Serious leak and water damage

I'm sure you would. Who wouldn't want to work with someone that has reasonable expectations and demands? My service adviser at GMC got me a new longblock at 60k miles, past the powertrain warranty because we approached problems together. It pays to go into a service problem with a cool head and some level expectations.

 

Good i hope he puts an air freshener in it and you buy it used. You can name it the Moldy Taco

 

I think you need to chill. The OP was simply asking for advice and isn't in the service department ranting.

In the real world, it either gets fixed right, or you can exercise your legal rights for a judgement. It's a lemon if it can't be fixed within the law of Florida. I provided a link to those criteria. That's the real world.

 

I don't expect them to give me a new truck...do I want a new truck?? hell yes, but I am realistic. At a minimum, they replace all affected components/parts and do a mold inspection to guarantee against any growth and I'm happy. I'll give them every opportunity to make it right and at this point have no reason to believe they won't. That being said I want some damn vent visors for pain and suffering!

 

I'm cool as a cucumber. I was directly responding to OP's question about replacing the vehicle, trying to level set his expectations and not feed the crazy flame of demanding a new truck when this problem can be remedied without bringing those sort of demands. As you said, there are lemon laws for this should it come to that. It's not there yet.

 

Wow, that's a bad leak. There was another member here from Mexico that had the same issue, but no pics. He described the same thing though. Hope you get it sorted out.

 

Although I am confident this can be fixed, it isn't just a light and gasket replacement. I would have them pull the back seat and recondition the fabric to remove the water stains. I would certainly inspect, replace or dry all of the materials behind the headliner, headliner, back wall plastic, carpet, etc. It's going to take some work, but it should ALL be covered under warranty. But that means Toyota Corp approves and reimburses the dealer for the work.

My biggest fear on this is they will say it's hurricane damage and try to get your insurance to cover it.

Good luck OP. Keep good documentation. Probably aren't going to need it, but you never know. If they drag their feet beyond 30 days, you'll have more options.

 

Agreed and thanks for the suggestions TejasTaco. Luckily, I had the initial evaluation the day before the hurricane hit, so they can't say it contributed to any sort of damage that led to the leak.

 

Good luck...

 

What dealer is taking care of this?

 

That sucks OP

In my eyes this qualifies for a new truck, Sleep-train mattress of your choice and a fully funded Roth IRA for 2016-2017

 

Any sensible, "reasonable" person wouldn't be driving a GM.

The ironic part is you needing a new long block @ 60k.

 

You're driving a vehicle that's had frames literally snap in half.

 

Due to rust. Does not apply to my region.

Attempted attack is not very effective; 0 damage.

 

If you had a window or door leak at your house letting moisture into the home and it caused mold to grow, the problem would be fixed and the house cleaned of mold. Yeah, you'll be inconvienced to some degree, but the mold can be eradicated and you would not get a new house. (I was a mold specialist for many years and have seen minor to major issues but personally never where someone was awarded a new home.)

Our trucks are designed different than homes especially when it comes to moisture. When it rains and you run to get in your truck, you open the door and the inside door panel gets wet, you sit on the seat and it gets wet, you put your feet on the floor and it gets, and so on. Fact of the matter is the materials used in the manufacturing of these trucks is designed with moisture in mind. Now are they designed to stay wet? Of course not. And your issue is not what would be considered normal.

Are you going to get a new truck? I'd say odds are stacked severely against you. You just happen to be "that guy" who happened to have this problem. It's sucks to be "that guy". I have been "that guy" before in a matter unrelated to the auto industry.

My advice to you would be to be persistent and fair. Make sure the dealership keeps you abreast of everything that is being done and get everything documented.

I wish you the best and hope that this gets resolved quickly and to your satisfaction.

 

As long as it has something to eat. I'm not sure there is much mold food with all the synthetic materials used.

I've had a truck get wet on the inside due to windows being down...... Stick in carport, stick fan or a small ceramic heater in through the window (leave window cracked), turn on over night and it'll dry out.



I had a similar issue with a 2002 S10 that went unnoticed for awhile..... Seats didn't get wet due to how they were mounted, but the carpet did. I didn't stick stuff back there and didn't use the area until one day I did. Soaked carpet. I dried it, fixed the problem and never did get mold.... Most likely due to the materials used to make the interior. Natural fibers and paper are food for mold.... plastic and synthetics are not good mold food. Automobiles have more robust interiors than houses.

I'm not saying to forget it. I just think mold won't likely be a problem due to where the water is.

 

I am sorry that happened. It is extremely irritating. I am afraid the cooler heads are correct and getting the truck swapped out is quite unlikely. But I do agree with you that the seats need to be replaced. However I would wait for the light housing first and make sure that is where all the water is coming in. This is already a big enough nightmare to have to go through so you don't want to do it multiple times. Once you are sure it isn't leaking anymore then politely make them replace the seats and the headliner too if it stains.

I would call corporate though after the first repair so they are involved. You may be able to get an extended corossion warranty or something. It is hard to say. Sometimes they seem to give out extended warranties like candy and other times they won't do shit. But at least it is documented. The dealer most likely will not document all of the damage so you need to for the future.

 

I had a 2nd gen taco that leaked in the front. It took 5 trips to the dealer before they discovered the source of the leak. They fixed it and replaced all damage that it caused all was well and I moved on.

 

It needs to be fixed of course, and parts affected properly replaced or restored. While the process may not be simple, the objective is.

No one is getting a 'new truck' out of this, and those screaming he should are just wrong. Both in asking and expecting.

If you left a window open and got your seats wet, would you throw the truck away? Would you completely replace the affected upholstries?

Don't think so.

You'd use a drying/restoration process, easily available to the public, and move on with your life.

OP will have the same, just on someone else's job ticket.

 

The dealer know that there is a leak, they admit that there is a leak, they have pictures and evidence that there is a leak and a very extensive leak at that. What is the dealer doing to mitigate further damage? Nothing? I would have expected that they would have you left the truck with them to to strip out the wet interior and start the drying process to stop further damage. Did they ask you to leave the truck and you didn't? At this point if you're not getting proper response from the dealer I would be calling toyota directly for advice. You don't want to be the negligent party involved in further damage to the truck. Owners have responsibilities too.