Letter to Toyota

[metalbones]

Today I sent a letter to Toyota about my car being a potential lemon. This was done as part of the lemon process in my state and it serves to notify Toyota that they will be given one final attempt to repair the defect. My car has been in to the dealership 4 times already, with 3 repairs failing to permanently resolve the issue.

Several months ago I posted a thread about my brakes making a pop/clunk noise when depressed. Since then (Oct. 2009) the issue has persisted through several repairs.

Issue: When depressing the brake pedal a pop/clunk noise can be heard from the front brakes. Feedback can be felt in the pedal and a sudden loss of braking power occurs: the pedal drops slightly and requires more force to brake. Issue also occurs when turning the wheel in either direction and is louder and more pronounced at higher speeds. Noise comes from the right front wheel area (passenger side) currently but previously came from the left front wheel area (driver side).

(10/16/09) Initial Issue: I took the car to the dealership, explained the noise. Tech rode with me and confirmed the issue. I waited while they inspected the car but they were unable to resolve the issue before closing. They insisted I take the car and bring it back when they could spend more time. No work was performed.

(10/27/09) Attempt One: I took the car to the dealership, explained the noise. Tech rode with me and confirmed the issue again. Tech that inspected my car also verified the issue. Work performed: tightened all suspension and chassis bolts, noise is gone. I took the car home, the noise occurred again before I even left the lot.

(11/12/09) Attempt Two: I took the car to the dealership, explained the noise. Tech rode with me and confirmed the issue a third time. Work performed: loose drive shaft nut, adjusted drive shaft nut. I noticed this is mentioned as standard maintenance in the manual at 15,000 miles; mileage on my car at the time was just over 11,000.

(01/28/10) Attempt Three: I took the car to the dealership, explained the noise. Tech rode with me and confirmed the issue a fourth time. Dealer gives me a loaner car since they plan to keep my car over a week. I receive no news for 4 days, finally I receive a call that they have replicated the issue several times and have opened a case with Toyota Corporate whom they are waiting to receive instructions from. The service rep explains they are using a mechanics stethoscope to isolate the noise. Four days later I receive a call that they isolated the noise. Work done: replaced the left front strut, issue is resolved.

The issue appeared to finally be resolved, I had no problems right afterward and I was happy to be done with the whole issue. Fast forward to late May 2010: I think I hear a pop when braking and I begin to worry. Each day it becomes more apparent that the issue is back. I was still unsure if perhaps it was nothing and I was hearing something else. My wife and I take a short road trip and she mentions that my car is making a strange popping sound when I brake. After returning from my trip it is apparent that the issue occurs full-force again and I am concerned about the safety of my car. I am advised by a friend to consider state lemon laws before accepting another repair. This requires me to sent a certified letter to Toyota and await their response before bring the car in for service. So now I wait.

Sorry for the long post, thought everyone might be interested to know. I have lost confidence in Toyota and I am concerned about the safety of my car. I have been treated poorly by the dealership and Toyota has not returned my phone calls when I submit a complaint. This was my first Toyota and most likely my last. Despite all of my problems I am not angry at the dealership or Toyota, I just don't want any more problems.

__________

Update: 07/09/2010
Toyota received my certified letter on 07/06/2010 and has not responded through any means yet. State law says they have 10 days starting on the day of receipt to respond or they forfeit by default.

Update: 07/14/2010
Southeast Toyota called me yesterday (07/13/2010) about bringing my car in for service. They want me to wait until July 26th and they will have a Toyota engineer inspect it on July 27th. I spoke to the representative that called me and explained that I can only bring my car in Wednesday or Friday due to my work schedule. She called back and said they cannot authorize a rental car over the weekend if my car is not being inspected. I am currently awaiting a callback with their solution.

Update: 07/22/2010
I called Southeast Toyota once again yesterday to remind them I was waiting for a callback. My call was returned this morning; they now want me to wait until the first week of August to drop my car off, possibly even later. Supposedly the engineer is out of the office and will not be back for a week, once he is back they can figure out when they will have time to look at my car. I have decided to contact Toyota Motors USA for further support.

[cabur]

What a bummer to have repeat problems on your new purchase.
Hope Toyota can can rectify your problem to your satisfaction. Please keep us posted.

[TACO_KID]

i might be sending a similar letter.

something seems odd with Toyota. i understand issues arise and you fix them, but faulty engines from 2007/2008, and they are reporting that they knew about the robot issue way back then!! why wasnt that issue fixed then, why 3 years later ?

in lieu of all the recent exposure, from testimony to documnets, seems like there is a whistle blower.

bad brakes, cracked engine(s), faulty engines, bad floor mats, bad gas pedals, SUA....... it goes on and on. there's also a bad batch of airbags in there too (multi-manufacturers since they used the same airbag vendor).

c'mon, even the 2010 loaner car i got (had only 10 miles on it) died on the side of the hwy.

seems to be either a cover-up or quality control issue. something just doesnt seem right.

[rwd_3tc]

To be honest. I have seen the decline in workmanship in Toyota. Being a tech at Toyota for 8 plus years I have seen quite a bit. Ever since they moved some of the plants to North America. Quality has slipped big time. In North America nobody cares about their work, they just do the work and get paid. Not like in Japan where their is still pride in workmanship.

