New 06 SE, pissed off already.

Yeah, and the lesson to be learned from the new '06 owner guy that started this thread is just because the steering wheel isn't straight doesn't mean the car isn't aligned properly. You can set the wheel wherever you want....However, if he wants it centered (as most people do), then they should do it. It's not that difficult.

Ricky
 
If the wheels are indeed straight, how are they going to correct the steering wheel so it is centered when the wheels are straight? Will they center the steering wheel then put it on the machine and adjust it from there? That seems to make sense since if I hold the wheel straight the vehicle is actuallu turning slightly to the right since it is pulling that way. I can't imagine actually wanting the steering wheel the way it is like the above post. I like things to be nice and even. Hopefully they will be after Monday.
 
cyclops24 said:
If the wheels are indeed straight, how are they going to correct the steering wheel so it is centered when the wheels are straight? Will they center the steering wheel then put it on the machine and adjust it from there? That seems to make sense since if I hold the wheel straight the vehicle is actuallu turning slightly to the right since it is pulling that way. I can't imagine actually wanting the steering wheel the way it is like the above post. I like things to be nice and even. Hopefully they will be after Monday.
Click to expand...

It's actually quite easy if you think about it.

If your steering wheel is cocked to the left a little bit, what happens when you center it? Both front wheels move to the right a small amount, correct? Now, think about what it would take to make the tires point straight ahead with the steering wheel turned a little bit to the right of where it is now properly 'aligned.' You simply adjust the tie rods on both sides to point both front tires more towards the left (since they are now pointing slightly right). The reason I said you could actually do it yourself is because you need to move BOTH tie rods the exact same amount to center it back up. You could actually do this by adjusting them in small increments and doinig a road test to see how close you are. A couple of shots of trial-and-error and I bet you could straighten the steering wheel yourself.

Ricky
 
Well dropped it off this morning. While waiting for service to open I watched one of the guys that moves vehicles for the dealership hit a parked car in their lot. Made me feel good to know I would be leaving my vehicle for the day. Anyway, I got to the service writer who just happened to be my buddy Scott from the above posts, and he asked for my name and the appt. was in the system. He said its pulling to the left? I was like no the right, the steering wheel if off to the left when going straight. Oh ok he says. He writes stuff up then sees my "we owe you" slip. What's that? That's for the key you owe me that you lost when I bought it. Ummm ok, did they ordered you a key or do you have it? I started getting bent and said Bob Mellner set this all up, if you have any questions ask him. The key is supposedly on site. He's like ok. Then he asked if I was leaving it and I said yes and I was supposed to have a loaner. He looks at me dumbfounded. I said I was told that if there are any problem to call Bon Mellner. He's like I know, we'll get you a loaner. So he got that squared away and I was on my way. Took a half hour to get in and be on my way. Scott wasn't such a smartass when I was standing in front of him. I hope they get it fixed for their sake. The RAV4 they gave me drives nice and straight but that's about the only nice thing I can say about it.
 
I am just blown away by this service dept. I have never seen anything quite like it. So the asst service manager Tom calls me to tell me the tech and service manager test drove the vehicle and are satisfied that it is aligned properly and steering straight. I asked him if when you hold the wheel straight does it drive straight down and not pull to the right? He said yes. He assured me the service manager test drove it 3 times on different roads and it satisfied. They said they checked the specs again and found that when they checked the tire pressures that they were all over the place. He said they had them set to 32 on my last visit which can't be true because the vehicle displayed the condition as soon as I left. He asked if I had modified the tire pressures. I told him no which I did not. I did check them and they were all at 35psi cold so there was no need for me to adjust them. I think they made some type of change and are just blaming it on the tire pressure. I will be the final judge if it drives straight now. I then asked him about the valet key and he asked me what valet key? Apparently Scott failed to put that on the service request even though we discussed it and had it squared away this morning. Nice attention to detail Scott. What's really funny is Tom is the guy that handled the first valet key request and placed the order for the part. Granted he deals with a bunch of people and probably wouldn't remember but he will after I call the GM this time aroound. Here is my prediction on what will take place next: 1. They are going to call me, tell the key isn't in stock and there was a mix up. 2. I am going to drive my vehicle and the steering wheel will still not be straight And 3. I will go ballistic finally.
 
