maba

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...t=0&start=0

^ I am finding Toyota to be a total joke, and in my case its over a $40 part *proper fix* V's a 50 Cents fix to save their **** in multi million dollar recall. Lord help me if I pop the motor like you have, Toyota is a Joke I will never buy one again.

Hi Rice RAcing,

I made a decision not to own a Toyota again which I will stand by... and as far as my nightmare with the blown engine. There are thousands of people who have heard about it. The internet is a very powerful tool!!! and I can guarantee that I have used it successfully. Toyota would have gained far more respect by the public if they accepted to rectify their faulty component which caused my engine to blow.

Regards,

Maba :)

Dwyers Toyota, Bairnsdale, Victoria http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...t=0&start=0

Stay tuned! They have promised to keep me happy on the dodgy oil pipe engine blow up scandal.

Hi Rice Racing,

Hopefully not an empty promise!!! Good luck!!

Regards, :)

Maba

Hi,

I own a 2001 Toyota Prado VX with 58,000km's in immaculate condition which has been fully serviced by Toyota since new, the car has never been off road or towed trailers etc. Unfortunately this afternoon the engine has "blown up" and requires reconditioning. I find it very unusual for a car with such a great reputation and kept in immaculate condition mechanically as well as cosmetically to have blown its motor. The last service I had experienced the following scenario, the car was serviced at 54,000km's by Toyota, I picked up the car drove home and noticed a significant amount of fresh oil which leaked on my driveway. I immediately called the service department and they arranged to tow the vehicle back to the dealer to rectify the issue. The question remains was there enough oil in the vehicle for the 25km trip back home from the dealer? Could this have contributed to the engine's damage? Your thoughts/Opinions will be greatly appreciated.

How much would a reco engine be worth?

Maba.

Maba,

Suggest that you may have some redress under the Trade Practices Act 1974. Statutory warranties, In short Manufacturers warranties are only Voluntary warranties, and after these warranties have run out you still have Statutory warranties. Manufacturers Warranties do not Negate Statutory warranties. If you contact your State Department of Business and Consumer Affairs, or The ACCC , on their web site, they may be able to steer you in the right direction. Good Luck, RTON LILL

Hi,

Fortunately the car has now been sold. I have completely lost confidence in the Toyota Brand and will never own a Toyota again.

Regards,

Maba

Hi Guys

sorry I haven't replied for a while. I am sending letter of this week so will let you all know what comes out of it

will be in touch

mikestar

Hi All,

To put a long story short I was offered by TMCA 50% off parts only to rectify my blown engine which equated to almost $8,000 through TOYOTA. I had the engine done for $4,300 complete and satisfied with the outcome at the local mechanic with 12 months warranty. I persisted with TMCA & TMC to the point where Teresa handed over the case to the operations Manager George who basically tried to bully me away which didn't work. I had already made my decision and arranged for my vehicle to be rectified prior to that call. Its absolutely discusting that Toyota is taking advantage of customers in that manner especially when in my case it was identified by their team that the cause of my engine blowing up was due to a component failure and in your case its a factory fault. I would love to park my vehicle in front of a Toyota dealer (outside their boundaries) with a Lemon banner over it and start handing out flyers of my thead to potential customers. If I had the time I would do it...

Anyhow I just blew off some steam . GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ISSUE!!!

Maba,

Hi all,

My 2001 Prado has been fitted with a second hand 2003 Hilux 5VZ FE engine with 80,000k's on the clock. I had a hard time finding a 5VZ FE engine out of a Prado with less than 140,000k's therefore the Hilux option was looking good. I have so far travelled 200k's since the engine was fitted and it runs beautifully (touch wood) Total cost was $ 4,300 which included the following, engine, fitting, full service/tune, Timing belt, Radiator flush (Toyota radiator coolant used)12months 20k Warranty on motor/6months 10k on labour, Free service/Inspection after 1000k's, Tow from home to workshop.

To cut a long story short, originally TMCA investigated and concluded that they were not going to contribute to rectify the engine even though the cause was a Component failure (Con Rod) so basically I was told to "GO AWAY" I persisted through Toyota Japan who eventually through TMCA offered 50% off parts only, great outcome but when you receive the quote it didn't look to flash. The offer was based on a long motor $15,500 or short motor $10,100. Naturally I chose the quote for the short motor which came in at $7,500 offer incusive. I payed $3200 less than Toyota's quote, yes its not exactly comparing apples with apples but having sourced the right engine I think I am way ahead..

