Why I am re-thinking every thing I know about Toyota

[Eastcoastrunner]

i'm in the same boat as you...i thought my runner would be way more reliable than it is. I got some service notes and it seems the previous owner did front calipers at 85k miles, and i just did them again at around 110k miles. Not to mention the defective design in the exhaust manifold and hatch (latch motor and regulator). Don't even get me started on xreas...one would think a german engineer designed these things!!!

 

[Veritas]

hmmm, my opinion for you is that I don't feed trolls :naughty:

 

[MikeInNH]

I've been very happy with my 05 4runner...Now has over 180k miles and I've replaced the front calipers..and a faulty instrument cluster......That's it....nothing more.

No manufacturer can make every vehicle PERFECT. It's IMPOSSIBLE. However I do think Toyota, Nissan and Honda make more vehicles as close to perfect then many of the other manufacturers. Although there have been more problems in the past 4-5 years then there use to be. This may be growing pains or they lost sight in their vision. But there have also been some major changes in management fairly recently. That with more competition and falling sales...I believe they will be getting back to making the most reliable vehicles in the world.

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

hmmm, my opinion for you is that I don't feed trolls :naughty:

eh? :hello:

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

I've been very happy with my 05 4runner...Now has over 180k miles and I've replaced the front calipers..and a faulty instrument cluster......That's it....nothing more.

No manufacturer can make every vehicle PERFECT. It's IMPOSSIBLE. However I do think Toyota, Nissan and Honda make more vehicles as close to perfect then many of the other manufacturers. Although there have been more problems in the past 4-5 years then there use to be. This may be growing pains or they lost sight in their vision. But there have also been some major changes in management fairly recently. That with more competition and falling sales...I believe they will be getting back to making the most reliable vehicles in the world.

i have no problem with parts wearing down...i have issues with parts prematuring 'cracking' or leaking...and the fix is ridiculously expensive. The flaw is in the design.
I can just imagine one engineer speaking with the next 'hey, let's design a suspension system that is a closed system, but if anything leaks/malfunctions, we'll have the dealers charge $2500 to replace the whole damn thing at once!'

 

[ridefast]

wow
My trucks will never go to discount EVER AGAIN for the same issues i had with them. they call it discount for a reason "discount service" those guys only cater to hot chicks and milfs. Go to Albuquerque Tire! Not to mention the prices are cheaper than discount.

Dont go to midas brake masters ect...
Go to Rio Rancho Imports, Randy has been a Toyota/Lexus mechanic for 35 years and his guys do spot on work. Use ceramic brake pads. You might pay a little more going to a really good reputable mechanic but you will not have issues.

There is a lot of $$$ to be made by faulty brake jobs. They use cheap pads and they wear components faster and cause more damage.

the 4.0 v6 is a shim over bucket design and they all tick, some more than others. But you probably have no issues.

As far as your camry go to what used to be karl malone toyota and talke to anthony west. He is a service mgr and great with issues.

you will regret trading in your 4runner over such simple maintenance issues.
brakes and tires.

As far as the camry. Has anything been done the transmission? ATF change?

 

[kai920]

wow
My trucks will never go to discount EVER AGAIN for the same issues i had with them. they call it discount for a reason "discount service" those guys only cater to hot chicks and milfs. Go to Albuquerque Tire! Not to mention the prices are cheaper than discount.

Dont go to midas brake masters ect...
Go to Rio Rancho Imports, Randy has been a Toyota/Lexus mechanic for 35 years and his guys do spot on work. Use ceramic brake pads. You might pay a little more going to a really good reputable mechanic but you will not have issues.

There is a lot of $$$ to be made by faulty brake jobs. They use cheap pads and they wear components faster and cause more damage.

the 4.0 v6 is a shim over bucket design and they all tick, some more than others. But you probably have no issues.

As far as your camry go to what used to be karl malone toyota and talke to anthony west. He is a service mgr and great with issues.

you will regret trading in your 4runner over such simple maintenance issues.
brakes and tires.

As far as the camry. Has anything been done the transmission? ATF change?

I am not trading it in. I was only ranting. Seriously, I don't even know what I would go to, I do love this car.

