ford1953jim

After waiting for 8 days, and not hearing from the customer relation's mgr, I called Toyota again. After the rep reviewed everything that had gone on, she asked if I really wanted to take my car back to that same dealer, and I said no. She opened up a new "call#" , and sent a msg to the customer relation's mgr at the other dealer in town, explaining what has gone on, and asking her to call me. I received a call the next day, and we setup an appointment to have the shaft replaced. I asked her to check and make sure one was in stock. She called back later, indicating they had one, and put it on hold for me. The next week, I took my car in to have the shaft replaced. When I checked in, the service advisor said his computer indicated a shaft wsa on hold for me, and the replacement would take 1.5-2 hrs. When I went to the waiting room, they had free coffee and pastries. The other dealership had a brand new building with a movie-like snack bar, selling a small cup of coffee for $1.05+tax! They replaced the shaft (I had marked the old one,so I know) in 2 hrs, and didn't try to sell me any other service. At the first dealership, after they had my car 1.5 hrs, the service advisor came up and wanted to sell me new tires(they had measured the depth of all of them), new wiper blades(they streaked the windshield because it had many bugs on it),and clean and adjust the rear brakes(self-adjusting drums), before starting anty work for the reported problem. Then she said all Toyota authorized was lubing the shaft. For your info, I didn't buy the car at either dealership. Interestingly, the TV ad for the first dealership always ends with" *dealer name*, THE NAME YOU CAN TRUST". I get upset everytime I see it! I have learned, it pays to call the Toyota 800 number in your warranty book , and complain about bad service. Jim

The customer relations manager from the dealership called me, and asked me what my problem was(like he didn't know after talking with Toyota). I told him that the rep from Toyota had said their position was to replace the shaft per the TSB, and I wanted it replaced, not just lubed. He said Toyota would have to authorize it, even though the TSB said it was covered under the 3yr-36,000 mile warranty, if the customer complained. I reminded him the Toyota rep said their position was to replace it per the TSB. He still said he would have to call Toyota to get it authorized, and, if they did, he would call me to make an appointment to bring it in. If Toyota did not authorize it, he would have them call me to tell me so. I don't understand why the Toyota rep would not have told him it was authorized, when he talked to him, since they told me their position was to replace it under the TSB.

After talking with the person at the Toyota customer assistance line, I was told it is Toyota's position to replace the shaft per the TSB. He opened a "call#", and said he would call the dealer. I should hear from the customer relations manager in 3-5 days.

I took my 2004 Camry in to the local dealer two days ago with this problem. I showed them a copy of the TSB, and said I wanted the shaft replaced under warranty (30394 miles on car) as the TSB indicated. After waiting 90 minutes, the service advisor came back with a list of other services she wanted to sell me: oil change, new wipers(left streaks because bugs on windshield), clean and adjust rear brakes(self-adjusting drums),and three new tires(they even had the tread depth). After declining, I was told that "TOYOTA" only authorized them to lube the sliding shaft, not replace it, and it would take one hour(they hadn't started yet. I protested, referencing the TSB, to no avail. They packed the split shaft with silicone grease, and the noise has gone away. I think it was to get me through the rest of the warranty. I will call Toyota to protest