Vermonters

Ok Dealership Rant!!! I bought my truck at Heritage. It's a 2013 with 80k. Heritage gives free state inspections for life. Today I got my winter's swapped over and asked if they would do a state inspection since I'm moving 2 hours away. Truck has a 6 sticker. Yup no problem we'll do that. Get a call saying my truck won't pass because the ebrake housing is cracked. I asked if the ebrake works. It did in the a.m. yes ebrake works. Pedal is hard. So I'm like wtf. Show me. The housing has a crack under the boot going the blackplate. You have to yank in this to see it. I'm like wtf why are you yanking on it then. Who does that at any other shop???? I was so pissed!!
I ask well the ebrake works what is the problem? He said water & dirt may get in possibly stop the cable from working.
Well now I know the reason why their inspections are FREE.
My truck is pristine except for this potentially hairline cable housing. So my truck fails. Now in new State system. I'm like put my wheels on.
I get my paperwork and it reads failed due to parking brake not working! Lie! What a crock of $hit.
I feel better now.

 

So now that it’s logged in the computer system, every shop is going to check for that “failure”?

 

Yes.
but my parking brake works.
The tech said it works.
If I were to go out to my truck and use the e brake the pedal is solid & holds forward and reverse. My trucks an auto.

 

Yes with the new system the vehicle is now flagged. It will show up no matter what inspection shop you go to.

 

Yikes.. looks like I’ll be keeping mine registered/inspected in Maine.. (still have my duplex there)

 

Good idea.
I get the system is to make sure vehicles are safe.
The part is ill designed and the Toyota dealer knows it. I currently live 5 minutes walking distance to hertitage so to get my summer tires mounted and balanced was convienent. Shame on me for using the free inspection. The emergency brake works. That's all the DMV inspection manual states it has to do. I have a 6 so I'll wait to I move to Island Pond and get it done at a shop I know there. Live and learn. The write up for the fail says the pedsl doesn't work which is a flat lie.

 

Funny I was just thinking yesterday about those free inspections promos dealers do. They do it at Berlin City Toyota in Portland as well. They’re fronting the cost of the inspection($12.50 in ME) so they have to recoup that cost somehow. I figured they just have to find ANYTHING wrong with almost every car to make that worth while. Now to recoup that cost for VT(over $40 something I think) they really have to step up their game. This is a prime example.. Not the best way to treat customers..

What if you speak to the service manager and explain that this type of stress crack shouldn’t happen on a 5 year old vehicle.. maybe he would try and get the repair covered by Toyota as a good will repair? Might be worth a shot..

 

That's a good suggestion. I'll give it a try. I would have done it if they hadn't taken all day. It was almost closing and I had mover at my house giving me a quote. It wasn't the best timing. $450 to fix it.

 

That sucks!!
Last I knew if the brake held it passed. That reserve thing how do they check it? Seems if it’s holding it could be made tighter seems like some bs. I got my daughters car at my local guy here her 12 Jetta has broken coil springs. I’ll ask him about what and how they check this. Free isn’t always lol pricks. Handys would mention cabin air/ air filter etc every friggin time. Told them they need to not touch anything other than why it’s there.

 

Yeah it sucks

 

I have the same deal with Heritage on the inspections for life. I go to my local shop all the time.
saw the Automaster pull some shady tricks once on an inspection. I said to my self stay with my shop no dealer inspections

 

@Simon's Mom
Hey Judy,
Does your brake hold with it in gear and gas applied?
My guy said by letter of the law the cables etc are supposed to be checked. He would say just to be safe the cables need to be replaced and being auto he would prolly just tell you.
I think the reserve thing was for air brakes initially but it seems they have a clause about remaining adjustments now.
I’ve watched the inspection laws pretty close and it seems they are gonna lighten up but shops still have to check that box.
After that mechanic got charged with the older couples death due to bad brake lines the shops and mechanics are scared. But it doesn’t seem like they were beating you up on cost to replace. About what I paid with a rear seal.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-camping-trip-extravaganza-june-22-24.513653/

 

Yes my e brake holds on a hill after I put it neutral, or if I try to go forward & reverse with the gas. I get the cables replaced but not there. It's piss poor design if both sides of automatic 2013 Toyota with 80k needs ebraie cables. My 1995 vw cabrio 5 speed ebrake is fine. My 95 truck with 250k not a problem. Thanks for looking into for me Jeff!

 

If you think your cables are a bad design, talk to someone who owns/owned a first gen. Tacoma with all of the exposed cables, bell cranks made with dissimilar metals etc. etc.

And don't get me started about the front caliper retaining pins that rust in place turning a simple pad change into a major ordeal. Hint: I take those pins out at every oil change, clean the rust off and put a little lube on them.

 

Yea I’ve looked at that set up when I was having issues.
A lot of exposed moving parts.

 

Well the maple festival is on here.
Too many people and crappy weather.

 

Yeah the

Yup not sure if I want to go but need something at tractor supply there. I could always go test drive the turbocharged trd pro tundra

 

...shotgun!

 

For any 2nd gen VT-based owners who may be interested: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-2015-tacoma-faux-pro-grill-group-buy.546406/