2021 KDSS Problem that dealer can’t fix

Hello to everybody in the community !

I posted recently about some suspension issues I have had with my 2021 4Runner TRD off road that I recently purchased new . I have had suspension problems from day one with this vehicle Which have progressively gotten worse and worse . I took the advise you all gave me and took it in to the Toyota dealer and had them diagnose what was going on

They informed me upon looking at the history of the vehicle that it wasn’t a factory TRD off road but That it had been a base line 4Runner that the dealer that I bought it from had installed a “TRD off road appearance package” which basically was front bumper covers and emblems . They also installed TRD pro wheels and tires .

So after the inspection I was informed that the front shocks were blown and had to be replaced . (They were Tokico shocks not even off road shocks). They informed me that they see a lot of Tacoma’s and 4runners come in with the same problem . So I had two options replace them with the same shocks or upgrade to bilsteins or the TRD fox shocks . I opted to go with the fox . So after $3700 repair on a three month New 4runner . I picked it up but noticed it was leaning on the passenger side by about 3” ! I told them this was not right and I wanted it corrected . They said the KDSS system on these vehicles was notorious for this problem and that I would have to buy a spacer kit to fix the problem ($360+labor)but they would have to order it . I reluctantly took my 4Runner and left . The fox shocks were much better but it still was terrible to drive on the street But dirt roads going to my house were a lot better than before .

After two days I took it back and told them it was not satisfactory and felt unsafe to drive still . I insisted they fix the kdss problem so they said they would look into it . When they got back to me they told me that the 2021 4runners KDSS system required a special tool to service and they didn’t have it . They said that it was $1800.00 but that they couldn’t even get one because it was on back order and would be a few months before they could get one, so there was nothing they could do until then . So I went to the service manager , He suggested that I purchase after market ride height adjustable shocks that could be adjusted to correct the lean and that they would reimburse me for the fox TRD shock package that I had paid for because they were not adjustable . So with great apprehension I agreed to do that . I purchased the icon 2.5 coil over shocks with remote reservoirs for the front and the icon 2.0 with remote reservoirs For the rear it is being installed now .

I think it sounds like a load of crap to me that they have to have a special tool for the 2021 4runner KDSS system and that they don’t have one ...does anybody know if this is true or not ? And maybe some advice on what to do about this whole situation I could really use a little help on this one. Thank you

 

So what does your paper work say you purchased, and why are you paying them for something that should be warranty work.

 

There is something wrong here. You intended to buy an off road but it’s not an off road and it has KDSS?

 

If it's not an Off Road or Venture, it doesn't have KDSS. Plain and simple.

This dealer sounds a lot like they have no idea what they're talking about. I'd steer clear from them and raise the issue to Toyota corporate directly. Don't take it to these guys for anything else.

 

Yeah, this is really weird.

"Base line" means it's an SR5. SR5's don't come with KDSS......only OffRoad's come with KDSS.

Go to a different dealer. The one you're going to are either dishonest or have no idea what they are talking about.

 

Can we see the window sticker?

 

None of this adds up.

-KDSS is only optional on TRD Off Roads. They did not retrofit it to a base model.

-The base model Tokico suspension is what comes on every TRD Off Road. It’s either a Pro with Fox (formerly Bilstein), Limited with XREAS, or any other model which all get the same suspension.

-There’s zero chance all 4 shocks just happened to be blown on a 2021.

-Why would you pay a dime in repairs when it’s a new vehicle that’s under warranty?

-KDSS lean is normal and common.

-There are special tools for servicing KDSS, however it doesn’t sound like anything to fix on it.

 

sorry that your going through this but if you have KDSS they should never sold you the Trd Fox suspension due to known lean issue. you should just ask to have the shocks replace under warranty and just go else where that knows what they are doing like 4X4 store. DO NOT give a cent everything should be under warranty its their bad for selling you something that does not work for your application. and how come your not going to the place that you bought the truck from Good Luck man.
KDSS models get the same shocks and springs on the front except as SR5 and non KDSS have the front driver side shock with more of preload on the spring.

 

KDSS should be only be worked by those who know what they are doing, else you get problems like this.
I only know shops like Toytec here in Denver CO who is really good with them. I wonder if you have a really good 4x4 shop like Toytec near you.

If you want you can also give a call to Toytec (Hugo is my contact person there), they might be able to help you and may be refer you to a good 4x4 shop near you.

 

Lol what?

 

Man, this is really nuts! … You need to call Toyota or find a area representative … Don’t spend anymore money on this vehicle … tell them your situation and provide them with the VIN … they should know if it’s really a TRAIL or not and if it is not then they (Toyota) needs to replace it with a new vehicle for you no questions ask and reimburse you on the suspension upgrades … Definitely stay away from the dealership that lured you into replacing suspension along with the dealership that sold it to you; sounds to me that they are clueless and money hungry! … Also, please explain in detail what was going on with the suspension so I can better understand.
Good Luck and I hope you don’t have to get an attorney involved.

