Thomas
Anderson,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, February 19, 2008
Don't worry about Karl- he has sludgeitus. I once had a dealer's repair shop pull the same trick on me- the shop people thought my car was in for an oil change, along with some other items, so they drained my NEW Mobil-1! Stuff happens. Try to not develop an ulcer over it. A cat3 synthetic engine oil IS the right choice for any car. New or used. Mobil-1 is an excellent choice. You can run M-1 for 7500 miles, and I quit using mineral oil in 1981 because I had to change it every 3000 miles. Most people look at the shelf price of an oil, not the cost/mile of the oil plus filter, and they forget that they change a $6 oil filter every time they change the oil. AMSOIL is a better choice for a little more money because they offer oils tailored for specific applications, such as Marine engines where AMSOIL offers oils with TBN = 12.5 [Total Base Number] while Mobil-1 has a TBN = 8.33. You might change the oil yourself... a 5 Qt jug of M-1 is $24 at WallyVille. If you don't want to squeeze underneath, use a Jabsco 12VDC electric oil extraction pump system thru the dipstick tube. (List $140). I have one of these that I picked up at West Marine for $85 [a sale, plus I had a $15 coupon]. I use the Jabsco on our boat, the lawn mowers, tiller, pressure washer, and anything else that can't move fast enough to get away. Personally, I think some service stations overcharge for a "synthetic oil change". Our old 4 cyl Camry had its oil filter on the front of the engine so it was a snap to change. Our 2007 V6 Camry has its oil filter God-Knows-Where. I pay the dealer $15 incl tax to install their Toy oil filter & the AMSOIL High-Perf oil that I supply. I will pay a competent mechanic $7 any day to change my oil & filter. The persistent grinding complaint is a mystery. If it happens when you mive the clutch pedal, maybe it is a throwout bearing problem. If they replaced your tranny, they should have looked at your clutch. More to the point, WHEN they replaced your tranny, you should have had them replace your clutch & throwout bearing. The labor to replace the clutch & throwout bearing was already done when they replaced the tranny. The clutch parts are rather inexpensive. The Highlander is a bit of a switch from a Matrix, don't you think, and they cost as much as a Camry. Personally, I have no use for a SUV... they simply make no sense to me from a practicality viewpoint. SUV's are really an ongoing fad and people think they are 'save'. They aren't. Our 2007 V6 Camry with VSC is a real blast to drive- it is a very refined 'invisible sports sedan' that can really 'go'. We also have a Ford F150 4X4 Triton V8 which is great to have. The Ford F150 tows what I want to tow, and the 8 ft long box can carry quite a bit. When I am done with the dirty work, I sweep and hose the box out. Try that with a Highlander! The Toy Tundra is also a good choice.
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#3Consumer Comment
Wed, February 13, 2008
Please Google this, ENGINE SLUDGE and go to the Toyota engine complaints at the consumeraffairs website and make sure to click on 'airbags' when you are there! You must read them!! There are airbags that are NOT DEPLOYING when people are in accidents!! Then Google this, SUIT: DEFECT REPORTS ALTERED TOYOTA PLANT and read it!! It looks as though there could be a Conspiracy to 'Cover-up' the problem, wouldn't you agree? Then Google this, SINGH V TOYOTA and read how a man burned to death in his Toyota Corolla! And keep in mind, Brittany's airbag did not deploy when she hit a Honda Pilot going 45mph. You can read her report at the ENGINE SLUDGE consumeraffairs website under the Engine Problem complaints on 6-16-07! Also Google this, MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA YOUTUBE and watch the video of this customer who could have easily died!! If you know anyone with a Sequoia or a Corolla or ANY Toyota, you might want to inform them that they could be in danger if they are in an accident. You can also Google this, SEXUAL HARASSMENT TOYOTA and see how a Toyota executive treated his assistant! She got a 'settlement'. I wonder how much she got? Do you think she got close to the $190 Million?? And Google this, BALTIMORE SETTLEMENT CALIFORNIA TOYOTA and read how Toyota targetted African Americans & Hispanics due to their race. Sounds very similar to the 'Subprime Mortgage Mess' that's happening right now! Maybe some former Toyota employees were involved in the 'Conspiracy', wouldn't you agree? I mean, it is very similar, isn't it?? Financing a car is similar to financing a home, correct? Lots of confusing paperwork, right?!? Also Google, SLUDGE POEM and read it. Toyota's CEO quit his position at Toyota exactly two weeks after SLUDGE POEM was posted on 8-23-07! I know this because I wrote it! There's a lot more to Google, but this will get you started. See you at SLUDGEFEST 2008! (you can Google that too!) P.S. You can also go to the 'Bank of America' page on this website and read the post on 2-11-08. If you go to the 'Rebuttals', you can read another poem. BANK POEM! Keep speaking out, America! It's working!! Time to read some BusinessWeek articles. They allow the reader to voice their comments also. Simply Google, A CREDIT CARD YOU WANT TO TOSS BUSINESS WEEK and read the article and the many comments! Good luck to everyone! Go Harvard! Go BusinessWeek! Go Ripoffreport.com!! Go Speak Out! It's our right!!
