Dealership drilled holes in our 4runner bumper

[shadowmaker]

When we bought the 4runner, I told them not to drill holes in my front bumper. We are required to run front/back plates in VA. So, I rigged up a bracket on the front and have been running it this way for 3.5 yrs.

Took the 4runner into the dealership to have some routine work done today. My son sends me a picture of the front when they get home and the plate is now mounted to the front bumper. I thought he was joking.

I call the dealership and they admit to doing it but "We didnt charge you." I told them if I had wanted the damn thing bolted on, I would have done it 3 yrs ago. Long story short, they have ordered me a new bumper, are going to paint it, and give us a loaner while it is installed. I will say this, the service manager bent over backwards to try and fix this.

2 problems here:
1. how is the paint going to hold up?
2. They dug around in the back of our 4 runner and found the bracket. It wasnt exactly easy to find. WTF were they digging around in the back of my car?

Opinions?

 

[Mutant138]

When we bought the 4runner, I told them not to drill holes in my front bumper. We are required to run front/back plates in VA. So, I rigged up a bracket on the front and have been running it this way for 3.5 yrs.

Took the 4runner into the dealership to have some routine work done today. My son sends me a picture of the front when they get home and the plate is now mounted to the front bumper. I thought he was joking.

I call the dealership and they admit to doing it but "We didnt charge you." I told them if I had wanted the damn thing bolted on, I would have done it 3 yrs ago. Long story short, they have ordered me a new bumper, are going to paint it, and give us a loaner while it is installed. I will say this, the service manager bent over backwards to try and fix this.

2 problems here:
1. how is the paint going to hold up?
2. They dug around in the back of our 4 runner and found the bracket. It wasnt exactly easy to find. WTF were they digging around in the back of my car?

Opinions?

Ahhh dealerships...

Seems like you got it handled. Shame tho and it won't be the same. At least you didn't get hit two weeks off the lot...

Did you get the car detailed/washed? That could be why they where "digging".

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[Engineer]

Must have been a slow day if they were looking for work hahaha

 

[marcomixtle]

I'm in California and was very specific about no holes on the front bumper. My license bracket is not inside my vehicle so unless they have a spare they won't do this during my services. I will also make sure to specify for them not to touch it when I take it in.

May I ask what your license bracket looks like now? I will need one when I cross state or border.

 

[Mutant138]

Also next time take the plate inside with you.

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[Mutant138]

Trust em as far as you can throw em.

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[ScarfaceT4R]

Tell them you just want the money to buy your own bumper because you don't trust them any more. Then go shopping at Pelfreybilt.com :bluejump:

 

[shadowmaker]

I'm in California and was very specific about no holes on the front bumper. My license bracket is not inside my vehicle so unless they have a spare they won't do this during my services. I will also make sure to specify for them not to touch it when I take it in.

May I ask what your license bracket looks like now? I will need one when I cross state or border.

You wont need the plate unless you move. I hate the way it looks. :crybaby:

We have been thinking bout getting a Pro Calvary Blue. I had put that thought out of my mind. I am funny about my cars, this is going to ruin it for me.

 

[shadowmaker]

Ahhh dealerships...

Seems like you got it handled. Shame tho and it won't be the same. At least you didn't get hit two weeks off the lot...

Did you get the car detailed/washed? That could be why they where "digging".

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No, they didnt wash it.

Must have been a slow day if they were looking for work hahaha

If I had went up there it would have got really interesting for them. :frusty:

Also next time take the plate inside with you.

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Might be the last time they see it.

 

[Bossman]

That dealership mechanic is a "bad man" … "a very, very bad man."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN29X2HCKpU

 

[krans]

That’s wrong for them to drill into the bumper unless authorized to...

As far as them digging around, maybe they were looking for a wheel lock?

 

[<<<<]

They were looking for change or dollar bills. If I was you I'd put Shrockworks bumper back there and they will install it for you

 

[ElectroBoy]

I'm in California and was very specific about no holes on the front bumper. My license bracket is not inside my vehicle so unless they have a spare they won't do this during my services. I will also make sure to specify for them not to touch it when I take it in.

May I ask what your license bracket looks like now? I will need one when I cross state or border.

You live and drive in California now with no front license? I can’t tell from your post if you have a bracket installed or you will if you drive out of state.
California requires both a front and rear license plate.

See California Vehicle Code Section
11713.17. (a) :
Following the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following occurs:

(1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of securing a front license plate.

(2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the following:

(A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or other means of securing the front license plate.

(B) The person understands that California law requires a license plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the front plate is available from the dealer.

(b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.

Enforcement of this seems to be a low priority. But if you do get a fixit ticket you will have to install a plate and pay the fine. And get an officer or the court to sign off on it.
Big pain in the butt.
I just had the front plate installed when I bought the truck. It doesn’t look so bad.

 

[Judd94]

I personally would choose a bumper with two holes and factory paint over a bumper with no holes and aftermarket paint

 

[MagneticTRD]

Just read about this fiasco on another site. Came here 87 seconds later and it’s the first thread I see lol.

 

[Cymon]

Ask for the bumper with the license plate holes in it back once they install the new one and sell it to someone looking to do a Limited front end conversion.

 

[renau001]

Since it’s already got holes in it, might as well cut it up...

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/2014-4runner-slimline-hybrid-front-bumper-custom-order/

 

[clweathers]

Just read about this fiasco on another site. Came here 87 seconds later and it’s the first thread I see lol.

It does seem familiar.. :thumb:

 

[e60ral]

I personally would choose a bumper with two holes and factory paint over a bumper with no holes and aftermarket paint

They have other factory painted bumpers on the lot

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[enapa]

You live and drive in California now with no front license? I can’t tell from your post if you have a bracket installed or you will if you drive out of state.
California requires both a front and rear license plate.

See California Vehicle Code Section
11713.17. (a) :
Following the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following occurs:

(1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of securing a front license plate.

(2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the following:

(A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or other means of securing the front license plate.

(B) The person understands that California law requires a license plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the front plate is available from the dealer.

(b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.

Enforcement of this seems to be a low priority. But if you do get a fixit ticket you will have to install a plate and pay the fine. And get an officer or the court to sign off on it.
Big pain in the butt.
I just had the front plate installed when I bought the truck. I doesn’t look so bad.

I lived in California my entire life, until the first of this year. Drove for 20 years and NEVER had a front plate. They are gay as hell. Not once did I ever get pulled over or get a ticket for no front plate. And I was pulled over probably 8 times for other things.