Friday, December 5, 2014
My 2009 TOYOTA Corolla, with just over 90,000 miles, has suffered "engine failure" (Toyota's official diagnosis). At the time of its failure I was driving on busy US Route 1 near Philadelphia, taking my mother, age 92, to her physician's office for an urgent appointment. Obviously, we never made it. Fortunately, the engine didn't lose its power while a tractor-trailor was on our tail.I was able to pull over without incident. My mother was frightened, but ultimately, she was okay. Today, after more than two weeks since I'd had the vehicle towed to the service department of a local Toyota dealership--more than two weeks after mechanics there first examined it--that dealership informed me for the first time of the engine's "failure" and advised me that the only way that the vehicle would ever work again is with an entire new engine. I phoned TOYOTA"S customer-service center. The representative informed me, emphatically, that while Toyota's dealership would be happy to install another engine (used), the cost of that engine and its installation would be my responsibility. TOYOTA 's cars, which I have owned and have driven exclusively, with a single exception, since 1982, should be manufactured to operate for more than five years and 90,000 miles. TOYOTA should stand by its loyal customers and, more important, take responsibility for its product's most fundamental component: its engine. If not, as apparently is the case, Americans should boycott TOYOTA lest they find themselves after five years with an utterly useless automobile. This company says that it takes pride in the resale value of its cars. After some 90,000 miles in five years, mine is worth nothing. DON'T BUY TOYOTA!
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Indeed, avoid TOYOTA vehicles and, thereby, the increased chance of a fatal accident and the tremendous letdown that accompanies the realization that Toyota no longer makes quality products. The engine failure which I describe above is not, I have learned, uncommon. But Toyota, barely 18 months since is last major recall, is unwilling to recall the vehicles that risk shutting down and rude and rendering themselves worthless with engine failure. Rather, the corporation is treating each customer on an individual basis and in most cases have shown the cost of replacing the engine on to the customer. In some cases however they have picked up the cost. It's a crap shoot. It seems they see you then they can get through each one without any big announcement that would bring the Corporation the disrepute that it deserves. Shame on you, Toyota. (Note: The engine failure will occur with very little warning. Indeed, my car passed Pennsylvania state inspection just 8 days before i occurred. A cylinder, quite suddenly, will misfire. The check-engine warning light will turn on. If you can get it towed to your mechanic quickly, huling tell you that one or more cylinder coils need to be replaced, along with the plugs. But even if you are able to drive away after the repair, you won't get far. Your engine, already, is beyond repair)
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: Mon Dec 8. Customer Svc supervisor "Chris" phoned to reaffirm Toyota's tough stance. The cost of replacing my Toyota's engine is entirely mine to bear. The company, proud of its vehicles' durability and resale value, will not contribute, won't stand by its product. "I appreciate your anger and frustration," he said, "when your engine fails just 30,000 miles (sic) after it goes off warrant." Alas, Chris's apology plus three bucks will buy me a venti drip coffee, but not an espresso drink, at Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteBottom line: If your Toyota is serviced buy your own mechanic, or if you purchase one from Car Sense or any other reputable non Toyota dealer, you should pull the Toyota markings off the car immediately. As far as the company is concerned, it is no longer one of their cars.
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