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The image of Toyota builds the most reliable car has faded away in my mind. What a shame!
Toyota should recall the cars fall into the service bulletin and have the problem fixed. Advise to all Rav4 owner, check your car oil level every month before the engine fails on you.
I am looking for a use 2006 RAV4 TWD with only 30k on it.
My Vin number is JTMZD33V465032384
which is not in the engine effective Vin list---JTM#D3#V#85209466; JTM#D3#V#86088135.
Does that mean I don't need to worry about the oil burn issue?
I mean anyone found similar problem with Vin number not list by Toyota?
Thanks.
Car is still under warranty for another week !
During my last summer trip , this car burned 2 L / 700 km.
Currently running through 4th oil consumption test with Toyota dealer.
On first test it burned 1 L per 1600 km.
Last time it burned 0.5L / 800 km.
Toyota Canada states that the 'Industry standard' is 1.5 L / 1500 km.
So technically speaking they can do nothing.
Thinking about arbitration and court case if nothing is done,
will decide soon.
Dead one week later. I had a used engine installed before I realized there was a TSB about oil consumption ($6100). Other options included $12000 new engine and $9000 for a new short block, both of which exceeded the vehicle value. When I asked how much they would give me for a trade-in as is, they suggested $1500. I was shocked to say the least.
Now I come to find out that the replacement engine was manufactured in the same date range as the suspect engines listed in the TSB.
I tried to reason with TCS but I am outside of warranty and they said they wouldn't help offset the cost because I didn't have my vehicle serviced by Toyota. I even tried sueing the dealership in small claims court, but they claimed that they had no obligation to tell the owner about the TSB and the warranty is a manufacturer issue (so I lost). I went as far as to write a letter directly to the President of Toyota in Japan (Twice). Unfortunately, these just ended up back at the Corporate office in California where the customer support team resides.
I am extremely frustrated and when dealing directly with an Executive Analyst from the Toyota corporate office, I was mislead and finally offered a minimal amount as a peace offering as long as I signed a waiver to any future action (and I can't discuss the details of it outside of family).
So, that's where I am today...to sign or not to sign? That is the question. As a customer, I mean nothing to them, but I'm desparate for any cost assistance. I don't know if there is enough people complaining to actually move forward in a class action suit.
Fact, the Toyota 2AZ-FE engine was redsigned in 2007 with thinner piston rings and different piston design. There were other design changes but these are the ones that created the oil consumption problem.
Fact, the TSB-0094-11 is directly related to the bad design. The repair includes replacing postons and rings (coincidence?)
Fact, The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for this manufacturer to claim that because service was perfiormed outside of Toyota, the warranty is void.
Fact, my 2007 RAV4 was defective from day one so that is before any warranty period.
Fact, the District Service and Parts Manager (DSPM) decided not to help support my repair without ever looking at my vehicle. Getting in touch with this DSPM was a challenge in itself (untouchable). He finally called after almost 4-weeks from my request from day one in the shop, just to tell me I'm SOL.
So, Toyota knows about a problem, ignores pleas for help and has the airogance to suggest that my engine failed because I didn't have it serviced by them.
So, guess who's out of luck? Me and all of you. I never thought I was going to give up this fight but they are Goliath and I'm not David.
Sitting next to my RAV4 in the driveway is my 01 Chrysler Voyager with 112k. I pulled it's dip stick and it read about 3/4 full and I changed both vehicles oil on the same day....so much for paying extra for Toyota Quality (
After all the hassle, engine in this car was fixed by dealer.
However, my joy lasted only about 4 weeks. Sometime during week 5,
I observed that oil level dropped again. By the end of week 6 it was down by almost 0.5 L or in other words it was half-way between max and min mark on the oil stick.
So I am back to square one, running through consumption tests,
and growing in disappointment of Toyota.
FYI, this car was manufactured in Japan. Millage is less then 45 000 miles.
Dealer is not even sure if the warranty on the fix is 60 or 90 days !
