Anyone Out There Ever Fight The Dealership/Appeal to Toyota Corporate?

#kids When you learn how the real word works, you'll see how dumb this statement really is.

 

Roseville Toyota is the worst!!!!

 

Although i agree the world works different , but this is where we are now. I just had to go through a similar situation with Samsung.
One of our z fold 3s started cracking on the screen on the inner screen. Samsung repair (phone and local shop) wouldn't cover screen replacement. Obviously they are still less than a year old. After 5 calls and visits, i started blasting them on all their social medias. Others started to join in. It wasn't until then that i got a call offering to replace the screen.

I ended up selling the phones and moving to the fruit thingy. But why did it have to go that far?

 

Filing a complaint about the dealer with the DMV might help to. It did in NY twice for me for bad practices.

 

I’m not entirely sure how old you are but “grumpy” and calling something you know nothing about “dumb” speaks volumes. But go ahead allow yourself to be taken advantage of. Just don’t expect me to.

 

Something I know nothing about? LOL. So you spoken to and know the other half of the story from the dealer he is dealing with, the WFO shop and Toyota? Right. Have you ever worked with the media before? I do all the time. Are you an attorney or have you ever taken someone to court? I have both personal and employment attorneys. We have taken several people to court and I am part of a suit against the FDA. So ya, I have experience. You live in a fantasy world if you think a dirty window mechanism is going to warrant breaking news on his local TV station.

Again, the OP needs to take some kind of responsibility for this issue. It is exactly akin to not cleaning mud from your suspension again and again and again and then going to the dealer when seals leak or something similar.

 

So you’re a grumpy know it all with an attorney and media experience who likes to post condescending comments about people you know nothing about. Got it.

 

Serious question…are you referring to cleaning the tracks that are visible on alongside the glass? I’ve never had to do anything special to clean those…just washing the car is enough.

Or are you referring dismantling the rear hatch to access and clean the window mechanism? How are you doing that? I’ve seen videos of people taking things apart back there for other reasons. The mechanism appears to be behind a sealed vapor barrier that doesn't appear to be made to be taken off for regular cleanings.

But if you have taken things apart on a regular basis, is it actually as complicated as I think it is? I wouldnt mind knowing because Im the type of guy to start doing regular cleanings, as long as the process doesn’t create more problems than it solves.

 

I have a little computer air duster that I can plug into the rear outlet. When I'm in the field on a particularly dirty run, I'll run it out the side window and blast the rear hatch before opening it. And yes, the dealer expects me to open it up and clean it on a regular basis. I remove the screw holding the hatch strap/handle and both hatch light covers, then unplugging the lights. It is easy if you know where to put the pry tool. You can also remove the hand grips on the bottom of the hatch and get the duster pointed in there (thanks for tip, @icyhotahs ). Once the strap bolt is pulled and the lights removed, you can pry open the entire cover. The motor and other parts are behind a clear plastic seal that I'm afraid to mess with, although the mechanic did so. My hatch is now loose, though, from being opened so many times.

And here's more info, since I had to put it all together for the dealer, some of the related service visits:

11/2/17 20K service, moon roof weather stripping loose, rear window/hatch; “verified the concern, cleaned and lubed window channel… concern did not reappear.”

2/14/18 Rear window/hatch. Driver’s window switch replaced. Seat latch replaced under goodwill. “Cleaned and lubed rear hatch window run. Window is working normally at this time. (but very slowly)

8/27/18 rear window/hatch. Tires rotated; ordered parts, including motor.

8/29/18 rear window/hatch. “Found regulator cables are bound up. Removed lift gate window regulator and found the regulator cables are bound up and motor checks ok. Recommend window regulator assy, window run. Replaced window regulator assembly and verified proper window operation. Also replace window run due to it falling down in the upper left corner.” Advised this is last free repair.

 

That’s just weird how cables got messed up, and the window run (the window channel visible from outside?) was falling off?!? This hasnt ever been submerged in muddy water right? If not, this just seems like a defect…

Again, way more of us would be complaining of window problems if this is due to use in dusty environments.

 

Normally, but very slowly…. Yeah, that Sounds perfectly normal, if speed of operation isn’t considered as abnormal lol.

It’s like saying “Engine working normally (but acceleration very sluggish).” Good enough for warranty work I guess?

 

I had my 2001 for 9 years, and washed it less than 5 times. The rear window was used ~150 days per year. Never had a single problem with it, ever.

They're not delicate flowers.

 

Just curious have you checked the vents on the bottom ? Perhaps and this could be a stretch but perhaps the bottom vents are clogging or even the tiny drain holes with dust and debri trapping water in the hatch. This would turn all that into mud and really clog the tracks get in the motor which could be part of the issue.

