Might have to trade it off...ridiculous

[zonianbrat]

So I had to take my t4r to the shop because the hydroboost electric motor was running about every 10 seconds. I recieved the dreaded news that it is leaking internally and has to be replaced. I have a extended warranty that clearly states that it covers hydroboost components, actuators etc. but because the motor itself is electric it is not covered. If it was vacuum operated they would cover it. Gee makes sense to me.:bash: Spent 2 hours arguing with about every person at my extended warranty office. Just the part not including labor is 3,000 dollars.............yes as much as an entire engine. Yet this pump is a little bigger than my fist. WTF am I missing here? I've owned this 4th gen for 4 months and have had to replace the front bearings an 02 sensor and now this. I bought a 3rd gen a few years ago and besides routine things it is doing just fine. I have always loved toyotas and in some ways still do. But lets face the fact here this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. I dont even think I have ever heard of a single pump/part not including aftermarket things like superchargers costing 3,000 dollars. I called around once I got the part number hoping that this repair shop was just wanting to rip me off and got the same quote from another regular repair shop and a toyota dealership. Guess I could try to find the part cheaper somewhere but all of the shops said they wont install it unless it's a genuine toyota part since it is part of the brake system. So I dont really know what to do. I guess I'll trade it in. Not because i cant pay for this repair but i refuse to pay that much for it. Sorry to be so long winded but I just wanted to vent a little bit.

 

[TRDCal]

What are you trading it for?

 

[zonianbrat]

Not sure. I still want a 4 runner. I was just out side looking at it and I dont want to trade it in but I'm not sure what my options are yet.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

What year and how many miles?

 

[Gecko123]

are you sure you cant find the part cheaper elsewhere


My rad went a few months ago and Toyota wanted $1200 or something like that for the rad only, no labour. I was able to get an aftermarket, just as good and installed for only $400.

Dont give up yet, see if you can find a part else where.

 

[zonianbrat]

What year and how many miles?

04 SR5 with 150K.

I will search around for a cheaper part but from what I've seen it doesnt look good.

This just sucks:moping:

 

[jimithing]

$3000 sounds pretty crazy. Have you checked the online parts places just to see what it runs? This is Toyota of Dallas online store. This is the Concelli Toyota parts store. Those both have close the best prices you'll find from a Toyota dealer.

Other than that what about a junkyard? Shouldn't be too hard to find a wrecked 4Runner with that piece still in there.

 

[dadigab]

Yeah I would be venting too. Have you called parts dept. to find out actual cost of part? If the part is that expensive I would definitely try to find it used its still a OEM part. Our shop uses "used" parts at times to help save people money but I would imagine labor is whats making you sore. Failure rate on a part like this is probably low. You could try to to replace unit yourself then have Toyota bleed system so it is done properly. Towing wont be $3000 I'm sure. Only if you feel sure with your mechanical skills, but do a lot of research before attempting. Don't put yourself in deeper hole.

Delaware has "Lemon Laws" to help protect consumers from this sort of thing. Maybe your state has something similar. Seen a consumer awarded 2K for ill repaired front suspension damage along with vehicle buy back.

 

[jimithing]

BTW,you have an extended warranty that still covers a 9 year old car with 150k miles? It must be a 3rd party warranty, right? I can't imagine Toyota would warranty a car that long.

 

[zonianbrat]

Yes it is a 3rd party warranty. Dadigab, the 3,000 is just for the part. The labor is going to be another few hundred dollars. I'm going to check junkyards too. Anybody have any idea how to replace one of these units?

 

[zonianbrat]

$3000 sounds pretty crazy. Have you checked the online parts places just to see what it runs? This is Toyota of Dallas online store. This is the Concelli Toyota parts store. Those both have close the best prices you'll find from a Toyota dealer.

Other than that what about a junkyard? Shouldn't be too hard to find a wrecked 4Runner with that piece still in there.

Thanks for the links. I'll verify the part number and probably order from one of these two places if the price is reasonable. I'd like to do it myself and save the labor but I'm a bit intimidated by that whole brake system. It's not like old school brake systems. There may be a glimmer of hope in being able to keep my 4 runner. I've been bummed out all afternoon thinking I'm getting rid of her.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I don't know who's trying to sell it to you for 3k, but they are on crack. Ihad my extended warranty replace my hydraboost unit earlier this year and the repair itself was something like $2800 with labor (which I got paid for! )

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. Fits: 2004 TOYOTA 4Runner 4700CC 32-VALVE DOHC EFI, AUTOMATIC 5-SPEED | Village Toyota Parts
Shows it for just under $1800, my Dealership was able to procure it for about $2300.

Also whether or not the unit has an electric motor doesn't matter, Toyota has no procedure for testing these units comprehensively and reccomends any faults found require the replacement of the entire unit. If the Warranty company covers the brake & ABS components then they have to replace the entire Hydraboost unit under their warranty as you can only really get it from the dealer as an entire unit. There is more labor and risk involved in tearing the unit down and trying to replace individual components than there is replacing the entire unit, your warranty company is just trying to take advantage of you. Is this a 3rd party warranty aquired through the dealership at time of purchase by any chance?

 

[Gatafly]

I don't know who's trying to sell it to you for 3k, but they are on crack. Ihad my extended warranty replace my hydraboost unit earlier this year and the repair itself was something like $2800 with labor (which I got paid for! )

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. Fits: 2004 TOYOTA 4Runner 4700CC 32-VALVE DOHC EFI, AUTOMATIC 5-SPEED | Village Toyota Parts
Shows it for just under $1800, my Dealership was able to procure it for about $2300.

