Extended Warranty

[sunnysider]

I searched the forums and it seems that the general feeling is that the extended warranty on 4Runners is probably a waste of money. I just purchased a 2007 v8 4x4 sport edition with 87k miles on it. Without getting into all the details on why I purchased a 3 year/36,000 bumper to bumper extended warranty, I was wondering if anyone has gotten the warranty and had to actually use it. Are there any common mechanical issues with used 4Runners that the warranty would cover?

 

[Buckles]

I had to use mine when my rear differential blew up and when my timing chain cover, rear seal, and valve cover gaskets started leaking.

 

[Kitsune]

I bought it as well and I will definitely use it if things do come up.

I might see if it covers the liftgate shock as mine is losing gas or whatever and it's starting to sag.

 

[beliy25]

my warranty expired last august and i wasn't able to use it for timing belt swap ,so not i need around 900$ to do it since my 06 v8 sport edition has 96k and its recommended to change it at around 90k>so use it if you have it!!!

 

[sunnysider]

my warranty expired last august and i wasn't able to use it for timing belt swap ,so not i need around 900$ to do it since my 06 v8 sport edition has 96k and its recommended to change it at around 90k>so use it if you have it!!!

Is the timing belt covered by the extended warranty? The timing belt was just replaced on my 07 v8 se so I doubt I will need to replace it anytime soon.

 

[ARunner]

Maintenance items (timing belts, oil changes, etc.) are not items covered in your typical extended warranty program. Generally speaking, warranties end up not paying out for the consumer. I'd personally never have one on a 4Runner, but I'm sure plenty of people can attest to it saving their bacon. To each their own, and enjoy the new ride and the peace of mind that if something does go wrong, you're probably covered.

 

[Climb14er]

I searched the forums and it seems that the general feeling is that the extended warranty on 4Runners is probably a waste of money. I just purchased a 2007 v8 4x4 sport edition with 87k miles on it. Without getting into all the details on why I purchased a 3 year/36,000 bumper to bumper extended warranty, I was wondering if anyone has gotten the warranty and had to actually use it. Are there any common mechanical issues with used 4Runners that the warranty would cover?

I have the same vehicle. Extended warranty paid for a new water pump... and paid for a whole sliding rear window when the defroster went out.

The extended warranty more than paid for itself.

 

[Robs08Runner]

With that mileage on it, I don't see anything wrong with buying the warranty. Seems to me that it should cover the sticky calipers and the sticky actuators that some trucks get into.
Go out and enjoy it!

 

[sunnysider]

With that mileage on it, I don't see anything wrong with buying the warranty. Seems to me that it should cover the sticky calipers and the sticky actuators that some trucks get into.
Go out and enjoy it!

I wish I could enjoy it but I don't have it yet, unfortunately! I really didn't want to get the extended warranty on this vehicle but my dad who went and took a look at and eventually bought this 4Runner for me was adamant that I get the warranty (live in CO, found this t4r out of state bc they cost more here). I feel like it was too expensive and took what was a very good deal into costing more than I really wanted to pay. I wanted a 4Runner foremost for their reliability so I felt pretty confident when I told my dad I didn't want it. If anything does happen with the car I guess I'll be happy to have it. In the meantime, I won't enjoy paying the added cost to my monthly car payment.

 

[Atlanta_man]

My extended warranty paid for 4 electric door lock actuators and moon/sun roof fix and some other small things. Paid for itself 2X over but the warranty claim process was a pain a few times (and this was the one sold by Toyota Finance). I bought the warranty when the truck was new, still under factory warranty. Extended it to 5 year/100K miles if I remember right.

Hope you got a good extended warranty, the 3 yr/36,000 is an odd way to spec the warranty on a used vehicle that has 87K on it already.

 

[foxtrot]

Mine paid for a leaking rear main seal. Repair came in at $3700 from the dealer (found a replaced some other seals with it) and I didn't have to pay a thing. Was relieved I had it.

 

[KingPrat]

I bought one with my truck with a $200 deductible, 3y 36k extended warranty.

Bought in Sep '12. Dec '12 I had to replace 4wd actuator (poor test drive process on my part)

Total bill was about $2600. Glad I had the warranty. Tricky part with these trucks is that when something goes wrong, it quickly becomes a $1000 bill. A little peace of mind to have that extended warranty is not a bad thing.

 

[jumpman86]

Hey All, (Don't mean to hijack the thread)

For those who have the extended warranty. Have you guys had any issues with claims? I know that one of the requirements from the extended warranties is that you must keep the maintenance up to date.

If you are a DIY person, it would be hard to prove when you have actually carried out the maintenance based on the sales receipt.

I was wondering what your experience was and if you have any tips or suggestions.

I have also purchased the warranty when I bought the 4R.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Hey All, (Don't mean to hijack the thread)

For those who have the extended warranty. Have you guys had any issues with claims? I know that one of the requirements from the extended warranties is that you must keep the maintenance up to date.

If you are a DIY person, it would be hard to prove when you have actually carried out the maintenance based on the sales receipt.

I was wondering what your experience was and if you have any tips or suggestions.

I have also purchased the warranty when I bought the 4R.

Thanks in advance.

I haven't had an issue with extended warranty on my 4Runner in regards to proving maintenance. I don't really have any records to show beyond buying an oil filter from the dealership (since I do the labor myself) and most of the ROs only say "Tech working on Own Vehicle."

But for Toyota Extended Care, I have not had that issue (unless they changed it in the last year or two.)

~

As for Extended Warranty in general? It depends on the technician and service writer you use. You'll want to find a good, smart service writer who knows how to handle Extended Warranty claims and make good friends with him/her. These are the writers that will go to bat for you and beat the warranty company for things like, "The water pump is leaking severely enough that coolant has contaminated the timing belt, the belt needs to be replaced as a result of the water pump failure" or "We do NOT rebuild differentials at the dealership; Toyota recommends replacement of the entire 3rd member assembly."

I purchased my '04 Sport Edition V8 4WD with 86k on the clock and in the 3yr/36k period of my Extended Warranty I had the following claims:

• ReBoot front CV axles (The CV Boots next to the inner diameter clamp on the outboard CVs had torn open)
• Driver's lumbar support motor replaced due to non-operational condition (this was a misdiagnosis on my part, the stamped metal gear had gotten jammed; so now I have a perfectly good Lumbar motor sitting around the shop! lol)
• Front differential pinion bearing had burned out causing vibration/growling (this is rare for the 4th gens, like I think I have read 2 other cases on this forum?), the entire 3rd Member was replaced (the service writer I worked with was a smart guy and it literally cost more to rebuild the 3rd member than it was to buy a new one from Toyota, even though Toyota Extended Care insisted to rebuild it :mmph: )
• The Hydraulically Assisted Master Cylinder unit failed internally (an o-ring failed inside the master cylinder portion), was replaced with a brand new unit
• The coolant plug on top of the throttle body assembly showed signs of coolant seeping out, replaced with a brand new electronic throttle body assembly.

All in all, the Extra-Care Toyota warranty paid for itself about 3 times or so over what I paid.