Troy
Apopka,#4Author of original report
Sat, February 09, 2008
After having my Toyota Matrix in a bay to have the oil changed last week the technician noticed leakage from my drive shaft. Naturally I called the service department at David Maus Toyota and told them I would be bringing the vehicle in to have it looked at. Once they got my Matrix in the service bay they confirmed that there was a leak and a gasket needed to be replaced. When they had replaced the manual transmission back in August of 06 they did not replace the gasket or it was improperly replaced. The service manager Steve Revete tried to tell me it was not serious. (Not serious?!) And they would replace the gasket at no charge. Unfortunately, the part was not in stock. They agreed to a loaner vehicle for the day it would take to get the part and install it. In the meantime I wanted to research and possibly purchase a new Toyota Highlander for my wife. The David Maus slogan of "Anything it takes to earn and keep your business" was clearly just hype as illustrated once again in the unwillingness of the sales department to allow me a loaner that was the model I was interested in. I wanted to take a Highlander home and show it to my wife. If I had done that there would have been a good chance we would have purchased the vehicle. I realize this sounds superficial but I am still amazed at how poorly I have been handled as a customer by the sales and service departments of this company.
Troy
Apopka,#5Author of original report
Fri, August 03, 2007
Thank you all for the support. Yes, it may seem like I am nitpicking in my letter with regards to the oil and the gas. What I was trying to illustrate was the poor customer service. I realize that they would have had to drive the car to test it. But, don't you think it would have been prudent to add gas to make up for the gas they used to test it? Maybe not but it capped off my horrible experience in picking the car up. As to the oil change. I had just spent a premium on getting the oil changes with synthetic. I know synthetic was put in because I saw them do it. To have them drain that new oil out and not replace it with an equivalent would have really pissed me off. I had no proof that is what they did. It was not itemized on my bill as a synthetic oil replacement. I have been driving the car the last couple of weeks and the same problem is still occurring. I feel a grind in the clutch when I am running through the gears. Even with the new (used) transmission. I am working to hard to have time to even deal with the problem. The dealership did call me and offer to refund the rental fee. I told them that was not enough. I have asked for an arbitration and they have ignored me. What now? Do I sue? Can I afford to do that?
Jdt
Portsmouth,#6Consumer Comment
Fri, August 03, 2007
As an example I had asked that when the oil pan gasket was replaced that equivalent synthetic oil be put back in. Sorry this makes no sense to me. This is just you illustrating how much of a pain you are. You make a request for expensive oil and add that as one of your complaints without mentioning any reason to believe your fancy synthetic oil was not used. Also, the vehicle had less then a quarter tank of gas in it when I picked it up. (The warning light came on, on my way home from your service department.) I recall delivering it with just over a quarter tank. Fixing a car requires driving it sometimes. Diagnosing and repairing transmission concerns require test drives. Especially considering the lengthy list of concerns in your car it makes plenty of sense that they would drive your car and use some of your gas. You are nit picking and I think this is a ridiculous complaint. You have plenty of legitimate issues with this dealership, but those two are silly and I felt like I had to call you out on it. However, I am sorry you got sold a crappy car that is costing you money. Good luck in getting this straightened out.
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#7Consumer Comment
Thu, August 02, 2007
You might have a 'Sludge Problem' in your engine also! Take it yo an Independent Mechanic and have it tested. You can read about the Sludge Problem on this site under Toyota. Send a Letter to all News Stations in your city about the painful experience that you had at this TOYOTA Dealereship. Go to www.9news.com and type in the name ORNELAS and search the story from 2005 that made the FRONT PAGE of the Denver Post on 5-19-2005 and WATCH the Video too. 'Write a letter, you'll feel better.' And it might get you on T.V. also. Good luck.
Thomas
Anderson,#8Consumer Comment
Fri, July 27, 2007
... even under NEW vehicle warranties. Besides, very few people *really know* how to use a clutch, which is why I would never buy a used car with a manual tranny. The transmission could have been abused, but if yours is replaced with a good solid tranny then you should be fine. If your tranny replacement is at no cost to you then you will have what you thought you had bought. a used but usable car. Install Mobil-1, a Cat-3, yourself. Then you will know EXACTLY what oil is in your engine. The term "synthetic oil" is actually rather vague. even a super-refined mineral oil can be labeled a "synthetic oil", i.e. a super-refined mineral oil is a Cat-1 Synthetic Oil. You don't need a PAO Cat-4 Synthetic.
