Faulty torque converter spotted at 15000km

[RL30WA]

Hi guys,

I would like to share my experience with all the owners out there with the same model as mine ( 2013 AWD GRANDE GSU45R JTEES).

3 weeks ago, I spotted this high pitch noise coming from the front engine as I reversed out on a inclined drive way ( 35 degree) at 1200rpm. At that point, I quickly asked my wife to take a video so that I could lodge in the case to the dealer so that they can follow up this matter based on this evidence. I managed to secure a booking on the following Tuesday 8am. Few days before that, I decided to take it to my friend who is a very experinced mechanic for second opinion. He told me straightway that the noise shouldnt be there in the first place. Not with the car that only done 15000Km! He pointed out that the noise could be front the belt or the tensioner.

On the actual Tuesday morning, i mimicked the noise right in front of the foreman by putting in reverse gear, left foot on brake and right foot to rev the engine to 1200 rpm. He noted that he could hear it very clearly. At 2 pm, he called and told me that it could be just the ' CHARACTERISTICS' of the car and he couldn't do much at this point since he already tested the other 3 Klugers onsite and all have the same issue. Would you believe him? Of course, I wouldn't buy his explanation. He said he already reported this issue to Toyota Australia and he has to wait for further instructions. I told him to put down in writing for what he just mentioned to me and so he did. When I went to pick up my car ( 20 mins after phone conversation) , I didn't see any kluger onsite except mine. That made me doubted him even more. I stormed in and asked him where were the other Klugers. He said all gone except one sitting on the hoist to be finished. I was so angry that I told him I will get my mechanic to fix this so called the ' characteristic' of the car and send him the bill.

I dropped my car to my own mechanic on Saturday morning and hoping everything will just stopped then. Unfortunately, later in in the afternoon, he called and told me that the problem is actually more complicated than what he initially thought. The noise is actually coming from the torque converter and is even louder when the metal shild is removed ( as shown on video). At that moment, my heart just sunk. How could Toyota Japan designed something that doesn't last long. Is just like not toyota!

On the following Monday morning, I contacted Toyota headquarters in Tokyo and spoken to relevant party about this matter. I sent all the informations through and they did reply and forwarded all the correspondence to Toyota Australia.

Without any delay, the general manager of the actual dealership actually contacted to me for a meeting. We came to the aggrement that Toyota Western Australia will send out 2 gurus to look at this issue with me and the foreman alongside to make final decision. In fact, I saw a kluger onsite on that day and requsted the general manager to test the car whether it has the the same ' characteristic' as mine. And the answer is YES! Now the question is, is toyota is willing to come out with a statement saying that is is normal under specific circumstances? We shall find out soon

Regards

Rob

trim.8B8C785E-29EB-49FF-A4CF-7661F0F96256.MOV