TSB Question

[BOBfromNJ]

What's the truth behind a TSB?

Since my car has a few TSB's for it including the famous 3rd-4th gear shift flare. Just what does this mean?

1. Does the dealer have to fix your car under a TSB if under warranty and you are having the problem covered under the TSB?

2. Do you bring the dealer the TSB's if they are not being receptive?

3. What if the dealer doesn't believe you have the problem under the TSB or is just blowing you off?

4. So, how much weight does a TSB really carry?

5. What do you do if the dealer does not fix your car under a TSB? Do they have too?

I think a lot of Toyota owners would like to know the answer to these questions. Appreciate any help. Thanks.
Bob

[toyomoho]

Suggest you do a recent TN history search on this issue. Just read a long post the other day on this exact subject, the TSB, dealer response to complaints, etc. Some folks had their trans rebuilt, others still have the problem. The dealers seem aware of the issue.

[Mike Gerber]

I would just take the car to the dealer and tell the service writer the symptoms you are experiencing. Have the TSB with you, but don't bring it up at write-up. If the dealer says they can't duplicate the problem (a common occurrence), then I would bring out the TSB and mention it seems to be covered by this TSB. See what their response is. If you feel they are still not responding to your problem, then I would call Toyota corporate customer service at 1-800-331-4331 and discuss it with them. They will get involved and contact the dealer for you. Someone from the dealership will then call you back.

I would always try to give the dealership the benefit of the doubt, in that they know what they are doing and are trying to do the correct thing for you. If I feel they do not know what they are doing or are simply not acting in good faith, then I would contact Toyota corporate. IMHO.

Mike

[Raddius]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

I would just take the car to the dealer and tell the service writer the symptoms you are experiencing. Have the TSB with you, but don't bring it up at write-up. If the dealer says they can't duplicate the problem (a common occurrence), then I would bring out the TSB and mention it seems to be covered by this TSB. See what their response is. If you feel they are still not responding to your problem, then I would call Toyota corporate customer service at 1-800-331-4331 and discuss it with them. They will get involved and contact the dealer for you. Someone from the dealership will then call you back.

I would always try to give the dealership the benefit of the doubt, in that they know what they are doing and are trying to do the correct thing for you. If I feel they do not know what they are doing or are simply not acting in good faith, then I would contact Toyota corporate. IMHO.

Mike

I would just like to throw out that this whole TSB issue seems to be completely at the dealer's discretion. So, if you come up against a resistant service dept you're pretty much not going to get any satisfaction. I took my vehicle in for the TSB EG056-06 update and the dealer refused. I contacted the service manager and was ignored. I then contacted corporate who subsequently instructed the dealer to contact me and revisit the issue by a certain date. Welp, that date came and went with no contact...the dealer even ignored corporate.

I love my Toyota, but the dealer...not so much.

[ldnewton2]

How many who've been told that the dealer couldn't replicate the problem brought their vehicles in "warm"? Because I anticipated a problem with my dealer, I left mine overnight. I didn't mention anything specific to a TSB when I dropped it off, just played it straight describing the symptoms. The service writer told me he's been with the dealership 10 years and hadn't heard of this. They called me promptly at 7:30 the next morning to tell me I needed a new tranny. They provided a rental for me (a 2007 Solara), but couldn't tell me when the repair would be completed.

[BOBfromNJ]

Thanks for all the input. You are 100% right about bringing the car in when it is warm. Even the TSB says it should be cold for four hours. I am bringing the car in Thursday night for them to check it Friday morning. They are giving me a loaner. I will post what then find.
Thanks again for the input.
Bob