Truck broke down today...

I'm with you. Maybe the OP is a good candidate for a Colorado Diesel with a 7700lb max tow?

 

I agree with not loading to max capacity.
My horse trailer has been weighed in at 3150# unloaded via certified truck scale prior to my purchase of it in March 2016.
At the time of the engine failure:
Horse A weighs in at about 800#
Horse B weighs in at about 500#
The heavier boy was loaded first (the baby loaded second) and we drove 21 miles (starting address to ending address)
Unfortunately, there's no real way for us to be weighing horses on a scale in the country like this other than rough estimates based on visuals; body fat %, muscle development, overall height and build, etc. All estimates listed are on the high side regardless.
Gives me a total of about 4450# which still puts me under the 80% towing "limit" (@ 6400# v6 trd offroad w/ tow package) of 5120#. Not to mention I do have trailer brakes installed.

 

I still do not see this being a towing issue. The dealership and corporate would have jumped all over that information which I willingly provided to them in order to get out of any warranty type repairs. I was concerned they were going to stiff me for having an aftermarket trailer brake module but they haven't mentioned a single thing about towing and it being the cause of engine failure. The SW continues to hint at a manufacture defect and yet, he can't properly pin point what failed on the engine. First it was spark plugs, then piston rings, and now the engine is completely removed. When I go in on Weds/Thurs, I at least want to leave with that answer - what was the cause of failure in my truck?

 

You're good. The engine would likely have blown even if you weren't towing. Frankly, I would leave that out of the lemon law discussion. What they don't know won't hurt them.

 

I agree this isn't a tow issue

 

Did you start the lemon law discussion with your dealership?

 

I go to speak with them on Thursday.

 

As an Ex Lemon Law lawyer, your conversation isn't one that needs to happen with the dealership. Actually I would highly recommend against it. It is between you and Toyota N.A. Once you start the proper paperwork, due the number of days, and issues, you WILL get a new truck. Matter of patience and following the right procedures.

 

Perfectsoldier I have read your whole post and I want to share my somewhat professional opinion. I am a former Toyota Master Tech and Toyota National skills contest finalist. You brought your truck in for a 5,000 mile service, you left with a low oil light on, the dealership said your oil does not get changed until 10,000 miles and the light coming on was a fluke but they topped it off anyway, you said it did not sound the same after the service. The facts point to this, the dealership mistakenly drained your oil and you drove off with an empty crankcase permanently damaging the engine which finally showed up when you towed the trailer. I know you didn't drive it that far but in only takes minutes to do the damage, especially on something so new because of precision tolerances. I bet I'm 100% on this, and one last thought the factory rep has been out twice because the dealership is trying to get them to pay for something that failed from lack of lubrication. Ask the factory rep if he was aware of what first transpired at your 5,000 mile service? I doubt the dealership volunteered that information. And lastly? Demand a new Tacoma, you deserve it. Please remember this is only my opinion and it's possible the dealership had nothing to do with what failed.

 

This is why I will never willingly allow dealership to do anything I can do myself, and that is more than most (general population) would ever tackle. Too bad people with your skills aren't doing the work or at least supervising the newbies who don't know shit. Too bad there are never enough staffing for the workload so this shit doesn't happen nearly as often. Too bad dealership wants to charge labor prices for master techs who are nationally accredited but have flunkies trying to do the work. Too bad the dealership brings hatred of them on theirselves for their sketchy handling of service in giant percentages of dealerships. Treating every customer like they don't know shit about cars and are here to rip us off by default is a joke. Too bad Toyota corporate doesn't make the dealership eat more of this fuckupness. Too bad all the worthy techs have to deal with negative rep caused by this crap. Too bad if anyone doesn't like my opinion of it. Sucking less is only thing that'll change it. I have experienced the bullshit when a warranty was in effect in the 05. 08 is past any warranty and only thing dealer will see is me saying "You can't have it!" to the buzzards out front and me buying my oem oil filters or other wear items like brake pads, water pump, tensioner pulley for drive belts.....I will buy parts but will not drop a dime for any "service".

 

T@Co I understand how you feel, that said we are all human and mistakes happen (I made my fair share). The real judge of character is in how you handle them.

 

Dealership owners fail miserably at the handling part............I am hardly claiming any kind of perfection but I'm imperfect on my own vehicles at my own expense and own up to a fuck up and not try to make it someone else's fault and explain weird shit as "that's normal". Handling it would be staffing to handle normal workloads without stressing out the workers and customers, not skeleton staff to barely keep shit open and scatterbraining employees with too much to do at once all the time. Profit margin afloat doesn't make consumers happy.

 

I have so much conflicting information. I satisfied the 30 days and qualify for the lemon law now as of yesterday. What is my next step? Call Toyota NA? Some websites recommend a mail them. Then others say to speak with he dealership and they initiate the process. What do i do?

 

Does your local TV stations have a consumer advocate? If so, you might want to see if they are interested in a story and helping solve your problem.

Check your State lemon laws. Look for a Lemon Law attorney. I would contact Toyota NA and advise them of the issue and you may be pursuing a lemon law case. Document everything.

 

My state lemon laws only outline how to qualify for the lemon law. Not the steps to take against a specific dealership. Nothing is outlined in the manual either (downloaded a PDF version since mine is in the glovebox of my truck). I'm just not sure who to contact - dealership or corporate via mail or phone?

 

I would get an attorney that specializes in lemon law.

 

@lotuscupcar seems to have the info for you. She said to contact Toyota corporate and open the case with them for the lemon law and see what they say. I'm sure that they have a department that handles that. I would not give them any information other than that you needed to open a case for a lemon law truck in California and that the truck has been in the shop for over the minimum 30 days as outlined in the state documentation on the attorney generals website.

 

Google lemon law lawyers in your state. There are plenty that will give free initial consultation and most will get their fees from the manufacturer, in this case, Toyota, so you will have nothing out of pocket. This is a matter that needs professional attention now.

 

@perfectsoldier23 Don't leave this matter up to Internet lawyers and Google no offense to anyone here. A lot of money is on the line here and we all know dealers don't like to take a loss. So contact a professional as soon as possible the 30 days are up, lemon law applies now. Take advantage of it and don't let anyone muscle you or intimidate you into taking a broken product back.

 

I can walk you through it if you need.

Do NOT call anybody. Everything has to be in writing. Decide if you want a lawyer or do this yourself. One doesn't need a lawyer, however, I don't know your schedule, your comfort level, or your patience.
Do not speak to the dealership. It is not needed. Dealership will be your ally.

Once you decide if you want a lawyer (I am not offering my services, just advise) or do it on your own, we can tackle the next step. Last 5 years, I have had to lemon 3 cars (personally). Just goes to show you I don't learn and buy crappy cars

This is your new best friend:
https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/cars