To add more,
7 days after my last visit at dealership service, for oil consumption check and refill, I discovered that there is too much oil in the engine.
They overfill !
They overfilled by about 0.5 L !
Why ???
Can I trust them anymore ?
Fortunately I had purchased this vehicle from a private seller in 2008, and he had originally purchased a premium extended warranty policy. Everything is covered up to 100K miles with "0" deductible.
After "failing" the consumption test my dealer (Team Toyota in Langhorne, PA) took the engine apart and found a complete mess, and a new short block was needed or a replacement with a used engine. The warranty company knew they were on the hook, especially since my records showed that I had the oil changed on schedule since I owned it, but took their sweet time making a decision. So after a few extra days of waiting my rep. at the dealer read them the riot act and we finally got the engine rebuilt. So the $6000+ repair job was completely covered, and the dealer and the warranty company paid for the nearly 3 weeks of the "loaner" car.
I'm feeling pretty good right now, but I hope this engine lasts a nice long time. You just never know any more. Kudos to the dealer - I think the fact that they weren't paying for the repairs themselves made this a better experience than others since they were actually on my side.
- Matt
I have been religious about changing oil every 3k mile and never though to compare teh volume out vs what goes in. This last change was closer to 5k as I got sidetracked and had not had a chance to change the wifes oil.
I was shocked to see barely 1.2 qts of OW20 come out into my bucket!. How can the engine be down 75% in oil and NO engine oil light come on!. I am concerned I may have toasted the engine running it on such low oil. Thank you Toyota!
The light just did start coming on but only under a hard brake as the oil would get pushed to the front of the oil pan. Under idle - no light. I just called the local dealer - of course they have never heard of it. Called the Customer service number as well to register a complaint. Now I'm worried the engine is going to blow!
Hide the problem? I'm going to start using twitter to see if Toyota will respond.
Over $2500 for new drive shaft and nothing done about oil consumpyion at all .
In NL Canada.
It's true that some owners might not maintain their vehicle as well as others; however, in this case, there is a definite design that was changed in the 2AZ-FE engines that is directly related to excessive oil consumption. The technical service bulletin describes the fix as replacing the pistons and rings, that is, if the damage didn't go as far as the short block.
Suing the manufacturer directly is also a very expensive option, that is if you can even find out how to do that. I was working with one of their "Executive Analyst's" and it was impossible to work around this person. If you can get past this barrier, I'm sure their corporate lawyers would create quite the challenge.
My best option is to lick my wounds and never buy another Toyota. It sounds trivial but if everyone that experienced a failed engine with zero support from the dealer or manufacturer, then collectively, it would make a statement. After all, they are just a big business and money is the only motivator.
There was a time when Toyota was customer focused. It's too bad they are so ignorant today. In my case, it wouldn't have taken much to help ease my financial burden but instead they chose to hide behind the statement "It's not a recall" therefore they don't acknowledge the problem.
I wish everyone luck in pursuing support. It was an expensive lesson for me.
I had the oil low indicator going on when i brake.
1st time the dealer (Woburn Toyota MA) said there is no issue and is within consumption limits. which I was not Ok with (I called toyota and they told me to take the car to the dealer again)
2nd time : The dealer said it bunt oil but is within consumption limit (In 1200 miles it went all the way from top of the mark to low mark in dip stick).
3rd time : I just left the car at the dealership it is really bad in 1100 miles the oil went from little above max level to close to the bottom end of the dip stick (far below the dip stick low level indicator).
I dont know what explanation the dealer is going to say this time, This is definitely a Toyota engine issue. I had done all my scheduled maintenance & oil changes at the same dealer so they have no reason to reject me.
I cannot keep changing my oil every 1000 miles once and hear from the dealer that it is withing the consumption limits, The dealer even tells me that I should be checking the oil every time I fill gas and top it off (which is unacceptable)
If someone is starting a class action, I will join too.
