I took our 2004 4Runner to our local Toyota dealership the other day to get a simple oil change done. Well we go pick it up and take it home, 15+ mile drive. I go back to my shop and my wife takes it to go work out, when she leaves the workout place she noticed all the dash lights came on and it started running rough. I told her to drive it to my shop, as she's pulling in, the engine is knocking and I told her to turn it off. Open the hood and oil is EVERYWHERE! Starts pouring out what is remaining. Long story short, Toyota tows it back to the dealership, come to find out they double sealed the oil filter. He claimed it had 2.5 quarts left when they got it. So they kept it for about 24 hours ran compression tests, temp test etc. Supposably, said everything is fine and to come get it. fast forward a few days and all lights come back on and engine starts running like it's about to fall out of the engine bay. I'm pissed, so we drive it like that for a day. Seriously so bad our kid was in the back making the sound like we are going over speed bumps. Today, 4Runner is running fine, no lights..... wth. I called them and let them know, they said to bring it back tomorrow. Sure this has happened before and understand people screw up, but what sort of action should I take from here with anyone with past experience? They are working with me "for now" but I don't feel safe keeping the 4Runner with that engine. I heard knocking, and now this, who's to say it doesn't take a shit in a few months...
Toyota messed up oil change bad!! Advice
- Thread starter jasonjump
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I would get a lawyer immediately and serve them an open ended claim letter. In Mass, I think its called a 93 letter or something like that. You may decide you don't have to sue them, but I'd get that on record immediately.
Then, I'd take it to another dealer far away (one that this dealer is likely to not know) and get a full PPI done on the truck. If any damage was done to the engine, I;d get it on paper in a comprehensive PPI. If you choose to sue them, this will be critical.
If they effed up your engine, I'd accept nothing less than 120% trade-in value on a different/new truck. You are likely to incur a loss when you sell this particular truck on the resale value because of engine damage or even a replacement engine. Plenty of trucks out there in the used market for someone to pay you the same as another truck with less drama in the back story.
Then, I'd take it to another dealer far away (one that this dealer is likely to not know) and get a full PPI done on the truck. If any damage was done to the engine, I;d get it on paper in a comprehensive PPI. If you choose to sue them, this will be critical.
If they effed up your engine, I'd accept nothing less than 120% trade-in value on a different/new truck. You are likely to incur a loss when you sell this particular truck on the resale value because of engine damage or even a replacement engine. Plenty of trucks out there in the used market for someone to pay you the same as another truck with less drama in the back story.
See I've thought of going down that road, but as of now they are very open and working with me. Don't want to start threats unless they start retracting that they will take care of the issue. I had them legally document the issue in their computer and also print me a hard copy of that and the tests that were ran. I took pictures of the oil everywhere etc. I just don't want to keep having to bring it back in. They have admitted to the mess up, and are being cooperative right now. If they did end up buying it back, I'd also want me tag/title/tax paid on the other vehicle I get you know, I may put a work in a lawyers ear and see what they think.
Sending a claim letter doesn't mean you are going to fight it in court. It just states intent - that you aren't to be messed with. You can and should always give them a chance to get it right.
Being open and cooperative is a good sign, but worthless if they damaged your engine. Sounds like they did, from the symptoms you describe.
Oh, and check if them documenting it in their system makes it show up in your carfax or Toyota's service history - you can punch in any VIN on a Toyota site and it will give you full dealership history. Then it's a certainty you will take a hit on resale.
Regardless, good luck man. Hope you sort this out without too much stress.
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This. Don't forget even with a new motor and warranty, you WILL lose on the backend when you sell it.
Gotcha, and thanks I hope it works out.
Yeah if it were only that easy
Exactly , honestly I don't want the vehicle anymore
littlehandegan
New member
Lawyer, lawyer, lawyer.
Dont think they are going to just do the right thing, unfortunately this is 2014.
Dont think they are going to just do the right thing, unfortunately this is 2014.
corradovrt
New member
gonna need a bottom end, i would put money on the heads being fine.
we recently had a terrible tech hired(already fired) who left a drain plug loose on a ls460, after 1400 miles the drain plug fell out, and the owners drove it till it turned off. was towed in obviously, we took it apart and the only damage was on cyl 1 bearing, it had locked up, motor wouldnt even turn over. heads had 0 wear/damage at all. cams, cam caps, everything looked/spec'd perfect. engine is around $20k for that car. we put a brand new bottom end in and it is back in business
the low oil/engine damage might have kicked up some sludge/debris into your oil control valves/the screens in the oil lines running into the valve covers, causing the timing to **** up and make it run like shit, thats a good place to start at the very least
we recently had a terrible tech hired(already fired) who left a drain plug loose on a ls460, after 1400 miles the drain plug fell out, and the owners drove it till it turned off. was towed in obviously, we took it apart and the only damage was on cyl 1 bearing, it had locked up, motor wouldnt even turn over. heads had 0 wear/damage at all. cams, cam caps, everything looked/spec'd perfect. engine is around $20k for that car. we put a brand new bottom end in and it is back in business
the low oil/engine damage might have kicked up some sludge/debris into your oil control valves/the screens in the oil lines running into the valve covers, causing the timing to **** up and make it run like shit, thats a good place to start at the very least
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Matt fe2o3
New member
Ok, before you decide to get an attorney, deep breath.
