Kearny Mesa Toyota - San Diego, CA

Mr. Banks

New member
I am informing everyone in the San Diego area to stay away from Kearny Mesa Toyota Service Department. Not to be confused with the sales reps, this is specifically about the service department run by Scott Buckner. This person and his staff have let my wife and I down for the last time. Each visit to the service department has come with a cost of drama and substandard performance.

This is the closest service department to me and it just isn't worth the trouble. I would rather drive 26 miles to Carlsbad, or Poway, or Pacific Beach than waste my time and risk my 4runner. The Service Manager refuses to take ownership of the faults of his team and is in no way ready to correct any deficiencies. The last straw was when he called my wife and I by our first names as if we were good friends. I'm in the Marines. We don't use first names, and when you are getting your ass chewed or corrected, you certainly use proper titles. I mean, I called him Mr. Buckner and refrained from swearing. I think I made the bigger sacrifice if you ask me.

The first problem was my 60,000 mile inspection. They kept my 4runner for 4 days and when I got it back my aux skid plate wasn't reinstalled. They did nothing about it but give me grief.

Second time they couldn't fix the TPMS that failed. I had to bring it to Carlsbad. Oh and by the way, the Carlsbad service department brought me into the service bay and showed me what was done on a 60,000 mile service to prove they would have removed the skid plate to gain additional access to the engine. That gave me a sense of security.

Third time, they really screwed up. They crossed the wife. I told her I'd prefer Carlsbad or any other Toyota service department but she's busy with her work schedule and I'm deployed. She took it to KM, with an appointment. They made her wait 30 minutes on a work day for a scheduled appointment. She called them out on this and they acted like it was no big deal. Hah wrong answer. She got them to do the service for free. When she came back they brought out the wrong vehicle, and then made her wait another 30 minutes. Again she notices the level of **** this team gives, or doesn't give and now we get a free detail next time. Don't think they just gave that to her too. She had to fight the man in order to get something in return for the trouble.

In closing, I hope this reaches anyone else who might have had a horrible experience with Kearny Mesa Toyota Service Department and they too will share what they have gone through.

And THAT is what grinds my gears.
 
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If you guys need help with service, I am an advisor at Frank Toyota in National City. I am always willing to help my fellow Yota owners. Drop me a pm or call me at work..

Marc Pilchen
 
Mr Banks you should ask your wife to write a letter to Toyota customer service. That is really the only way to make a difference.
 
If you guys need help with service, I am an advisor at Frank Toyota in National City. I am always willing to help my fellow Yota owners. Drop me a pm or call me at work..

Marc Pilchen

You still work at Frank Toyota? I avoid this dealership for a bad experience I had with those stupid lock boxes jammed in the window possibly screwing up tint or weather strip Which they did in my rav 4 few years ago. HAD TO GO BACK AND SEE THE SERVICE MANAGER. And im next to frank toyota like 2 miles away. IF THEY STOP USING THOSE BOXES I WILL GIVE THEM A 2ND CHANCE.

DOES FRANK TOYOTA IN MILE OF CARS STILL USE LOCK BOXES IN 2019 IN SHOWROOM, SERVICE, USED CAR SALES, OR ANY OTHER CAR STORED AWAY SOMEWHERE ELSE GETTING SHIPPED TO FRANK TOYOTA? OR ANYWHERE IN PLAIN SIGHT. I HATE THOSE THINGS JAMMED ON 40K 4 RUNNERS.
 
That sucks… Hopefully it hasn’t gone downhill because I like that service department.

The last time I got my 4Runner serviced with that dealer was twice in 2017 but my experience was literally exceptional.

One was a dash replacement which was all done under warranty… They went over and above because I have a lot of aftermarket/custom electrical which I can understand did create added responsibly and work which was not under their scope. They said they should, but didn’t charge me anything extra, and they took the time to put it all back. Even got a compliment from the tech for adding quick disconnect harnesses which make his life easier.

The second time was when I stripped front differential drain bolt when I was doing my own fluid change. I was just straight up with the guy and told them I royally messed it up. They removed and replaced with new, did the same for the fill because it was starting to go as well. I brought in all the fluids so didn’t get charged for that, but they finished the service and only charged me $54 after applying a $50 discount because of a misunderstanding on parts. I really was impressed with how the advisor took care of me.

On top of all this, that service advisor knows I try to do all my own work so I am surprised they go out of their way to help me. Even did my brakes myself and was unsure of the quality of my bleed job because it felt so different with SS lines and new everything. Ended up having them bleed it for me anyways and the level of communication and feedback I get from the tech who assured me I actually did it right the first time as there was little to no air in the system. Yes I paid for the service, but they were also pretty straight up with the fact that I didn’t really need to do it.

The only thing I have noticed is all the SD dealers are super busy and the services drives are always a mess. I actually used to live closer to the Mission Valley Toyota location and drive out of my way to go to Kearny Mesa because of the positive experiences. That said, its been a while since I have been there because I moved, but I would certainly go back.

My stripped drain plug which they removed with an air hammer.

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Did u see any lock boxes in sight? I dont wana have to go back again to frank if it means another broken weather strip. BUT THEY DID REPLACE IT NO FUSS NO ARGUING SO THAT WAS A PLUS.
 

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