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  • Report:  #205568

Complaint Review: Precision Toyota Of Tucson - Tucson Arizona

Reported By:
- Queen Creek, Arizona,
Submitted:
Updated:

Precision Toyota Of Tucson
Wetmore Rd Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.
Phone:
520-795-5565
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
My mother-in-law has a 2005 Toyota corolla with 11000 miles on it. On Sat. Aug 5th she took a trip from Phoenix to Tucson half way there she heard a tapping noise and 2 mins. After that the car lost power and would not restart or crank. She had the car towed to Precision Toyota of Tucson just before they were about to close they told her they would take a look on Monday morning and call her first thing Monday morning.

I called for her Monday afternoon since we had not heard from them they told me that the car blew a head gasket because the radiator cap was improperly installed it was cross threaded and she lost all off her coolant which caused the head gasket to blow and that this would not be covered under the warranty and would be a Min. of $3000.00 to fix. PT told me to call the last place that serviced her car. I did which was Brake Masters.

My mother-in-law had an oil change at brake masters on 5-6-06 her car at the time had 9000 miles on it. I spoke to the owner and he said for one they do not touch the radiator and that there is now way this car could have gone 3000 miles without something going wrong "just as a note she made a trip to San Diego and Back two weeks ago" had she had it serviced a month or less ago he would take care of it no problem but 3 months and 3000 miles later there is just no way. I for one side with him.

During the last 3000 Miles the car gave NO SIGN WHATS SO EVER of over heating. I have called many auto shops, spoke with every one I know who knows anything about cars and they all say no way Something would have happened sooner. The Temp gage did not read hot, no engine light, no water everywhere, no smell, no nothing the car ran like a champ until 8-5-06.

I have called Toyota's customer care hotline with no help from them. Precision Toyota refuses to cover this under the Warranty and they will not test the Temp gage or anything else related to the temp. system they just want replace the head gasket at my Mother-in-law's expense. Please help us this just does not make since to me or any mechanic I talk to other than the ones at Precision Toyota of Tucson.

Robert

Queen Creek, Arizona
U.S.A.


7 Updates & Rebuttals

Robert

Queen Creek,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Thanks

#2Author of original report

Tue, August 22, 2006

Thanks Leo for your responce but if you read my update and my post the Service manager was no help and i took the car to another Toyota dealer and the car is being fixed as i write it had the whole engine replaced all covered under the Warranty. The service manager at the new dealer said Precision Toyota of Tucson was trying to pull one over on my Mother-in-law because of her age. But thanks for your advice and please take my advice NEVER NEVER go to the precision toyota of Tucson.


Robert

Queen Creek,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Thanks

#3Author of original report

Tue, August 22, 2006

Thanks Leo for your responce but if you read my update and my post the Service manager was no help and i took the car to another Toyota dealer and the car is being fixed as i write it had the whole engine replaced all covered under the Warranty. The service manager at the new dealer said Precision Toyota of Tucson was trying to pull one over on my Mother-in-law because of her age. But thanks for your advice and please take my advice NEVER NEVER go to the precision toyota of Tucson.


Robert

Queen Creek,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Thanks

#4Author of original report

Tue, August 22, 2006

Thanks Leo for your responce but if you read my update and my post the Service manager was no help and i took the car to another Toyota dealer and the car is being fixed as i write it had the whole engine replaced all covered under the Warranty. The service manager at the new dealer said Precision Toyota of Tucson was trying to pull one over on my Mother-in-law because of her age. But thanks for your advice and please take my advice NEVER NEVER go to the precision toyota of Tucson.


Robert

Queen Creek,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Thanks

#5Author of original report

Tue, August 22, 2006

Thanks Leo for your responce but if you read my update and my post the Service manager was no help and i took the car to another Toyota dealer and the car is being fixed as i write it had the whole engine replaced all covered under the Warranty. The service manager at the new dealer said Precision Toyota of Tucson was trying to pull one over on my Mother-in-law because of her age. But thanks for your advice and please take my advice NEVER NEVER go to the precision toyota of Tucson.


Leo

Englewood,
Colorado,
U.S.A.
You can fight this!

#6Consumer Suggestion

Sun, August 20, 2006

First of all, Toyota engines do not have head gasket problems - it's not a ford, for God's sake! Usually, head gaskets fail due to overheat, and this subject has been covered thoroughly by the dealers and other posters. I disagree with one of the previous responses - loose radiator cap will eventually cause overheat because normal pressure in the cooling system should be around 15 PSI over that of atmospheric which is provided by the spring-loaded valve in the cap. If the system is under lower pressure, coolant boils at lower temperature and eventually will evaporate causing overheat. Also, there are at least 2 temperature sensors, and one of them is on the engine itself, usually at the thermostat housing, and it WILL show overheat even if there is no coolant in the system. If the head gasket has failed due to overheat, and it can be determined when the head is removed, warranty usually does not cover repair. Standard language reads something like that: the driver is responsible for watching the temperature gauge, and in case of overheat should immediately shut the vehicle off to avoid major damage.. If the gauge does not operate properly AND engine overheats while the driver is unable to take appropriate steps, it's a gray area, and outcome usually depends on the mood of the person making the decision. Demand speaking with the supervisor if you feel that based on available information, your case is not dealt with appropriately. And finally, the last suggestion: you can hire an independent local(!) inspections company to do an inspection. This will provide an alternative professional opinion that can be used in pursuing the case. Cost of such inspection should not exceed $100-$150. Auto Inspector


Robert

Queen Creek,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Update

#7Author of original report

Thu, August 17, 2006

So I had my mother-in-law's car towed to Superstition Springs Toyota in Mesa, AZ last Monday 8-16-06. For one they where a lot more Customer orientated and the Service Manager said the car should have ran only 20-30mins. with the Radiator cap half way on. They took a look at the car and called me today and said the car will be covered under the warranty! So everyone that reads this PLEASE for your own good do NOT go to Precision Toyota of Tucson For anything what so ever if you live in Tucson and need an oil change or service of any kind or want to buy a Toyota take the drive and go to Phoenix. You have been Warned!! ROB Queen Creek, AZ


Robert

Jacksonville,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Cross threaded?

#8Consumer Comment

Fri, August 11, 2006

That's funny. The car uses the old style radiator cap. Push down, and rotate 1/2 turn. How do you screw that up? As you know, if there was an issue with the cooling system not making pressure, the coolant would have been on the ground. In reality, once it pushed out the "expansion" volume, it would have been fine from then on, without any pressure. The pressure cap does ONE thing. It allows the coolant to run at a higher temperature without boiling. NOTHING else. You gain an extra 3 degrees above 212 for every pound of pressure. No pressure? The coolant will boil at/near 212 degrees(depends on the water/glycol blend). Another thing. The ECM recieves signals from the coolant temperature sensor/switch. It lets the ECM know how hot the engine is, and also triggers the fan to come on. If there was no coolant, it would never register anything. It does not recognize air. Air does not get that hot. It has to be immersed in fluid. With no signal from this sensor, the ECM would have triggered the Check Engine Light. Was this on? Toyota is messing with you. They don't like to replace engines. Get your ducks in line and fight them on this. Good luck.

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