Does this sound like a rip off

[BigK75]

Hey Folks:

I bought my 2005 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Canada from a reputable Toyota dealership about 4-5 months ago. Now the rear brakes are shot (both the rotors and pads). This seems awfully soon after a safety was done on the car. Do you think the dealership screwed me and is there anything I can do about it. I am not looking to go after the dealership I am just looking for an opinion, since it does not sit right with me.

Thanks,

Claude

 

[sheik]

I'm not sure I would say they screwed you, but how many miles are on your Runner?

 

[12guns]

Sounds like bad timing, that's all. Brakes and rotors are wear and tear items and wouldn't be covered even if it still had warranty. Sucks for you, but I doubt the dealer will help at all. Bring it to their attention, maybe they will give you the parts, or pay half. Never know until you ask.
The good news is you can get some very good quality aftermarket pads and rotors. It's a very easy job to swap pads and replace rotors. Should be able to get parts for both sides less than $200. Labor might take 30 mins per side if a person didn't know what they were doing. Hope that helps.
To answer your question, I don't think you got screwed, just part of buying a used veh. Good luck! Ask quesions about rotor and pad replacement if you need help

 

[BigK75]

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it. I guess it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Claude

 

[mullac]

How many miles on it ? Seems odd that it is the rears , wonder if the fronts have ever been replaced ? Usually you will wear out the fronts 3 times faster than the rears , just my experience. Wonder if maybe you have seized calipers in the rear causing premature wear ?

Was it a Toyota Certified Used vehicle ? Would not hesitate to complain to dealer and see if they can at least help with parts as mentioned.

Good Luck !

 

[audiqtr]

Stealers are Stealers. Even on a CPO Vehicle, if parts don't need to be changed, they won't change it. They all have parameters. As far as Used Cars go, same thing and they are less diligent about parts. If your wear and tear on the pads and rotors were did not reach their required measurements, tehy won't change it. They will always try to maximize their money as expected. It is "Your" Job to inspect all these components, ask them to put the truck on a lift, ask questions about the history of teh vehicle etc...

 

[074.0Runner]

Hey Folks:

I bought my 2005 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Canada from a reputable Toyota dealership about 4-5 months ago. Now the rear brakes are shot (both the rotors and pads). This seems awfully soon after a safety was done on the car. Do you think the dealership screwed me and is there anything I can do about it. I am not looking to go after the dealership I am just looking for an opinion, since it does not sit right with me.

Thanks,

Claude

Doesnt sound out of the ordinary for me. Brakes wear. Simple as that. Replace them yourself and dont worry about getting screwed by a shop.

 

[MikesToy]

Was it certified? Did you buy it "As is"? Take it back the the dealership and complain why your rear brakes and rotors only lasted 4-5 months? What do you have to lose? All they can say is "No".

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

Was it certified? Did you buy it "As is"? Take it back the the dealership and complain why your rear brakes and rotors only lasted 4-5 months? What do you have to lose? All they can say is "No".

I'm with MikesToy.
If the rotors have been shot because the pads are completely worn out after only 5 months, AND if it was a "certified", then that's not right.
Unless you're a taxi driver and you log 5,000 miles per month.

 

[wombie]

Go get 'em, especially if it was a certified vehicle.

Just to give you some idea of how shady these dealers can be: I bought my truck certified. We're driving it home and the darn thing starts shaking about when breaking. Stealer tried to say that it was because a load of rust had built up on the rotors because it had been sitting on the forecourt so long, and that it's only 'certified' on the date they do the certification. Ie, anything that happens afterwards (the rust build up) isn't their problem.

To which my response (after getting a very confused look on my face at their 'logic') was that if you're selling something as a certified vehicle then it better be in a certified condition on the date I buy it, and I could care less how long the darn truck has been on the forecourt. Selling a truck with dodgy breaks is not acceptable.

Oh yeah, and the master cylinder had to be replaced.

So, if you bought a certified vehicle then the break pads and rotors (I think - you'd need to check on the Toyota website) have to have a certain %age of wear left. If it's worn out in 5 months then it seems you may have a decent argument that something wasn't certified properly.

 

[joatmon]

Was it certified? Did you buy it "As is"? Take it back the the dealership and complain why your rear brakes and rotors only lasted 4-5 months? What do you have to lose? All they can say is "No".

Ha!

Good to hear that everyone's ok. :happens: When i crashed my '92 Supra (2 month's old), i traded it in right away for a new one after it was fixed. The value was still up there and it didn't show any accidents on Carfax. :lol: The dealer asked me why and i told him i didn't like the color afterall. :frisky:

Yep, complain to the dealer.