If anyone would like to see the letter I drafted to Toyota regarding the recall PM or e-mail me. It is a letter explaining my experience(s) and how I think they should resolve it. I know there are some savvy folks out there so your input is appreciated.
This recall...I can see why everybody gets irritated when their vehicle gets recalled...and I understand that interpersonal communication between people, especially service managers and customers can go sour sometimes...alot of times...
But I don't see how the quality of Toyota can be called into question so quickly...
I've got a 2003 AC, with over 50k on it...and the vehicle is in fantastic working condition. In high altitude (Denver), it's seen two winters here, as well as summer...and mine continues to impress me. My tires don't wear in strange patterns...My brakes work great, my transmission shifts smoothly...I can still let go over the steering wheel and drive for a half a mile before it will begin drifting.
This is strictly my personal opinion...but sh!t does happen sometimes. It's a pain in the A$$ to deal with taking anything to a dealership...but...O_O
That's just how it works.
I had to take my streetbike in 2 months after I purchased it...several times for a faulty carb. They repaired the float which was stuck on an imperfection...went bad again, they replaced the entire thing...worked great...had a starter clutch go bad...went back.
But my opinion of Yamaha is still high due to their past.
...Just my two cents.
hey Deeb's,
You have a few given point's on your reply however some of us have had the Tundra a little bit longer vs your 03 and see a Big Problem on the way Toyota handles themselves on problem's.The Tundra isn't perfect and do us expect that not really but we do expect some reasonable feedback from them and that hasn't been the case on some of the other probmatic issues like brake's and other side related issues.It seem's to me Toyota doesnt adress thing's very well and often at time they will try to buy you off which isn't fair share when it comes to quality control issues.I think of lot of us old timers can tell you Toyota quality over the year's really need's improvement's made at dealership service level's and they need to regulate tsb's and fix the problem's vs blaming it on there customer's and taking short cut's . I think what you see is a few long time member's attitude is "get it done right " and yea other companies like Yamaha have similar issues i seem to recall my old 1998 Yamaha yzf-r1 having some little issues as well during it's first year but i still liked it too.
You have a few given point's on your reply however some of us have had the Tundra a little bit longer vs your 03 and see a Big Problem on the way Toyota handles themselves on problem's.The Tundra isn't perfect and do us expect that not really but we do expect some reasonable feedback from them and that hasn't been the case on some of the other probmatic issues like brake's and other side related issues.It seem's to me Toyota doesnt adress thing's very well and often at time they will try to buy you off which isn't fair share when it comes to quality control issues.I think of lot of us old timers can tell you Toyota quality over the year's really need's improvement's made at dealership service level's and they need to regulate tsb's and fix the problem's vs blaming it on there customer's and taking short cut's . I think what you see is a few long time member's attitude is "get it done right " and yea other companies like Yamaha have similar issues i seem to recall my old 1998 Yamaha yzf-r1 having some little issues as well during it's first year but i still liked it too.
kept on trucking and riding
ERIK
Granted, I am not as experienced as most of the people here. I am only 21, so pardon me if I'm just trying to understand.
I don't want to sound like I'm trying to start an argument or be a pain, but I see alot of tension surrounding dealers. Customers and "their service " departments have been fighting for years. I've had several terrible experiences at several different dealers. My firebird after it's accident needed a front right wheel spindle, along w/ a rotor, new caliper, new pads...along with most of the rest of the front axle.
They replaced it...single day...got it out of service, drove it home and noticed a hard pull to the left when the brakes were applied. Took it back...they replaced it again, complaining that it was the way I was steering. In slightly different words I told them to "shove it," and fix their mistake. They grumbled some more...long story short...after another 3 trips back to service and about 2 weeks later, they finally managed to repair the car to where it was driveable.
And perhaps my whole point stems from lack of understanding about the connection between total companies and their individual dealers. But I honestly can't blame GM for their terrible service department. I can blame them for building a 6 cylinder motor that had oil leaks everywhere, and for designing a braking system on several vehicles that ran through brake pads in 3500 miles. But that's a different story. As a manager myself...I can't be everywhere at once. TMC has enough of it's own problems to deal with, that it can't run a thorough employee evaluation on every employee in every dealership across the planet.
...Perhaps it's all my perception of it.
I appreciate all the input in on this.
Erik - Rubber side down my friend!
-Andy
__________________ Lisa = 2003 Access-Cab Tundra SR5
C/R/C Tails, Clear Corners, Westin Black Ultimate Bull Bar, Toyota of Dallas Grille, PIAA 510 Ion Yellow Fogs, Putco LED Third Brake Light, Luverne Black Nerf Bars, Bilstein 5100's, Wheeler's AAL's, 285x75R16's on A.R. Trench wheels.
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall.
Torque is how far you push the wall.
