One of the many reasons why I have never purchased any warranty that "supposedly" covers items beyond the std. factory warranty.

I don't know the details of your warranty, but I would call Toyota and ensure the dealer isn't trying to hose you.

 

I'll be making plenty of calls if they don't sort it out. It was late Friday when we got to the confirmation of my own document. The weekend has put it all on hold. Monday or Tuesday I should hear from the dealer. If not I am on the phone and they won't be happy when I do.

I didn't expect this from a reputable company and brand. Word of mouth can do a lot a of damage to future customers. I'll post the outcome back here but refrain from mentioning the dealer, at least at this time.

 

I for one have not been super impressed with Toyota in general. Its like pulling teeth to get them to acknowledge warranty work. Furthermore, issues in the 2008-2009 model years (VVT and oil cooler hoses) that should have been recalls, were delegated to TSB that most owners would not be aware of until is too late. And Toyota's standard response to just about every noise issue is "it was designed to sound that way", gives me pause to buy another one.

 

Outside the base 3 yr warranty, it’s standard to quote you a diagnostic fee. If the item is determined to be not be covered under the extended warranty, then you’re paying for their time. If it is covered under the extended warranty, then you don’t have to pay the diagnostic fee (only whatever deductible the extended warranty has). Because of the possibility (probability in the case of warranty exclusions) that it won’t be covered, they have to quote you the diagnostic fee.

 

Well they did not quote a fee. However after I also email a scanned copy of the huge list covered by the extended warranty I had bought which was supplied by two sales reps. Plus ECP # and contact people. I got a reply the "parts have been ordered... so I am assuming it is all resolved now.

I will update later as it progresses.

Still it should not have happened.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-A-C-Co...essor-Electronic-CONTROL-VALVE-for-Highlander-Venza-2009-2013-2-7L/112434587681

Evac refrigerant. Replace valve. While evac'd, replace dessicant/filter/drier and expansion valves. Recharge and good to go.

 

Hmm I was told the valve was in the compressor. They did evac etc working on it but could not get it to work. Hence new compressor etc.

Update: I was told all the part have been order to fix this now. I am waiting for the call that they're in and an install date.

Good to know it might have been able to fix a lot cheaper than what the dealer implied.

 

A couple things. Number one is that dealers are morons more often than not LOL. Secondly if you live in Belleville then why not take it there? Any Toyota dealer can do warranty work, not just the selling dealer.

 

The Belleville dealer I'd have to wait over a week to get it in. Also the last time I did that was a waste of time. I wanted to relay the info directly and they gave the vehicle back without really looking at it. Around the block and no communication even though I asked. The service adviser couldn't get him to come out an talk to me. Where I took it in Kingston was able to look at it the same day but timing and my wife doctors appointment overruled that. But I was there the next day. I was able to explain the systems in detail to their tech. The screw up was with the warranty in the system. I had all the supporting documents at home. It listed everything that was cover and it is without a doubt!!

 

Makes sense.

 

Well its two weeks gone and still parts backordered for this. Dealer is waiting.

Living with 2-3hrs from Toronto parts are still quite hard to come by for a huge name brand like this. Weather is gotten quite warm and windows down is the main relief.

 

Well I am still waiting for parts. It ridiculous for a major auto company to take remotely this long when I am only 2 hrs from the largest Canadian city. Also North America where they have large client & dealer base.
While waiting I detected while driving my wifes 2015 Sorento SX. A very very nice vehicle all around loaded beyond the gills with everything. Turns out when I took it in the same day to a local small Kia dealer, the steering rack assemble was defective. Upon being notified after waiting. The rep said, can I bring it in Friday (2 days later) for installation. They would have the part and they did it was all done by late friday afternoon and its a fairly involve job replacing it. They also did a 4 wheel alignment before returning it to me. Three day end to end. Can't do better than that.

While Toyota cannot tell me and says they don't know if or when the parts will arrive. The computer doesn't indicate it. Wow, I use to work in that industry and thats so archaic not seeing stock database for availability. If its not in North America then I must be dealing with a no name brand or in 10th world country not to have part available overnight.

I doubt I'll buy another Toyota, its my first.

 

Here is some perspective:

I bought a 2012 Kia Sorento EX. Nicely equipped. 3 days after purchase, Kia found to be lying about EPA mileage. Couldn't return vehicle so had to apply for like a penny per mile reimbursement card every year with dealer confirmation of mileage.
Also, 2 years in, exclusive highway driving, engine goes belly up. wouldn't replace under warranty since I had a an instance where I went to 11K miles on an oil change...all done at the dealer, all synthetic. Out $6K on a 2 year old vehicle.
A TSB recall on a simple shifter switch, 2 hour job, ended up taking 3 days to fix. Kia tech left an exacto knife rolling around behind my dash, then once discovered, they didn't reconnect the radio properly so usb functions didn't work, then after fixing that, they didn't put all the screws back in...
Jump a few years later, Kia has recall on engine...got my money back...3-4 years later!
Come home after a long trip right before Thanksgiving. Scheduled fluid xchange at competent local shop...car wont' go above 35 mph. Both, yes both, catalytic convertors clogged. No warning or issues, mileage still at 24 MPG, just all pooped the bed. $4k to fix. Sold it for $2K to a garage and never will buy Kia again.

