- Report: #63547
Complaint Review: Toyota Motor Sales (USA) Inc - Torrance California
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Toyota Motor Sales (USA) Inc
Department WC10, 19001 S. Western Ave Torrance, 90509 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-331-4331
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Toyota Motor Sales (USA) Inc refused to reimburse repair charges for engine damage due to sludging ripoff waste of time Torrance California
My car '98 Corolla, purchased on 3/27/98 that has been regularly maintained as per manufacturers recommendations blew its engine while driving on the highway.
I was in the fast lane and had to dangerously veer the vehicle to the shoulder. The car had done only 51,000 miles. I have been regular with oil change and preventive maintenance and have receipts to prove that and this is a clearly a case of manufacturing fault of the car.
I finally paid $4500 for full engine replacement and sent the receipts and maintenance records to Toyota. Notwithstanding my furnishing proof of regular maintenance of oil changes every 3000 to 5000 miles, Toyota has refused to reimburse this amount, saying that I have not MAINTAINED my car.
Oil slugding was noticed at 33654 miles on 6/14/2001 and I was advised to be regular with oil changes, which I always was. The CHECK ENGINE light used to come on. I have a receipt from Suburban Toyota, Troy MI that states this diagnosis. At that time Toyota was not running the goodwill reimbursement program for sludge victims, and I did not ahve any information who this should be reported to. Not realizing the consequences, I continued regular oil changes every 3000 miles, however the CHECK ENGINE light still used to come on every 3K miles just before an oil change. None of the service stations ever pointed out anything abnormal.
The engine eventually blew since the consumption of oil became very high. As per the report form the workshop, hole in the engine was due to starvation of oil. I was very regular with oil changes and had no idea that my car will consume oil very quickly and that I need to have my oil changes done even before the manufacturers recommendations. The engine had depelted to due oil sludging.
I have maintained my car regularly and have all oil change and preventive maintenance receipts to prove that. There is no reason for the engine to breakdown at 51,000 miles when it had been maintained in mint condition, driven sparingly and never abused. Toyota claims that their engines have longevity of 150,000 miles, however this is not the case with my car. This clearly is indicative of a defective engine. Sludging and/or other manufacturing defect has definitely contributed to this consequence.
I called the service rep many times and even wrote to the president, but they have only one answer that its my fault.
Rahul
55391, Minnesota
U.S.A.
I was in the fast lane and had to dangerously veer the vehicle to the shoulder. The car had done only 51,000 miles. I have been regular with oil change and preventive maintenance and have receipts to prove that and this is a clearly a case of manufacturing fault of the car.
I finally paid $4500 for full engine replacement and sent the receipts and maintenance records to Toyota. Notwithstanding my furnishing proof of regular maintenance of oil changes every 3000 to 5000 miles, Toyota has refused to reimburse this amount, saying that I have not MAINTAINED my car.
Oil slugding was noticed at 33654 miles on 6/14/2001 and I was advised to be regular with oil changes, which I always was. The CHECK ENGINE light used to come on. I have a receipt from Suburban Toyota, Troy MI that states this diagnosis. At that time Toyota was not running the goodwill reimbursement program for sludge victims, and I did not ahve any information who this should be reported to. Not realizing the consequences, I continued regular oil changes every 3000 miles, however the CHECK ENGINE light still used to come on every 3K miles just before an oil change. None of the service stations ever pointed out anything abnormal.
The engine eventually blew since the consumption of oil became very high. As per the report form the workshop, hole in the engine was due to starvation of oil. I was very regular with oil changes and had no idea that my car will consume oil very quickly and that I need to have my oil changes done even before the manufacturers recommendations. The engine had depelted to due oil sludging.
I have maintained my car regularly and have all oil change and preventive maintenance receipts to prove that. There is no reason for the engine to breakdown at 51,000 miles when it had been maintained in mint condition, driven sparingly and never abused. Toyota claims that their engines have longevity of 150,000 miles, however this is not the case with my car. This clearly is indicative of a defective engine. Sludging and/or other manufacturing defect has definitely contributed to this consequence.
