Pedro
Miami,#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, June 12, 2006
Hello. I wanted to make some comments about the Kendall Toyota case. I am the owner of a mobile repair shop. There are many things in the two reports that really make me mad. I have worked with some service advisors, most of them don't have the training needed to perform properly. Some are tired out techs that want to make easy money not getting dirty and giving a hard time to techs. The bad thing is, as in this case, the complainer, David, changed his story for fear of a law suit. Why? You didn't have to change your story, if you told the truth Totota of Kendall acted in a no proffessional way. First they didn't diagnose the car properly, they charged for a battery they didn't replace, Yes they gave you free towing, but for what? to make you loose time? Look, a repair shop is there to make money, period, if the manager didn't look you in the eye, there must be a reason. The easy way to get out if the deal is by blaming the techs, which by the way can't afford to hire a lawyer to protect them from slander like the management can. There are bad dealers and good dealers, mainly the management will choose good techs and all be good, if management is crooked you can bet you will have crooked techs. Recomendation, ask your friends and realatives for a recomendation for a good shop. Do your homework. And don't give up. If a shop is not profesional report them some where. Remember not all shops are bad, and there are a lot of good techs out there. Thanks
Charlene
Vienna,#3Consumer Comment
Sun, October 10, 2004
David, thank you for your telling your Toyota story. Are you aware that Kendall Toyota has a rather unique status? It was the subject of the very FIRST Toyota-owner told story about TOYOTA ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. It seems that Kendall Toyota made a certain Toyota owner go without her vehicle for about a year as it blamed her for all the engine oil sludge problems in her vehicle. Since that time, despite thousands coming forward, Toyota and Kendall Toyota continue to BLAME THE VEHICLE OWNER for a widespread and well-known problem affecting 3.3 MILLION vehicles. Speaking of this, did you per chance get a letter from Toyota which explains the possibility of engine oil sludge? What model and model year do you own? What is your mileage? Just curious how much knowledge you ahve about THIS pervasive Toyota problem. It seems that fouled spark plugs, smoking tailpipes, oil burning, fuel or glycol-contaminated oil, fuel delivery problems, emission control component failures, ticking/rattling engine noises, very hot engines, etc. are all part of this rather unique Toyota problem. This problem occurs with or without proper maintenance and regardless of oil change interval even though the Toyota dealerships will tell you differently. You mentioned lies from the dealership. Interestingly enough, this is the same sentiment noted from many online, vocal Toyota owners lately as they try to resolve their major engine issues. The word "stonewall" comes up a lot, too! You should know that you are FAR FROM ALONE. To be sure, Kendall Toyota follows the company line on engine oil sludge. Just ask Maggie Alemany, who used Kendall Toyota when her Toyota Sienna was choking with engine oil sludge. Toyota, the parent company, must be awfully proud of Kendall Toyota. Why....I venture to say that this dealership is saving Toyota a whole lot of money. You see, since the time the infamous "Engine Oil Gelation" program was issued back in April of 2002, Kendall Toyota has turned away quite a few customers who have shown up with engine oil sludge. Some of these customers never received one of the letters that Toyota executives brags about sending out to all affected owners. I'll bet that Kendall Toyota gets a "five star rating" from the parent company for its ability to blame the owner! As someone who has networked with hundreds of Toyota and Lexus owners over the past four years, I can honestly say that Kendall Toyota comes up a lot in the conversations of complaining Toyota owners. There are fair number of such complaints here on this site as well. Again, thank you for sharing your story, David. Welcome to the ever-growing group of Toyota owners who are NOT happy that they did not get what they paid for. Do a little internet search to find others, especially under the topic of "engine oil sludge." These same owners will be the first to tell you that Toyotas are NOT what they used to be and haven't been for a number of years now. Too bad, wouldn't you say? Somewhere along the way, Toyota decided that it was above reproach. It is has a seriously flawed business ethic if it believes that its actions will not be closely scrutinized by the vehicle owners!