Also whether or not the unit has an electric motor doesn't matter, Toyota has no procedure for testing these units comprehensively and reccomends any faults found require the replacement of the entire unit. If the Warranty company covers the brake & ABS components then they have to replace the entire Hydraboost unit under their warranty as you can only really get it from the dealer as an entire unit. There is more labor and risk involved in tearing the unit down and trying to replace individual components than there is replacing the entire unit, your warranty company is just trying to take advantage of you. Is this a 3rd party warranty aquired through the dealership at time of purchase by any chance?

Sure is nice having a tech like yourself on here.:thumb3:

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Sorry to hear, that is definitely a tough situation.

 

[MikeInNH]

Not too sure I'd bash Toyota on this. You've only owned it 4mo, but the vehicle is 8+ years old. There could have been issues the previous owner caused.

Electric motors are notorious for being 100+ times more reliable then a mechanical engine. Something in the previous 8 years could have caused this motor to go prematurely.

I'd also be surprised you can't find an aftermarket replacement part.

As for the warranty. I've NEVER EVER owned an extended warranty and NEVER EVER will. They are a waste of money. Sure you can find someone who's actually saved them..but the vast majority it's a waste. All it is is an insurance policy. A very expensive insurance policy. And insurance companies know this. That's why companies like State Farm, Geico, All-State have spun off separate entities for auto-extended warranty underwriters. And these are usually their highest profit divisions.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I would seriously be fighting with your extended warranty company. Work your way up the chain of command and make them explain why they think this part is not covered when the warranty clearly states that it covers the brake system. Don't take no for an answer.

Remember insurance companies will do everything they can to deny claims, that's how they keep their profits up.

Also consider that most states have some kind of insurance commission that oversees insurance companies. You can register complaints with the insurance commission and they will have to respond to them. Go through the fine print of your insurance contract and find out exactly what you need to do in order to dispute a claim.

If you bought your warranty through the dealership, get them involved, too. Work your way up the chain of command at the dealership if you have to.

You paid a lot for that warranty. Make them honor it and don't let them brush you off.

The rule when you're dealing with this kind of bureaucratic stonewall is to make it clear that you are going to be a 100% pain in their a$$ until they give you what you want.

 

[zonianbrat]

I don't know who's trying to sell it to you for 3k, but they are on crack. Ihad my extended warranty replace my hydraboost unit earlier this year and the repair itself was something like $2800 with labor (which I got paid for! )

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. Fits: 2004 TOYOTA 4Runner 4700CC 32-VALVE DOHC EFI, AUTOMATIC 5-SPEED | Village Toyota Parts
Shows it for just under $1800, my Dealership was able to procure it for about $2300.

Also whether or not the unit has an electric motor doesn't matter, Toyota has no procedure for testing these units comprehensively and reccomends any faults found require the replacement of the entire unit. If the Warranty company covers the brake & ABS components then they have to replace the entire Hydraboost unit under their warranty as you can only really get it from the dealer as an entire unit. There is more labor and risk involved in tearing the unit down and trying to replace individual components than there is replacing the entire unit, your warranty company is just trying to take advantage of you. Is this a 3rd party warranty aquired through the dealership at time of purchase by any chance?

Yes I got it from the dealership at the time of purchase. I agree they are trying to screw me over. It is part of the hydroboost system and my warranty says it covers the hydroboost system. I was on the phone with them for 2 hours yesterday. I dont know what else I can do to convince them but I am sure going to try cause this is BS. Thank you all for the replies so far it is great to have secondary opinions on this cause when I do think about it I just see red.:flamethrwoer2:

 

[calikev]

I would seriously be fighting with your extended warranty company. Work your way up the chain of command and make them explain why they think this part is not covered when the warranty clearly states that it covers the brake system. Don't take no for an answer.

Remember insurance companies will do everything they can to deny claims, that's how they keep their profits up.

Also consider that most states have some kind of insurance commission that oversees insurance companies. You can register complaints with the insurance commission and they will have to respond to them. Go through the fine print of your insurance contract and find out exactly what you need to do in order to dispute a claim.

If you bought your warranty through the dealership, get them involved, too. Work your way up the chain of command at the dealership if you have to.

You paid a lot for that warranty. Make them honor it and don't let them brush you off.

The rule when you're dealing with this kind of bureaucratic stonewall is to make it clear that you are going to be a 100% pain in their a$$ until they give you what you want.

Excellent advise above! I would demand they either repair the item or refund me IN FULL for the warranty cost, not a prorated amount. Advise the dealer of this and let them know you will file a complaint with the DMV, NOT the BBB. Dealers could care less about BBB complaints, but the DMV issues the dealers license to operate and complaints there are a really big deal for them.

Also file a complaint with Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota will get involved immediately. You have to get the dealer to help you, but tell them upfront you are going to do this and let them know a date you intend to proceed by. If they do not help you get it resolved before that date then move forward.

You MUST put this in writing and give it to the: general sales mgr of the sales side of the dealership, the head service mgr and head finance mgr. I bet you will find your problem resolved fairly quickly afterwards.

 

[beeftube]

I have a hard time believing that Toyota would sell an extended warranty on a truck with that many miles. At 150k, things are going to start to break and should be expected.

Aftermarket warranties are nearly universally a complete ripoff, and you're seeing why.

I'm betting that the dealership was some independent lot and not a Toyota dealership?

 

[chmura]

What does the hydroboost electric motor do? Is it abs related? What codes and and symptoms does this problem cause?