Dishonest Stealership

Just wanted to follow up to this thread and the OPs post.

I'm at the dealer now for my 20k service, apparently they do not check the differentials or transfer case under the toyota care "check and fill all fluids" mantra per my service rep.

I only went in under for toyota care for the10k service before and had no issues. However this time before going in I removed my skid plate thinking I would make it easier on the tech, and easier for me to inspect before driving off the lot. Also ensure that there would be no cross threading or anything with the skid plate bolts that i have also read about on here. GLAD I did! Got the truck out and pulled it into a parking space and crawled under the truck to check, only to discover oil leaking from the oil filter housing. Drove right back in the service bay. "Check it again" I said, "oil leak".

If it were me working in the service bay, I would probably know that tacomas have skid plates and that there's probably a reason why it's missing... the owner is going to check and probably cares more than the average Karen... better do a good job. Anyway, frustrating that the guy only had one simple job and still managed to F it up.... some peoples kids lol. #endrant

Anyway moral of the story, with any service department, even a good one, it's important to check their work.

 

My last service for a oil change, they didnt clean the oil up so it was dripping all over, they forgot to put the locking clip back on my fumoto valve, and they cross threaded my skid plate. I took it back and they "fixed" it, but instead of cleaning the threads they just impact gunned the bolt the rest of the way in.

 

The reason I change my own oil even by-passing any "free" changes. If you don't give them the opportunity to screw something up, they can't.

 

That is a good position to take. The toyotacare isn't free by any means, they build that in the MSRP of the truck and then say it's "free." Normally I shy away from dealer service too but I decided to go against my gut and at least get the 10 and 20k service, overall I'm happy I did, but glad i double checked their work this last time and highly recommend removing that skid plate ahead of time so you can check it on the spot.

 

You want something done properly do it yourself!, i was offered free this and free that...no thanks!, I don't need their free shit...

 

I completely agree, dealer service has it's place, and I feel I got my money worth out of it (didnt realize that 20k service includes replacing the cabin air filter) that's $20 right there!

 

Guess I should follow up here and update that the service guy eventually came out and told me that everything was installed correctly the first time, and that they unscrewed it and checked the gasket and location and everything seemed ok so they put it back and checked and it still leaked, so then they replaced the gasket and then it was fine...

idk if that was a line or if it is possible to get a bad gasket (never experienced that before myself), but anyway I crawled back under there after the second time and doesn't seem to be leaking now and because I removed the skid, no oil mess on the truck. I still need to reinstall my skid plate this weekend so I'll double check that and everything else topside. In general, it was worth it to me to do the two main toyota care appointments. Just need to go in with expectations managed.

 

Wait. Your list said Check and Adjust All Fluid Levels. Which fluids aren't included in All?

edit: I found the brochure on Toyota Care and there are no disclaimers regarding non-included fluids. I think you are well within your rights in the contract to have them check all fluids. Now, they are just going to do a shitty job, especially if you make them mad, so there's that.

 

Doughnuts, coffee, TV, and that eager polite Service Writer do not make up for poor service. It just makes you feel a little better about being screwed.

 

I think we have had this same discussion in another thread. They left a large oil stain on my seat on trip one. Trip two they put the access cover on my skid on upside down and cross threaded the bolts and also bent an 90* angle on my license plate somehow.

 

Probably, I have 1 more "free" service, going to try a new dealer though.

Usually the bending the license plate is someones pant leg catches it while they walk too close to the front of the truck, or if they washed it, the spinning brushes like to destroy plates.

I think this is the first item that I have owned that I really cant wait till the warranty is up.

 

This was the rear plate (no front here) and it is inset on the RCI rear bumper. Was guessing a brushed car wash too, but after the skid screw up, who knows.

 

Thats a new one.... you usually have to be trying to fuck up a rear plate.

 

As one who worked in a service industry for the last twenty years, and was a customer of that industry for twenty before that let me assure you, nothing is free. If a business gave you things at truly not cost they would be out of business. You will pay for it one way or another. It may not be itemized, but you will pay.

 

You would think. It's just a license plate, but it is the lack of care that things are worse after the dealer EVERY TIME.

 

I think thats one of the issues. Tech is paid to do one thing, anything they break after is ignored. They dont get paid to fix it, so they wont do anything about it unless someone complains.

 

Especially since I would presume they are charging back to Toyota saying "see we did all this".

Ran into a similar thing with Jiffy Lube. My truck is 2WD. Found out they charged me for 4WD service, which includes checking transfer case fluid. I called the owner, who to his credit was brutally honest and thorough..told me it turns out they charged me several times prior the same way. He cut me a check immediately for the overage and gave me a free oil change coupon as well, which I used at another station.