Charlene
Vienna,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, October 10, 2004
David, thank you for your telling your Toyota story. Are you aware that Kendall Toyota has a rather unique status? It was the subject of the very FIRST Toyota-owner told story about TOYOTA ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. It seems that Kendall Toyota made a certain Toyota owner go without her vehicle for about a year as it blamed her for all the engine oil sludge problems in her vehicle. Since that time, despite thousands coming forward, Toyota and Kendall Toyota continue to BLAME THE VEHICLE OWNER for a widespread and well-known problem affecting 3.3 MILLION vehicles. Speaking of this, did you per chance get a letter from Toyota which explains the possibility of engine oil sludge? What model and model year do you own? What is your mileage? Just curious how much knowledge you ahve about THIS pervasive Toyota problem. It seems that fouled spark plugs, smoking tailpipes, oil burning, fuel or glycol-contaminated oil, fuel delivery problems, emission control component failures, ticking/rattling engine noises, very hot engines, etc. are all part of this rather unique Toyota problem. This problem occurs with or without proper maintenance and regardless of oil change interval even though the Toyota dealerships will tell you differently. You mentioned lies from the dealership. Interestingly enough, this is the same sentiment noted from many online, vocal Toyota owners lately as they try to resolve their major engine issues. The word "stonewall" comes up a lot, too! You should know that you are FAR FROM ALONE. To be sure, Kendall Toyota follows the company line on engine oil sludge. Just ask Maggie Alemany, who used Kendall Toyota when her Toyota Sienna was choking with engine oil sludge. Toyota, the parent company, must be awfully proud of Kendall Toyota. Why....I venture to say that this dealership is saving Toyota a whole lot of money. You see, since the time the infamous "Engine Oil Gelation" program was issued back in April of 2002, Kendall Toyota has turned away quite a few customers who have shown up with engine oil sludge. Some of these customers never received one of the letters that Toyota executives brags about sending out to all affected owners. I'll bet that Kendall Toyota gets a "five star rating" from the parent company for its ability to blame the owner! As someone who has networked with hundreds of Toyota and Lexus owners over the past four years, I can honestly say that Kendall Toyota comes up a lot in the conversations of complaining Toyota owners. There are fair number of such complaints here on this site as well. Again, thank you for sharing your story, David. Welcome to the ever-growing group of Toyota owners who are NOT happy that they did not get what they paid for. Do a little internet search to find others, especially under the topic of "engine oil sludge." These same owners will be the first to tell you that Toyotas are NOT what they used to be and haven't been for a number of years now. Too bad, wouldn't you say? Somewhere along the way, Toyota decided that it was above reproach. It is has a seriously flawed business ethic if it believes that its actions will not be closely scrutinized by the vehicle owners!
Charlene
Vienna,#5Consumer Comment
Sun, October 10, 2004
David, thank you for your telling your Toyota story. Are you aware that Kendall Toyota has a rather unique status? It was the subject of the very FIRST Toyota-owner told story about TOYOTA ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. It seems that Kendall Toyota made a certain Toyota owner go without her vehicle for about a year as it blamed her for all the engine oil sludge problems in her vehicle. Since that time, despite thousands coming forward, Toyota and Kendall Toyota continue to BLAME THE VEHICLE OWNER for a widespread and well-known problem affecting 3.3 MILLION vehicles. Speaking of this, did you per chance get a letter from Toyota which explains the possibility of engine oil sludge? What model and model year do you own? What is your mileage? Just curious how much knowledge you ahve about THIS pervasive Toyota problem. It seems that fouled spark plugs, smoking tailpipes, oil burning, fuel or glycol-contaminated oil, fuel delivery problems, emission control component failures, ticking/rattling engine noises, very hot engines, etc. are all part of this rather unique Toyota problem. This problem occurs with or without proper maintenance and regardless of oil change interval even though the Toyota dealerships will tell you differently. You mentioned lies from the dealership. Interestingly enough, this is the same sentiment noted from many online, vocal Toyota owners lately as they try to resolve their major engine issues. The word "stonewall" comes up a lot, too! You should know that you are FAR FROM ALONE. To be sure, Kendall Toyota follows the company line on engine oil sludge. Just ask Maggie Alemany, who used Kendall Toyota when her Toyota Sienna was choking with engine oil sludge. Toyota, the parent company, must be awfully proud of Kendall Toyota. Why....I venture to say that this dealership is saving Toyota a whole lot of money. You see, since the time the infamous "Engine Oil Gelation" program was issued back in April of 2002, Kendall Toyota has turned away quite a few customers who have shown up with engine oil sludge. Some of these customers never received one of the letters that Toyota executives brags about sending out to all affected owners. I'll bet that Kendall Toyota gets a "five star rating" from the parent company for its ability to blame the owner! As someone who has networked with hundreds of Toyota and Lexus owners over the past four years, I can honestly say that Kendall Toyota comes up a lot in the conversations of complaining Toyota owners. There are fair number of such complaints here on this site as well. Again, thank you for sharing your story, David. Welcome to the ever-growing group of Toyota owners who are NOT happy that they did not get what they paid for. Do a little internet search to find others, especially under the topic of "engine oil sludge." These same owners will be the first to tell you that Toyotas are NOT what they used to be and haven't been for a number of years now. Too bad, wouldn't you say? Somewhere along the way, Toyota decided that it was above reproach. It is has a seriously flawed business ethic if it believes that its actions will not be closely scrutinized by the vehicle owners!