Regards,

Maba

Hi Maba,

When you have the ancillary running gear for the Prado attached to the Hilux motor, it will most likely run the way you expect it should. When car manufacturers engine dyno their motors, they have the ECU, induction and exhaust attached for the vehicle it's being rated for. The only reason the motor would perform differently would be because the Hilux may have had lower compression or such. In which case, even if it does, your Prado ECU will probably adjust to make it run the way it expects it should anyhow.

Good luck,

Gav.

Thanks Gav,

Your advise confirms that I have made the correct decision. I'll keep you updated once I drive the car.

Regards,

Maba

Hi All,

I have made a decision to have the vehicle rectified using a second hand Hilux motor through a company who specialise in this field. I have sourced an engine with 80,000klm's which is currently being fitted. It was difficult to source an engine from a Prado with less than 140,000klm's but given that the Hilux adopted the 5vz engine in 2003/2004 etc it was easier to source an engine with less than 90,000klms. The only issue I had was the fact that when fitted into the Hilux the engine delivered only 124kw and torque was slightly less. After discussing my query with a number of mechanics they assured me that once the engine is fitted along with my original components and computer (there must be a technical name for this????) are fitted the engine will deliver the 132 kw and torque will adjust. Hope so!!!!

If anyone has experienced the above scenario? l would appreciate feedback

I will update the thread when I have picked up the car with details and given it a test drive...

Regards,

Maba

diesel or petty

Its a petrol. We do around 8-10k per year thought it would be more suitable.

If you are doing 8 to 10 k per year then make sure you service your vehicle very regular. Why you ask? If something goes wrong then TMCA will find a fault and refuse to fix it. Trust me I know. My engine blew up at 58,000klm's. I really stress this point out!!!! My issue continued for 3 months with TMC (JAPAN and TMCA AUST and all they persisted with is servicing. They believed that my vehicle at 58,000 klms required 14 services to be classified as on schedule. I know it sound unbelievable but its true. I finally achieved to get 50% off parts contributed to repairing the car but I refused the offer.

Your car looks great!!! Color and all.Good Luck!!

Regards,

Maba

Hi,

I started this thread to allow members to share their experience with dealerships whether it being positive or negative.

Post your story

Regards,

Maba

Hi Mikestar, how did you go with TMCA? I got the brush off from Teresa Lawson on the grounds that the car is outside warranty, and that I accepted their offer to pay half (this was under protest). There is an honesty and integrity thing not happening here. I believe TMCA should be replacing defective dashboards FOC that are showing up a couple of years after the warranty has expired and also advising all owners and dealers of the problem. It has certainly turned me off buying another Toyota, and is a story worth telling. Hey Maba, what do you reckon.

Rgds, Kdeito

Hi Kdeito, I am convinced that you and many others should not fork out any cash for a factory fault.

Regards,

Maba

Hi All,

The issue has now been resolved, TMCA offered 50% off the Warranty price of parts only. I have declined the offer and will be repairing the vehicle at my local mechanic at a lower cost.

Thank you to all members who have supported me.

Regards,

Maba

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Hi,

Keep persisting with TMCA,

Maba,

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Hi All,

From this point of the thread I have removed the detailed e-mail responses from TMCA and TMC for the obvious reasons. I will post back all details in future.

Regards,

Maba

We have 2001 Turbo Diesel which just over a year ago ended up with a cracked head and block. All log book services done. We do 4wd and do tow - it's a 4wd award winning vehicle backed by Toyota's reputation......Dealership, Toyota Australia and Toyota Japan could not explain 'how' or 'why' this problem occured but we had to foot the bill to fix. We have just received our car back today for a brake problem that we presented the dealer wtih for the third time before they have actually found and fixed the problem. Their 'technician's' had previously inspected with no fault found......We are left with a very bad taste in regards to Prado's and Toyota and will not be giving up on looking for some form of compensation. Have you had any luck?

Hi Lemon01,

I have persisted with Toyota Japan and Australia. So far TMCA has now offered to pay 50% of the cost of parts required to rectify the vehicle.

Regards,

Maba :)

Hello to all just wondering if anyone has come across prado dashboards starting to split. I have an 03 Prado Grande and the dash is splitting in the vinyl right above the instrument cluster. sent photos to toyota and they said they haven't seen this happen before. but since its out of warranty wont do anything about it. not sure what to do. any info would be muchly appreciated.

Hi Mikestar,

Toyota expressing that they have not heard of this issue is UNBELIEVABLE especially when Toyota has already offered to pay half the cost for this exact issue on another Prado.

