Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
FINALLY.
On a similar note, my parents just got a quote of $7,000.00 to replace the computer on their Prius. Apparently everyone has been attaching the Garmin/GPS to the screen (the only place to attach it on the Prius) and this screws up the touch screen. It's happened so many times, all Toyotal dealers know about what caused the screen to fail (so there's no fibbing). 7K???? Another mad toyota customer
Our dealership informed us that the extended warranty does NOT cover the motor or the stuck-door issue (which is a "latch" issue).
After seeing how many people are having the same problems we are, and after seeing how Toyota is NOT addressing these problems (they're paying lip service and tiptoeing around the problems), we will no longer be buying Toyota vehicles. After 15 years of being a "Toyota" family, I'm saddened that we feel compelled to move on because of Toyota's LACK of responsibility, of customer care, and of safety consideration.
The Garmin instructions say itis illegal to attach anything to the windshield in two states. One is California even though it is legal in the two lower corners of the windshield. If the windshield slopes too much, you can't get it close enough to the corners to be legal.
I think the other state may have been Michigan, but I don't really know if it is legal to attach it to the windshield there or not.
But, look, to attach anything to the touchscreen, this is priceless, even for a senior. I think Toyota may be blamed for not providing enough space for gadgets, but not for refusing to pay. I agree though that anything 7K is outrageous for Toyota; it is not Bentley after all. OTOH, Prius is not a Corolla or Camry either, it is a Status/Message vehicle. So, it is a fair game.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?igof53i7g7rbeog
The site has 'issues', and may try to open the file for viewing. Often it hangs up. Look on the top right for a DOWNLOAD button, have it open the file with Acrobat (.pdf), view, save or print as you see fit.
Good luck in your battle! At least now you will know what you are up against.
Yes, that would make us feel good and at least a bit avenged. Two problems with this, a small and a bigger one. It was my impression that the big guys like Toyota couldn't care less about our opinions and even departure. CEOs, for their reasons. Lower managers and common employees, for other reasons. The bigger issue is that changing the brand, you are going to run into the same or similar issues. With even higher probability, if the statistics is any guide.
How about a sticker or a word from the salesperson, "PS- though it may seem like a good idea, NEVER ATTACH SOMETHING TO THE TOUCH SCREEN."
Such a simple idea.
I brought it in today, fought with them to pay for a rental, (which they did not)! and they called me two hours later to tell me that 'conveniently' the motor needs to be replaced and it is not covered by the warranty. Seems very suspicious that in my experience and the majority (77 pages ) of other posts that most are being told the part that needs to be replaced to fix the doors is not covered by the warranty enhancement......if so many people are complaining about their power doors not working, why would Toyota take the initiative to fix the cables but not the accompanying motor!!!!!
Seems like a big old SCAM!!
CLASS ACTION!!!!
A month later the lower control arms broke ($1200).
Now, the passenger side door would not open due to the binding. Like the rest of you, the dealer price was about $1600 to fix and not covered due to miles and age of car (although the car looks new inside/out because my wife keeps it that way).
So, I found a place online that will replace the cable for $350 once I get the motor out. It took me about 75 minutes to remove the motor (be sure to follow, absolutely to the last detail, the instructions they send you). You will feel like you are stripping the car down to the last nut, but it really isn't very bad (coming from a non-auto mechanic, but someone who is mechanically inclined at least a little, according to my wife!).
The company that does the cable rebuild is:
Rich Jung
BSJ Enterprises Inc.
dba Benson's Auto
7711 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90001
(323) 583-8941 tel
(323) 583-0330 fax
Note, I have not sent mine in yet as it looks like the cable housing is cracked due to the cable stress, and I can't find a replacement. I found "like new" entire assemblies (including cables, motor, etc.) for $600, or Toyota-brand new units for $800 (a lot cheaper than the dealer). I will probably have to go one of these two routes as I can't find just the $10 piece (well, it looks like a $10 piece) of plastic that covers the cables once they are wound onto the motor assembly, and without it I fear they will slip off and break again.
Last Christmas I bought myself a new car to replace my 2003 Highlander (which has had ZERO problems). I looked at a 4Runner and the dealer reminded me that Toyota quality is "second to none". I told him he was talking to the wrong person, and I bought a 2012 Grand Cherokee instead. I must admit that I spent $1800 on a lifetime-no miles limit complete warranty as I am a bit afraid of the Jeep's quality, but after one year I have not had to use it and it can't be any worse than the problems I had with my Sienna.
Love my Jeep (Overland with 4wd, hemi engine, two tone leather interior)!
Rich Jung (agent.tikki@gmail.com)
BSJ Enterprises Inc.
dba Benson's Auto
7711 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90001
(323) 583-8941 tel
Let's say you paid $1000 or so for a 10 year warranty, and someone else who bought their car they same day paid $800 for a 9 year warranty.