I called the service rep many times and even wrote to the president, but they have only one answer that its my fault.
Rahul
55391, Minnesota
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Tom
Vernon,Connecticut,
U.S.A.
Hey Stan?
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, September 16, 2003
Does the sludge problem involve the newer cars only? I have a '94 Camry (4 banger) and my mom has a '93 Camry V6. Should we be concerned?
Stan
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Insider SLUDGE info.
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, August 20, 2003
Bad news up front: You can forget about being reimbursed for your engine repair unless you sue. While Toyota may give away parts and their technicians time for free, they do not give away cash. To warranty something there needs to be a defective part intact and in the car to substantiate the cost of repair to Toyota. For the dealer to be reimbursed by Toyota, not only does the dealer need to see the failed part, they need to send it back to Toyota if requested. Unfortunately, you made the mistake of having it fixed on your own. If documentation on an official R.O. (repair order) exists that you had sludge diagnosed at 33k in 2001, that is proof enough that the engine had the problem before your 3/36 warranty was up and it becomes retroactive even if they balk at your 6/60 powertrain warranty. Even if you had only two or three documented oil changes Toyota, not the dealer, could have opened a file and would have investigated, and in my experience after calling, calling, and more calling, reluctantly supplied a newly installed engine. Ive replaced the 1ZZ-FE Corolla/Celica/MR2/Matrix engine from 1998 and on under warranty for sludge, excessive oil consumption, and the connecting rod coming through the block. Ive seen all of them numerous times because its the same root problem. Toyota is VERY AWARE of the problem (The only thing their MORE aware of is their V6 1MZ-FE sludgemobiles which include the Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Lexus, Solara, and Sienna). These engines have been/may still be on backorder and are sent to the dealers on a priority basis, i.e. which ever customer is persistently calling and writing (peaceably and rationally) not only to the dealer, but to the appropriate Toyota regional office which is what really lights a fire under the dealers butt. But, dont expect reimbursement through the usual channels AFTER youve had the repairs. Toyota is way too greedy for that. Here are the circus hoops you must jump through in order: 1. Service Writer (commissioned sales/idiot), 2. Service Manager (pompous a*s/thief), 3. Toyota Regional (Whos on first?), 4. Judge Judy (Friend). Good luck Rahul.
Stan
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Insider SLUDGE info.
#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, August 20, 2003
Bad news up front: You can forget about being reimbursed for your engine repair unless you sue. While Toyota may give away parts and their technicians time for free, they do not give away cash. To warranty something there needs to be a defective part intact and in the car to substantiate the cost of repair to Toyota. For the dealer to be reimbursed by Toyota, not only does the dealer need to see the failed part, they need to send it back to Toyota if requested. Unfortunately, you made the mistake of having it fixed on your own. If documentation on an official R.O. (repair order) exists that you had sludge diagnosed at 33k in 2001, that is proof enough that the engine had the problem before your 3/36 warranty was up and it becomes retroactive even if they balk at your 6/60 powertrain warranty. Even if you had only two or three documented oil changes Toyota, not the dealer, could have opened a file and would have investigated, and in my experience after calling, calling, and more calling, reluctantly supplied a newly installed engine. Ive replaced the 1ZZ-FE Corolla/Celica/MR2/Matrix engine from 1998 and on under warranty for sludge, excessive oil consumption, and the connecting rod coming through the block. Ive seen all of them numerous times because its the same root problem. Toyota is VERY AWARE of the problem (The only thing their MORE aware of is their V6 1MZ-FE sludgemobiles which include the Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Lexus, Solara, and Sienna). These engines have been/may still be on backorder and are sent to the dealers on a priority basis, i.e. which ever customer is persistently calling and writing (peaceably and rationally) not only to the dealer, but to the appropriate Toyota regional office which is what really lights a fire under the dealers butt. But, dont expect reimbursement through the usual channels AFTER youve had the repairs. Toyota is way too greedy for that. Here are the circus hoops you must jump through in order: 1. Service Writer (commissioned sales/idiot), 2. Service Manager (pompous a*s/thief), 3. Toyota Regional (Whos on first?), 4. Judge Judy (Friend). Good luck Rahul.
