Mr Lee

Yep,

Definitely not owning a Toyota ever again. They used to be 'peoples cars' and 'affordable'

Glad you got it sorted !

Cheers

1 hour ago, Sunsett said:

Our ZR6 RAV has developed this water pump noise.  I was advised there is two noises, water pump $1800 and timing chain tensioner $700 from my dealer.  When I said I might shop around they presented a $50 inspection fee.  They quoted they will have to drop the motor etc.  I spoke to a private guy who reckons he can have a crack for about $500.  I don't think his $500 is realistic when he gets started but it has to be a hell of a long way from $1800.  Thanks for the post.

Any chance you're in Adelaide? I have a reliable mechanic now who will most certainly give you the right diagnosis at the best price. 

Also drove my mates 2016 Kluger built in the US recently. I didn;t want to burst his bubble but they narrowed the car to make it longer... was not a nice drive - but by then the brand (for me) was tarnished

Please do yourself a favour...

Stay far away from the Kluger !

I owned the 2013 Altitude and then the 2008 Kluger Grande. These cars are terribly built.

Had issues with:

• intermediate steering shaft (check posts on here) - Many attempts to get Toyota to repair under TSB - they refused !
• Diff / transfer case whine at 60km/h
• Water pump went on the 2008 Kluger - cost almost $2000
• Aircon issue - passenger side blows warm air (common)
• FUEL - it drinks !
• Bad turning circle - like driving a truck
• Servicing and repairs at Toyota Stealership was unexpectedly costly for a Toyota.

Read some of the posts here - the best feeling was when I got rid of it (a.k.a sold it)

Most of my cars have been Toyota's and they were generally reliable but after the Kluger - no more !

I now enjoy the 4.0L Barra straight 6 in the 2006 Territory 7 seater - it still drinks but a much better drive and cheaper to have repaired.

Other cars are Mazda 6 Lux Sport and AWD Subaru Forester Wagon (even sold the RAV4 to get clean away from the Toyota brand)

The build quality of these 3 vehicles display how much more car you get for less than you would pay for a Toyota...

Hope this helps mate ! Wouldn't want you to go through the stress of driving a Kluger - like i did !

38 minutes ago, Milo 10 said:

 

The knock is still there, so I'm going to Toyota this week. Wish me luck!

Is this problem still wide-spread or have people just given up on reporting it?

Milo

I gave up trying...and sold the Kluger... with it's wide turning circle | terrible fuel economy | Steering Clunk | Diff / trans whine | huge cost to replace water pump | and the list goes on !

I now have no toyotas.. after selling the RAV too...

Sold !

never again Toyota!

Mine is on 242K and they totally refused to do it.

7 minutes ago, jimmymak said:

i finally got Pakenham Toyota to fix my steering shaft yesterday and it took only 1 and half hr to finish.

I noticed the steering is a bit stiffer than before and felt more solid and the clunking has gone disappeared and the handling is feel more firm than before.

The best thing was, it cost me $0 to get it fixed.

Congrats,,,What km is your Kluger on?

Thanks John,

The guy from CMI SA gave me Toyota AU's number. I am going to call them and mention that I am tired of the run-around. A $50K vehicle and they fuss about a $500 repair?

I'll probably take you up on copies of invoices etc.

Toyota, OH WHAT A FEELING!

We know what feelings we get

My son's older Subaru Forester feels better to drive !

Request denied by Toyota AU

Thanks John,

Seems I should contact Toyota In SA to get a proper answer as the call centres have no authority.

@jimmymak

Thanks..

I did try and put pressure on Toyota AU but no dice..Emailed the dealer this morning - still no reply.

I did call Toyota Customer Experience Centre though... wonder if there is another more direct contact...

Anyone?

Hi John,

The dealer gave me the warranty prior approval number which I used to contact Toyota Australia, they refused to pay for the entire repair due to the km's.

I just emailed the same dealer now for the cost in writing. I am going to try emailing another dealer to check the result.

I wanna keep the Kluger as it is still a good family car but want to sort out the niggly's:

* Steering Clunk

* Transfer Case Whine

* Rack Ends

* Shock Abosrbers (Maybe)

* and finally new tyres

Then I'm good for a number of years

Lee

@jimmymak,

What km's has your Kluger done? Is it still under warranty?

This clunk is too annoying and still don't feel it's fair to pay $$ for a lack of quality issue

Cheers

Well, apprently the new 2.8L engine needs to work hard to keep the car moving. And still more pricey than Isuzu Mu-X. The Ford Everest.......

So I told them that will contact the ACCC and they basically told me where to shove it !

It's wrong that companies like these can get away with covering issues in Australia

Hi All,

So I took my car to the dealer who had it inspected under TNF 06/13. They confirmed that the issue to be the intermediate steering shaft.

The dealer requested repair approval for costs from Toyota; the response was that they will pay $200 of the $800 cost to repair due to vehicle mileage.

I have driven some really old vehicles in my day (with several other issues) but never a steering noise like this. I am pursuing this further.

...And to think I was considering buying the new Fortuner ... Catch a wake up Toyota!

../edited .. corrected spelling and grammar

That's typical toyota ! Sometimes a bit of haggling can get you the navi thrown in but not often.

Is a bit pricey and there are options from other brands that (same say) have more presence.

Gonna be a game of wait and see. Hopefully the build quality is better and more reliable than the Kluger

Hi All,

Finally, the Toyota Fortuner is arriving in AU. The car is only in Diesel 2.8L 4 cylinder with 7.6L/100km.

Now that coupled with true offroad and stylish design is what a Kluger should have been. This car has been in South Africa for years and exceptional value. When I asked Toyota last year if this was arriving; they had no knowledge of this news.

Will you upgrade to the new Fortuner?

http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-toyota-fortuner-review-first-drive-36436

Hi Trent,

I think I mean't to say lifters...does the engine have those?

Cheers

M

Hi All,

My Kluger rockers are noisy on startup in the morning. It's worse when it is cold. I drive really slow until the engine warms and oils circulates, then all is well.

What can be done to alleviate this i.e. better quality / synthentic oils?

Cheers

M

Add this to the list of Intermediate Steering Shaft and the infamous whine at 60kmh and you have a car worth getting rid of as soon as you can. Suspension and turning circle as amazing though ! *not*

Hi All,

Am still looking at options for replacing the Grande factory GPS with a more current model. The Maps are way out of date and the technology is too old. Mostly I need A2DP Bluetooth music.

This one seems to be the best http://goo.gl/5gN5qI

without having to change the hazard switch.

Just edging on whether to take the plunge...

Btw. its also Android OS so that's a plus ( similar on ebay are the $600+ mark)

Thoughts...?

Cheers

M

Do you have Auto open / close tail gate?

The Grande has automatic(electronic) motor drive open / close tailgate so it could be the wiring loom for that.

Cheers

For anyone visiting this topic regarding the ruptured oil line; I have had mine replaced with a metal line (out of warranty) at no cost. The guy said that there is a factory recall so you should not be paying for the replacement. If you need the recall number PM me.

Cheers

I did the replacement myself but I bought the parts from toyota. Wondering if they do reimbursement. If you can send over that recall number please. Thanks

I have it at home; its shows on the service invoice.

I will reply later tonight.