How common is this fee at Toyota dealers?

[mpaquette]

I drive the 5th gen T4R and my wife drives the Venza. I took her Venza to the dealer this morning to have the recall work done and to have them check out the moonroof. It sounds like it's going to break every time its driven over an uneven surface that produces body flex.

Anyway, the point of my post is that they told me there was a $50 diagnostic fee to look at the moonroof. Seriously? The car only has 30,000 miles on it so I assume this would be covered under warranty. Is this a common practice at Toyota dealers? Just curious before I start arguing with them.

 

[Jtraskell]

I drive the 5th gen T4R and my wife drives the Venza. I took her Venza to the dealer this morning to have the recall work done and to have them check out the moonroof. It sounds like it's going to break every time its driven over an uneven surface that produces body flex.

Anyway, the point of my post is that they told me there was a $50 diagnostic fee to look at the moonroof. Seriously? The car only has 30,000 miles on it so I assume this would be covered under warranty. Is this a common practice at Toyota dealers? Just curious before I start arguing with them.

No, not common on a warranty issue. I would refuse to pay it and if they argue, then have them call Toyota direct on a speaker phone so you can hear and discuss with the district rep.

 

[vastyle]

Even when I had my CPO Audi A4, when I would take it in for warranty/ CPO work I would get charged a small fee.

 

[Barry694]

Moon Roof Problems

Absolutely no fee to be paid when checking out a warranty related item. Call Toyota Corporate. Also, tell local dealer you will take the fee charge up with the local newspaper, TV station. It is a ripoff!

 

[westwind77]

Anyway, the point of my post is that they told me there was a $50 diagnostic fee to look at the moonroof.

I would never step foot in that dealer again! I would ask them to put that in writing and send it to Toyota HQ as that is NOT right (legal). If it is out of warranty(miles/years) that is a totally different story. Even out of warranty places will charge the fee, but waive the fee if the work is done with them and not taken elsewhere. I second the news station as well because I am sure a lot of people are stupidly paying this fee when it is not allowed, not for something under a full warranty!

 

[whiskywizard]

I highly doubt it is illegal. Maybe uncommon, and unethical, and maybe even a bad business practice, but not illegal.

This comparison isn't quite apples to apples, but in the world of tractors, it is increasingly common for the dealer to charge a service fee for warranty work. It's usually in the $35-$50 range. Often, the dealer will waive it if you originally bought the tractor from him. Maybe we're seeing the same thing starting with automobiles...

 

[mpaquette]

Thanks everyone for the replies. You've all confirmed by suspicion that this is not a common practice. There are 2 other dealers in my area that will potentially get my future business if this dealer stands firm on the $50 fee.

The dealer charging the $50 fee is also the dealer that we purchased the Venza and T4R from. So I guess they feel they haven't made quite enough money from me yet. Crooks.

 

[westwind77]

I highly doubt it is illegal. Maybe uncommon, and unethical, and maybe even a bad business practice, but not illegal.

If it was legal EVERY dealer would charge it (IMO)! They are not going to turn away 'free' money. Warranties differ, that is why there is fine print, on some items there may be a small fee for repair (especially if shipping of the product is involved, which I have run into before, but if you 'fight' enough they will cover that too). We own many vehicles, personal & company, and have have had lots of warranty work done and NEVER had any kind of 'diagnostic' fee charged to me. I would laugh the service rep out of the building if he tried it. Now....if a 4R was lifted and suspension changed on it and you came in with a suspension issue then they might be able to claim a fee because it is not OEM.

 

[Snooperstyle]

Are you sure it was a diagnostic fee, and not a deductible IF they do the work? Not doubting you, just wanted to clarify for others reading this, and also know how stupid service managers can be and surely the guy/girl could have made that mistake in communicating.

I know I used to have to pay a $50 fee when I had my old CPO Audi under Audi's EXTENDED warranty, and it always p*ssed me off because of the up front cost of the warranty being so high.

Either way, you definitely shouldn't have to pay money for warranty issues. When I bought my t4r 5th gen, I negotiated out the deductible on the extended warranty so that it would always be ZERO if I serviced it at that dealer.

 

[kingpin748]

Are you sure it was a diagnostic fee, and not a deductible IF they do the work? Not doubting you, just wanted to clarify for others reading this, and also know how stupid service managers can be and surely the guy/girl could have made that mistake in communicating.

You should double check this. I had a Honda a few years ago and they charge a $50 fee to look at an issue and if it's warranty it was rolled into the cost.

And no, it's not illegal. Where do you guys come up with these ideas?

 

[mpaquette]

He definitely called it a diagnostic fee. I haven't been back to pick up the vehicle and argue yet. Will let you know how it turns out.