-Unknown
Got to page 1 of this thread...and start reading
I supplied the link in my other post and it only works with the firefox browser,which I used to copy and paste the link.(someone is out there tinkerin' with informative links again)
It shows which vin#s are affected,
For the Tundra's and Sequoia's, it's those that were built between 8-1-01 and 9-30-03. Tacomas built between 7-31-01 and 12-23-03 and 4Rrunners built between 5-22-01 and 8-23-02.
So look at the sticker on your door to see when your vehicle was built.
What really iritates me about the recall when the story broke May 17 is Toyota's "Head in the sand" attitude like no big problem. I hope it's NOT like their denial of the "sqeaks" from truck beds which turned out to be incorrectly factory installed upper shock mount washers which were upside down causing metal on metal resulting in SQEAKING which the dealer stated on three occasions to be in my head!
I heard a rumor about a recall on all Tundra's for a drive shaft problem . I can't find any info on this, but I was told this by a dealer technician. Go figure.
__________________
Clear corners w/titanium amber bulbs, Sylvania Silverstar H/L & Fogs, color matched Molly Grill, Gibson Muffler, Hellwig A/S bar, auto dimming mirror w/compass/temp., RS-3000.
I read most of this thread and just wanted to chime in about my experience with mine. I've had nothing but front suspension problems since I bought my Tundra, with 8 different trips back to a very uncooperative dealer, with the end result being that it's still screwed up. I feel vindicated that this recall has come about as they contended that the problems were always minor and fixed each time. But I can tell you this. After owning all sorts of Toyota trucks; little, big, new, used; this experience will sour me on the brand for a long time if not forever. I usually don't like being so drastic and final, but this thing has been the biggest, most unsatisfying POS I've ever driven (aside from the gobs of horsepower ). I've had it for 13 months, but it'll be someone else's problem by the time I get a recall notification, this pig is gone. I hate the fact that I feel this way about a Toyota, but you can blame the jagoff that designed/assembled the front end parts and SPITZER TOYOTA IN MONROEVILLE,PA. Sorry about the rant. Thanks guys.
Strange that the one thing that impressed me the most compared to the domestics I test drove in the fall of 2002 was the incredible suspension compliance.
Ironic that there is a recall. I'm in no hurry to get it done but I know I will take it in as soon as I get the notify.
I can tell you this, for each "horror" story I hear about a Toyota, I have at least 4 for each domestic that my friend's own. I'm glad I have a Toyota over ANY of the domestics.
Oh, believe me, domestics were written off a long time ago for me. They're as disposable as BIC lighters as far as I'm concerned. I'm just sorry that, for me, Toyota now holds a close second to them. And as far as you not being concerned about getting the recall done, I'm sure you might be a little more irked about it had your truck spent more of it's first two months in the service bay than in your driveway while you argued with the dealer constantly. I'm glad you didn't and I hope you and many others have better luck with your trucks. I'm just spent, that's all.
My Tundra's motor lasted longer than any Ford I've ever owned. But everything else on the truck is for sh**, suspension, brakes, axles/diffs, and transmission are ALL inferior compared to Toyota's generally high quality standards and have all needed repairing at one time or another. With all of that, it's still holding value better than any of my Fords ever did...I just can't wait until it's paid for, so I can begin modifying it. I may just decide to trade it in if the 2007 is a better rig. But I am not going to be the first on any model year bandwagon anymore, this 99.5 Tundra is still pretty durable, but it has it's share of problems too.
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
My Tundra's motor lasted longer than any Ford I've ever owned. But everything else on the truck is for sh**, suspension, brakes, axles/diffs, and transmission are ALL inferior compared to Toyota's generally high quality standards and have all needed repairing at one time or another. With all of that, it's still holding value better than any of my Fords ever did...I just can't wait until it's paid for, so I can begin modifying it. I may just decide to trade it in if the 2007 is a better rig. But I am not going to be the first on any model year bandwagon anymore, this 99.5 Tundra is still pretty durable, but it has it's share of problems too.
I couldn't agree with you more on this Tundra has been such a disapointment on service too and the overall stealership's that represent them luckey for me I dont take there S??? and tell them where to go
I couldn't agree with you more on this Tundra has been such a disapointment on service too and the overall stealership's that represent them luckey for me I dont take there S??? and tell them where to go
I, Mike Donofrio, being of sound mind and body, do hereby decree that: if my Tundra's motor lasts me to 200K, I will retract all previous statements regarding my Tundra's durability and laud the Tundra as the greatest vehicle of all time.
Upgrades: PA 3" Body Lift, Powertrax No-Slip rear, Detroit ezLocker front, Fabtech/Fox front, Wheeler's AALs, TC Front Diff Drop, 16 x 8 MB Wheels, 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs, Pioneer Head Unit, Infiniti Reference speakers [front and rear], 150 W bridged amp to bandpass enclosure, 6 CD changer with IR remote, iPod mini and xm hardwired into stereo, Toyota drop in bedliner, and Tonneau cover
Draft letter to Toyota
and riding
VIN Numbers
and tell them where to go 
Linear Mode
