I was rear ended a few weeks ago on the freeway and have some questions about the repair work done.


1. I'm assuming the answer to this question is "yes" but I'll ask anyway... Is there an OEM rear bumper cover?

I told the repair shop I wanted to use OEM parts but I noticed in the paperwork after the job was done that they used an aftermarket bumper cover. As far as I can tell it looks like the OEM one but there's some gaps where it meets the rear fender flares. It doesn't look like it's the exact specs of OEM.




2. What needs to be repaired to correct the tailgate door alignment?

When I dropped off the 4Runner, I pointed out the tailgate was slightly to the left. Picked it up and nothing was done to fix it. I pointed it out again and got the "well if it's a problem later, we'll fix it then" line. Insurance agreed with me and they're going to look at it (again).




3. The trim piece on the tailgate with the "4Runner" emblems isn't flush anymore. Is this something that requires new clips or replacement?




4. The hitch receiver is slightly to the left. What else might be damaged along with this?

I also pointed out the damaged hitch and it was included in the "fix it later" line. Insurance got involved and now there's a new hitch on the way. To be fair, it was hard to notice the slight angle, but with something in the receiver it's more aparent. Still, it was pointed and should have been fixed the first time around.



TLDR version of the accident: I was stopped in traffic on the freeway. Guy behind me was stopped, too. Guy behind him didn't stop and caused a mulitcar. I was the last car hit and didn't get it too bad, pretty sure the guy behind me was totaled. No serious injuries that I know of.

I don't think there was any other damage to the 4Runner other than what was mentioned. I went through countless "4Runner rear ended" threads after the accident but I'm open to suggestions. I also have an older thread that I started about some driver seat issues. But since I had questions about the repairs I thought it was best to create a new thread.

Thanks in advance for any input.

I got t boned 3k into my truck. Rear fender flare was replaced with "OEM" and it just doesn't sit flush like the others. The told me "that's how these toyota flares are on these, and they never line up like factory". I wanted to call BS but my dumbass didn't have rental coverage and was renting out of pocket so I took it back.

Looks like your sits like crap all the way around too. IDK if we both got aftermarket or that is in fact how they sit after a repair. Haven't got around to addressing it myself yet.

Donno if that helps. But, at least you know you're not alone.

That sucks to hear glad you’re alright.

The bumper cover was definitely “aftermarket” in the description. I was going to have them replace (or at least new tabs) the flares but now that’s one more thing I’ll have to watch out for OEM-wise.

Just an fyi the bumper and the flairs are different parts.

I wonder if they reused the original clips on our flairs.

Yeah sorry I could have used better punctuation/sentence structure lol.

I stupidly assumed they’d replace the rear fender flares without needing me to point it out, or at least use new tabs to make them flush, but they didn’t.

They even scuffed up the adjacent panel when installing the bumper cover and didn’t buff it out. I could do it myself but that’s not the point...

My wife backed mine into her moms car in the driveway when leaving the garage. Doh. I bought an OEM bumper from Toyota and had it painted at a shop and replaced it myself. The process was very easy and it turned out great. There is a little bit more of a gap where the bumper meets with the side panel by the wheel well but only i notice it. The problem I found it there are clips that hold the bumper onto the side panels and if they are damaged at all the gaps wont line up. The bumper was only like $200 or so and cost another $250 for the paint.