I can say I will probably not ever go to Discount again, unless over the life of these tires I need a flat repair(their covered). After that I will be purchasing and getting service from another company. I will also check out ABQ Tire.

I got a flyer in the mail the other day from Rio Rancho Imports and given that they are now right around he corner from me(I recently moved to RR) and you have recommended them, I will certainly give them the opportunity in the future to earn my business. Thanks. I like supporting the local businesses anyways.

American Toyota has been useless in service issues, so I will try the former Karl Malone. Thanks for the contact.

In the Camry, the ATF has been flushed and changed and the computer reprogrammed with a new code or whatever is released to resolve issues. It did not resolve ours.

 

[kai920]

i have no problem with parts wearing down...i have issues with parts prematuring 'cracking' or leaking...and the fix is ridiculously expensive. The flaw is in the design.
I can just imagine one engineer speaking with the next 'hey, let's design a suspension system that is a closed system, but if anything leaks/malfunctions, we'll have the dealers charge $2500 to replace the whole damn thing at once!'

Yeah, I'm not sure this one was thought all the way through. I guess the life expectancy is much longer, but we all know that in reality its not.

Also, no one says you have to replace with XREAS, and Im sure that was a consideration. Just a way to increase sale price for a sport/Limited model and not worry about maintenance down the road.

After lifting mine, XREAS has lost its touch anyways. Will be changing to something else in the future.

 

[MikeInNH]

I can just imagine one engineer speaking with the next 'hey, let's design a suspension system that is a closed system, but if anything leaks/malfunctions, we'll have the dealers charge $2500 to replace the whole damn thing at once!'

I've owned 4 vehicles in the past with closed suspension systems....All went past the 300k mile mark without a problem. So it's NOT the fact that it's a closed system. Maybe the design or manufacturing for this particular system is the problem.

 

[MikeInNH]

I can just imagine one engineer speaking with the next 'hey, let's design a suspension system that is a closed system, but if anything leaks/malfunctions, we'll have the dealers charge $2500 to replace the whole damn thing at once!'

I've owned 4 vehicles in the past with closed suspension systems....All went past the 300k mile mark without a problem. So it's NOT the fact that it's a closed system. Maybe the design or manufacturing for this particular system is the problem.

 

[Veritas]

eh? :hello:

not you, the OP

 

[ridefast]

I am not trading it in. I was only ranting. Seriously, I don't even know what I would go to, I do love this car.

I can say I will probably not ever go to Discount again, unless over the life of these tires I need a flat repair(their covered). After that I will be purchasing and getting service from another company. I will also check out ABQ Tire.

I got a flyer in the mail the other day from Rio Rancho Imports and given that they are now right around he corner from me(I recently moved to RR) and you have recommended them, I will certainly give them the opportunity in the future to earn my business. Thanks. I like supporting the local businesses anyways.

American Toyota has been useless in service issues, so I will try the former Karl Malone. Thanks for the contact.

In the Camry, the ATF has been flushed and changed and the computer reprogrammed with a new code or whatever is released to resolve issues. It did not resolve ours.

First off: Welcome to Rio Rancho!!!
Talk with Randy and let him know everything you have been through with the brakes.
I agree American Toyota is useless!

What year is your camry?
Personally, I have never been a fan of a transmission flush. Who knows what they are pumping into a transmission and who knows if they get it all out. Ive herd of shops flushing with atf and some with tranny flush solution. I have always done drain and fill (about 4 qts) every 30k. And with 500 mile intervals.
I hope toyota did the flush for your sake. Ask what they flushed with and verify that the solution they flushed with isnt holding anything up in the tranny and you are getting the proper lubrication in there . Did they use the atf thats recommended by toyota?

Sorry for all the questions just wanna help ya out best I can.

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

I've owned 4 vehicles in the past with closed suspension systems....All went past the 300k mile mark without a problem. So it's NOT the fact that it's a closed system. Maybe the design or manufacturing for this particular system is the problem.

that wasn't really my main point, i agree with you though, and that is my point ....toyota f'd up by putting these parts on, and not have a tsb for them. exhaust mani and this suspension should be covered past the manufacturers warranty, just saying

 

[kai920]

not you, the OP

What?