Last edited:
Yes you can have them! :D

Well got the key but the steering is exactly the same even though they state the tire pressures were off by as much as 15 psi from standard and uneven by as much as 6psi side to side. States they set all to 32psi and it tracks straight which I agree with as long as the steering wheel is canted slightly to the left. I mean wouldn't there me some sort of change if tire pressures were that off? Well there isn't, at all. I guess I will take it to another dealership or just take it to an alignment shop and pay to have to fixed right. I cannot deal with this service dept anymore. I just don't think they are getting that the steering wheel is off not the alignment. Still no reply from Toyota on my initial email, I am very suprised. I sent a second one today.
 
I tried adjusting the tie rod arms. It was easy enough to do. It will take a few more trial and error adjustments to get it spot on. My guess is they service dept knew the problem was aesthetic and knew in order to center it perfectly it would require them to adjust, me to drive, then re-adjust and so on until I was satisfied. The wheels are aligned and the functionality and performance are correct and within spec its just that the steering wheel is off centered slightly which they don't care about since there is no mechanical shortcomings. In there eyes there are no mechanical problems.
 
Here's my reply from Toyota:

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We are sorry to hear of your concerns with your 4Runner.

In our continuing commitment to provide quality service, each Toyota dealership has a Customer Relations Manager to address any concerns you may have. We recommend you maintain contact with the Customer Relations Manager at Rohrich Toyota for further assistance.

If we may be of further assistance, please contact us via email or by calling 800-331-4331. We are available from 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

We have documented your comments at our National Headquarters under file #200601110017.

Took 7 days to get that. I already told them in my email I worked with the customer relationship manager. I blasted them back in an email. Great customer service! At least GM called me within 24hrs of receiving a complaint.
 
I have received 3 replies now since I blasted them back. They are now working with me on this, finally. Someone is supposed to call me by tomorrow to discuss this.
 
I called a local alignment shop where I work and explained the situation. He said he understands the problem and that they most likely failed to center the steering wheel prior to aligning it. He said he can see their side of it where it is aligned within spec but also sees mine that the steering wheel isn't centered. He said he can gurantee me that he can get it centered as long as there aren't any parts damaged. He took the time to explain how the steering wheel can be off while the wheels are correctly aligned. He said he agrees that it should have everything straight. I asked about adjusting the tie rods myself and he said it is possible but it will never be 100% correct. He told me it will take him 1 hr to do the work and will cost $39. I think it is worth it just to have it done. He told me I can test drive it to ensure the steering wheel centered prior to paying him. He also asked what dealership I bought from because he bought a RAV4 last year from another dealership and he said they sent him a satisfaction survey and one of the questions was "was the steering wheel straight?" and he said he found that odd.
 
cyclops24 said:
... he bought a RAV4 last year from another dealership and he said they sent him a satisfaction survey and one of the questions was "was the steering wheel straight?" and he said he found that odd.
Click to expand...

Your truck traveled 1/2 way around the world strapped down in a ship, on a train, and on a truck. If the straps were too tight, the ride got bumpy, or a jockey was rough, your alignment will be off. It can happen on any new vehicle, unless you pick it up from the factory.

Which dealership? Losing keys for a new vehicle is just sad. I would avoid them in the future, and let them (and Toyota) know why.
 