Stan
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Insider SLUDGE info.
#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, August 20, 2003
Bad news up front: You can forget about being reimbursed for your engine repair unless you sue. While Toyota may give away parts and their technicians time for free, they do not give away cash. To warranty something there needs to be a defective part intact and in the car to substantiate the cost of repair to Toyota. For the dealer to be reimbursed by Toyota, not only does the dealer need to see the failed part, they need to send it back to Toyota if requested. Unfortunately, you made the mistake of having it fixed on your own. If documentation on an official R.O. (repair order) exists that you had sludge diagnosed at 33k in 2001, that is proof enough that the engine had the problem before your 3/36 warranty was up and it becomes retroactive even if they balk at your 6/60 powertrain warranty. Even if you had only two or three documented oil changes Toyota, not the dealer, could have opened a file and would have investigated, and in my experience after calling, calling, and more calling, reluctantly supplied a newly installed engine. Ive replaced the 1ZZ-FE Corolla/Celica/MR2/Matrix engine from 1998 and on under warranty for sludge, excessive oil consumption, and the connecting rod coming through the block. Ive seen all of them numerous times because its the same root problem. Toyota is VERY AWARE of the problem (The only thing their MORE aware of is their V6 1MZ-FE sludgemobiles which include the Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Lexus, Solara, and Sienna). These engines have been/may still be on backorder and are sent to the dealers on a priority basis, i.e. which ever customer is persistently calling and writing (peaceably and rationally) not only to the dealer, but to the appropriate Toyota regional office which is what really lights a fire under the dealers butt. But, dont expect reimbursement through the usual channels AFTER youve had the repairs. Toyota is way too greedy for that. Here are the circus hoops you must jump through in order: 1. Service Writer (commissioned sales/idiot), 2. Service Manager (pompous a*s/thief), 3. Toyota Regional (Whos on first?), 4. Judge Judy (Friend). Good luck Rahul.
Stan
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Insider SLUDGE info.
#6UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, August 20, 2003
Bad news up front: You can forget about being reimbursed for your engine repair unless you sue. While Toyota may give away parts and their technicians time for free, they do not give away cash. To warranty something there needs to be a defective part intact and in the car to substantiate the cost of repair to Toyota. For the dealer to be reimbursed by Toyota, not only does the dealer need to see the failed part, they need to send it back to Toyota if requested. Unfortunately, you made the mistake of having it fixed on your own. If documentation on an official R.O. (repair order) exists that you had sludge diagnosed at 33k in 2001, that is proof enough that the engine had the problem before your 3/36 warranty was up and it becomes retroactive even if they balk at your 6/60 powertrain warranty. Even if you had only two or three documented oil changes Toyota, not the dealer, could have opened a file and would have investigated, and in my experience after calling, calling, and more calling, reluctantly supplied a newly installed engine. Ive replaced the 1ZZ-FE Corolla/Celica/MR2/Matrix engine from 1998 and on under warranty for sludge, excessive oil consumption, and the connecting rod coming through the block. Ive seen all of them numerous times because its the same root problem. Toyota is VERY AWARE of the problem (The only thing their MORE aware of is their V6 1MZ-FE sludgemobiles which include the Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Lexus, Solara, and Sienna). These engines have been/may still be on backorder and are sent to the dealers on a priority basis, i.e. which ever customer is persistently calling and writing (peaceably and rationally) not only to the dealer, but to the appropriate Toyota regional office which is what really lights a fire under the dealers butt. But, dont expect reimbursement through the usual channels AFTER youve had the repairs. Toyota is way too greedy for that. Here are the circus hoops you must jump through in order: 1. Service Writer (commissioned sales/idiot), 2. Service Manager (pompous a*s/thief), 3. Toyota Regional (Whos on first?), 4. Judge Judy (Friend). Good luck Rahul.