Then their car breaks at 9.2 years.
If a manufacturer covers them, you got screwed. Otherwise, why did you pay more than they did?
As a gesture of Good Will I think it would be appropriate for them to perhaps share the cost with you, given you're a customer with the longest warranty available. I think it's fair for you to ask, also.
But they can't just fix every car for free indefinitely.
I have a 7/100 warranty on one of my cars (not the Sienna), and the value of that warranty is zero if they fix every one's cars after the standard warranty is up.
What did I pay for, exactly?
Meanwhile, you might want to respond to the other 750+ posts who have the same issue...give you time to think about what you're saying. Nine years later...
The 7/100 warranty is on my wife's car, and yes I think it's unfair when every one gets a benefit that we had to pay for.
750 posts is nothing, have you seen the Dodge/Chrysler transmission thread? 2000+
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ee93e7a/2065#MSG2065
Nine year warranty, can you see BMW offering such a ridiculous "defect". Come on man, fess up that Toyota knows this is a very real problem.
We brought the van to the dealer in Bellevue, NE to have the cable replaced. I left for work and my wife returned home. She got a call saying that the motor and possibly locking motor had to be replaced for $1800 with $1000 up front. She paid it up front and then called me. I called the dealer and cancelled the order. i then went over there. Clearly, the motor and locking motors still ran, but the cable sheathing was aged and cracked as a result of all the turns through the pulleys it had to make.
Luckily, there was another person at the dealership who said he could replace just the cable. After rescheduling the repair, I pointed out the the other side cable was in the same condition as the broken cable was just before failure.
They called their district service manager in Kansas City who gave approval to replace that cable too.
Now both door open and close like a champ (even without the gritty sound it used to have).
I really believe the problem lies in the plastic sheathing of cable aging and cracking.
Thanks, Kirk in TX
Also, just try asking for a supervisor at Toyota. 'I will have one get back to you in less then 1 business day' is their normal response. They didn't even get that right! I didn't get a call back.
I will never buy a Toyota again!!!
But the night mare come after I have the car, this is the worst NEW car I have ever buy.
The moon roof rack broken after 6 months, even though it's replaced by the warranty.
The sliding door began to have problem after few months, while opening the door, it produce a big bang sound,a really scary noise, it's like some one is hitting your car with a big hammer. but it doesn't happen all the time, so the dealer can't find it out easily. Finally I have to leave the car at service for a whole day, they finally heard it and replaced something as they claimed, it's better for few months, the sound come back again.
The clip for the seat belt on driver side broken after 2.5 years, the stupid car was keeping beep while driving because I can't faster the seat belt.
The steering wheel is making turn sound when you turn, while it's very smooth and quite before.
The paint is chipping, my Honda Accord's paint maintained very well after 10 years, but the paint of this car begin to chip after one year.
Driver's manual slider - intermittently will not open form the inside and have to pull very hard on the outside handle and slam the door shut
Passenger side power slider - the button's all stopped working a few weeks ago and intermittently the door will not open form the inside and have to pull very hard on the outside handle
I was going to replace the cheap little motor in the door lock actuator on both sides but I had not read of anyone having trouble opening from the inside so I was wondering if there were other parts I should be looking at or if it still sounds like the actuator.
Toyota wont fix it. Because I am the second owner, I am not eligible for the extended warranty. They know the issue exists and they could care less....
the slider once opened while my wife was turning down our block! What do they need? A Class action law suit to get them on the ball!!!
The second most common problem are the hinges. The first generation hinges are very thin and a prone to bending out of spec. This can make opening and closing the door difficult, and also put additional stress on the motor and cables. If the issue is bad enough it can make the cable snap, as the cables are not running in their intended pathway. This issue as been dealt with by Toyota by way of making a stronger hinge, but as most people know it is not covered under warranty. Fortunately the price of the new updated hinges isn't too expensive, under $100. I'd recommend ordering this unit from your local dealer if you need a new hinge.
We have replacement parts for just about everything except for the clutch at this time. We also do cable replacements with brand new cables with a 90 day no hassle warranty. Contact us at BensonsAutoLA.Wordpress.com. Thank you!
BensonsAutoLA.Wordpress.com.
It's worth mentioning that although the step-by-step PDF directions & pictures are a lifesaver , it doesn't tell you all repairs have to be made while you're INSIDE the van. We had to do this at first light because the summers in AZ are so brutal after 9am!
Also, just for background, we took our minivan to the dealership first who quoted us $875 to fix the Door Lock Motor Release Assembly. Then went and talked to a mechanic shop down the street that a friend works at, at they quoted us $1275 to fix it (Toyota won't sell them the actual part you have to buy the WHOLE DOOR KIT otherwise they won't warranty it).
This was by far the most helpful site and best leads on this door failure!
Thanks again, AZ parents