You have full coverage right? Call you insurance carrier. Make a claim with them, I'm not saying they will pay it but all the dealerships have insurance for exactly this type of issue and you insurance should (unless you are with the pirates) help you out and get it resolved.
This type of thing happens. I don't know the mileage but you should get a rebuild or a new motor. Especially if the dealer knows. They should cover a rental car to.
That is the route I would take. Your insurance should send an adjuster out pronto. They will coordinate / surrogate with dealers insurance and will all be fine.
That's MHO.
And don't feel bad about doing this. The dealer should understand. It actually should make things easier for them.
Just and edit here, doing this keeps a good documentation trail with a third party. That is really key as your insurance adjuster's position (which should always be in your favor) will weigh heavily if in fact you have to escalate the matter.
You have full coverage right? Call you insurance carrier. Make a claim with them, I'm not saying they will pay it but all the dealerships have insurance for exactly this type of issue and you insurance should (unless you are with the pirates) help you out and get it resolved.
This type of thing happens. I don't know the mileage but you should get a rebuild or a new motor. Especially if the dealer knows. They should cover a rental car to.
That is the route I would take. Your insurance should send an adjuster out pronto. They will coordinate / surrogate with dealers insurance and will all be fine.
That's MHO.
And don't feel bad about doing this. The dealer should understand. It actually should make things easier for them.
Just and edit here, doing this keeps a good documentation trail with a third party. That is really key as your insurance adjuster's position (which should always be in your favor) will weigh heavily if in fact you have to escalate the matter.
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You've already stated you do longer want the vehicle. If that is the case, then I'd try to get the dealer to to buy it from you for high blue book/market value + 5% to cover tax/title/doc for your future vehicle purchase wherever that may be.
However, I would not hesitate to drop the, "I've already been advised to obtain legal counsel" line on your Toyota dealers ears as well. Dealers are in the business of making money, not losing it. Thus, they're looking out for THEIR best interest, not yours.
However, I would not hesitate to drop the, "I've already been advised to obtain legal counsel" line on your Toyota dealers ears as well. Dealers are in the business of making money, not losing it. Thus, they're looking out for THEIR best interest, not yours.
I have to respectfully disagree - to this comment as well as the comment posted earlier by someone who works at a lexus dealership.
Incompetent numb nuts don't screw up so bad that my engine is damaged when I went in for a simple oil change. No, this kind of shit just does not happen. And I wouldn't sit back and accept that it will happen. I'd be raising all hell and suing them till I get a perfectly new/different vehicle. I am not going to put up with a "rebuilt" engine and all the other drama that comes with owning a car with a rebuilt engine for no fault of mine.
Atlanta_man
New member
Wonder how many folks have 'full coverage'... on a 10 year old vehicle ?
Dealerships have insurance coverage for these types of things. I had a tech not properly torque a timing belt tensioner many years ago. Needless to say it failed and the valves were bent. Their insurance offered me 2 options. Money to rebuild the motor or retail book value of the car.
I actually have full coverage on my 04. It doesn't cost me that much more on our multi-vehicle policy for the 'piece' of mind..
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Thanks for all the feedback guys, I do not have full coverage because I paid cash for the runner. I'm by no means a "passive person" or push over, although I do know people make mistakes, and a big one has been made. They are well aware of it, and are looking to correct the issue now. Unfortunately you're living in a dream world if you think I can walk up and point at a new 4Runner and say I want they and they will say yes, Mine has 140k miles, and it's 10 years old lol. I'm giving them the opportunity to make it right in my mind, and documenting in their system and printing me off hard copies every step. I just dropped it back off today and said, if I get it back and it acts up again I will be dropping it off and you guys need to issue me another rental car until you either buy this from me or put a new engine in it. He said I totally understand I will take care of it. SO, until otherwise thats where the issue sits. Not sure what else is a correct way to do it, aside from how it's being taken care of now. If they were already trying to play the "not our fault card" I'd already have a lawyer sitting at their desk. I do have one on standby
mikebontoft
New member
It's a ten year old vehicle and you're worried about resale value because of a new engine? I'd be more inclined to buy that one over other similar years which will most likely have around 120k on them (the average when I was looking to buy one of these recently).
I mean no offense to anyone, but the general attitude in this thread suggests there may be a few BMW owners in here
.
I mean no offense to anyone, but the general attitude in this thread suggests there may be a few BMW owners in here
.It's a ten year old vehicle and you're worried about resale value because of a new engine? I'd be more inclined to buy that one over other similar years which will most likely have around 120k on them (the average when I was looking to buy one of these recently).
I mean no offense to anyone, but the general attitude in this thread suggests there may be a few BMW owners in here
lol yeah, I understand. Which is why I am giving them the option to fix the issue before taking legal action. I wouldn't mind a new certified toyota engine in it at all. But we will see what happens, sucks
The way you describe that I think you may be right, thats what it felt like almost as if we were constantly driving over "train tracks" felt like no compression etc. If thats the case will this happen intermittently? Because of course it wasn't doing it when I took it in today
mikebontoft
New member
also to be fair, I wasn't directing that towards you. it was someone else.
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