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#9Consumer Comment
Fri, July 27, 2007
Troy, Simply write a LETTER and make copies and mail it to all of your local News Stations. Also send copies to 9News 500 Speer Blvd Denver, Co 80203 Attn: Deborah Sherman, Dateline NBC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 Attn: Investigative Reporter, 60 Minutes 555 West 57th St New York, NY 10019. foxnews.com Attn: Geraldo ,oprah.com etc. Go to www.9news.com and type in the name ORNELAS and search the story that made the Front Page of the Denver Post on 5-19-2005 and watch the VIDEO! I wrote a Letter and it got the story on T.V.!! ' Write a letter. You'll feel better!' Also send a copy to Toyota Corporation 19001 South Western Ave. Dept WC11 Torrance, Ca 90501 Attn: Jim Press & Mr. Watanabe. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! It's time for the honest person to SPEAK OUT! Expose the CEO's!!!!!
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#10Consumer Comment
Fri, July 27, 2007
Troy, Simply write a LETTER and make copies and mail it to all of your local News Stations. Also send copies to 9News 500 Speer Blvd Denver, Co 80203 Attn: Deborah Sherman, Dateline NBC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 Attn: Investigative Reporter, 60 Minutes 555 West 57th St New York, NY 10019. foxnews.com Attn: Geraldo ,oprah.com etc. Go to www.9news.com and type in the name ORNELAS and search the story that made the Front Page of the Denver Post on 5-19-2005 and watch the VIDEO! I wrote a Letter and it got the story on T.V.!! ' Write a letter. You'll feel better!' Also send a copy to Toyota Corporation 19001 South Western Ave. Dept WC11 Torrance, Ca 90501 Attn: Jim Press & Mr. Watanabe. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! It's time for the honest person to SPEAK OUT! Expose the CEO's!!!!!
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#11Consumer Comment
Fri, July 27, 2007
Troy, Simply write a LETTER and make copies and mail it to all of your local News Stations. Also send copies to 9News 500 Speer Blvd Denver, Co 80203 Attn: Deborah Sherman, Dateline NBC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 Attn: Investigative Reporter, 60 Minutes 555 West 57th St New York, NY 10019. foxnews.com Attn: Geraldo ,oprah.com etc. Go to www.9news.com and type in the name ORNELAS and search the story that made the Front Page of the Denver Post on 5-19-2005 and watch the VIDEO! I wrote a Letter and it got the story on T.V.!! ' Write a letter. You'll feel better!' Also send a copy to Toyota Corporation 19001 South Western Ave. Dept WC11 Torrance, Ca 90501 Attn: Jim Press & Mr. Watanabe. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! It's time for the honest person to SPEAK OUT! Expose the CEO's!!!!!
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#12Consumer Comment
Fri, July 27, 2007
Troy, Simply write a LETTER and make copies and mail it to all of your local News Stations. Also send copies to 9News 500 Speer Blvd Denver, Co 80203 Attn: Deborah Sherman, Dateline NBC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 Attn: Investigative Reporter, 60 Minutes 555 West 57th St New York, NY 10019. foxnews.com Attn: Geraldo ,oprah.com etc. Go to www.9news.com and type in the name ORNELAS and search the story that made the Front Page of the Denver Post on 5-19-2005 and watch the VIDEO! I wrote a Letter and it got the story on T.V.!! ' Write a letter. You'll feel better!' Also send a copy to Toyota Corporation 19001 South Western Ave. Dept WC11 Torrance, Ca 90501 Attn: Jim Press & Mr. Watanabe. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! It's time for the honest person to SPEAK OUT! Expose the CEO's!!!!!
Troy
Apopka,#13Author of original report
Sun, July 15, 2007
Upon calling the service department to notify them that I was on my way with the rental I was told by Samantha Ozgen that I should keep the vehicle until my car was ready. The Following Monday at 8pm in the evening I was informed that I was in fact being charged for the rental. This has added a whole new dimension to customer service nightmare. To clarify: I left the dealership in a rental that I was told "would be taken care of" by a service manager on 6/30. 4 days later on July 4th I was told that the rental was going to be $21.00 a day. On July 8th in an attempt to return the vehicle and notify the service department in my attempt to do so I was told "do not come in, just wait until the vehicle is ready." The following evening Samantha called me and told me that the rental was still not going to be taken care of. The vehicle has been in my possession for 16 days. At $21.00 a day that comes to $336.00 If you subtract the "gratis" days of when I left with the vehicle on 6/30 until 7/4 that comes to $84.00 less $336.00 or $252.00. If you also subtract the one day, I wasted in trying to return the vehicle that should bring it to $231.00.