Nevermind, got it.

 

[kai920]

First off: Welcome to Rio Rancho!!!
Talk with Randy and let him know everything you have been through with the brakes.
I agree American Toyota is useless!

What year is your camry?
Personally, I have never been a fan of a transmission flush. Who knows what they are pumping into a transmission and who knows if they get it all out. Ive herd of shops flushing with atf and some with tranny flush solution. I have always done drain and fill (about 4 qts) every 30k. And with 500 mile intervals.
I hope toyota did the flush for your sake. Ask what they flushed with and verify that the solution they flushed with isnt holding anything up in the tranny and you are getting the proper lubrication in there . Did they use the atf thats recommended by toyota?

Sorry for all the questions just wanna help ya out best I can.

The Camry is a 2005, 3.0 V6.

The drain and fill was done with a flush by American Toyota. Everything was the same after flush as was before. The next the they reprogrammed with a new code that was released and its still the same. Wife reports it sometimes bounces back and forth between gears randomly, and my biggest gripe when I do occasionally get around to driving it is that it has a rumble strip effect going into OD, and shift into 2nd sort of drags.

Its still under warranty for another 1600 miles or so. Already made an appointment with Anthony West, going in tomorrow AM. This time, I will not accept "we drove it and its fine." This will be resolved before 100k.

As far as the T4R, will get to ABQ Tire as soon as I can.

The brakes are fine for now, unless it comes down to the brakes causing the vibration at high speeds, and the vibe is without brakes applied so not sure that this would be the case. But when they do go again, which they will I will certainly check out RR Imports.

And thanks, I appreciate the help!!

 

[inscarguy]

if it means anything i might be able to shed some light on both cases.

in reguards to the camry. my neighbor had around the same model year and had a trans problem. took it to the local dealer about 4 times. the last two times they put new transmissions in. still had a shifting problem. they ended up giving him another camry. about 9 months later the new camry was doing the same thing. after the third time the dealer could still not fix or find the problem. corporate sent out someone and they could not come up with anything. they ended up giving him any car he wanted up to the cost of the camry. over that he would need to cover the difference(he ended up with a tundra and no problems) this just might be a problem that maybe noone can find.

on the 4runner. i had the same problem up until a month ago. i have the BFG KOs and from new to 5000 miles all was perfect. i brought it in for a rotation and the shop automatically checks balance. 5 times later it still was not balanced right even with the fingers and every road force combination. finally the manager came out and did it himself. used the finger adapter and indexed the tires. its been a few hundred miles and its just like day 1. maybe thats what needs to be done.

good luck.

BTW flushing the system w/o dropping the pan is not good for a trans. all trans pans should be dropped and the filter either changed or cleaned(depending on the manufacturer)

 

[Neil]

I am not trading it in. I was only ranting. Seriously, I don't even know what I would go to, I do love this car.

I can say I will probably not ever go to Discount again, unless over the life of these tires I need a flat repair(their covered). After that I will be purchasing and getting service from another company. I will also check out ABQ Tire.

I got a flyer in the mail the other day from Rio Rancho Imports and given that they are now right around he corner from me(I recently moved to RR) and you have recommended them, I will certainly give them the opportunity in the future to earn my business. Thanks. I like supporting the local businesses anyways.

American Toyota has been useless in service issues, so I will try the former Karl Malone. Thanks for the contact.

In the Camry, the ATF has been flushed and changed and the computer reprogrammed with a new code or whatever is released to resolve issues. It did not resolve ours.

I've been using discount tire for the past 7 years in the albuquerque area and only the most recent visit to the unser and southern location have I ever had a problem with the 4runner not being balanced right the first time. Once I took it back then they were able to fix the issue and I was on my way. However, my truck is all stock so I would think it is easier to do.

By the way, welcome to rio rancho. I live out near bernalillo and hwy 550. We should all meet up some time. ;

My 96 4cyl 4x4 regular cab tacoma has been an great little vehicle but I have only put on about 14,000 miles so far so she is up to 152,xxx.