I totally understand what you are saying and that's fine. Lots of things could have happened in transit. It was obviously out of alignment since they had to make an adjustment on the first visit. I have no problem with them making a correction as long as it fixes an issue. My orginal complaint was the steering wheel is off centered, says right on the paperwork. They corrected toe-in to align the wheels but the steering wheel is still off center and they can't seem to understand that. Crap dealership (Rohrich Toyota of Pittsburgh) all the way around except for the internet sales experience which was pretty easy. Toyota is supposed to call me today to discuss this. I have pretty much decided to take it to the local alignment shop and pay to have it fixed right rather than take it to another dealer and be aggravated because I can only get it in on a Saturday. I think it is worth the $40 not to be aggravated anymore. I would love to report to Toyota that it was not correct and adjustments were necessary by an idependent shop. I don't have alot of faith in techs at dealerships because of they way they are paid and past experiences with their workmanship. I am sure there are some good techs out there that know their shit. Here's one example. My 04 GTO was leaking coolant so I figured it was a freeze plug cause it was near the one on the passenger side head. I took it in and found that at 1500 miles, I had a blown head gasket on the famed LS1. So they replaced it and I drove off and my check engine light came on. I returned immediately, the code was an injector code. Cleared the code came back. Tech looked at the intake and found that when he put it back on, he pinched the fuel injector wiring harness and damaged it causing it to throw codes. So they ordered a new one and I got to take it back and have them replace that. Then I started to wonder how well my top end was re-assembled. Now I didn't have any problems with it after that but none the less I wasn't happy.
 
Fixed. 35 minutes and $41 later I now have a straight steering wheel. Guess you have to pay to get the job done right. The guy said the toe was off slightly. He took it for a ride before doing any work and agreed the steering wheel was off. He put it up, made some adjustments, drove it and put it back on the rack for a few more then asked me to drive it to make sure I liked it prior to paying him. I was more than satisfied and was happy to pay the guy.

Talked to Toyota Customer Service today as well. Told them I paid out of pocket and the issue is resolved. They replied "is that all you needed today?" I said yeah I just wanted my new vehicle to drive straight. Too bad I had to pay out of pocket to get it done right. She said I will add it to the file have a great weekend. Hell even GM offered me free routine maintanence for the first year or 15k miles. Glad to see Toyota cares so much. Not even an apology for all the BS I had to go through with the key or the steering. Shame on you Toyota.
 
You should make sure someone from your stealership read this thread (be it the Manager). You can also report them to the Better Business Bureau. Who knows, maybe you're not the only one who had the same experience with this stealer.
I remember several years ago in Hawaii, someone wasn't happy on their purchase of a vehicle from one of the stealership. He placed a banner on his car and drove it around like he normally would. The banner read someting like "do not buy cars from (name of) dealership". After several days, the stealership got the word and made some deal with the guy that made him take down the banner.
You don't have to go to the same extreme, but there are other ways to have your stealership think twice about them doing their business. Nobody deserves the treatment you got.
 
cyclops24 said:
I totally understand what you are saying and that's fine. Lots of things could have happened in transit. It was obviously out of alignment since they had to make an adjustment on the first visit.
Click to expand...

I was just trying to point out why it was on the survey. It is common for the alignment and steering wheel to be off on a new vehicle.

I would make my case and concerns clear to the dealership. Write a letter, attach copies of receipts and work orders. Send one to the GM, the salesman, finance, the service advisor, Toyota, etc. I've found letters go much further than emails or phone calls. Put everyone who is getting a copy on the letter. They are losing you as a customer, your family, and your friends. Don't demand anything or ask for compensation. See how they respond. You are owed more than an apology.

GMC/Pontiac know they have problems, Toyota can be more arrogant when it comes to problems and poor customer service.
 
Well I couldn't be happier now with my 4Runner. But I am jacked at the stealership and Toyota. More than enough people have heard of my "experience".

On a lighter note, the guy that did the alignment loved the 4Runner. He said he couldn't get over how well it rode and how quiet it was. He has a RAV4 and said that it was a shit box compared to my vehicle and he said he would hope so since mine cost near twice as much. He went on to say out of all the SUVs he's driven he believes my 4Runner is the nicest one. He said it felt like more of a luxury vehicle than a SUV. He even had to tell the next guy that came in how nice it was. I went on to find out the guy he was raving to owns a musclecar dealership. www.sportscargallery.com I am in absolute love with that 70 Challenger on there. He had brought a 70 Chevelle SS396 in to be aligned when I was there. I was drooling over it.
 
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