 

I beated the hell out of a lot of vehicles off road getting caked, never had a window issue. Something seems defective here

 

Yes, I'm obsessive about checking those drain holes. They WERE clogged the first time the mechanic checked, and he also asked if I was doing deep water crossings. (DEEP, as in water coming over the bumper.) Two holes in the top, three in the bottom. And I plug the top holes before washing my truck to stop the dirt washing into them.

 

yea go in with all the paperwork, all the warranty info, the 160 point vehicle inspection report performed by their techs
must infiltrate their ranks and know where everyone sits to get anything done in a dealership
they gonna hassle me on extended warranties I'll be in their every other day getting what i need down to the penny
"toyota certified" dealer and vehicle mean something other than for marketing
e/ even considered going in there schedule a service to have them push down the wiper blade that came up on the freeway a 2 second fix

 

Update: I called Toyota corporate last Thursday and opened a case. The dealer called me back later that day and said they had to do more research. I called the dealer again Tuesday and was told they had sent my info to Corporate for resolution. I called Corporate today and got the run-around, "“the dealership does not have any idea what the cost of parts and labor will be,” so I need to return to the dealership for another inspection, and will possibly have to pay for that inspection. They say they need a firm dollar amount involved, but can't give me one without another visit. Corporate also indicated it was bullshit that they lost my records, because they have a national database.

Maybe it's time to just get it fixed somewhere else and then go to court. I've been to small claims, it doesn't scare me, and the burden of proof is what a "reasonable person" would believe.

on edit: I'm taking it to a "Toyota's Only" kind of shop tomorrow to get their opinion. I figure they've had more experience with Corporate than me. I'll pay them for a quote instead of the dealership, if I have to pay someone.

 

@Bodie the Dog Any updates?

 

FML. I waited too long, so lost my ability to sue in Small Claims due to statute of limitations. Corporate and the dealer and I had several long discussions in the last couple weeks, as I worked my way up the chain of corporate responsibility. But then they just disappeared, about the time I looked it up and realized that exact date was tomorrow (about 3 weeks ago). I haven't heard back from them, and I've been occupied with other stuff lately, plus don't feel like waiting on hold again just to hear, "We'll contact the dealership and see what they say," for the bajillionth time.

Call Kurtis isn't investigating right now, lol, I checked. I guess I should at least make a token call to the Automotive Repair Bureau. I hate giving up.

The owner of Strictly Toyondas repeated what others are saying, the motor has to be bad. "A lot of people in this area drive in thicker dust every day, but I never see this problem. The only time I had a stuck rear window, it was because the motor had come loose and pushed against the cables." He quoted about $900 to repair. He's also convinced ("I used to race, so my life was all about aerodynamics!") that my rear bumper is adding to the dust load, but I'm not sure I agree. Here's from a recent trip where I was moving fast on a main dirt road, about as dusty as it gets around here. Not excessive-looking to me.

 

Well, that sounds like a pain in the ass. I don't buy it that the bumper has anything to do with the dust. Every 4Runner sucks dust in the rear window if you open it on a dusty road. My rear window consistently gets more dusty than that.

 

Any update on this? Just found the thread - made for an interesting read-
Toyota corporate advised to not contact them till after your warranty expired? That didnt sound right at all. If it is a defect that can't be cured after multiple attempts, and is still under manufacture warranty, Lemmon law starts to kick in. Each state has a version. Ask corporte to put it in witing to wait on contacting them.... Having an independent tech or even a different dealership determin the actual cause (regulator, defective motor, wires, what ever), IN WRITING, along with cost of repair or replacement IN WRITING, file a SMALL CLAIMS action naming the dealership AND toyota corporate. Statute of limitations shouldn't kick on if warranty is still active. If I recall toyotas warranty small print the binding arbitration clause will kick in IF toyota corporate actually responds (yes you would have had to send them notice of the small claims suit to the legal department). Also, I believe you could skip small claims and go straight to binding arbitration per the warranty guidelines... Post COVID erra, people have become more comfortable appearing at hearings via video, and the arbitration should be no different. So even if the hearing is held 1000 moles from you, you could make arrangments with the arbitrator to appear via video conference. More photos and witness you csn give written statements from the better. Rules are usually more relaxed in arbitration. Then the judge (arbitrator) will hear what everyone has to say, and give a decission. The fact your not asking for a windfall settlement, fmjist foe your truck to work like theybaay it should (photos from advertisements showing it off roading always helpful on this), is a plus too. Decission can be returned alot faster in arbitration then civil court, even small claims.
Make sure in your "damages" you list expenses, for repairs dianosis, and prepping case. Witness statements saying you don't drive like an idiot off road, and it's normal road or off road dust - not running through swamps and mud also helpful

 

All this about it being under warranty
OP said it was a 2016 he bought new form the dealer and within a year he took it back..

6 or 7 years later and warranty still covers here? Lmk Whatever warranty that is!