#20
Mon, October 28, 2002
I do not have a Camry. A previous reader updated the title in error. Germain's Toyota's attorney contacted me at work on Friday, 10/25 at 4:00P. He indicated that he was sending me a letter that I was to receive in the mail on Saturday, 10/26. I thought he was going to send me the "mysterious" other letter I never got. Instead, the jerk had the audacity to indicate that I could have prevented the situation. Is this a joke? The only way I could have prevented anything would have been NOT to visit Germain Toyota in Naples on Wednesday, 10/2/02. Unfortunately, I did-- Germain Toyota did an oil change that resulted in my engine seizing! Germain Toyota admitted to installing the part that was faulty-- their own technician even showed me the part and I took a picture-- the gasket was split! What else should I have done-- check the filter prior to installation and check to make sure they did the oil/filter change right?! I obviously paid for a "half-a*s" job. I did prevent one thing-- I prevented myself and others from getting into an accident, turning into a church parking lot just seconds before my engine seized on that miserable day!
Charlene
Vienna,#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 27, 2002
Has Toyota notified you about its "Customer Support Program" for "Engine Oil Gelation?" Who: Owners of 1997-2002 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with 3.0L IMZ V-6 engines and all 1997-2001 Toyota vehicles with the now discontinued 2.2L four cylinder engines. Nine models are included. What: Engine oil sludge accumulation in the oil pan, valve covers, and/or cylinder heads with possible symptoms such as blue smoke on cold start up and oil consumption. Toyota maintains this "oil gelation" is caused by the owner's improper maintenance of the vehicle! The owners disagree. When: Former, current, and repeat repairs for sludge-related damage are covered for a period of 8 years from date of first sale or lease with unlimited mileage. This coverage includes all reasonable incidental expenses. If questions, consult with affected owners in the groups listed below. Where: Effective April 3, 2002. Contact the Toyota hotline at 1-888-802-9436. You'll be asked to show a reasonable effort (not all oil change receipts are required) to regularly maintain your vehicle. Toyota considers this a generous offer especially since the owner is at fault! Proceed cautiously. What if you have received no letter? OR, you want more information? 1) First, notify Toyota via certified letter with return receipt requested and give your case details. Let it know you have NOT received your letter. Ask it when you will get your letter, too. 2) Notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov and the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov. NHTSA: 1-800-424-9393. 3) Also, file with the Center for Auto Safety at http://www.autosafety.org and Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumeraffairs.com. Read other owner stories there. 4) Visit the "Toyota" folder in Cartrackers "Forums" at http://www.cartrackers.com and find the links to articles listed there. You should also post your own story there for others to read. 5) Read the third Automotive News article "Toyota broadens sludge-repair program--Automaker alters V-6, insists neglect is cause" by Richard Truett published on April 4, 2002. What if you want to do MORE in the way of consumer action? OR, you don't qualify for CSP? 6) Join other owners in the "Toyota Sludge Yahoo Group" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyotasludge. Subscribe at "[email protected]." Post at "[email protected]." 7) Join "Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution" at http://communities.msn.com/ToyotaOwnersUniteForResolution. Read other owner stories there. 8) Visit the "Complaint Station for Toyota" at http://www.thecomplaintstation.com. Please ignore those who are strongly countering the legitimate complaints of other Toyota owners who have had major problems. 9) Visit Edmund's Town Hall at http://www.edmunds.com. First, you must obtain a login and password to be able to access the original (over 6,000 posts) "Engine Sludge?" discussion that began January 5, 2001. There are other Toyota sludge discussions. All Toyota sludge discussions have been CLOSED at this site as of May, 2002. 10) Read other stories and post your own at http://www.RipOffReport.com under "Toyota" or "Lexus." 11) Contact [email protected] for more resources and links, as well as to discuss other concerns with your Toyota vehicle, customer service, or warranty issues. Network with other owners to stay informed on these auto consumer matters and to work collectively! Stay-tuned?