Build and transit status for new 4runner?

[mooch91]

Hi all,

I know other manufacturers have online services that can help you track an incoming vehicle. Is this available for Toyota?

We pre-bought an incoming 4runner. At the time of purchase, Toyota's websites were listing it as "in build phase". Over the past few days it flipped to "in transit".

Is there a way to get any more information about its whereabouts and ETA? Dealer has offered nothing - they only say they don't have that visibility, which I find hard to believe.

Also - when we pre-purchased, the truck already had a VIN available online. When we put down our deposit, the dealer refused to link the paperwork to any identifying information for the specific 4runner we decided on. Claimed a VIN wasn't available, and then that the VIN online was a dummy VIN. I didn't feel comfortable, but I felt the risk was only in my waiting time, as it's only a small deposit down. Is there something I'm missing as to why identifying information was not documented and the dealer had a reluctance to do so? Are they going to try to get me to settle on a different truck instead? Play a game to say they have other buyers when this one arrives? I have no reason to believe the dealer will be unethical about the deal, but just couldn't understand. The Toyota website did flip to "sale pending" on the specific 4runner shortly after we signed the papers.

Thanks!

 

[HuskyMike]

Once it's built, you should have a valid VIN that you can look up on Toyota Tracker <--- that's not affiliated with Toyota but seems to work well for general tracking status.

The dealer can absolutely provide tracking information. They use what is called "Dealer Daily" to track vehicles. It has a little bit more information than the site above, but they can't tell you things like "It's 5 miles past Denver, Co" etc. They can tell you when it arrives in and leaves the port after being loaded on train whereas the above site does not.

In Transit is the longest phase. Transit includes the boat coming over, sitting in port and traveling by train all the way to getting loaded on car carrier.

While their estimates are pretty good, the time in transit can vary depending on the carrier and other influences. So the dealer can only estimate, based on their experience, when the vehicle will finally make it to them.

Here's an example of what the dealer sees (and can send you via text etc).

 

[mooch91]

Thanks [MENTION=730117]HuskyMike[/MENTION].

I don't know why the dealer was so vague even when we put the deposit on the truck. It had a VIN at that time. Maybe they just don't want to get in the habit of estimating timing for customers with the potential to let them down. I may give it a couple of weeks and push a little more.

Is there anyone on here who can look up tracking if provided a VIN?

Thanks again.

 

[HuskyMike]

Thanks [MENTION=730117]HuskyMike[/MENTION].

I don't know why the dealer was so vague even when we put the deposit on the truck. It had a VIN at that time. Maybe they just don't want to get in the habit of estimating timing for customers with the potential to let them down. I may give it a couple of weeks and push a little more.

Is there anyone on here who can look up tracking if provided a VIN?

Thanks again.

No problem. I've heard they use "dummy" VINs at first until they get a valid one.

Is there anyone on here who can look up tracking if provided a VIN?

Were you not able to use that tracker site I linked?

 

[mooch91]

Were you not able to use that tracker site I linked?

I did, but it doesn't give anything more than Toyota's own website (or maybe it's dealer inventory website) which shows it "in transit". My current status is "freight" on the website you linked.

Would love to see the additional information like you showed in the image.

Thanks.

 

[HuskyMike]

I did, but it doesn't give anything more than Toyota's own website (or maybe it's dealer inventory website) which shows it "in transit". My current status is "freight" on the website you linked.

Would love to see the additional information like you showed in the image.

Thanks.

Got it. I believe there may have been a dealer contact on the forum at some point. Hopefully they'll chime in.

Or, even better, hopefully your dealer will offer more information.

Also, I mispoke, "Freight" status is the longest status on the toyota tracker I linked.

 

[NMJack]

Once it's built, you should have a valid VIN that you can look up on Toyota Tracker <--- that's not affiliated with Toyota but seems to work well for general tracking status.

The dealer can absolutely provide tracking information. They use what is called "Dealer Daily" to track vehicles. It has a little bit more information than the site above, but they can't tell you things like "It's 5 miles past Denver, Co" etc. They can tell you when it arrives in and leaves the port after being loaded on train whereas the above site does not.

In Transit is the longest phase. Transit includes the boat coming over, sitting in port and traveling by train all the way to getting loaded on car carrier.

While their estimates are pretty good, the time in transit can vary depending on the carrier and other influences. So the dealer can only estimate, based on their experience, when the vehicle will finally make it to them.

Here's an example of what the dealer sees (and can send you via text etc).

Thank you for that tracker link. I have one coming that the dealer has told me should arrive 7/15. That tracker says 7-8 through 7/12. That is useful information. I am in no hurry, but need to know what is going on so that I can plan accordingly. Dealers suddenly turn very anxious once the vehicle is in their possession.

Update: as of this morning (7/9) that tracker has changed to indicate 7/10 - 7/14. That helps me out as my wife is out of town until 7/13 and we want her name on the title as well.