Who Sucks? - Toyota Motor Sales Sucks

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 19001 South Western Ave. Dept. WC11 Torrance, California 90501

To whom it may concern: I am writing this letter to express my dissatisfaction with my 2001 Toyota Corolla. I purchased this vehicle as a used car in 2005 while it was still under it's 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty. This was my second Toyota vehicle that I have owned. I purchased a new 2002 Toyota Sienna minivan in November 2002. When purchased my 2001 Toyota Corolla I thought it would be a dependable and reliable car for my son as he went away to college. I felt very sure the car would last him for his 4 year college career - given all the good things I had heard about Toyota products. Many Toyota owners have told me of their cars that they have driven 120, 150, 180 thousand miles - with no problems. I thought I had nothing to worry about. Boy was I wrong! The warranty expired on my 2001 Toyota Corolla sometime in 2006. Recently I noticed a 'ticking' sound in the engine. I checked the oil and it was slightly low. I did a complete oil change including filter and the 'ticking' stopped. Three months later the ticking was back - and getting louder. That is why I took the vehicle to Toyota on Nicholasville. I was shocked when they told me the next day that my engine had a "spun bearing" and that it was a "non-serviceable repair" - the engine would have to be replaced! Needless to say I'm stunned. The car that I was sure would be trouble free for many years needs a new engine - a $4,200.00 repair that, with a son in college, I cannot afford. I cannot believe my Toyota has a blown engine with only 54,000 miles! In October 2007 I received a notice from Toyota Motor Manufacturing that my other Toyota vehicle, 2002 Sienna minivan, was also part of a nationwide recall. It seems that the engine is susceptible to "oil gelling" (sludge) buildup. I took my minivan in to be evaluated and found out that it's engine was also damaged beyond repair - it would have to be replaced too. But since the engine in this vehicle was part of the nationwide oil gelling settlement, the repair was covered. This means that BOTH of my Toyota vehicles - each with LESS than 55,000 miles - have to have their engines replaced! As my 2001 Corolla sits idle in my driveway (waiting for me to find $5,000.00 to repair it) I began researching on the web why a "spun bearing" on a Toyota vehicle is a 'non-serviceable' repair. As someone that has worked on cars and motors all my life this makes no sense to me. I eventually came across Toyota's "oil gel settlement agreement" at www.oilgelsettlement.com. I think it's very interesting that a 2001 4 cylinder Camry and 2001 4 cylinder Solara have had their warranties extended to 8 years, 80,000 miles. But a 2001 4 cylinder Corolla? No, they are fine - Yeah, right. I also think it's interesting that, judging from the years of the models in the settlement, it took Toyota Motor Manufacturing almost 10 years to even acknowledge there was a problem. What this tells me is that Toyota Motor Manufacturing is only interested in making a buck. You may "talk the talk" that you value your customers being "completely satisfied" but you sure don't "walk the walk". Needless to say I have lost all confidence in your products. In my lifetime I have owned Fords, Pontiacs, Buicks, Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge vehicles. Each of these vehicles had over 100,000 miles on then when I traded them in. None of these vehicles ever had to have the motor replaced - not a one of them. How ironic that BOTH of my Toyota vehicles have had to have their engines replaced and BOTH of them happened in the past 6 months and BOTH of them have less than 55,000 miles on them. No wonder Toyota lost their "highly recommended" status from Consumer Reports recently. With the kind of track record you have with me - it's easy to see why. I don't suspect I'll ever hear anything back from this letter. It's ironic that nobody from Toyota Motor Manufacturing has asked what they can do to ensure I am "Completely Satisfied" with my 2001 Corolla experience. It's interesting that those all important questions just don't get asked when you go from "potential purchase" customer to a "needs service" customer.

David

my wife has new 07 rav4 5k miles paint chipping off hood everywhere.my 03 Dakota looks as good as new with 90k miles!?toyota quality!? i knew when i bought my Dodge the ball joints were the weak link and chrysler fixed them,no questions asked.she had to have a toyota.

Dan

I'm getting automated computer phone calls about my warranty expiration date approaching, press 1 to speak to Toyota. Then they cut me off. I receive a message from their computer if I don't answer the phone. This is happening about 1x per 3 weeks.

Andy Carey