 

[kai920]

I've been using discount tire for the past 7 years in the albuquerque area and only the most recent visit to the unser and southern location have I ever had a problem with the 4runner not being balanced right the first time. Once I took it back then they were able to fix the issue and I was on my way. However, my truck is all stock so I would think it is easier to do.

By the way, welcome to rio rancho. I live out near bernalillo and hwy 550. We should all meet up some time. ;

My 96 4cyl 4x4 regular cab tacoma has been an great little vehicle but I have only put on about 14,000 miles so far so she is up to 152,xxx.

Southern and Unser is the one that did the last three balance attempts. BUT, the I-25/Montgomery Store and the Paseo del Norte store have all had issues as well.

I went to ABQ Tire yesterday, at the suggestion of RideFast, on Menaul and paid $40.00 for a balancing. They were great, friendly guys, I hung out in the shop with them and watched, they explained to me what was going on. They showed me how Discount Tire used the incorrect weights for the wheels, and the incorrect amount of weight. They indexed the tires and its MUCH better. Perfect? NO. They showed me one tire that had a little wobble on the balancer, but indexed it twice and it still wobbled. They said that was my problem tire.

They said give it a drive and bring it back if it still does it and they will try it again, at no charge of course.

As far as the Camry, I took it to Larry H Miller and they refuse to acknowledge there is a transmission issue. I did not have time to take it for a drive with the service tech. So I am going am going back to American Toyota. I at least remember him saying last time that the tech admitted there might be an issue.
They did however, finally give me an answer on the whining noise from the engine compartment and its the alternator but its working properly.

As far as I am concerned, both cars will kept but I am going to throw a fit at American Toyota today if they tell me there is nothing wrong. I've got only about 1k miles on the warranty and that will be up before the month is over.

RideFast and Neil, if you're not already subscribed, check out the NM Group at this link.

Toyota 4Runner Forum - New Mexico 4Runners

To subscribe, click on Group Tools near the discussions and then subscribe to this group.

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.

 

[cordrayj1]

Turning rotors on t4rs is pointless IMO. I put brand new ones on when I replaced my pads after purchasing my vehicle. Thing is, I tow my boat to the landing everyday afterwork to fish so I guess mine take a beating compared to average. I just replaced the pads again and the rotor need to b replaced again. May b time for a tundra brake upgrade.

Also, I have never not had some shimmy in the ride between 62-68 mph. When I replaced the outer tie rods and all my front swaybar bushings 90% of the vibes disappeared.


If I repeated something someone else said, pardon me. That's alot of posts

 

[ridefast]

Southern and Unser is the one that did the last three balance attempts. BUT, the I-25/Montgomery Store and the Paseo del Norte store have all had issues as well.

I went to ABQ Tire yesterday, at the suggestion of RideFast, on Menaul and paid $40.00 for a balancing. They were great, friendly guys, I hung out in the shop with them and watched, they explained to me what was going on. They showed me how Discount Tire used the incorrect weights for the wheels, and the incorrect amount of weight. They indexed the tires and its MUCH better. Perfect? NO. They showed me one tire that had a little wobble on the balancer, but indexed it twice and it still wobbled. They said that was my problem tire.

They said give it a drive and bring it back if it still does it and they will try it again, at no charge of course.

As far as the Camry, I took it to Larry H Miller and they refuse to acknowledge there is a transmission issue. I did not have time to take it for a drive with the service tech. So I am going am going back to American Toyota. I at least remember him saying last time that the tech admitted there might be an issue.
They did however, finally give me an answer on the whining noise from the engine compartment and its the alternator but its working properly.

As far as I am concerned, both cars will kept but I am going to throw a fit at American Toyota today if they tell me there is nothing wrong. I've got only about 1k miles on the warranty and that will be up before the month is over.

RideFast and Neil, if you're not already subscribed, check out the NM Group at this link.

Toyota 4Runner Forum - New Mexico 4Runners

To subscribe, click on Group Tools near the discussions and then subscribe to this group.

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.

Glad abq tire could help you out!!!

thanks for the link!
I am already subscribed!
Here is the tacomaworld nm thread!
New Mexico owners??????? - Tacoma World Forums