Example: Kia Sportage 2.0 Y2000 with 175.000 Kilometers consummed only about 0,5 litres of oil per 10.000 kilometers (!). Will buy Kia next time again.
Update- I had my oil consumption problem fix, the cost was about $3,600 bucks. The issues were pistons and oxygen sensor. Thanks to my warranty company, carchex, they paid $2800 for the pistons and I had to pay the balance for the oxygen senor, which was damaged by the oil issue. Did everyone receive and submit their claim form for the brake override system. PLEASE DON'T PROCRASTINATE. It will help our case when we decided to file. Since they are having so many documented problems and issues, we can definitely start our case for the oil consumption.
Also, I called Toyota headquarters today 3/15/2013, and asked are they getting in complaints about the oil consumption. And once again, they stated no. I am finding this hard to believe.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost-ros.aspx?post=cb9ba1d0-af2c-4- 1bf-b402-67d67201e6cb&icid=autos_4099
The only recourse I have is to never buy a Toyota again. They clearly DO NOT stand behind their product as defined in the field book "The Toyota Way".
They were ignorant during all my correspondence all the way up to their Executive Claims Manager.
The fact is that there was a design flaw with the 4 cylinder engine that creates this problem. Very expensive lesson for me.
There is a law that is supposed to protect the consumer from warranty claims rejected due to having service provided at shops other than the dealer (Magnuson Moss Warranty Act).
One very big reason my dealership failed to help me was because I didn't have my vehicle serviced by them. I had service records from other shops that were more convenient for me to work with and had no idea this would impact their decision to help me. I also had to do all the fact finding myself because the dealership never mentioned that a design flaw could be the cause of my seized engine.
I am still very bitter towards the dealership (Toyota of Batavia, NY) and Toyota as a manufacturer.
They respond with support for a chosen few and leave the rest of us out to dry. Typical big business ignorance against the customer.
I'm an owner of a 2006 Rav 4, 4cylinder engine. I service my car regularly at the Toyota dealership here in Seattle. I service it every 5000 miles, where about a year ago i started noticing the oil light coming up after 3000 miles from my last service. There was no indication for oil leak so i was buffled. In my next oil change i mentioned it to the Toyota service man. At the time they looked for leaks, found none and told me to come back for a 120k mile service where they will look better. At the 120k mile service they again didn't find anything. At that time they recommended the oil consumption test. (what a joke!!!!) after coming regularly every 1000 miles for 6 months they told me that my car burns too much oil (3qrt every 1000 miles) and needs an engine re-haul! In my opinion, these were all buying time tacktics on Toyota's end. Now my car is a year older with a lot more miles on it, so it diminshes the problem. They can now blame the problem on age and miles. The miles put us all pass the warrenty.
I've been talking with the dealership, but feel like i'm getting no where right now.
They quoted me $10,000 for re-hauling the engine, and $6500 for a used one!
So much for Toyota standing behind it's product.
Anyone knows a good lawyer?
The manual even suggests that this may happen and that there is no need to worry, just address it right away.
When I checked the oil at that point, it didn't register on the dip stick. I bought oil thinking is was just under the point of touching the dip stick but was shocked when it actually took 4 quarts. That means it was dry and the light didn't stay on!
So, not only did my RAV burn oil but the monitoring system didn't do anything to warn the operator.
I hope that someday Toyota will take responsibility for this poor product. I too was a very happy owner until this happened. I had my oil changed regularly and I'll admit I may have driven past the 5000 mile mark a few times but to have an empty reservoir is totally ridiculous given the new technology. Even the oil manufacturers are improving the oil to the point that auto manufacturers are looking to extend required change intervals. In one article I read, Toyota was on the top of the list of manufacturers that support longer intervals. How can that be?
I'll say it again; Toyota had a design change for the 4 cylinder engine that involved pistons and rings. The TSB solution is to monitor and repair as necessary. The repair is to replace...you guessed it...the pistons and rings. BRILLIANT!