Rear Engine Seal Leak at 23k! May Not Be Warrantied?!

[2012sr5]

I appreciate everyone's concern. It was just unforunate. I know im on the short end but im trying to finish up my last month of school and work has been too crazy. Fighting this would've just been too much stress.

The important thing I got the car back and it's driving as it should be.

I would agree that it was unfortunate (but totally expected) for a dealer to attempt to take advantage of you like this, but it really sounds like they were selling a lie and hoping that you'd cave just because it was getting to be too big a hassle. And it sounds like it worked.

Unfortunately, the OP's situation is exactly why dealers try this crap. They'll sometimes find someone who just doesn't want to deal with it. Puts profit in their pocket and on to the next.

Exactly. Their entire business model is basically testing the waters to see what they can get away with...from sales to repairs to the fine print of warranty work. The salesman at my local Toyota dealer told me several blatant falsehoods during my test drive, all of which I had to correct him on. They do that $h!t and then act all innocent when you call them on it. Or they fall back on a compliment ("wow, you've really done your research!"). But make no mistake: they are trained to fight for every inch in every situation.

If I had a truck with 23k and a rear seal leaking that was still under warranty, I would keep escalating and raising hell, citing the manual, citing the warranty itself, calling Toyota corporate, talking to other dealers, etc... It sounds to me like dude got ROBBED.

The thing is, WE hold all the cards when it comes to dealing with dealers. They are only as successful as their reputations, and when they're clearly in the wrong and they realize that you aren't going to budge, they'll back down.

OP, I'd be filling out every survey I could find for that particular dealer, file an official complaint with Toyota, write reviews on Google, Yelp, and everywhere else...never malicious or emotionally charged, but very detailed with a warning for all who read it: this dealer will push the limits to take advantage of you. People need to be made aware that they could get completely bent over the way you were.

 

[wfo9]

^^ agree with that 100

It's pretty simple. They take advantage of people.. That is how dealers and Toyota make money. You have to be able to call out their BS on all levels (sales, service, warranty). Consider them criminals when you deal with them. I've never trusted one and never will. If I had a dollar for every lie I've heard from a dealer I could buy a new Jeep. LOL

Now if water was up to the breathers... different story. But mud under the truck... can't possibly blame the rear main seal on that. What a joke.

I find Toyota owners to be the most gullible of any bunch out there... they tend to be some of the least knowledge and most concerned with proper maintenance.... owners out there. So Toyota dealers really make a killing and get comfortable taking advantage of people. Now don't get bent out of shape.. I'm not talking about you.. But in general. Toyota owners fit a profile and the dealers love it and build their business practices around it. It's always been hard for me to buy Toyota's because the dealers are so bad. I've only purchased one new one because of that...

 

[Faust301]

I appreciate everyone's concern. It was just unforunate. I know im on the short end but im trying to finish up my last month of school and work has been too crazy. Fighting this would've just been too much stress.

The important thing I got the car back and it's driving as it should be.

That's very unfortunate for you. I would however not give up the fight, definitely call corporate! They will listen especially if you have owned multiple Toyotas, are the first owner etc...

Its a complete shame there are some lame duck dealers out there. The only thing we have is our integrity. At this point I would definitely write a Yelp! review, DealerRater.com review or Google review. Watch them squirm. Its a constant battle for me as a Service Director dealing with social media reviews because the Dealer Principal (owner) is so worried about their image.

IMHO I think you need to take the battle to them and totally believe you will get compensated at some point. Just don't give up!

Good Luck!

 

[emailjoe2]

I also think we may not be getting the full story here but I guess it’s a moot point considering OP is satisfied with the outcome and is moving on.

I personally would continue the fight if asked to pay for something that I could not have possibly caused and that should be covered under warranty. There is zero reason not to, if you know you are in the right.

On the other hand, if Toyota agreed to pay a significant portion even though I didn’t recall at the time that I “accidentally” drove it like I stole it one weekend and did a few Dukes of Hazard jumps into a river then yeah, I‘d pay my half, say thank you and drive away quietly.



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[TEujunga]

OP, at this point I bet you're sorry you even started this thread. Apparently, if you're not willing to spend the rest of your life fighting this injustice, you must have made the story up in the first place.

I, for one, can appreciate your desire to move on from this, live your life doing something other than fighting what would likely prove to be a pointless battle, and be happy rather than right even if it means eating the loss.

As you have already explained that you have other priorities, perhaps one of the posters above would be willing to take up the cause on your behalf, and spend their free time (of which they obviously have a surplus) tilting at Toyota Corporate windmills?

 

[aelarson]

I find Toyota owners to be the most gullible of any bunch out there... they tend to be some of the least knowledge and most concerned with proper maintenance....

You must not have not been into a BMW dealership. Hell, go on a BMW forum and browse the plethora of threads with people asking questions about the proper methods for driving stick, how to change a tire, and basic maintenance. A lot of ignorance floating around.

With first hand knowledge of BMW service centers, I can tell you that they tried to pull fast ones over me every time I was there. Warranty coverage, items that I "needed" for my car, etc, etc. The BS never stopped every time I visited...which was often.

