Should Toyota's Service Warranty Cover Steering Knuckle at 13k miles old?

I bought a '23 TRD OR and my steering wheel plether wrap was loose on the left side. I took it in to get it replaced, which they did and I was in a hurry to get to another appointment and noticed the steering wheel was not centered, more to one o'clock area, I am anal like that, and the steering wheel plether was worse. I called them and specifically asked them to order another and asked if they could inspect it for defects and to fix the steering wheel offset.

They called back when it arrived and the service tech and manger said it was good to go. I go back in, 90 mile drive, and they said my steering knuckle was bent and that is why the steering wheel was off center. They then said they put it on the alignment rack and adjusted it, but it needed to be replaced, for the low low price of over a thousand dollars. Oh and my steering wheel plether is still messed up. I also remember my wheel not being at the one o'clock position when I got there the first time. The service writer said it can happen in big parking lots, but I live in a town of 800 people.

Looking at the service warranty, it should be covered as far as I can tell and when I think back on it, when they said the bend in the knuckle came from a hard push from the back, I recall them eye balling me to see if I had been off roading and jumping rivers Duke of Hazzard style. I have been off road maybe three times and have never been in the situation where I can remember a hard push to the back of a tire. I feel like I am being played

Thoughts?

 

I'd say that they're dishing you some BS. You would have certainly notice the wheel off center before you took it in, right? I mean who wouldn't? So if the wheel was centered before you took it in, but not when you picked it up, I'd say that it was something that they did. Did they remove the wheel and put it on crooked? Bent steering knuckles happen in big parking lots ... huh? From a hard push in the back? As the Click and Clack brothers used to say, "Boh-oh-oh-gussss!"

 

I called the dealer to make sure we had the stories right. I then called my local mechanic buddy and he kinda chuckled and said yeah, they are working me over. Apparently Tacoma steering wheels can only go on one way. They don't have splines, they have a collar with four notches or maybe just one. And yes I'm 53 and notice when a weird noise or something is wrong with my truck and an off steering wheel was bugging the hell out of me.

And they said it is not covered under warranty, she said it was "not a Toyota issue" and that I did it. I am having them look up video footage, but I don't have my much faith in that

 

Your bumper to bumper warranty covers that

 

I think its gray area. I've had the dealer say nothing, say the knuckle was bent, and say there's too much aftermarket stuff on my truck to "realign" to factory specs. Took it to my preferred alignment shop, first couple of times they said everything was fine. My last trip to Utah, I knew something happened. Alignment all out of whack and warnings on my dash. Definitely bent the knuckle then. You could even see the negative camber. The dealer also quoted me over $1k to replace that. I got a used OEM knuckle online for under $200 and then had some gussets added to them. Better than new now.

I doubt your dealer will cover it under warranty. My guess is they will blame "off-roading" on the damage and then say its not a warranty part.

 

What the ?

Hadn't realized the 3rds have bendy knuckles. Wouldn't other things possibly be damaged from whatever bent the knuckle if it were a jump or whatever?

Also....dealerships usually have big parking lots.

 

If the knuckle is bent I can understand it not being a warranty concern because it didn't bend for no reason and it'd likely be an insurance claim. Of course the question then is who was driving when the damage was inflicted and can it be proven that person was driving?

 

If your steering wheel was ok before you brought it in maybe the yard boy hit something moving your truck into the service area. Of course the person is going to keep their mouth shut. This would be my argument with the dealer. Ask if they have any cameras on the lot,or look for yourself. If they do and it shows your truck leave the lot that would be the end of the argument in my books.

 

I have been the only one who has driven it, unless my Dad backed in to something when he needed to get in to the backyard, so I am really at a loss here. I would have remembered backing in to a stump, rock, dead elk or whatever would cause it to bend in that direction. I have the alignment print out and maybe post it so someone with more experience can shed some light. I am also finding dash cams for a our fleet of semi's and came across one that I bought that does come with a parking mode. If it does cost me a thousand or more, I am going to be pretty well pissed the hell off.

 

I am having them look in to it, but we run cameras at work and I we keep them for about 1-2 months. I am not sure when the first time I took it in. But yes, That will be my argument and it will most likely fall of deaf ears. Toyota see's this as a you did issue. Nothing to prove it was us, but I will drive my ass down there to watch the video myself.

 

Fn bullshit

 

I get that but the knuckle didn't bend for no reason. I'm not saying it was anyone in particular but something out of the ordinary caused it.

 

Fine before you took it in, off-set steering wheel and bent knuckle when you picked it up....

Ipso Facto: They bent it. Slamming into a speed bump in the dealer lot at 40 mph moving it to the service bay would do it. (IMO)

Case closed

 

TBQH, I have never actually read my entire warranty, but I know that generally automotive warranties cover manufacturing defects. That means that unless it came from the factory bent (unlikely), it is not covered under warranty.

I might start with having an independent mechanic inspect the truck to see if it is actually bent.

 

That is exactly what I am feeling. But I need me the proofs they did it.
Is there a thread on how to catch the dealership putting the D in my A???

 

Boh-oh-oh-gussss!
I love car talk and listen to the podcast reruns.

 

Wait, now I'm rereading this. It was fine before you went in? And then the steering wheel was more off centered? How was the alignment? That may just be needing that tweaked? But they they are saying that there is a bent knuckle and that can happen in a big parking lot??? What the actual f? That doesn't sound right at all.