Perspective

 

Well there are bad shops and tech's at dealer. I don't necessarily stick to one dealer. Where I went is 4 times further than my local one. Its also where I bought it.

Point is there aren't parts available in our market and high population area. Absurd

I'd not had parts availability issues with other brands. I have gone through dozens of vehicles. Most used, but enough with factory warranty. Historically the new ones gave me the most grief. I lived at the dealers, replacing everything eventually before they would stabilize. Current we have Sante Fe AWD LTD, Kia Sorento SX AWD, Ford Explorer 4X4, & this Highlander 4x4.

The warm weather appeared in mid June, and day her now 27C high to 15C lows at night some days. In another month the AC won't be needed. I am currently driving the Sorento (wifes vehicle, a real cream puff) since the AC is excellent and has everything built in, include lane warning, proper backup camera with sensor alert when close. Highlander doesn't even have sensors and the screen clarity is very poor in many lighting situations. Good for hitch my trailer as its beamed low. Way behind everyone else in ergonomics.

 

If Toyota can't get the parts, you should just take your Highlander to an independent mechanic and have them order after market parts. Check out Rock Auto to see if the parts are available through them.

 

Not an option. Its under warranty and I don't know what parts they have on order either. Parts can ship across the country in 2-3 days max. I'll see what the next week brings, they could have made them by now.

 

Thought about it but driving an 1hr 30min on way to get a rental and back isn't really worth it. I have assess to my wifes Sorento AWD SX which is a real "cream puff" should have got one as well. It is loaded with options I did not thing were out in 2015. The HL is just used in town for picking up mail and/or a short beer run now as the hot days are finally here.

On a side note.

I call the dealer and the service manager again after 3 weeks to the day said. No idea of ETA or when the parts would be coming. There is nothing in there system showing Toyota has the part so It has to be coming from their manufacturer to them. Toyota doesn't make the parts, they're made for them.....LOL

So in the prime market in Canada & USA they clearly not stocking a lot of parts. Despite warranty I have little choice other than to wait. I did also file a complaint with head office customer service. Enough is enough and patience expired but I am still stuck with this. Needless to say its my 1st Toyota and my last Toyota and that extends to my family members as many friends who follow my advice. Two purched competitive vehicles recently I specified. In the end its certain hurting their BRAND. The customer service rep cited it has a reliability association in their brand. I responded if that was the case this compressor and related parts would not have fail within 120k Km which is nothing. I've driven dozens of vehicles in my 45-50 of vehicle purchasing all to 200 or 300km approx and never lost an AC, Engine or tranny and all resold in great running condition. I bought their extended warranty just to cover ths expensive purchase in case and glad I did.

 

Well as its 5 weeks waiting for parts yesterday the 29th. I decided to call head office customer service again as its 2 weeks since my last call.
After confirming everything. I was told their changes to the warehouse software did not go as smoothly as planned. (no kidding) and they're doing the best to get parts out to the dealers. The CR Rep said that the dealer CANNOT SEE INVENTORY OR ANY DETAILS currently as it stands and that was what I was told 5 weeks ago.

The CR rep said they hope to have my parts out in the next few Weeks (2-3 more precisely). It will definitely be repaired and won't cost me anything. (I have warranty so no surprise there). Never the less there has to be a ton of displeased customers also wait for their repair parts. I can't be the only one affect by this. How many may have jumped ship and to another company, well we'll never know nor will they at least for some time. There is no end to this occurring this week from the conversation and I'll be at 6 weeks at minimum. Then scheduled in for the job which must take significant time.

 

Demand a free rental with AC till the parts come in.
It's amazing how fast parts can come in when they have to start paying for a rental.

 

A 3 hr round trip to the dealer if they agree is not worth it for me. Especially if i have to also bring the HL later its another trip.

They screwed up bad and many are suffering for sure. A lot of owner likely to move on the other oem's instead given its going on this on and not ending soon.

 

This sound typical for large companies. They change a major inventory software system (or some other system) because of cost cutting or some other ill conceived idea, then when the new system goes online all hell breaks loose. And the sad truth is the people behind the change will get raises and promotions for doing a great job.

 

Well they easily should have the systems to test the software and importing data whatever in a testing offline environment to work out glitches. Its standard practice in IT. I wounder what the financial impact of this is going to be. Over 6 weeks now and counting and it very hot today.

 

An update!!!

This started June 24th when the parts were ordered.
Now Sept 5th, 2019. Still no parts to complete the job.

I insisted on a rental brought the vehicle and dumped it on the dealer to keep indefinitely. A mix-up at the rental firm resulted in me getting a Durango (what a beast, I like it but is smaller than the HL). 5.7L Hemi in it 4WD etc

Yeah, Toyota is paying for everything for the rental I was told by the agent at the rental company.

 

Well now its finally done. Oct 3rd I got an email to that effect and picked it up the same day. 1.5hr drive to the rental company who dropped me at the local dealer.

The entire AC system and all parts were replace down to nuts, washers, seal including sensors, condenser, compressor, dryer, flow control all listed in two pages of parts.

I doubt I'll have much of an opportunity to use it with highs in the low teens and nights in the single digits as it was 7C this morning.

 

That sensor can be tricked to work by placing a strong small neodymium magnet on it. Sounds crazy but worked for me! It will hold on to the metal c clip which is holding the black round plastic sensor. then you can order a generic replacement.It was tough replacing but no problem in the past 2 years.