Dealer won't service my truck

I think that whomever he talked to got it wrong. Seems strange for a dealer not to work on a 2009 vehicle. I've seen dealers work on 40 series Land Cruisers. I think confirmation is needed. Seems very odd and they should be called out on it. If they still say no he can move on. I'm a customer, high maintenance or not I'm a customer.

 

You're so hot.

 

Read the original post. It says trans service. It's not like he called and needed a serp belt or brake job.

It makes perfect sense for a dealer to not want to do a trans service on an older vehicle. My dealer and many other shops feel the same way. They don't have to take on a job that may end up going bad just because the guy has a Toyota.

No reason to make a huge deal out of literally nothing. Guy is much better off at a reputable trans shop anyway when it comes to a trans service.

 

That's why I would have called and confirmed. Just my way. People do things differently in life. I'm not a jerk about things. My trashing quote was too harsh and dramatic. But it's terrible customer service to deny a simple job. If they think a job might go bad they need new mechanics.

 

A trans service can go bad regardless of who is doing it. All it takes is one piece of old burnt material to get dislodged and make its way through the trans. Couple that with most dealers who will not do any sort of internal trans repair, and it can be a mess for everyone. If the service does go south at least the trans shop has the knowledge and experience to try and repair it.

I don't understand why you think it's bad customer service to not want to take on a job and refer the person to someone who is more suited to do so. This is fairly common practice in the auto repair industry.

 

They are the servicer for the Mfg. I believe they have the expertise to do the job better since they are trained specifically for Toyota vehicles. Yes I understand it's common practice for referrals.

 

So if a customer comes into my shop and tells me I HAVE TO DO THIS REPAIR

then that means I can charge as much as I want and THEY HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE right?

 

Doesn't matter. Transmission repair is its own specialty. Most dealers are not equipped tool wise and tech wise to do internal transmission work. Hency why they may avoid a trans service on a 15-year-old Tacoma.

 

Fairly normal to deny services.
The is always a risk preforming services such as a transmission service on older high mileage vehicles.

A lot of shop don’t want to run the risk of “what can happen”. And most customers aren’t going to sign a “no fault” waiver.

The shops that will service transmission charge a lot, because to do it right you need to physically open the transmission by dropping the pan, cleaning the pan and replacing the filter. And THEN and only then do the service CORRECTLY.

And after all that, there still a small chance you “could” develop a problem.

I guess my point is, it comes down to liability. And IF there is a problem. No one usually wins. Both parties end up with money spent.

I say do a drain and fill and drive it.
Then do another in about 6 month is all is fine.

 

OP did want trans service...

Jokes aside, shops can refuse work for a variety of reasons. Up north, one such reason is collateral damage due to rust e.g. to replace $50 part A, part B needs to come out, but $1000 part C is rusted solid to it and needs to be sawed off. A transmission fluid replacement on a high mileage unit can cause problems X% of the time. It's up to the service writer to explain all this to the customer.

 

You've found an honest dealership, they did you a favor. While there is a very slight possibility of doing more harm than good, there is zero possibility that changing it at this point will help anything. Just drive it and save your money. When you get 400,000-500,000 miles on it have it rebuilt.

 

Thanks for the impassioned replies all. I own a service business and must refuse service nearly every day. I've been a member here since I bought the truck and had never read a report of a dealer refusing service so thinking it odd, I thought I'd see if anyone else had the same experience.

Someone here said 'reputable transmission shop' he must be lucky to live near one.