ATTN Kluger owners: Steering Intermediate Shaft Knocking Noise -

[mikec]

Having reported my Steering Intermediate Shaft Knocking Noise in Jan 2013, I was told no fix in sight. July 2013 service last month I asked on progress and was told Toyota had started to roll out a fix and I would be contacted when my turn came up if I was on the DPR (Dealer Product Report). I said that should be fine as they had told me they had listed me with Toyota. I contacted Toyota about the list and they say I must contact my Dealer…

So apparently the fix is now being rolled out but I’m on an imaginary list in a communication circle.

The fun continues.

Edited August 15, 2013 by mikec

[Kluger_Jay]

Having reported my Steering Intermediate Shaft Knocking Noise in Jan 2013, I was told no fix in sight. July 2013 service last month I asked on progress and was told Toyota had started to roll out a fix and I would be contacted when my turn came up if I was on the DPR (Dealer Product Report). I said that should be fine as they had told me they had listed me with Toyota. I contacted Toyota about the list and they say I must contact my Dealer…

So apparently the fix is now being rolled out but I’m on an imaginary list in a communication circle.

The fun continues.

Thanks for the update. I am also on the list and waiting for them to call to address the issue. Hopefully this will put an end to this annoyance. Apart from this the car have been a gem.

[mikec]

Good news on Steering Shaft. Mine was finally replaced for free 2 weeks ago with the latest version of the part which is supposed to be fixed properly. Steering is 100% now. This was the only issue with an otherwise perfect vehicle.

Toyota held true on the "we'll have a fix in 6 months" which is great.

[DDC73]

I wonder what they changed to actually fix the issue ?, and truth been known its only taken 5+ years of complaints to get done.

[munster]

I wonder what they changed to actually fix the issue ?, and truth been known its only taken 5+ years of complaints to get done.

I had my Kluger serviced last week, and the service guy told me Toyota have given up on the existing design which apparently has a ball bearing arrangement (supposedly to reduce binding when turning??), to an old fashioned spline arrangement. I haven't seen an exploded parts diagram but that seems to make sense.

Mine is on the list for replacement when they get the parts in.

[DDC73]

Thanks Munster , i have a 2013 Model here and in December is my 1st service , i wonder if its worth asking to get done now and not wait for it to play up latter down the track anyhow?.

Dan :)

[ram]

Thanks for the update. But , When inquired with my regular Toyota dealer (Sydney City) and Toyota head office, they advised that no fix has been available yet. Just wondering which dealer is providing fix.

[munster]

Thanks for the update. But , When inquired with my regular Toyota dealer (Sydney City) and Toyota head office, they advised that no fix has been available yet. Just wondering which dealer is providing fix.

I was talking to the dealership in Mildura VIC, so probably not local to many folks on here.

I need to reiterate that this was just the service guy telling me this, I haven't actually had it fixed yet - your response from Toyota head office makes me a little suspicious that they are just leading me on so I keep getting my Kluger serviced there....

[shneil]

Good news on Steering Shaft. Mine was finally replaced for free 2 weeks ago with the latest version of the part which is supposed to be fixed properly. Steering is 100% now. This was the only issue with an otherwise perfect vehicle.

Toyota held true on the "we'll have a fix in 6 months" which is great.

I am having an argument with my dealership to get my shaft replaced and my Kluger is the same as yours. My dealership says there is no list of cars to have the part replaced. I was wondering if you could give me some more information on that, or the name of the dealership that did the replacement for you. They seem to give really good service - maybe I should change to them!!

[mikec]

Strange. Sci-Fleet Albion in Brisbane.

Your dealer should have done what they call a "DPR" - Dealer Product Report which adds you to the "list" for replacement based on "first-in-first-replaced" type of approach. No mass recall is planned from what I've been told. Only those members reported on the list will be called in order.

[ddtuck]

I flagged this to the dealer in May to get on the list which they did after confirming the knock, it was on the service documentation that they added me, and they just rang me today to say Toyota just approved the replacement and have scheduled me to come in to get it replaced.

Edited October 17, 2013 by ddtuck

[2011kluger]

I wonder what they changed to actually fix the issue ?, and truth been known its only taken 5+ years of complaints to get done.

I had my Kluger serviced last week, and the service guy told me Toyota have given up on the existing design which apparently has a ball bearing arrangement (supposedly to reduce binding when turning??), to an old fashioned spline arrangement. I haven't seen an exploded parts diagram but that seems to make sense.

Mine is on the list for replacement when they get the parts in.

If this is the case what month/year did they change the part?

[neyus]

Purchased a used Toyota Kluger Grande last month and noticed the clunk in the steering. After reading this thread and others like it. I called up the dealer and reported it. They had a look at it and confirmed that their was a clunk. They ordered the part and gave me a receipt. They say the part will take a few weeks to arrive. Hoping the part comes in and they can replace it get rid of the noise.

[em_dau_roi]

A couple of months ago I put my car in Service for Steering Shaft Knocking Noise, the dealer told me Toyota is working on permanent fixed, as soon as they have one they will contact me.

I just received a call from Castle Hill Toyota dealer in Sydney today, to take my car to them for repair the steering shaft. They told me that Toyota agree to pay 50% of repair cost and I have to pay 50%.