[nate89]

Originally Posted by TACO_KID

seems to be either a cover-up or quality control issue. something just doesnt seem right.

dun dun duuunnnn... Lol

To be honest. I have seen the decline in workmanship in Toyota. Being a tech at Toyota for 8 plus years I have seen quite a bit. Ever since they moved some of the plants to North America. Quality has slipped big time. In North America nobody cares about their work, they just do the work and get paid. Not like in Japan where their is still pride in workmanship.

that why I'll never buy another American made car, not counting the fact that I'll never by an American branded car. My corolla was made in Canada and sold here in the states. It had the pedal recall, pedal also made here. In japan, cars made there work fine, pedals work, everything works. My next car will be a Toyota, but I'm gonna make sure that before I hand my money over that the vin starts with the letter J.

[flamedrgn]

Originally Posted by nate89

dun dun duuunnnn... Lol



that why I'll never buy another American made car, not counting the fact that I'll never by an American branded car. My corolla was made in Canada and sold here in the states. It had the pedal recall, pedal also made here. In japan, cars made there work fine, pedals work, everything works. My next car will be a Toyota, but I'm gonna make sure that before I hand my money over that the vin starts with the letter J.

+1 although i havent had any issues with my vehicle except for the recent recalls, but the quality of the other toyotas my parents and brother own seem to have a more sturdy feeling than my car. They own SUVs which only come from japan and the build quality seems better. The only recalls theyve had was to reinforce/replace the hose clamps. I just hate wasting my time going back to the dealership, especially since they arent the nicest people...

[rolla-XRS]

In your original complaint you mentioned that there was thunking when applying the brakes and then corresponding loss of brake power.

Now that the thunking is back, are you also getting corresponding loss of brake power?

Pads sit int sliders so they will shift around a bit during initial braking - particularly when you change directions reverse/forward.

[metalbones]

Originally Posted by rolla-XRS

In your original complaint you mentioned that there was thunking when applying the brakes and then corresponding loss of brake power.

Now that the thunking is back, are you also getting corresponding loss of brake power?

Pads sit int sliders so they will shift around a bit during initial braking - particularly when you change directions reverse/forward.

Yes, I am getting the loss of brake power. I am familiar with the pad shift you are talking about, I explained that noise to another member when they noticed it. The service advisor at the dealership also thought I was hearing pad shift, all the techs that have driven my car have confirmed that the noise my brakes make is not usual and they have never experienced it on another Corolla.

I hear the pad shift when I reverse and then proceed forward. My issue, however, occurs every time you press the brakes while continuing forward.

[xP3R5i4Nx]

sorry to hear that. i hope that letter does some damage, and you walk away with a brand new car. you deserve it for what you've been through

[TACO_KID]

Originally Posted by xP3R5i4Nx

sorry to hear that. i hope that letter does some damage, and you walk away with a brand new car. you deserve it for what you've been through

hah, Toyota wouldnt even reset my powertrain warranty when they had to replace my engine block because it was cracked, on a XRS that was built in 11/2009. in my case customer service was horrible, both at the dealer and from Toyota direct. i understand shiat happens, but fix it, fix it right.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by TACO_KID

i might be sending a similar letter.

something seems odd with Toyota. i understand issues arise and you fix them, but faulty engines from 2007/2008, and they are reporting that they knew about the robot issue way back then!! why wasnt that issue fixed then, why 3 years later ?

Easy, they figured the cars would have been traded in before the problems were discovered


in lieu of all the recent exposure, from testimony to documnets, seems like there is a whistle blower.

bad brakes, cracked engine(s), faulty engines, bad floor mats, bad gas pedals, SUA....... it goes on and on. there's also a bad batch of airbags in there too (multi-manufacturers since they used the same airbag vendor).

c'mon, even the 2010 loaner car i got (had only 10 miles on it) died on the side of the hwy.

seems to be either a cover-up or quality control issue. something just doesnt seem right.

True. Toyota is slowly becoming like the old GM was in the 80s and 90s.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by nate89

dun dun duuunnnn... Lol



that why I'll never buy another American made car, not counting the fact that I'll never by an American branded car. My corolla was made in Canada and sold here in the states. It had the pedal recall, pedal also made here. In japan, cars made there work fine, pedals work, everything works. My next car will be a Toyota, but I'm gonna make sure that before I hand my money over that the vin starts with the letter J.

You may have a point. There has been hardly anything mentioned, regarding the Tercel, ECHO or Yaris.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by nate89

In japan, cars made there work fine, pedals work, everything works. My next car will be a Toyota, but I'm gonna make sure that before I hand my money over that the vin starts with the letter J.

I wouldn't be so certain of that statement....

The defective 4.6-litre V8 and 3.5-litre V6 engines are installed in eight top line models, including some hybrids -- the Lexus GS350, GS450h, GS460, IS350, LS460, LS600h and LS600hL as well as Crown sedans

All J-VIN cars. Faulty valve springs were the problem.

Nothing is safe from Toyota's total recall.

Full thread here:
More trouble for Toyota?

[dj2000lbs]

I've been saying this all along for awhile. I like my xrs Corolla but i def have big buyers remorse my dad who owns a Yaris was very happy with his car and I thought it would translate to the Corolla the same. but he's shocked that I've seen 2 recall letters from Toyota since I have owned my car. I know for me I'll end up keeping the car for a long time I have to make paying Full price for a new car worth it. BUT I'll def not being doing Toyota any favors in the future when I purchase a different car. I too have gone threw the Toyota Customer service thing and all I can say is Terrible!! Having worked at other car dealerships nobody is particularly great but Toyota def takes the award for worst.

[ducksunlimited90]

My Corolla is about the biggest piece of junk ever! I am only still driving because of the gas mileage. I had a 4runner before this and it was awesome! I took that thing off road more places than jeeps would ever think about going. With that said yes quality has gone way down shame on toyotas behalf.