage. Would have given 0 stars but bathrooms were clean and free coffee was nice.