 

[mpaquette]

Update. Just picked up the car and of course they couldn't reproduce issue. Typical. Anyway, the guy that fetched the keys didn't mention anything about the $50. So in the end, there was no charge. Maybe the guy this morning that wrote up the service order a.) didn't realize the car was still under warranty? Or b.) he wasn't awake yet? Or c.) he was just an idiot. I'm thinking a combination of a.) and b.)

 

[westwind77]

And no, it's not illegal. Where do you guys come up with these ideas?

To quote my 4R manual.....

"Where a warrantable condition exists,
Toyota will repair your vehicle at no cost
to you, including diagnosis, parts and
labor."

No clue where I would get such a crazy idea, I guess we are silly kids who like to read.

 

[toyotatech84]

There is a going to be a diag fee for certain items, i tell our customers " there is a $49 fee to inspect your check engine light, it does not mean you are paying for this it basically covers my technicians time in the event that it is not a warrantable concern (obvious signs of abuse or modifications), in the event that the component is a covered item the fee will be waived and your bill will read zero" what if a customer had shoved a crayon or pin or something non toyota related fell into the sunroof track causing this noise? would you be pissed then if they charged you then?

 

[mpaquette]

There is a going to be a diag fee for certain items, i tell our customers " there is a $49 fee to inspect your check engine light, it does not mean you are paying for this it basically covers my technicians time in the event that it is not a warrantable concern (obvious signs of abuse or modifications), in the event that the component is a covered item the fee will be waived and your bill will read zero" what if a customer had shoved a crayon or pin or something non toyota related fell into the sunroof track causing this noise? would you be pissed then if they charged you then?

Thanks for the reply. This explanation makes sense to me. Never said I was pissed, was just questioning the fee because in my 25+ years of owning automobiles, I've never heard of such a thing.

 

[whiskywizard]

To quote my 4R manual.....

"Where a warrantable condition exists,
Toyota will repair your vehicle at no cost
to you, including diagnosis, parts and
labor."

No clue where I would get such a crazy idea, I guess we are silly kids who like to read.

I agree fully with you that charging the fee is a bad thing; but it's not illegal. A dealer can charge what he likes, as long as you agree to it up front. if you don't like it, you get to vote with your feet.

The warranty language in the manual that you quoted above is good and important - it forms part of a contract, but it is not a legislated requirement (regulation). Toyota agrees to certain things, you agree to certain things. Together you enter into a contract. When the other silly kids start doing their reading, ask them to look up the word "tort". ;-)

 

[kingpin748]

To quote my 4R manual.....

"Where a warrantable condition exists,
Toyota will repair your vehicle at no cost
to you, including diagnosis, parts and
labor."

No clue where I would get such a crazy idea, I guess we are silly kids who like to read.

Besides reading you should work on your comprehension. All that says is diagnosis is no cost if a warrantable condition exists. So if it's not covered under warranty, they can charge for looking at it.

Either way that still doesn't make it illegal.

 

[westwind77]

I agree fully with you that charging the fee is a bad thing; but it's not illegal. A dealer can charge what he likes, as long as you agree to it up front. if you don't like it, you get to vote with your feet.

Yes & No. Sure, if you are stupid enough to agree to accepting the fee then you should pay it. (This applies to a non-modded vehicle that you know a kid did not jam a crayon, etc into & you know you have not abused).

If the dealer said up front, we will look at it, but if we find a non-warrantable issue we will charge a diagnostic fee. That is fair to the dealer & consumer.

Now if the issue found is to be covered fully by the warranty they can NOT charge you a fee. These dealers essentially work for Toyota, their policies trump whatever garbage your local dealer tries to sneak in. If you fought this in court the consumer would win. Sure, no one is going to be arrested over it, but Toyota HQ might have a few unpleasant things for that dealer up their sleeves.

 

[whiskywizard]

Yes & No. Sure, if you are stupid enough to agree to accepting the fee then you should pay it. (This applies to a non-modded vehicle that you know a kid did not jam a crayon, etc into & you know you have not abused).

If the dealer said up front, we will look at it, but if we find a non-warrantable issue we will charge a diagnostic fee. That is fair to the dealer & consumer.

Now if the issue found is to be covered fully by the warranty they can NOT charge you a fee. These dealers essentially work for Toyota, their policies trump whatever garbage your local dealer tries to sneak in. If you fought this in court the consumer would win. Sure, no one is going to be arrested over it, but Toyota HQ might have a few unpleasant things for that dealer up their sleeves.

Squirm all you want, the fee isn't 'illegal'. Next we'll work on your contention that the dealers "work for Toyota".

 

[westwind77]

Squirm all you want, the fee isn't 'illegal'. Next we'll work on your contention that the dealers "work for Toyota".

Whatever you say, man. Feel free to pay the fee if you wish, it is your money. I have a written document from Toyota that says I don't have to pay it, and I never will, and they will not charge me. (again, I've had tons of work done on many vehicles and never had anyone attempt to charge it....on one under warranty) The minutes you are out of warranty though....open up that wallet!