This is what Toyota Care looks like:

[Langzaiguy]

I am going on a long road trip this weekend so I figured I would take the 2014 TEP in for its first Toyota Care experience. I have never in my life had service done at the dealer, but I figured, "Hey, it's free." It seemed to go just fine--though I was a little annoyed that they didn't change the oil (they said it was only done at 10k intervals).

I go out the door to pick it up, and the valet backed it straight into another customer's car. I guess he isn't proficient in looking at backup cameras yet.

So far, they've given me a rental for the time that they have it. Obviously, they're paying to have it fixed. Any other suggestions or anything to look out for?

It looks like it would be easy to switch the bumper out. I'm worried about the scratch/dent on the tailgate.

imgur: the simple image sharer

imgur: the simple image sharer

 

[TOY2G]

Having had a small crease in the same part of the tailgate on my 4th gen, I can tell you, it is not an easy fix. It is a welded seam, and because it is three layers thick in that spot, it can make it very difficult to get it to smooth back out.

As far as other things to check for, when you get it back, make sure you cannot wiggle your tail light, it may have cracked or broken one of the mounting tabs.

Good luck.

 

[WFO_Racer]

Make sure you ask for compensation for diminished value because of this.

 

[Americas High Five]

You are in the drivers seat, I would try to get them to buy it back from you. Or at the least compensate you in addition to the repairs as it will never be as it was from the factory. If they give you push back get corporate involved.

Good luck.

 

[JohnJerk]

That looks like the tech was fuggin' around. Sorry man. He'll of a first-time-at-the-dealer experience.

 

[DigableKid]

Man... That hurts my feelings. Yea... they need to more than fix it. That's an easy $1k reduction in value. Strike a deal for a new one.

 

[Leftseat]

Damage - CarFax Reported

I would make sure it doesn't hit CarFax. Go to sell or trade one day, pull up the CF, shows damage. I would insist on a new one, let them sell it to someone else.
LS

 

[TheLast13]

I would make sure it doesn't hit CarFax. Go to sell or trade one day, pull up the CF, shows damage. I would insist on a new one, let them sell it to someone else.
LS

Thats exactly what I would do.

 

[ryanbt]

That's almost identical to my "oops" I did on my driveway to my old 2008 a few years back. The bumper was the least of my problems (repair-wise), but I had to take it back to the body shop twice (before I sold it) because the paint kept flaking off of the bottom corner of the tailgate. Since you have a '14 I would do as others have mentioned and try to get them to get you into a new one.

 

[Okki]

When I had something similar happen with my Honda CRV, the paintwork was not up to par and I had them rehang the rear hatch 3 times before it looked acceptable (still a non-factory body gap though).

Since it's REALLY new, I would go for a trade in deal for a new one.

Okki

 

[Langzaiguy]

I really appreciate everyone's input. I don't know if a new 4R is possible. When I bought it in March, I could only find 6 or 7 Nautical Blue TEP's with KDSS in the country. In fact, I traveled several hundred miles to purchase it. I think it could be several months for them to locate a TEP identical to mine. Then, wouldn't I be held responsible for the TTL?

They have their own body shop at this dealer. Is it possible to get a factory spec paint touch up?

I bought this truck with the intentions of keeping it 20 years. I am more concerned about its durability than its diminished value. It seems like the tailgates on these trucks are perhaps the most susceptible part of the truck for rust. I might insist on compensation for diminished value if I am to anticipate additional paint/rust touch ups down the line. Or, perhaps a new tailgate is in order.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

People are so careless and out of it these days, it drives me nuts! It is sad that someone whose job is solely to move and park cars, can't even do that right.

Even if the dealer's body shop guy is really good, which if he was, he wouldn't be working at a dealer body shop, applying paint by hand will never be the same as when it was applied by robot at the factory. For me, i would want a brand new hatch and bumper cover factory painted to be installed. That way the pieces will have the same quality and application process of the paint as the rest of the vehicle. That way you won't have to deal with some body shop hack trying to match paint and blend it in with the rest of the area, likley messing up the remaining factory paint that is good.

If you look at the threads of the guys who have done "TE" conversions, they have bought factory painted parts, and installed them without any matching issues.

 

[forwheeler]

I bought this truck with the intentions of keeping it 20 years. I am more concerned about its durability than its diminished value.

Document everything. Get pictures, statements, paperwork, names of people, etc. You should also write down, for yourself, a detailed description of what happened and everything you remember. That way, if durability becomes an issue in the future, you know who to contact and have proof of what happened. If they don't cooperate, get their insurance carrier involved. An insurance company would much rather get you in a new truck for a few thousand dollars than spend any time or money dealing with your claim. And don't sign anything that gives away any rights. Just because they are trying to fix it now doesn't mean they have done a good job. You need time to determine if their work is going to hold up over the long term. Be polite but stand your ground on this.

