Thanks for catching that, there were several typo's that I ran across.

I am hopeful that Toyota is going to hold the dealer to the fire. I have a hard time believing that Toyota would want to certify a vehicle that had a rack of a lesser quality than theirs.

Not sure how it's going to work out. SE Toyota followed up and told me to expect a call from the dealer to bring the vehicle back in. I assume I will be showing the vehicle to same folks who have told me "no dice" twice before.

I wonder if they will be motivated to make me happy since SE Toyota is breathing down their back?

After having SE Toyota contact the dealer, they are still refusing to offer any reasonable solution. They claim that the aftermarket rack is as good as a toyota rack, therefore it is acceptable and passes the 160 point inspection. How in the world can a rack connected to my roof with sheet screws be as good as a Toyota rack??? Anyone have any advice on who to contact next. I am on hold with Toyota Corporate right now, will it be more of the same???

Wow, that's surprising. I guess the dealer is sticking to it's guns. I guess your last hope is to complain to Toyota Corporate and try to have them send out a field rep to discuss it with you.

BTW, your dealership sucks ass. This is piss poor customer service. Those idiots must not realize that it would be cheaper for them to make you happy in the long run. I don't know how/why people don't understand that simple concept.... negative information travels at the speed of light. You'll tell people about your bad experience and they'll tell other people, etc... Pretty soon there are a lot of people in your area that have heard negative stories about the dealership instead of a positive story. Hell, maybe you should call one of those "help me" news guys and see if he'll put your story on the air.

But like I said, if I were in your shoes and I exhausted all other options already, I'd remove that aftermarket rack and have a body shop fill the holes and respray the roof. Then you just need to find someone selling his rack for cheap and you're all set. I see factory racks for sale fairly often on this forum.

Yeah, you're telling me! I visited another Toyota dealer in town and there response was "they have to help". Well, as it turns out SE Toyota and Corporate won't do anything because the dealers are the ones who back the 160 Point inspection. I just think its really crappy business. It's really a dumb business move on their part...I am a 25 year old, recently married guy. In my lifetime, I will purchase another 10 or more cars....and NONE from them. Thats a possible half a million dollars, that these fools are going to miss their chance at. I have a fairly large circle of friends and as they say "bad news travels fast". I am already penning my letter to the Better Business Bureau and letter to "The State" paper. You never wanna wage a war with someone who buys ink by the gallon.

The dealer offered to get me a roof rack at cost, but I'm not even sure want to deal with them anymore. At this point, I am very unhappy with their "solution" and don't even know if I should appease them by taking them up on there offer. If I wanted to buy a new rack, I think I'd rather pay an honest dealer, haven't decided on that yet.

Also, for the record...I recommend everyone to boycott D I C K Dyer Toyota in Columbia, SC.

A few thoughts: (aside from that rack MUST go)

1) Go higher. Who does SE report to? SE gave their decision - the dealer is not backing the inspection as mandated by corporate. Your case aside, how to they intend to remedy the fact that their dealers are making their own rules? If that's the case, Toyota Certified isn't worth the paper it's written on. It should be called dealer certified. Toyota's name is being tarnished if they don't hold their dealers accountable.

2) I would never recommend something like this, but I've written a nice fictional story in the first person for your enjoyment: I'm always one to pursue the responsible and ethical course of action, that is until others change the rules of the game. Given my blood is near boil just in reading this post, I would rip that freakin' rack right off the truck. Sheet metal screws?? I carry surfboards all the time at freeway speeds. That produces very significant up-force, particularly with long boards. I am quite certain my use of this rack would rip it clean off the roof. GUESS WHAT NOW DEALER?? You're fixing the roof, replacing with a factory or factory equivalent rack, AND you are reimbursing me for $2000 worth of surfboards that are all over the freeway and you guys are lucky they didn't land on another car and cause a serious accident. You sound like a very nice guy that wants an honest deal, and rightfully so. I'd start raising hell if I were you. They're not responding to reason.

3) So my advice - picket them. My friend realized she got a bad deal on her car (not Toyota) and picketed out front on a weekend - standing there with a poster board sign "THIS DEALERSHIP RIPPED ME OFF" right as customers are pulling into the parking lot. Within minutes they came out and asked her to come inside. She declined and said the time for conversation was over. If they were ready to act she'd come in. They took her car back and gave her the next trim level up at cost, which was less $$ than she paid for the base model. Not that I'm saying she deserved all that because after all she signed the deal and had no real recourse - she was just ticked off. You my friend have a legitimate case. They will soon realize it's cheaper to give you what you want than to lose customers thanks to your appropriately negative picket sign.

Good luck. Kick some A**!

Thanks for the input!

Right now, I am awaiting another call from the dealer to respond to my Toyota Corporate inquiry. I am sure it will be the same guy that handled it from the dealers' end when I contacted SE Toyota. It would have made sense to me if a 3rd party not directly associated with the dealership would examine the rack to determine if it is in fact "acceptable".

More on the rack, it has these really crappy end covers that come off if you sneeze on them. That being said, they are supposed to be coming by my office to silicone them on today. This will be the 2nd time they have tried this. Aside from the structural capacity of the rack, how they claim its similar to OEM quality if the dam* covers want even stay on!

I have a friend who is a state representative who is getting in touch with the Department of Consumer affairs and have them look into it. Again, I'm not sure what they can do, but at least I will exhaust my resources. I am also considering asking everyone I know (you guys included) to contact D ick Dyer Toyota to express displeasure with their handling of the situation and their blatent disregard to the 160 point inspection.

Progress is being made -

Just got a call from SE Toyota, who is mediating this thing...said the dealer is prepared to give me a rack if I sign an agreement that I won't bring this issue up again. I am not gonna accept it, but am sitting on it for a few days.

The rack is the easy part, I can buy one from classifieds for $150, the bigger problem is the roof.

this is why we dont buy from dealers, most are scumbags, although not certified, private party is usually cheaper and more reliable, especially because dealers are really good at sweeping SHlT under the carpet.

I've run with 4 kayaks on the factory rack using the Yakima Big Stack no problem. (whitewater boats about 40# each).

However, my end covers on the factory rack... two have come off... I already paid to replace one... the dealer is like "well buy another"

UPDATE -

After applying much pressure and threatening to exercise my First Ammendment right, the dealer agreed to install an OEM rack at their cost. The only stipulation was that they were going to leave the existing rack and just saw it off. It wasn't ideal, but it looks fine. The new rack is bulky enough that it hides the old brackets and you can only see it if, if looking at the vehicle from behind and knowing what you are looking for.

On another note, does anyone know the difference in the tubular bars vs the straight bars? I have the tubular (thicker) bars, but haven't seen those on any other Runners?

Ultimately the cosmetically thick metal tubular bars are attached to the vehicle with plastic on each end.

Gentlemen:
Has anyone calculated a gas mileage change (increase or decrease) after the roof rack is removed.??
I am considering removal to enhance gas mileage.


New member.

Thank you
2010 LTD 2wd.

If this doesn't work out and they won't do anything to help you, I'll give you an OEM roof rack. I'll even meet within 35 miles of 37617.

This isn't correct. The brackets are metal, covered with a plastic shroud