Regards,

Maba

Maba, if you do follow through with a Toyota authorised repair centre doing the repairs, please don't take it back to the dealer that burned you. I wouldn't reward them with 50% of their bloated and over inflated repair cost. Although that 50% off might be the same as a regular repair by a mechanics workshop. At least if Toyota does it, they may give you a new warranty period (with heavily stipulated conditions I'm sure)?

Cheers, Gav.

Hi Gav,

Initially 50% off "parts only" sounds exciting but when you breakdown the quote it will be interesting. Labour will be inflated which reduces the % they quoted. You are correct the local mechanic will charge far less. I have 3 quotes from Local mechanics who were recommended by the engine supplier. I will compare with Toyota quotes against the local mechanics and report back to Toyota Motor Company Japan for further investigation.

Regards,

Maba

I was under the impression that regular servicing to that degree is for vehicles which travel in dusty enviroments or tow heavy loads etc. Correct me if I am wrong!!!

You mean extra servicing for "severe conditions"?

I think Toyota need to pull their heads in. Saying you should've had 14 services is an absolute load of bull$hit! You've had it serviced every 10K, within a resonable timeframe. Conrods don't pop out the side of motors at 58K (unless they've being flogged the ring out of, not in your case of course). At least TMCA have now decided to offer some assistance. 50% parts is better than nothing. When you receive the quote maba, do a scan and upload it here so we can have a look and see if they're ripping you off.

Hi Pinzvidz,

I have requested a quote in detail "parts" "labour" all documented etc. Once this comes through then I will upload it...

Regards,

Maba

Hi Maba,

I live in a small country town in SE QLD, and I am starting to believe we must have the best Toyota Dealership in AU. I own a 2004 V6 Camry Sportivo, that is now 5 years old and has done 70K. Ken Mills Toyota does all the servicing on it and HAS told us because it is only used on long trips to Brisbane and the like, we should have it serviced every 7500klm. I also have a 2006 RAV4, as a work car, Ken Mills Toyota services this car also, and every time I pick it up or it is delivered back to my home after a service, it is washed, sometimes they even give it a vucum.

I have an 18 year old daughter that has a Mazda Astina 1994 model. And Ken Mills Toyota has been very understanding with any repairs she needs done. Not so long ago a boot on the drive shaft was damaged, Ken Mills Toyota made arrangements to get the car to them, they fixed it, and returned the car, for the sum of $110.00. To and 18 year old girl of minimum wages saving to go to Uni, this kind of customer support and focus is invaluable.

So I guess what I am trying to point out, first of all is I do understand your pain and frustration, however I dont think we should bag all local dealers. I do believe after following this thread almost from the start, is that;

Your local dealer could have made this whole thing go away a lot quicker, if they had just thought about YOU the customer. I would not be too quick to blame TMCA, because if the initial response from Anthony Smith Toyota was a little more sympathetic that I would hope the follow through from TMCA would have been supportive to you and the local dealer.

I think this dealer needs a good kick up the ar$e from all the other dealers that are doing the right thing.

Maybe a new thread on "Dealerships? The Good, The Bad" and inform others as to where to take thier much loved motor vehicles.

Dazz

Hi Dazza,

It sounds like Ken Mills Toyota is focusing on the customer "Taking care of people/Customers" This is their strategy and it seems like it works well, Why? because you the customer is telling people about them in a positive way. This phylosophy by the dealer keeps their till ticking over $$$$$which keeps everyone happy. Can this dealership relocate to Melbourne????

I like your idea about the thread "Dealerships" The good!!!The bad!!!

Regards,

Maba

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This is getting increasing annoying!

Its their fault for a 'lemon' engine they should fix it, maybe ACA or TT should pick up this story to gloat them into action...

i just hope karma bites them back sooner or later...

Hi Speedz,

Just been reviewing some of Toyota's philosophy on the web regarding customer satisfaction. Interesting, I ask the public have any of these points below been incorporated in my case? Your thoughts!!!

> "Taking into account our responsibility to meet our customers' desires, we shall aim to provide value that exceeds customer expectations"

> "Working with a high sense of purpose, we shall, proactively and of our own self-initiative, seek personal growth and problem resolution"

> "We shall strive to maintain a professional state of mind that requires us to have a grasp of world-class, high-level specialized knowledge, technology and technical skills. We shall work with thoroughness at the actual location using actual materials (genchi genbutsu), and address all issues with frankness"

>"people are our greatest asset",

ACA or TT if they want a good story then here it is!!!! Its just a matter of time This story will get good exposure!!!

Regards,

Maba

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