It's not just Toyota owners...the average person doesn't really give a sh*t about cars or know anything about them. It is every brand, but it is so dependent on the dealership management and ownership. My local Toyota dealership where I bought my truck is miles ahead of the BMW dealership I gave business to, but its still not up to the standard I would like to see.

Overall, I think dealership service is a hit or miss. Depends on the management. But definitely can be crappy with any brand...

 

[e60ral]

my BMW dealership was hands down the best customer service out of any vehicle i've ever owned including this one (through multiple BMWs over 10+ years). dealerships vary, there are good and bad dealerships for every manufacturer. i'm glad i'm in an area with multiple dealership options for every manufacturer, i'd hate to live somewhere with no options.

 

[aelarson]

my BMW dealership was hands down the best customer service out of any vehicle i've ever owned including this one (through multiple BMWs over 10+ years). dealerships vary, there are good and bad dealerships for every manufacturer. i'm glad i'm in an area with multiple dealership options for every manufacturer, i'd hate to live somewhere with no options.

Hahaha I guess were just proving our own points! Everyone has different experiences with different brands.

 

[4runner_RN]

This is the whole story: mud and debris was found in the bell housing = voided warranty. That's exactly what it said on the invoice. These are the only pics I'm disclosing. Someone also wanted to see the undercarriage, but I think my 10 year nissan truck looks worse underneath.

When was the last time I went through mud? About 1.5 months ago going to our cabin in mammoth. I needed 4WD and atrac to keep the family safe cause the snow was thick and there were parts with dirty snow and mud that I had to cross. I never got stuck or even had to use my traction boards.
I went through the process and opened up a case with toyota corporate after not being happy with the dealership's outcome.

I'm not going to pay the full retail price. The dealership was able to give me a discount and on top of that, toyota corporate is also giving me a significant additional discount, so I had to make the best outcome out of the worst situation.

What you guys don't get is that I'm on-call 24/7 as an RN on top of finishing up my bachelors degree so I rely heavily on my car. I'm also due for an annual unnanounced audit by the Dept of Health for work, so there's things I need to prepare.

Bottom line: My patient's health and safety will always take priority over this car situation. If I had the time to fight this more, I would, but now isn't the right time.

I posted this to keep to make sure the other owners aware of this problem. Maybe if this happens to someone else they can be more prepared how to handle the situation

Either way, the mods are still coming. I installed the RCI skid package that's been taking up space in my living room straight from the dealership. Took about 30 min to do. Super quick right before work

 

[EddieV4runnin]

I would’ve warrantied it :bluejump: the service advisor only know as much as the technician tells him.

 

[ray k]

Sorry to hear about all this on basically a new vehicle. Not meaning to stray...but I like how you leveled the front. What kind of lift did you use?

 

[4runner_RN]

Sorry to hear about all this on basically a new vehicle. Not meaning to stray...but I like how you leveled the front. What kind of lift did you use?

stage 5 icon kit

 

[CO-Cygnus]

This is the whole story: mud and debris was found in the bell housing = voided warranty. That's exactly what it said on the invoice.

Did they provide you with any pictures or evidence of the supposed debris inside the housing itself?

 

[Faust301]

wow, seeing the pictures of the underside of your vehicle makes me SMH.. looks new to me... Your dealership should be ashamed of themselves. Disgusting that other dealers make decisions that make good dealerships look like ass clowns ...

 

[CO-Cygnus]

I mean... it sounds like they were fishing for a reason to deny you and knew you were in a tight spot. First your mods, then they saw some mud splashed up there so, gotcha!

I know you've already 'settled' this, but I would keep on Toyota for either your money back or some other concession.

 

[e60ral]

[MENTION=139152]4runner_RN[/MENTION] I 100% understand why you're not interested in fighting it, but you should consider sending everything to jalopnik or similar car blogs. Toyota denies warranty because owner drove offroad is a headline that would get attention. As long as you tell them the truth you have no risk or exposure, and who knows if it turns into a big thing maybe you get your money back.

 

[Louise]

To be honest, I know how you feel. Opening a case with corporate is always worth the try. You are your only advocate. The worst that can happen is they'll say no.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

This all seems odd. The amount of pressure it would take to force water into a sealed differential seems unlikely. The vehicle would need to be submerged many feet firstly, like beyond the hood, to begin to force water through a seal.

 

[Signess]

This all seems odd. The amount of pressure it would take to force water into a sealed differential seems unlikely. The vehicle would need to be submerged many feet firstly, like beyond the hood, to begin to force water through a seal.

Truth.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

[MENTION=139152]4runner_RN[/MENTION] I 100% understand why you're not interested in fighting it, but you should consider sending everything to jalopnik or similar car blogs. Toyota denies warranty because owner drove offroad is a headline that would get attention. As long as you tell them the truth you have no risk or exposure, and who knows if it turns into a big thing maybe you get your money back.

This is their contact page: https://jalopnik.com/about