My Grande Kluger manufacture 2009

I just wondering why I have to pay 50% of the repair cost

[neyus]

Is your Car still under warranty? Mine was 2011 and just still under warranty. I think if its under warranty it would be free of charge and if it was subject of a recall and your model was under that recall it would also be free. But anything outside of that I think you would still be up for repair cost. Im only speculating though

A couple of months ago I put my car in Service for Steering Shaft Knocking Noise, the dealer told me Toyota is working on permanent fixed, as soon as they have one they will contact me.

I just received a call from Castle Hill Toyota dealer in Sydney today, to take my car to them for repair the steering shaft. They told me that Toyota agree to pay 50% of repair cost and I have to pay 50%.

My Grande Kluger manufacture 2009

I just wondering why I have to pay 50% of the repair cost [/

Edited October 22, 2013 by neyus

[OzSTi]

Had my intermediate steering shaft replaced this week under warrantee. The service dept called out of the blue and asked me to book the car in. We had spoken about the issue some time ago and they must have kept a record.

Much better now!

[OzSTi]

I thought I'd add a further up-date regarding the intermediate steering shaft replaced on our Kluger a month ago.

I can't believe how much nicer the car is to drive now. Prior to replacement I would have said my only issue was the occasional knock turning left but now it's been replaced I realise it must have been affecting the steering more than that because it feels so much better.

The only change has been the shaft, it was not wheel aligned again after. ( I had had it done only a few months prior.)

Having said all this my wife was oblivious to the problem before and the subsequent improvement but I'm absolutely convinced.

[SLIMaxPower]

Just hopped in my 2011 kx-r awd 7 seater to find the power steering dead with a warning light on dash and warning on the LCD telling me to contact dealer immediately. The vehicle is 2 yrs old, 16000 or less km's on it and just had a major service last month - all via their mobile mechanic.

No noise or feeling previously of any issue with the vehicle before this.

Will be on the blower first thing in the morning. Our last "new car" was a lemon and if Toyota think I am going to cop anything then they better look out..... it will be WAR!!

[phez]

Well finally after a month of submitting the dealer report and 2 phone calls chasing the dealer, they confirmed Toyota 'approved' the fix, but they advised like another member of the forum, that they want 50% of the cost of the part and they will cover the labour and the other 50% of the part. The 50% charge is approx $110.

Now after paying extra $1500 for extended warranty when purchasing the vehicle (2009 build purchased in 2010 from Toyota), I am loathed to pay $110 for what is clearly a Toyota fault.

All this leaves a me with a very poor experience to the point where I feel unless I spend months fighting it with Toyota, I am stuck with 'jap crap' which cannot be sold due to how noticeable the fault is.

This fault is nearly 12months old for me and its been 9 months since I originally posted this thread. It just shows utter disrespect and contempt for their customers.

[Cosmosblue]

This is the BS i recieved today

Good Afternoon

Thank you for your recent email received by the Toyota Customer Experience Centre.

I understand that you are experiencing issues with the intermediate shaft knocking noise in your Kluger model vehicle.

What we suggest is to contact the Service Manager at your Toyota dealership who may be able to contact Toyota technical help desk for further information.

Technical experts are within our Toyota dealerships and have extensive knowledge that may be particular to customer’s needs and wants.

Toyota Dealerships have technical specialists where customers can seek the best advice, organise a plan of action, or seek specific information which is of a technical nature.

As Toyota dealerships are independently owned and operated you may find the level of technical expertise may vary from each dealership.

Thank you for contacting Toyota and allowing us the opportunity to respond.

Kind regards

Billie-Jean

Customer Experience Centre

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia

Ph: 1800 TOYOTA (869 682)

[Cosmosblue]

and this was my reply, these guys are probably the next holden

Hi

It looks like you did not properly read my email. I have already done what your are asking me to do. Their response is they waiting for you (Toyota) for a fix. From what I can see it is passing it from one person to another. I am not at all interested in the varying levels of expertise at the dealership.

Unfortunately the next step is current affairs as I have not got the time to be doing this for a brand new vehicle. Your TNF is attached , 1 year and still no resolve

[phez]

Please keep fighting this. We need more Kluger owners to raise this. It really should be a recall and not some sort of 'maybe' dealer fix.

[Cosmosblue]

What a rip off

Good Afternoon

Thank you for your recent response.

I understand that you have spokento your dealership to address the issue.

As our technical experts are within our Toyota Dealerships unfortunately we are unable to further assist.

What we suggest is for you to speak with the Service Manager to seek further information from a Toyota technical representative.

We do apologise for the inconvenience.

Kind regards

Billie-Jean

Customer Experience Centre

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia

Ph: 1800 TOYOTA (869 682)

[shneil]

Consumer Affairs have taken up the issue on my behalf with Toyota, but they are not holding out a lot of hope as they cannot "force" a company to do anything. Hopefully I will hear next week what the outcome is.

[Ilovemybike]

My kluger has 190000 kays on it now and is a 2009 model. The klunk was first 'fixed' while under warranty. I was told when booking it in that it was a big job and involved replacing part of the steering shaft. When the job was done I was told that nothing was replaced and that they injected more grease into the steering shaft. The clunk started again about 3 months later while still under warranty. After bringing it up every time the car was serviced they told me a permanent fix was now available. It was booked in for last Friday and when I turned up to drop the car off was told 'Sorry, the part didn't get delivered'. I guess I'm lucky I don't have much hair as it saves me the time and effort to tear it out.... Nobody has said anything about having to pay for half...