Complaint Review: Toyota Motors

My 2000 Camry was bought new and well maintained. I purchased the car because of the dependable, economic, history of the vehicle but on Sept. 2005 that changed. While traveling on I-85 in Greenville, SC the 2.2L engine slung a rod through the oil pan. The resulting engine replacement was caused by a broken rod bolt on the bearing cap. The car was out of warranty by 1400 mi. (61,400)and after repeated efforts through dealer, district mang., and regional reps. no assistance was offered.

This is a gripe about principal not a contractual one. Certainly a global giant like Toyota, who is enjoying skyhigh sales at the expense of american auto manufactures, had no legal obligation to do anything but is this anyway to treat a customer who has to incur almost $5000 in repairs for a clear defect in manufacturing or workmanship? How much would it cost Toyota to make some assistance available, or more importantly, what is a happy satisfied customer worth today in a competive auto market?

P.S. How often have you heard the statement, I got 100k, 200k, and even 300k mi. on my Toyota and never had a wrench on it?

Steve
piedmont, South Carolina
U.S.A.