Quality Control

[Soundofmind]

Here's a little story...

After completing the purchase, I began the 3+ hour drive home from the dealer. I'm playing with all the buttons on the dash to get a feeling for locations/functions, etc. My left hand wanders down to the lower dash where the driver's left knee is. More buttons! I push the two I can find. Nothing discernible happens. It's dark and I'm on the freeway so I figure I'll just wait until I get home to read the manual. I think to myself, "I'm sure it's some feature that only works when the vehicle is stopped." and I don't worry about it.

Next day, I discover the Wiper Heater button and 120V Outlet Master Power switches. I research the manual. I try every combination of engine running/off, shifter in P, N and D. Wipers on/off. Neither of the lights on the buttons turn on. I call the dealer and talk to my salesman. He sits in a 4R on the lot and confirms that when pressed, the indicator lights on the buttons illuminate. We agree it's something simple like a fuse and he tells me to take my truck (now only 3 days old) to my local dealer's service dept. I make an appointment.

I decide that even *I* can check a fuse, so the next day i find the 15A power outlet fuse under the dash. Totally fine. I climb a little farther underneath with a flashlight to see the back of the buttons themselves. Ready for this?

NOT EVEN PLUGGED IN

I find the two multi-pin connectors hanging down. Too crowded in there to get my hand in so I can't seat them into the back of the buttons.

Has anyone experienced anything like this with a new vehicle? It makes me wonder what else didn't get assembled. Is this something that the dealer would normally attach when they check in and prep a new vehicle? Or did the factory screw up?

I still have my service appt. in a couple days at my local dealer. The dealer where I bought it is 200 mi away so they can't make it right, otherwise, I'd be there in a heartbeat.:yell::yell::yell:

 

[ArnavG544]

Here's a little story...

After completing the purchase, I began the 3+ hour drive home from the dealer. I'm playing with all the buttons on the dash to get a feeling for locations/functions, etc. My left hand wanders down to the lower dash where the driver's left knee is. More buttons! I push the two I can find. Nothing discernible happens. It's dark and I'm on the freeway so I figure I'll just wait until I get home to read the manual. I think to myself, "I'm sure it's some feature that only works when the vehicle is stopped." and I don't worry about it.

Next day, I discover the Wiper Heater button and 120V Outlet Master Power switches. I research the manual. I try every combination of engine running/off, shifter in P, N and D. Wipers on/off. Neither of the lights on the buttons turn on. I call the dealer and talk to my salesman. He sits in a 4R on the lot and confirms that when pressed, the indicator lights on the buttons illuminate. We agree it's something simple like a fuse and he tells me to take my truck (now only 3 days old) to my local dealer's service dept. I make an appointment.

I decide that even *I* can check a fuse, so the next day i find the 15A power outlet fuse under the dash. Totally fine. I climb a little farther underneath with a flashlight to see the back of the buttons themselves. Ready for this?

NOT EVEN PLUGGED IN

I find the two multi-pin connectors hanging down. Too crowded in there to get my hand in so I can't seat them into the back of the buttons.

Has anyone experienced anything like this with a new vehicle? It makes me wonder what else didn't get assembled. Is this something that the dealer would normally attach when they check in and prep a new vehicle? Or did the factory screw up?

I still have my service appt. in a couple days at my local dealer. The dealer where I bought it is 200 mi away so they can't make it right, otherwise, I'd be there in a heartbeat.:yell::yell::yell:

We've had good service so far on the T4R.

All I'm gonna say is if you get a Benz, this would be the least of your concerns. We've had a HISTORY with them, the most recent one we bought had wheel lock lugs fall off right as we were leaving a restaurant with like 30 miles on the car, thankfully someone who came with us noticed. Same one had the mirror housings fall off on the highway. Oh, and this same car (09 g class), is having engine problems and its about, what, 5 years old?

 

[Quentin]

"What else didn't they assemble" isn't really valid in modern automotive manufacturing. Each process has its own process control and defect/outflow prevention. If that process is flawed, it would be more likely that you'd see the same issue across multiple vehicles rather than multiple issues across the same vehicle. If your 4Runner were hand built by one negligent team member, your concern would be more likely.

 

[eddiebx]

Another possibility is there was some reason or another where the dealer had to remove the panel and forgot to connect it back when they were done? Do you have any port installed options, or aftermarket options?

 

[Soundofmind]

No PIO or aftermarket options that i'm aware of.

On the sticker:

3rd row seat
Running boards
Carpet floor mats

Are these considered PIO? Anyway, nothing here that would have them removing the button panel on the lower left dash. Right?

