I was wondering if people who have purchased Certified 4Runners have experienced check list items that were checked off and they really were not done. I only had my 4Runner a few days and it had a noisy fan belt and they changed that for me. Just the other day when things were getting warm here I had my Heat / Air Cond. on Auto and when it blasted on I could here quite a noise near the glove box. I investigated and checked out the cabin air filter only to find quite a load stuff including seed shells and most of a hickory nut shell. The filter element was very dirty. I had the wife take picture of it before I attempted to vacuum it off. I picked up a new one for ~ $15. at Autozone. I kept the old one and next time I visit the dealer I will bring it with me and see what they say. Maybe they can check out their certified process and give me a new OEM filter element. The after market one I bought even had charcoal. So this being said what have other folks found that should have been done under the "Certified" process only to find that the work was never done?
Certified? Dirty Cabin Air Filter?
- Thread starter JCSTEW
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blaniac22
Member
CPO program is only as good as the dealership's integrity....
For my opinion and experience you can read my response in this thread. I wouldn't wait to take it back, I'd call them on it NOW. And I'd be asking for a free oil change for the inconvenience of finding things that aren't done.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...57k-miles-do-i-still-need-do-60k-service.html
For my opinion and experience you can read my response in this thread. I wouldn't wait to take it back, I'd call them on it NOW. And I'd be asking for a free oil change for the inconvenience of finding things that aren't done.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...57k-miles-do-i-still-need-do-60k-service.html
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I would definitly contact the dealer asap if there are items that you feel were not done. I found a few items that I thought they had not checked or completed on my t4r - brought to their attention and they took care of immediately - they even did some additional work so I am quite happy.
I just had the same experience last weekend. I bought a CPO 4Runner and I started investigating after getting it home. Supposed "new" oil was dirty, oil filter was some "auto xtra" brand even though this is at a Toyota dealer. The service records even show the cabin air filter was replaced but I pulled it and it was filthy and full of debris "small tree leaves, pet hair". The drive shaft u-joints and spline joint were dry.
So I know exactly what you mean.
So I know exactly what you mean.
Certified is a marketing gimmick. Same with CarFax...
Dealers play the numbers game. There's very little incentive for them to inspect a vehicle they way they say they do. If the vehicle is only a couple years old with low miles...it'll just go through a cleaning a visual inspection that might take 30 seconds....then out to the lot to sell.
Dealers play the numbers game. There's very little incentive for them to inspect a vehicle they way they say they do. If the vehicle is only a couple years old with low miles...it'll just go through a cleaning a visual inspection that might take 30 seconds....then out to the lot to sell.
GROVERUNNER
New member
the dealership does pay money to get the CPO for a vehicle but im with ya on the fact that its just a marketing tool and any good dealership should already be checking all of those things on their used cars. But we all know it all depends on the mechanic who is actually going over the car.....there is good and bad ppl everywhere. Thats why its always good to have your own mechanic either a friend or someone separate from the dealership take a look over your car before you buy it.
knightsfs4
New member
Question, where exactly is the cabin filter?
The cabin air filter is behind the glove box. On my 05....you have to open the glove box..then on the far passenger side - remove the one screw from the hinge. Then drop glove box down as far as it will go. You can now access the filter in the far back of the glove box opening. It's literally a 10 minute job.
All I know is that the air coming out of my vents smelled like a bag of leaves and dog before I changed it and has no odor after I changed it. So it was worth the $13 to me. Even if the filter had mileage left on it. Mileage is probably the only way for Toyota to put a maintenance interval on a cabin air filter but I would imagine the environment has an impact on the life span. After all, the blower motor doesn't stop when you stop at a light.
Zuke
Member
Blower motors operated just fine for the 50+ years they were used in vehicles before cabin filters were added.
Getting back to the OP. Even its certified you should still have a independent mechanic inspect the vehicle.
I wouldn't worry about the cabin air filter. Yes they should have checked it, but it isn't exactly easy to get to, rarely does it get dirty, and it won't hurt anything if it isn't. I changed mine after 8 years and the only reason I did was because I had already spent $30 on the filter and taken 15 mins to get to it.
I would just go back to the dealer and have them replace it. No big deal.
I would just go back to the dealer and have them replace it. No big deal.
Desert Fox
New member
Anytime you run into unethical business practice you should file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. They do investigate and can get things changed.
I would not take my vehicle back to a dealer or any shop that gives service like this.
It is this kind of service that made me learn to do my own auto work. Back in the 70's it was really bad and you could not trust most shops. Today us consumers have so many ways of communicating bad business practices that business need to be more ethical. But the communication does not work if we dont do it.
As consumers we need to share the good and bad like on this forum and with the BBB and then spend our money with the business that do what they say they will do.
Your money and your voice can make things change depending on how you use them.
Good point. It's possible the shop is pretty good except for this one mechanic. I would escalate to the service manager and see what he has to say first, give them a chance.
Desert Fox
New member
That maybe if this was their only customer but I am sure the shop has may customers and the mechanic has worked on many other vehicles.
You are certainly welcome to your opinion.
The dealer has many chances every day, no excuses, run an ethical business or sell it to someone that will.
Hapeacres
New member
I bought my 04 about a month ago from a used car lot but it was not certified. I was curious about the cabin filter and took it out last weekend. It was filthy, like real filthy. Instead of paying 16 bucks at Autozone, I paid 8.00 at the hardware store for a home microfilter for allergens, dust, etc. I cut four filters out of it using the original one as a template. I heard these filters are better quality and filter better than the replacement filters, even OEM from toyota. The other three are now in a plastic bag for future use or for wifes crv.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
CPO: The only thing good about it is that is has a warranty. When I got mine, it had 72K miles on the clock. The second day I had her, I noticed a "Napa" oil filter installed, the oil was drippy, black "soda" like, air filter was dirty and cabin filter was very dirty. Truck was filthy even though the papers say it was it was detailed. Realize at the time I was dumping my 1997 Grand Cherokee and was all excited to finally get a 4Runner at a great price. Overall I knew the truck was in great shape and was well maintained (maintenance done was Toyota from 0-50K miles) After that, who knows. I took a (educated) gamble. I won. I'm at 92K miles and she is purring like a kitten. Getting great mpg and when detailed, she looks (better than) brand new.
Someone mentioned Carfax is bogus, I beg to differ. Anyway, I did my research and knew the runner was "bulletproof". Carfax was clear, I looked around and noticed no body work. Luckily I have a friend in the used car business and told me what to look out for.
Point: CPO: great idea ONLY for the warranty. Just make sure the rig you're buying is in good shape.
Someone mentioned Carfax is bogus, I beg to differ. Anyway, I did my research and knew the runner was "bulletproof". Carfax was clear, I looked around and noticed no body work. Luckily I have a friend in the used car business and told me what to look out for.
Point: CPO: great idea ONLY for the warranty. Just make sure the rig you're buying is in good shape.
BBB is a complete crock. They are run by businesses FOR businesses. If you are member of the BBB then it's unlikely they'll even do anything.
There was the dealer in upstate NY who's owner was president of the BBB. This was one of the most shoddy dealers around. I refused to do business with them. And I knew people who did and had nothing but problems...I know for a fact that at least 4 people filed complaints with the BBB. I even helped one person fill out the paperwork. Yet if you did an inquiry to the BBB about this business...they had ZERO complaints. They were given their highest rating.
