My (warranty) frame replacement experience

While I am very grateful to Toyota for the repair, this has been bothering me for some time now and I keep intending to write to the mothership about it - here are my beginning thoughts.

My frame replacement experience was abysmal. No loaner was provided. The dealership had my truck for more than three weeks, if I recall correctly.
I had to supply rear shock absorbers which they claimed could not be reused; a front caliper and a rear wheel cylinder that they broke the bleeder screws off and a sway bar link that broke during removal. The replacement sway bar link I provided was gunned on so hard that the attachment nut spun and will require a torch or grinder for removal. They also wanted to charge for a power steering high side line which they claimed would break when removed. When I supplied the replacement line, I was told it didn't need to be removed. When returned, the front bumper cover lower attachment was done with cable tie, several fasteners were missing from the grill, some of the inner fender sections were missing, the alignment was improper (wore out front tires in less than 1500 miles), the left front brake line was so tight at right lock that I was surprised it had not pulled off, the ebrake cable had been crushed obviously by carelessly allowing it to be pinched between the body and frame, at least one of the rear brake line fasteners wasn't secured, no rear suspension bump stops were installed, the left bed cap vent window operating mechanism and left rear bed cap window latch were damaged. The clock and radio stations weren't even set.
When I returned to the dealership and complained about the tire wear (as a starting point), I was told by the service manager "we will do nothing for you, you don't spend enough money here".

Am I expecting too much? Nearly every time I work on or under it, I find shoddy, incompetent, incorrect or incomplete work that needs to be redone.

The dealership responsible for my concerns is in Western New York and rhymes with fourth down Toyota, avoid at all costs!

 

I take it that techs probably dread doing these recalls. They should have done the work right regardless of how much money you spent at their service department. And I don't see why you or anyone should have to buy new parts that are related to the recall. It's not the owners fault the frame needs to be replaced. If a bolt or part is too rusted and breaks then Toyota should cover that not the owner. Chances are you would never have to touch a lot of that stuff that breaks when they do the recall. It's not like Toyota is doing this recall out of the kindness of their heart.

 

I can see how you feel that way, however I think Toyota owners who were fortunate to be offered new frames, came out ahead. My Tundra was given the protective coating. Frame was too good. I sometimes wish that I hadn’t periodically applied FF during my 17 yrs of ownership! I spent a lot of money keeping that frame in good shape.

 

When they did the replacement on my 07, another Toyota dealership, I got a loaner. They called me to inform me that the AC compressor had been damaged and would need replaced, and the water pump was leaking and would need replacing. Total cost @$1,500!!!! I told them that any damage was their problem not mine but they said that they would not cover anything damaged in the replacement. I called corporate. In less than an hour I received a call from the service manager informing me that I had misunderstood!! They were going to be able to “repair” the compressor damage and low and behold, the water pump was fine. They also installed new brake lines and fuel lines. The service department of that dealership is why I would never purchase another truck from them. By the way, I sold the 07 this year. AC and water pump still fine!

 

When I picked up the loaner, I asked the girl at the desk how long they would have my truck and she gave me an evasive shrug. When I informed her it was deer archery season and that their RAV4 loaner might be called upon to haul a dead bloody deer, but not to worry, I would spread some plastic bags under it, she seemed interested in getting my truck back to me speedily!!!

 

Dealerships are a hit and miss. Depending on there location and the local gene pool they may not be able to hire the best employees to work on these vehicles. Especially when you throw in some rusty frames.