 

^^^^All of this!

Plus, I've only heard of KDSS causing a lean with a lift. Even then, it doesn't really make sense, unless people are tampering with it.

Let's see the window sticker. This all doesn't add up.

 

STOP! There's so much wrong here.

You need to contact TOYOTA before you get hosed any worse than it sounds like you already have. Sorry, but based on what you're saying.....it's the truth.

"If the dealership does not address your concern to your satisfaction, call the Toyota Customer Experience Center
at (800) 331-4331."

Read this.

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-214Runner/pdf/T-MMS-214Runner.pdf

EDIT: More info for you to read.

Accessories Warranty

Toyota Genuine Parts are built to the highest standards of quality, durability and performance. Most have 12-month coverage, and there aren't many, if any, companies that offer a longer guarantee.

For accessories purchased at the time of the new vehicle purchase, the Toyota Accessory Warranty coverage is in effect for 36 months/ 36,000 miles from the vehicle's in-service date, which is the same coverage as the Toyota New Vehicle Limited Warranty.1

For accessories purchased after the new vehicle purchase, the coverage is 12 months, regardless of mileage, from the date the accessory was installed on the vehicle, or the remainder of any applicable new vehicle warranty, whichever provides greater coverage, with the exception of car covers. Car covers are warranted for 12 months from the date of purchase and do not assume any coverage under the Toyota New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Found here.
https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals
.

 

Time for a public service announcment. You need to 'out' this dealership so other people will know to avoid them. My head is spinning.

 

@Moon Landing for sure OP should fight to get it fixed by Toyota. But when I ask about the warranty when the lift from a accessories list is installed by Toyota Dealership this is the response I got.

 

Double talk written by an attorney.

 

Isn't the Fox suspension on the Pro models installed at the port of entry? If the dealer installed the same suspension, how could anyone claim it's aftermarket? They charged him $3700 for that? Omfg

 

My 2014 Trail with KDSS has lean. Left side is 7/16 higher than right. Toyota manufacture specification is "NO MORE THAN 3/4inch" As other people states, There should be no KDSS on SR5 and cannot be added. I suggest to take all document to another dealer and also send to TMS customer service. Double check your VIN for actual package. Did you sign up with Toyota Owner with Toyota website? I know many service director in East Coast Toyota dealers. Where are you located? City and State?
Good luck...

 

It sounds like he resides in a place he refers to as Mountain Center based on a previous post. This is his 5th post, and from the looks of things, he never responds to posts he initiates.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...530538a74a104c!8m2!3d33.704948!4d-116.7254459

 

My thoughts exactly. Nothing to see here. This fairy tale doesn't hold water.

 

Good catch. 5 total posts, which includes 3 new threads he started. Looks like someone has too much time on his hands.

But if he's not just here trolling, I can confirm Dolan Toyota in Reno installs some aftermarket stuff on every vehicle and adds an addendum to the window sticker. It's all fairly standard lowball dealer stuff though = cheap window tint on the 2 front windows, rubber cupholder inserts (which I actually like), door edge guards (like those too), and they fill your oem tires with nitrogen and install fancy green valve caps. Total addendum price was around $750. My Toyota dealer in Vegas traded with Dolan for my truck, and I refused to pay for any of it. They didn't put up a fuss so I suspect actual cost was around $100, if that.

 

That’s not double talk, that’s just how it works.

 

The fox trd pro coilovers are set up for the lean. If you look at the bottom coil seat. One is higher than the other. You can see this by looking at the space between the top of the fox decal and the bottom of the coil. If it leans that much, and by reading above about how clueless that dealer is, I’d say they installed the front coilovers on the wrong side.



see what I mean with how the coils are? The one on the right is set to adjust for the lean.

 

This thread definitely reeks of being a TacomaWorld Friday thread.

 

That's my point. Compare the verbiage they use to sell their warranty to that that's used once we're covered by it.

 

You might find this informative...

https://www.4runners.com/threads/wa...pairs-recalls-updates-magnuson-moss-etc.8345/

 

Exactly

 

This is incorrect. The guy you spoke with is ignorant. I don't even think he realized that you were asking about Genuine Toyota Accessories, because he uses the term "aftermarket" in his response.

The TRD Pro suspension kit, if purchased directly from Toyota, is covered under a warranty. And since it's a Toyota designed part, Toyota would have a REALLY hard time proving that an associated warranty repair shouldn't be covered, in the off-chance that it happened. Now of course, if you put an aftermarket suspension kit on your 4Runner, and you have a ball joint fail, AND Toyota can reasonably determine / prove that your aftermarket lift cause the failure.. then repairing that ball joint would be on your dime.

Anyway, OP sounds as clue-less as his dealer.. what a match made in heaven.

 

I was lucky it didn't happen through the Toyota dealership I bought mine because I found a way better 4x4 shop who seem to know what they are doing better than Toyota Dealership.