Charlene
Vienna,#6Consumer Comment
Sun, October 10, 2004
David, thank you for your telling your Toyota story. Are you aware that Kendall Toyota has a rather unique status? It was the subject of the very FIRST Toyota-owner told story about TOYOTA ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. It seems that Kendall Toyota made a certain Toyota owner go without her vehicle for about a year as it blamed her for all the engine oil sludge problems in her vehicle. Since that time, despite thousands coming forward, Toyota and Kendall Toyota continue to BLAME THE VEHICLE OWNER for a widespread and well-known problem affecting 3.3 MILLION vehicles. Speaking of this, did you per chance get a letter from Toyota which explains the possibility of engine oil sludge? What model and model year do you own? What is your mileage? Just curious how much knowledge you ahve about THIS pervasive Toyota problem. It seems that fouled spark plugs, smoking tailpipes, oil burning, fuel or glycol-contaminated oil, fuel delivery problems, emission control component failures, ticking/rattling engine noises, very hot engines, etc. are all part of this rather unique Toyota problem. This problem occurs with or without proper maintenance and regardless of oil change interval even though the Toyota dealerships will tell you differently. You mentioned lies from the dealership. Interestingly enough, this is the same sentiment noted from many online, vocal Toyota owners lately as they try to resolve their major engine issues. The word "stonewall" comes up a lot, too! You should know that you are FAR FROM ALONE. To be sure, Kendall Toyota follows the company line on engine oil sludge. Just ask Maggie Alemany, who used Kendall Toyota when her Toyota Sienna was choking with engine oil sludge. Toyota, the parent company, must be awfully proud of Kendall Toyota. Why....I venture to say that this dealership is saving Toyota a whole lot of money. You see, since the time the infamous "Engine Oil Gelation" program was issued back in April of 2002, Kendall Toyota has turned away quite a few customers who have shown up with engine oil sludge. Some of these customers never received one of the letters that Toyota executives brags about sending out to all affected owners. I'll bet that Kendall Toyota gets a "five star rating" from the parent company for its ability to blame the owner! As someone who has networked with hundreds of Toyota and Lexus owners over the past four years, I can honestly say that Kendall Toyota comes up a lot in the conversations of complaining Toyota owners. There are fair number of such complaints here on this site as well. Again, thank you for sharing your story, David. Welcome to the ever-growing group of Toyota owners who are NOT happy that they did not get what they paid for. Do a little internet search to find others, especially under the topic of "engine oil sludge." These same owners will be the first to tell you that Toyotas are NOT what they used to be and haven't been for a number of years now. Too bad, wouldn't you say? Somewhere along the way, Toyota decided that it was above reproach. It is has a seriously flawed business ethic if it believes that its actions will not be closely scrutinized by the vehicle owners!
David
Miami,#7Author of original report
Wed, October 06, 2004
Under threat of lawsuit, I have decided to post an update to clarify some salient points in my original complaint that may be misconstrued by readers. All the statements in my original complaint are still 100% true this is merely for clarification purposes. Let me begin by saying Donald Salazar did in fact try to help fix my car. What was mentioned in the complaint was my personal interpretation of those events that occurred at Kendall Toyota. It should be explicitly noted (although implied in my original complaint) that my car was towed twice at no cost to me and I was given a free estimate of what it would cost to fix the contaminated fuel problem. The mechanics relay information about what is wrong with a car to Mr. Salazar, which he then relays to customers. Mr. Salazar is simply a middle man and any problem with the actual repairs (or lack thereof) is not to be placed on him. Accordingly, because Mr. Salazar has to take the word of the mechanics, it should be highlighted that the problems stemmed not from Mr. Salazar himself, but rather, the mechanics at Kendall Toyota. Additionally, Mr. Salazar did see to it that my fuel injectors were given a free cleaning so that I could drive my vehicle to another garage for repairs. I have been instructed to post that Kendall Toyota did not try to recommend repairs which were unnecessary. This is, however, a topic of some debate as you can see from my complaint. Mr. Salazar, as a middle man, should certainly not take the blame for relaying messages from the mechanics on this issue. My opinions expressed in my complaint were my personal opinions. I am not a mechanic and perhaps there are other explanations for the noise to continue after the drive belt and tensioner were replaced or why the ignition wires and spark plugs were not recommended to be changed. It was acknowledged by Kendall Toyota that the ignition wires could have been the reason for the initial problems in starting my vehicle and the mechanics failed to correctly determine this. This is now a moot point though because my vehicle was correctly and competently repaired at another garage NOT Kendall Toyota. I will still never use or trust anyone at Kendall Toyota and remain firm in my convictions that they have an unscrupulous service department. However, a finger shoud not be pointed solely at Donald Salazar given the nature of the situation.