Clutch on 2008 Yaris

[rallycan]

We have a 2008 Yaris Sedan, bought new, now with 58,000 km and a totally fried clutch - clutch plate is worn right down to the rivet heads. Dealer says it was caused by "riding the clutch", which is evidenced by throw out bearing wear marks on the release springs.

We do not "ride the clutch" because as life long standard transmission users we know better (this is our first blown clutch in 70 years of combined driving) and secondly, leaving your left foot on the clutch pedal is incredibly uncomfortable - we would have sever leg cramping if we tried.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

We are going to take this up with the dealer and with TMMI and am looking for any additional background info.

[bgrieger]

My, and many other's Echo hatchbacks used to slip under full throttle (same engine and gearbox as I recall). I attributed it to far too light a pressure plate spring weight as with aftermarket pressure plates, nobody saw the problem again. You might have had similar, but your probably more gentle driving style may not have made it so evident (I treated it like a go cart, and slips were very obvious).

I as well have driven only manuals for my career and have never had a car suffer like that (I grenaded a few stock clutches on a modified civic I had though). I was going to take it in and have them pay for a new disk, but the car was written off before I got to it.

[hevster1]

Considering most Toyota clutches last at least 100k I suspect it is the owner, namely you. No offence but if it looks like a duck... I cannot see how you drive but I have seen people blow clutches within 500 miles. The yaris is a bit new but it is basically an echo. I never saw an Echo clutch fail prematurely. They might or might not help you. Your best bet is to be polite, not belligerant in any way. Good Luck.

[Ginza Wagon]

My first Toyota product, a 2005 Scion xB, had the same problem. Dealer replaced the clutch at 28,000 miles (under warranty), and then re-replaced the throwout bearing at 35,000 under warranty. I traded the vehicle in and bought a 2007 Yaris. Thus far (13,500 miles) I haven't had any issues in the Yaris.

I've been drivng manual transmission for 14 years and never had a problem on any of my other vehicles (Ford, Nissan, Honda, VW). Hopefully we have no clutch issues with our Yaris.

[Bakemono]

Id go to another dealer and get a 2nd opinion. If that dealer says the same thing, Id contact Toyota customer service.
Perhaps they will work with you on it and give you a, "goodwill warranty".
It sounds like you arent the first person to have an issue like this, so they might work with you on it.