Can dealer charge for TSB-related work during warranty?

acolvin · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 11:03 AM

Hi folks,

I'm new to this forum and couldn't find an answer to this in existing threads.

I've got a 2004 Camry SE with 27K miles and 6 weeks left under warranty. The steering is getting worse and there appear to be a couple of TSBs that apply, such as the drifting/pulling to one side (my car's VIN has a lower number than the "produced before" VINs, so I think it qualifies).

The dealer I bought it from said that if they check the vehicle (even though I said there is a TSB) and can't replicate the problem, that they'll charge me labor. Yet one of the TSBs (st00204r3) has a flow chart saying the first step is a road test--exactly what they say they'll charge me for. Another TSB (st00106) says nothing of a road test: step one is replace the steering shaft.

What gives? Is this chargeable work? If there wasn't a TSB, or it was out-of-warranty, sure--but it's in warranty and there are TSBs! Doesn't this mean the dealer is reimbursed by Toyota?

Thanks for any replies, I'm trying to figure out what my next step is.

Ashley

tpgn00 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 11:30 AM

If your vehicle is still under warranty they shouldn't charge you at all. My suggestion would be to take it to another dealership.

AVERAGEJOE · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2007, 10:50 PM

They shouldn't charge you for just a test drive

they should only charge if a tech has to do work on it. Dont take it to another dealer make them handle what they are suppose to make sure you get something saying you brought it in to the dealer for the steering problem in case it gets worse later you can prove you brought in and they didn't do anything and yes they get payed from toyota for warr. work .

Chad30 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007, 09:05 PM

There should be no charge for TSB work! You must understand how TSB's work. A TSB is different than a recall. A recall means every VIN within the recall specs has to be done, by federal standards. However, A TSB is for if a vehicle comes in with a problem in which there is a TSB listed, the TSB should be performed and would be PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER! Essentially, a TSB means they know there is a problem, but not bad enough to constitute a recall or they really don't know the spectrum of VIN #'s. Maybe this will help with your decision making process.

P.S.

Talk to the general manager of your local dealership and let him know of your problem. Maybe he can help. The service guys are just trying to put up #'s, ie $$$$!

acolvin · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:50 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I figured that was how a TSB worked, but I've never tried to use one before. And its not always so easy to take it to another dealer. The closest one for me is 45 minutes away.

I'm used to the "cannot duplicate problem" response, which is tricky when its an intermittant issue. But to be told that if they don't think its a warranty or TSB issue that they will then charge me, sounds like either double-billing or an attempt to get out of providing service by discouraging the owner.

For what its worth, a local VW dealer does the same thing, but more blatantly: when a power window stopped working on a new car under warranty, they said that it would be a regular labor charge if they thought it was the result of abuse. Now how you could abuse a power window is beyond me. Brakes, suspension -- I could see abuse of those components if you were racing or off-roading, but a power window? What, you went to too many drive-throughs?