 

[Soundofmind]

"What else didn't they assemble" isn't really valid in modern automotive manufacturing. Each process has its own process control and defect/outflow prevention. If that process is flawed, it would be more likely that you'd see the same issue across multiple vehicles rather than multiple issues across the same vehicle. If your 4Runner were hand built by one negligent team member, your concern would be more likely.

Good point.

But it still leaves me wondering if the dealer took something else apart and didn't put it back together completely. Why would they be doing that anyhow?

 

[Quentin]

Good point.

But it still leaves me wondering if the dealer took something else apart and didn't put it back together completely. Why would they be doing that anyhow?

Someone in shipping could have gouged or scuffed the lower IP when they were shuttling the vehicles around the shipping yard and it required replacement.

 

[tamerunner]

No PIO or aftermarket options that i'm aware of.

On the sticker:

3rd row seat
Running boards
Carpet floor mats

Are these considered PIO? Anyway, nothing here that would have them removing the button panel on the lower left dash. Right?

It's an imperfect world. Built by imperfect people. Doesn't matter how hard we try things will always happen. Once people understand this those that work in any part of the service industry may not mind going to work. It's all in how it is made right.

 

[Yotta]

It's an imperfect world. Built by imperfect people. Doesn't matter how hard we try things will always happen.

On the one hand, true.

On the other hand, remember why much of America now drives Japanese cars?

In the early 80s Detroit said "Buy our cars! If anything breaks, bring it back and we'll fix it". Japan said "Buy our cars! They won't break".

 

[j_shoe99]

One thing I don't like about the buttons by the drivers left knee.....they don't illuminate! At least mine do not! The power outlet button, and the wiper heater button do not light up when the headlights are on. It's kind of annoying having to turn on the dome light to see what's what.

 

[Soundofmind]

One thing I don't like about the buttons by the drivers left knee.....they don't illuminate! At least mine do not! The power outlet button, and the wiper heater button do not light up when the headlights are on. It's kind of annoying having to turn on the dome light to see what's what.

Same thing with the moonroof switches. The overhead console has lights in it to backlight the garage door buttons and traction control. Why couldn't they have put lights behind the moonroof switches, as well?

Did they not bother to include that feature because they assume nobody will use it at night, and therefore wouldn't need to find the switch in the dark? It's a MOONROOF !! :tongue1:

 

[hearno]

If that's your only complaint on a brand new car, I think you've done well. I'd be happy if that's the only issue I had with a purchase.

 

[tamerunner]

On the one hand, true.

On the other hand, remember why much of America now drives Japanese cars?

In the early 80s Detroit said "Buy our cars! If anything breaks, bring it back and we'll fix it". Japan said "Buy our cars! They won't break".

I agree. But there are probably only a few things in this world that won't break, and unfortunately cars are not one of them. If you have the idea that buy Japanese and nothing will break I'm sorry but you will eventually be welcomed back to reality. Not trying to be mean just the truth. They break much less. And yes it's unfortunate that things like this happen, but they do. And people that have an unrealistic view of the world and the fact that everything that is done for them has to be perfect, they are the ass hats that make working with the public a living hell.

 

[Yotta]

And people that have an unrealistic view of the world and the fact that everything that is done for them has to be perfect, they are the ass hats that make working with the public a living hell.

You don't work in customer service, do you? If you do, in your place I'd seriously consider changing jobs.

 

[vicpick58]

One of my minor complaints about my 2012 is the buttons for the garage door openers have no lights. I can usually find that ok, but the dimmer wheel/knob for the dash lights also has no light and that is something that almost always needs to be found in the dark. I still have to feel around for that one.

 

[Soundofmind]

It's good they improved the overhead console on the 2014 to at least include the garage door opener lights. I'm surprised they didn't just do all the buttons up there including the moonroof. Oh well.

My dimmer wheel is also not illuminated.

 

[Canazes9]

Switches not plugged in on a new vehicle.

The power outlet button, and the wiper heater button do not light up when the headlights are on.

Moonroof switches don't illuminate.

The garage door buttons and traction control button don't illuminate.

The dimmer wheel knob for the dash lights doesn't illuminate.




My goodness! I think we have enough here to start a 2nd list...



You gals are a riot!

David

 

[Soundofmind]

Point taken, Canazes9. Ha ha.

The original post was just to blow off a little steam. So the switches weren't plugged in. Is that an emergency? Of course not. Is it frustrating to drop 40 large on a new car and seemingly simple things aren't right? A little.

The illumination discussion is just fluff. Probably more in line with simply indicating some of the subtle differences between model years.

Thanks for the contribution. LOL at the Domino's pizza tracker.

 

[hearno]

LMAO I thought I was the only one with the itunes issue.

 

[philsey]

WTH is "itunes"?