 

[ryanbt]

I bought this truck with the intentions of keeping it 20 years. I am more concerned about its durability than its diminished value. It seems like the tailgates on these trucks are perhaps the most susceptible part of the truck for rust. I might insist on compensation for diminished value if I am to anticipate additional paint/rust touch ups down the line. Or, perhaps a new tailgate is in order.

Ahh.. Makes sense now. I assumed (mistakenly) that the dealer that was doing the service was the dealer you purchased the truck from. Knowing this, yeah I doubt the would give you a new one.

 

[EasyAndy]

I had the exact same damage to my 2014 as you did except mine was from a careless driver in a parking lot. Luckily a witness stayed around to talk to the police and the 4Runner was fixed by his insurance. I also went down the diminished value road and believe me it is not an easy task to get paid out for it. Be warned that there are a many scams praying on consumers trying to get a diminished value report. I used a reputable guy and received $1200 for the diminished value, but it took about 4 month for everything to be resolved and a lot of headaches. The diminished value report I initially submitted was for around $4000. I feel I could have received much more if I would have just went with an attorney to begin with. Attorneys have diminished value guys on hand and turn in very hefty reports, they then usually take a percentage (30-40%) of what they can negotiate out of the other insurance carrier so it shouldn't cost you any money up front.

You should expect the bumper cover to be replaced and painted. The lift gate should be replaced and painted. Do not let them use the old lift gate, it will never be the same. Any other misc. parts damaged inside and out of the bumper should also be replaced. Make damn sure they match the paint perfectly as they did not on mine and I made them redo it. All in the repairs were about $5000.00 on mine.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[Okki]

...applying paint by hand will never be the same as when it was applied by robot at the factory. For me, i would want a brand new hatch and bumper cover factory painted to be installed. That way the pieces will have the same quality and application process of the paint as the rest of the vehicle.

paint matching isn't really the problem, but bumper skins, hatches, etc do NOT come painted. they are delivered primered to the the dealer/bodyshop who does the final paint job. Not saying there aren't any good ones, but my experience with one shop (Honda CRV, paintshop was a the dealer group owned chevy dealer on the other side of the same lot) was crap. Had work done by a different dealer group when a relative trashed my Volvo and they did a good job on the paint. Go check out the shop and some of the cars they just finished. have the shop manager walk you through what work they did so you can get a feel for the specific quality. if you see a particular good job, ask who the actual painter was and ask for that guy/gal to do the work on your truck.

Okki

 

[Whiplash Willy]

paint matching isn't really the problem, but bumper skins, hatches, etc do NOT come painted. they are delivered primered to the the dealer/bodyshop who does the final paint job. Not saying there aren't any good ones, but my experience with one shop (Honda CRV, paintshop was a the dealer group owned chevy dealer on the other side of the same lot) was crap. Had work done by a different dealer group when a relative trashed my Volvo and they did a good job on the paint. Go check out the shop and some of the cars they just finished. have the shop manager walk you through what work they did so you can get a feel for the specific quality. if you see a particular good job, ask who the actual painter was and ask for that guy/gal to do the work on your truck.

Okki

So you can't order pre-painted parts directly from toyota? (not through a bodyshop) I don't have any reason to not believe you, as I have no experience with this, I just thought I head of people doing this.

If that is the case, I would get the new bumper cover and hatch, and make them pay you to take it to a good body shop (if theirs sucks), and have the pieces painted the factory colors off your 4Runner, then install.

Body Shops have the tendency to want to blend the re-painted panel with the surrounding panels, which means they will be painting over your good factory paint job in some areas, so their not perfectly matched re-painted part blends in with the rest of the vehicle. I am kinda weird like that, but I hate the idea of them spraying over perfectly good factory applied paint (Especially in non-removable panels like the roof and rear quarters). I rather have a slightly mismatched rear hatch and bumper, then to have them touch any more of the vehicle then they have to.

It may be worth the time to search out the TE conversion threads and PM those guys to see how those guys dealt with getting their front and rear bumpers painted, and matching the factory paint job. I am sure they will have some good advice for you.

 

[TimmyC]

You are in the drivers seat, I would try to get them to buy it back from you. Or at the least compensate you in addition to the repairs as it will never be as it was from the factory. If they give you push back get corporate involved.

Good luck.

+1. If it's nearly brand new, I would absolutely request they buy it back. It's damaged goods now.

 

[Just Loaf It]

Talk to a lawyer. But only after talking to a doctor for the high blood pressure!

Try looking one up somewhere like the KY Bar Assoc. - Search

 

[gwcpa]

Not to be contrary to this thread, but that damage is really pretty simple to fix. Stuff happens, there is really no diminished value. If the shop is paying for it, not need for them to hit the carfax with it.

All in all it could have been worse. As long as cars are being moved in a shop, somebody is going to run into something at some point. Just unfortunate when it is your car, but that's not a huge repair.

I would however get a 4Runner loaner, not a non-comp vehicle.