Hi all,
Sometime ago I received the battery recall info in the mail. Because I had already replaced the battery myself (the original battery was 6 years old already) I took the instructions and measured the replacement battery and determined that it was not too small and was in fact a suitable replacement (based on the provided instructions). Unfortunately it seems that I did not retain the recall information, or at least I can't find the documents.
Today I got an oil change at the dealer. I've had several since the recall was initially issued. But TODAY they decided to check the battery. First they told me that it was a bad battery. It was cranking at over 500 CC instead of 700CC but that's OK because I was due for a replacement, "it is the original battery and is now 10 years old, it'll be $181 plus taxes." To which I replied it was not the original. I had in fact replaced the battery a few years ago. Then they told me that the battery is too small. But because I had changed it myself it was not going to be changed under the recall. I need a new battery, that'll be $181.
The weird thing is that at first the issue was that it wasn't cranking and needed to be replaced. Then the story changed to it needs to be replaced because it is too small. I don't think anyone is trying to scam me or doing anything shady. It's just weird when they don't get their information straight before coming out to talk to me.
At any rate, because I changed the battery myself they claim it is not covered under the recall. Never mind that I followed what Toyota had advised was the proper battery at the time I replaced it. If I had paid the dealer the $181 three years ago they would have either installed the correct battery and I'd be done or they would have installed the incorrect battery and they would replace it under warranty.
The questions:
1) Do I have any recourse with Toyota and should I even bother? Should I just go and buy a replacement battery?
2) Does anyone still have the instructions Toyota sent or know where I might find them? I'd be really interested to review the instructions again.
Thanks a bunch.
Sometime ago I received the battery recall info in the mail. Because I had already replaced the battery myself (the original battery was 6 years old already) I took the instructions and measured the replacement battery and determined that it was not too small and was in fact a suitable replacement (based on the provided instructions). Unfortunately it seems that I did not retain the recall information, or at least I can't find the documents.
Today I got an oil change at the dealer. I've had several since the recall was initially issued. But TODAY they decided to check the battery. First they told me that it was a bad battery. It was cranking at over 500 CC instead of 700CC but that's OK because I was due for a replacement, "it is the original battery and is now 10 years old, it'll be $181 plus taxes." To which I replied it was not the original. I had in fact replaced the battery a few years ago. Then they told me that the battery is too small. But because I had changed it myself it was not going to be changed under the recall. I need a new battery, that'll be $181.
The weird thing is that at first the issue was that it wasn't cranking and needed to be replaced. Then the story changed to it needs to be replaced because it is too small. I don't think anyone is trying to scam me or doing anything shady. It's just weird when they don't get their information straight before coming out to talk to me.
At any rate, because I changed the battery myself they claim it is not covered under the recall. Never mind that I followed what Toyota had advised was the proper battery at the time I replaced it. If I had paid the dealer the $181 three years ago they would have either installed the correct battery and I'd be done or they would have installed the incorrect battery and they would replace it under warranty.
The questions:
1) Do I have any recourse with Toyota and should I even bother? Should I just go and buy a replacement battery?
2) Does anyone still have the instructions Toyota sent or know where I might find them? I'd be really interested to review the instructions again.
Thanks a bunch.
