Defining the limits of Toyota's extended warranty??

[bellw]

Our two newest Toyotas are covered under a Toyota extended warranty (6 year/75K mile plan; no deductible). While browsing threads in this forum, I've seen some references to problems only being covered under the "original warranty". This got me wondering...

Does a Toyota extended warranty extend the vehicle's "original warranty" completely, or are there some limitations?

For example, does my extended warranty still allow me to get a TSB (that's only covered under the "original" warranty) taken care of up until 6 years/75,000 miles, rather than "original" 3 years/36,000 miles?

My truck is fast approaching the end of its "original 3/36" warranty, and I'm wondering if I should be taking it to Toyota for a final "once over" before then.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[bbfirebird]

I think it all depends on the type of warranty you have. As I understand it, there are "gold" packages, "platinum" packages, etc. The higher up you go, the more is covered under the warranty. They should have given you a brochure when you bought the warranty that explains everything that is covered. I would think that a TSB would be covered under any kind of warranty, due to it being a problem that is common enough to warrant a TSB. But I could be wrong.

[freddie]

I think TSBs are generally limited to the original warranty period unless you complained about the specific problem during your warranty period and the TSB was released after your warranty had expired.

[bellw]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I did get a brochure, but have misplaced it. I'll find it someday when I'm not looking for it.

Based on all the TSB's I've read thus far, it seems that freddie may be right. They state things like this:
"Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer’s specific complaint."

My truck is fast approaching that date/mileage, and I'm thinking I should find all the TSB's that apply to my truck and have them checked out now, just in case. Couldn't hurt, right?

[longwoodklon]

Originally Posted by bellw

My truck is fast approaching that date/mileage, and I'm thinking I should find all the TSB's that apply to my truck and have them checked out now, just in case. Couldn't hurt, right?

Problem is, Toyota won't just check them out or apply any TSB unless you specifically complain about the problem. So you have to play the game:
'My brakes shudder real bad, doesn't seem right', then they go back and find the TSB and apply it. Or they play the game and say it's your driving habits and you have to pay $1k for new brakes, at which time you pull the TSB out of your back pocket.
.... And so on and so forth. After 50 visits, you'll have all the TSB's applied.

Seriously, after being burned on our Seq. A/C system I plan to pull all the TSB's and complain about every high dollar one(brakes, A/C, engine, tranny) before my warranty runs out, regardless of wether I am experiencing those problems or not. Some will say it's dishonest, but imo those TSB's should be applied without our having to complain about the symptom. /Mike

[ski05]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

Problem is, Toyota won't just check them out or apply any TSB unless you specifically complain about the problem. So you have to play the game:
'My brakes shudder real bad, doesn't seem right', then they go back and find the TSB and apply it. Or they play the game and say it's your driving habits and you have to pay $1k for new brakes, at which time you pull the TSB out of your back pocket.
.... And so on and so forth. After 50 visits, you'll have all the TSB's applied.

Seriously, after being burned on our Seq. A/C system I plan to pull all the TSB's and complain about every high dollar one(brakes, A/C, engine, tranny) before my warranty runs out, regardless of wether I am experiencing those problems or not. Some will say it's dishonest, but imo those TSB's should be applied without our having to complain about the symptom. /Mike

I agree, What is a good site to find all related TSB information.

[bellw]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

Problem is, Toyota won't just check them out or apply any TSB unless you specifically complain about the problem. So you have to play the game....
After 50 visits, you'll have all the TSB's applied.

You're right, it's a painful game intended to benefit the dealer, not us. For some TSB's though, I'm not sure I'm willing to endure the pain. However, despite their high prices, my dealer has already warrantied my battery and serpentine belt without any fuss, so maybe it won't be so painful. However, my problem is I hate "doctor" visits: waiting rooms & wasted time. I suppose I'll have to suck it up in order to get what I want though.

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

...Some will say it's dishonest, but imo those TSB's should be applied without our having to complain about the symptom. /Mike

I agree completely. I don't think it's dishonest. You're using the info you have available to you to make things right with your vehicle. What's a warranty for anyway, if not to fix problems created by the design and/or manufacturing process? It's also possible that many of these issues might not become noticable until after your original warranty expires. Then you're SOL!

I've looked at all the TSB's available on this site that apply to my truck, and I would think some of them would be recall items (brakes!). It's all about the green.

I think I'll be paying a few visits to my dealer in the next 6 weeks.