Leaking 2017 Tacoma BAD MOLD need advice

Maybe acceptable to some. But not to me. I already have a compromised immune system from cancer... I beat the cancer, but my health isn’t something I’m going to mess with over a stupid pickup... especially something that was t my fault.

 

You shouldn't, especially when it's already been stated by professionals they can't getc100% of it

 

I’m not getting this. You authorized them to tear it down to correct the problem but it isn’t an acceptable solution?

 

I wouldn't want it either, if they fix it I would just trade it

 

That adds a whole new wrinkle to the matter! Once the 'repair' is completed I would shop for a new Taco (or whatever) and trade the old truck in. Period. Amen!

 

I didn’t really authorize them to do anything but look at it, but the dealers stance was no matter what happens even if Toyota buys it back or traded me out of it, the pickup will have to be repaired anyway.... so I haven’t authorized anything in just waiting to hear from the divisional guy

I did tell them they could tear it down to see the extent of mold but that was about it.

 

They tore it down alright. I hope that you get this straightened out to your satisfaction soon. Too much stress is no good for the mind and body.

 

This keeps getting repeated, but I'm guessing what they won't guarantee is the mold won't come back, which makes sense, and is different from them saying they can't get 100%. If mold grew once, there's nothing preventing it from coming back. OP could get the seats wet on a rainy day, and then leave the car sitting for a month in a damp garage, and boom, new mold. The conditions existed once for mold, why would a company warranty something that can be influenced by external circumstances they have no control over?

We live in a country where the manufacturer has the option of repairing or replacing, and rightfully so. I don't think the dealership would be going through all this trouble if it was a lost cause. As others have said tearing out the seats, carpets, and headliners, and then running ozone or other mold treatment through the hvac should sufficiently kill all the mold in the car. If OP is unhappy with the the remediation the dealer is offering, he can sell his truck after it has been repaired and buy a new one. Luckily he drives a vehicle with one of the best resale values of anything out there.

 

Having owned over 13 Tacoma’s from various years, I can say I have NEVER had a mold issue Until this one. And that’s living in the PNW.....Luckily we here in the country also have rights as a consumer against defective products. I’m not trying to screw Toyota, I just want to feel confident in my financial investment, something which I always was in my previous Toyota products until this issue. I’ve lost faith in this particular vehicle, not Toyota’s in general. Just won’t wver have faith in this specific truck... so I will wait and see what Toyota proposes. I honestly don’t feel like I’m being unreasonable about the issue. But that’s just my point of viewX others may differ

 

The flaw in your stating that this is acceptable is that the dealer has never offered to fog the truck.

 

I agree! I would have lost faith in the that vehicle as well. You are not being unreasonable.

 

Which is why you're not having to spend thousands of dollars pulling the interior and treating for mold.

And there's nothing in any consumer protection laws that states anything about your faith in the vehicle. If you push legal action, you might luck out having such a low vehicle mileage that toyota will realize that even if they win, the legal fees will be more expensive than just giving you a new truck.

 

I’m willing to go as far as I need to go. Hopefully it just goes smooth and everyone walks away satisfied....

 

If you ask the mold remediation company about this, I'd be surprised if they agree with that.

A few months ago mold was discovered in the office building where I work. They sent us all home to work from home for months. The mold remediation contractor said they cannot clean the flexible ventalation ducts, so all the HVAC ducts are being replaced - even in parts of the building that did not have mold.

 

The op did exactly that and was told by the mold remediation co. that they could not guarantee it would not return.

And welcome to TW .

 

@ OP, there's a lawyer here on TW. Maybe you could get a tip or two from him for free. Can't remember his username but he started a post about electrical trouble.

 

Keep fighting the good fight OP. You are being completely reasonable.

Cleaning the visible mold and killing it is hard, removing the dead spores that are still a hazard is going to be impossible. I wouldn't put my kid in that truck for anything.

 

Have you told your dealer about your previous cancer and your compromised immune system? That might make them change their minds.

 

I have not, but I also haven’t spoke with the divisional guy yet... that’s supposed to be tomorrow.