Shouldn't my Dealer Cover This?

Y2kn1Tun · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2003, 02:47 AM

Ok at about 34k the check engine light in my tundra came on. I went to the dealer and asked them to fix it cause its under warranty. Turns out that one of my oxygen sensors had gone bad, and they replaced it free of charge. About a month and a half passes and the check engine light came on again. I now had a 36,2xx miles on my tundra. I take it to the dealer and what do ya know another one of my oxygen sensors had gone out. I figured that since the problem had already occurred while it was under warranty the dealer should fix it free of charge. I took it to the dealer again and they fixed it and called to tell us it was ready. My mom went to pick up my truck and they handed her a bill of 300 dollars.

My mom gotta hella pissed (she has a pretty good temper for only being 5'1

) and argued w/ them about it for almost an hour. She ended up paying because they wouldn't give her the keys if she hadn't, but I really don't think she should have. People that have brake probs can get work done after warranty if the problem occurs before the warranty expires, why shouldn't this be any different. When we got this truck we expected a good package, and helpful friendly service. Not this B.S. WTF is going on with toyota nowadays? I think I'm just gonna go out and buy a haynes manual and not let them bastads ever touch my truck again.

lates Wes

berzman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-15-2003, 10:38 AM

no
sorry you feel u should have another sensor but u should not take you truck to the dealer if you don't want to be raped.

KLS · #3 (**permalink**) 03-15-2003, 01:43 PM

If the same sensor failed, you'd have a parts warranty claim for that particular part. When a different part failed after 36k, you're on your own. These sensors are somewhat a consumable part, but I think that they sure should last longer than 36k.

Whether the warranty rules are right or wrong, it sounds like the folks at the dealership followed those rules and didn't deserve an hour long argument...nor any argument.

Ken

mikeinaustin · #4 (**permalink**) 03-16-2003, 12:52 AM

I think there are 4 oxygen sensors in a tundra. toyota will only replace the actual failed sensor. A believe a new sensor comes with a 1 year warranty.

So if the EXACT same sensor failed again, they should have replaced it free but if it was one of the other 3 sensors, they certainly don't have to.

Superman · #5 (**permalink**) 03-16-2003, 09:28 AM

Before you get out of 36k find out a way to fry all the sensors without hurting anything else, or you can be honest and pay 8-900 for all new ones within 5years of 36k they are not built to last by any means.

BillyO · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2003, 10:21 AM

The check engine light on my Tundra came on at 40k and one of the oxygen sensors was replaced for $202 plus $65 for the diagnostic check. Two weeks later the light came on again and now I'm looking at having another oxygen sensor replaced. The master technican tells me that Toyota changed the oxygen sensor (part number and operation) on the Tundra and told the dealers not to use the "old style" sensor. According to the tech, what Toyota did not tell the dealers is that the new sensors have a different amperage draw than the old sensors so the computer sees a difference in the old and the new and assumes there is a problem with a sensor. He tells me that they will have to replace the "companion" sensor so that the computer will not assume a problem. Sounds like I may be facing the replacement of all three old sensors so the check engine light won;t come on.

BackInBlack · #7 (**permalink**) 03-17-2003, 12:00 PM

As per TSB EG019-02 "The oxygen sensors have been improved to correct this condition" If I still had warrany coverage I'd ask for the correct sensors.

calitundra · #8 (**permalink**) 03-17-2003, 01:22 PM

At just over 36,000 miles and just out of warr. if you had a good dealer he would have covered it. I know my dealer has done this for people even if out of warr. Considering this is a known problem with toyotas I would call the Toyota customer service and never go back to that dealer. I know when I owned an MR2 I worked with this service writer who was a total d**k. I had a problem with my brakes that over the course of a couple weeks they would become soft. My friend who did detail work said that after I dropped the car off they drove it on a lift and right back off. They said the rotors were bad??? How the heck do rotors have anything to do with it. They wanted to charge me for the 30 sec diagnosis even though I asked if I replaced the rotors ( which I knew was BS) would this take care of the problem. They said they could not say that it would. It was a known joke according to my friend that they would take cars which people had problems with and park them in back and do nothing (warr. work). Then they would tell the customer they could find nothing wrong. They called it buyers remorse and blamed it on people who felt they should have things replaced just because they paid too much for their vehicle. If you want good customer service get a lexus. To bad they don't make a truck

Steve07LTD · #9 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 07:03 PM

Call the Customer Service number in the manual. It's not uncommon for a Mfr's. Customer Service Rep. to ask you for the receipt to be sent to them for reimbursement - Nissan did it quite often for the TitanTalk Forum crowd.

ddvk · #10 (**permalink**) 08-14-2007, 07:36 PM

I have had Honda fix 2000-2003 odessey and other make model transmissions even after crossing 80K miles (though part of the labor fell on the owner). This was the case becoz of a faulty material used in the tranny -- but O2 sensors are manufactured by a handfull of companies which should not fail till 80K miles.

Also, you emissions warranty should be 60K miles, pl. check your owners manual. Cats and O2s fall under emmissions...

ma717mgte · #11 (**permalink**) 08-15-2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddvk

I have had Honda fix 2000-2003 odessey and other make model transmissions even after crossing 80K miles (though part of the labor fell on the owner). This was the case becoz of a faulty material used in the tranny -- but O2 sensors are manufactured by a handfull of companies which should not fail till 80K miles.

Also, you emissions warranty should be 60K miles, pl. check your owners manual. Cats and O2s fall under emmissions...

i was about to say that too!

george60 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-15-2007, 02:00 AM

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Uh ..... regarding the oxygen sensors ... aren't they part of the "Emission Control System"? And therefore covered for an extended length of time/miles?

Isn't the emissions warranty 50,000 or 75,000 or xx years?

Anyway this might save some people some money.

ddvk · #13 (**permalink**) 08-15-2007, 10:11 AM

Lesson learnt. You know why we get such a bad deal from foreign manufactures is becoz we have a bunch of idiots running the domestic car industry. Even MB bailed out of Chrysler, these companies are unfixable by anyone.

Since domestic companies make sloppy products, Japanese can make that little better products and get away.

Have you guys driven the 95-00 4Runners, they are built to last a lifetime, the new ones are garbage, cheap seat, unergonomic etc.

Now coming to O2s, moving forward you should replace them urself since the vehicle has abundant ground clearance.

mostsleek · #14 (**permalink**) 08-15-2007, 09:58 PM

Check your copy of the invoice for the repair done under warranty. I know mine says that my dealer has a 1 year warranty on all labor and parts that were used in the repair. I had to use it once to have them redo my brake TSB. They did it when I had 35k miles, about 6 months later I could not stop if I wanted to. I was over 36k miles so no warranty. I actually paid for it with my AMEX card the second time, around $600, then called my AMEX card the next month disputing the charge. I told them about the the first repair was done under warranty and came with a 1 year warranty. I even signed that I agreed to the 1 year warranty. I faxed them a copy of the first repair and a copy from the second(same) repair. It had all the same part #'s and labor times as the first one done under warranty. They said they would contact the vendor to see of they had the same contract...they did. Next month $600 credit on my AMEX from my dealer. Try to use your AMEX if you do it this way. AMEX has better customer service for their card holders then Visa or MC. In fact you could actually use your AMEX to buy a tour or something that you dont get anything "physical" from the purchase. Then call AMEX and say you did not like it or did not have fun for whatever reason and they will open an investigation and try to get a refund from the vendor. I know this because I work for a boat rental company and AMEX tried to get a refund issued for around $1500 because the guy did not have fun...that was the reason for the refund, "did not have fun". I laughed and told them no.