This is what Toyota Care looks like:

[Langzaiguy]

I tend to agree with gwcpa. While I am upset at what happened, I think that they are taking a reasonable course of action:

They are one of just a few Toyota certified body shops in KY. They are installing a new Toyota bumper and tail light bracket. They're smoothing and painting the dent on the lift gate and then they will clear coat the entire lift gate as apparently it's hard to blend in.

They also have a lifetime guarantee on the work so if it ever looks discolored or rust begins to appear, I can always take it back to them. It appears as though both of our insurers are staying out of it and it won't be reported on CarFax.

 

[redbull9944]

I say get the repair quote from them and get your body work done elsewhere. Dealerships with body shops are notoriously pricey when it comes to repairs. Have them cut you a check for the damage and find a well rated privately owned body shop to do the work.

One of my friends swiped the side of one of my T4R's so I went to the most expensive body shop in the area and got a quote for somewhere around $3k. After that I went to a body shop that does excellent work and they quoted me in the $800-$1k range, plus the Carfax wouldn't have been affected. Get the insurance to write a check from the high bidder and go to the low bidder. You can easily make back the money on this, even if it does get reported to Carfax.

 

[STX4Runner]

I'd like to know about this also, as someone just rear ended me the other day and beat up the rear bumper. I think the entire rear bumper/plastic quarter panel will need to be replaced. Thank goodness there is no sheet metal damage. But they will need to order a new part and paint it silver to match the rest of the vehicle.

 

[Clark]

Some plastic components are order by color from Toyota with exception of bumpers. With computerized paint codes and mixers these days shops are surprisingly good at matching colors. 3 stage BP can be more difficult due to pearl effect but yours shouldn't be as hard. There should be no need to blend the adjacent panels on this one.

I'd look at the quality coming out of the shop. I for one would rather have a dealer do it than smaller shop as they will usually have more experience with Toyota colors. Smaller shops MAY not have the same quality booths and equipment and could result in harder time matching colors. Boils down to experience of painter. I've seen both ends of the spectrum from both types of shops.

Could always go with a ARB, bud built, etc rear bumper and you wouldn't have to worry about the match on it.

I've found being cordial but upfront with your expectations goes a lot further than being a jerk and trying to demand they replace your entire vehicle for fairly minor damage. Just my .02

 

[Leftseat]

Value of Damaged 4Runner

Bump.
LS

 

[EasyAndy]

I would insist that they replace the lift gate. I do not see how it would be possible to fix that corner and it seems to me that they are just trying to save money. Did you mention diminished value to them? I'm telling you, any future buyer of your 4Runner who knows what to look for will know that the rear has been repainted/replaced. When you pick it up, lift up the gate and rub your hand around the edge. You will feel that the paint is not glass smooth anymore due to a human painter instead of a robot at the factory. It will almost have a sandy texture, at least enough to notice it from the touch. Also take note of the bolts holding on the gate, those will more than likely be spun too. I guarantee you will be able to at least get $1000.00 of diminished value for this. I would especially want it if they did not replace the lift gate to save money.

 

[Langzaiguy]

I can't say that you're wrong, Andy. If they did a great job and I can't tell that it has ever been repaired, then I'm happy. 10 years from now, if there is any discoloration or difference, I'll take it back in and have them make it right.

If I have read correctly, the statute of limitations for DV is 5 years in KY. If I'm not 100% satisfied, I can always fall back on it.

 

[Sac State]

Just make sure they use new OEM parts to fix it! lol!!

Kicker would be to find a junkyard refurb being the solution. At least that is what most insurers will pay for these days unless you specify/demand OEM parts.

Act civilized and they will make it right.

There was a thread in the Tacoma forum about the same thing happening to a Taco. The owner threw such a fit the tech who wrecked the truck was made by the dealer/employer to pay for the repair out of his own wallet.

Shame and $$, bet they won't do it again.

 

[Langzaiguy]

It's a Toyota certified body shop and they have to use Toyota parts. I requested that they call me when they take the bumper off so that I could inspect the potential damage behind it. They were happy to comply. So far, so good.

 

[V8Man]

Since you plan on keeping the truck for your lifetime, make sure you get a lifetime warrantee for their repairs. If something falls off, paint fades, or panels rust they get to fix it again.

 

[gwcpa]

As far as the "get a new lift gate" suggestions, really can't tell how bad that corner is, but looks fairly easily repairable. If you get a new liftgate, you will reuse all the wiring, window, weatherstripping interior panels, etc. All that has to be swapped from the damaged gate.

If you really want to minimize the chance of the repair being noticeable, replacing/ paiting/ R&I ing all the parts is the least desirable option.

 

[Langzaiguy]

Update

Well, the dealership was able to get the 4R back before our vacation. I'm pretty pleased with the job that they did! They painted and installed a new bumper and fixed the ding in the lift gate. They said that it was hard to blend the clear coat in so they clear coated the whole lift gate.

*They fixed a scratch that I put onto a different part of the bumper knowing that they weren't the ones who did it.

*On top of that, they detailed the vehicle so I got it back in better condition than when I left it.

*They have a lifetime warranty on their work so if in 10 years it doesn't look quite right, I can take it back to them.

*They gave me additional Toyota Care coverage to 40,000 mi (haha)

This was a crappy situation and I think they did the best that they could, and I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[1000MPH]

Looks like they failed to reproduce the factory orange peel.

 

[Stifler]

Looks good. I gotta laugh at anyone that thinks they could have gotten a new 4r in that situation. I would have pushed for a 7/100 warranty free of charge but at least they made it right

 

[Kenworth]

Did they at least change your oil?lol we have a 14 tundra and toyota care 10000
Mile oil change sure thing ,I change at 5000 they change at 10