Rock in pulley in brand new truck

I'm brand new to this forum (posting wise anyway) so bear with me please. I just bought a brand new 2014 Tacoma double cab sport package. It is already in the shop. I am being told that a rock was caught in a pulley which busted my serpentine belt. Is this common? Never happened in my 06 Tacoma (same make and model). They are waiting to see if the cost of repairs will be covered since it is a brand new truck (literally only has 300 miles on it). Thanks in advance for any advice. I may lose it if they tell me I have to pay for repairs.

 

did you do any off roading or did it just pick up the rock driving around town?

 

IF the only thing that is broken is the belt - They'd have to prove to me, and show me "the rock", that did the damage. I'd also ask for the dealer / service rep to provide me with the number of belts that have broken on trucks with less than 500 miles on them due to a 'rock" damage. Hopefully the Dealer will just change the belt and win over another customer ...

 

I was on a dirt road for maybe a mile during my weekend trip.

 

typical dealer BS.

 

They said the belt, 2 pulleys, and one other thing needs to be fixed. He said he has the rock and can show me the scratches on the pulley where it was stuck. Aren't these trucks "made" to go places. I have been driving like a grandma since I got it.

 

sounds like total dealer bullshit lies.

Is it possible, yes.

Probable, No.

 

Sometime stuff happens

 

It is probably the one in a million and you drew the lucky number. If they pay count it a win if they don't ask for a discount.

 

I certainly hope they man up... I was stuck on the side of a highway for 5 hours with a girl and two dogs because Toyota care contracted a tow company that couldn't be there for that long, yet they failed to let me know that it would be 5 hours.

 

Were you on the "Dirt road" when it happened or were you on the pavement ??

This is one unlucky issue. I do hope the Dealer either covers it or give you a massive discount. You could make a stink that there is not enough protection under the front end .... Best of luck man. Let us know how you make out.

 

I have to laugh at those who think the dealer is playing BS, or is at fault here. Sh!t happens. Rocks, sticks, anything CAN and do cause damage. Do people blame the manufacturer if a rock flies up and hits the windshield, breaking it? Yes, I know the odds are greater than a rock getting caught in the pulley area, but still, it is possible. The OP has stated that they can show where the pulley and belt was damaged by the rock, and the rock itself. Sure it sucks, but not the dealer's fault, and not Toyota's fault either. Depending on the cost, some insurance companies might cover that repair. Of course the deductible might be too high for it. OP, hopefully the repair won't be too expensive.

 

WAY to many shady dealers out there to believe them. Ive been lied to at every single dealer I have gone to with my truck.

I certainly did not say it was a dealers fault, but I do not trust them.

I do find it hard to believe in 6 years I have never seen or heard of this ever happening before. If a rock was able to do that much damage it is a design flaw by Toyota IMO.....this and radiator dings is why I closed up every single front hole on my truck with fine mesh.

Guys like you with local shops are different or at least the ones i know are. Unlike dealers who service bays are filled with people afraid to "void their warranty" by going elsewhere you guys pick up business by word of mouth and reputation. If your a slime ball you close your doors due to lack of business. If a Toyota service manager is a slime ball he gets a raise. I have no idea why you stick up for dealers, but I would stop comparing the two.

 

I was on pavement when it all happened. I know anything can happen but I am saying it shouldn't happen... Toyota says these trucks are supposed to be able to go places. Mine couldn't go anywhere. They did not show me... they stated over the phone that they have the rock and can see scratch on pulley.

 

man that is just shitty, and then to make you wait that long for a tow is just insult to injury. Hopefully they get you taken care of, GL man. This is the first time I can remember a rock breaking a belt like this too, you need to buy some lotto tickets

 

It does seem a little odd to me that the first dealership never mentioned a rock. He said the pulley seized up. It was towed to the dealership that I bought it from per my request because I heard horrible stories about the dealership it was at. Didn't hear anything until 24 hours later and that is what I was told. If it was one rock in one pulley, why would two pulleys need to be replaced?

 

X2

 

stuff happens

but

I have dozed my 4runner through thick and thin for 15 years and plenty of gravel and dirt and all I ever saw in the engine bay (besides dried mud) was nuts a squirrel tried to store. I mean crap can get up anywhere but I never got a rock in there

but, hey it happens and is entirely plausible. you'll know when they show you the metal on the pully if it was a rock or not...

 

Belt cost like $30 and pulleys are about 30-50 bucks each assuming you need to replace both. And you can do it in about 2 hours. Dealer will try to get out of fixing it, but lets hope they fix it for ya

 

This is a new one on me, never in my many years of driving trucks have I ever heard of this happening.