So, I just heard from my co-worker that his engine seized yesterday on his 2003 Rav4 4WD. He's brought brand new and all the fluids and everything have always been changed on time and the car was in perfect working order when it happened. Took it to his mechanic and all the fluids are perfect. He's got a quote for $10k for a new engine! I feel horrible for him, does anybody have any suggestions? Where to get a cheaper engine?

 

warranty still in effect?

 

What happened? Did his oil pump go bad or something?

 

I'd say he should actually go after Toyota. That would be my first action. If I could prove that the fluids had been changed regularly and there was really no fathomable reason why the engine seized, I'd go after Toyota.
Did they purchase an extended warranty?

The dealer is ALWAYS more expensive. Do a search online. Car-part.com comes immediately to mind. A quick search yielded a low mileage 1AZ-FE for $2500.

 

if something went bad like that they should inspect why...it doesn't seem it was the fault of your friend and maybe a faulty somehting in there that caused it...just a shot in the dark, i have no idea how stuff like this works, but it seems that he/she could argue that something in there that caused it to sieze at such an early stage in it's life is because of something that was because of something not being up to par...e.g. oil pump...my 2 cents...

 

if it was serviced at the dealer there is a VERY good chance of getting some goodwill assistance from toyota,if not then their likely on their own

 

Unless they have an extended warranty, then no, Toyota warranty for that 6 year or sixty thousand miles, what ever comes first.

 

http://www.orientengine.com/toyotaprice.html

Under 3 grand for a rebuild with a 3 year unlimited mile warranty

 

Im sorry but what reasoning or ground to stand on would he have to go after toyota? If its out of warrenty regardless of how well or horribly he took care of it, toyota shouldnt be held responsible, yes thats pretty bad build quality on his if every service interval was followed but stuff like this happens every month to every manufactuar (spelling) and they arent held liable

 

redlobster you are right.however if it was serviced at the dealer.the dealer could ask for goodwill assistance & depending on dealer relations very possibly could get some goodwill assistance.i am a dealer service manager.about a year ago or so we had a 98 4runner with about 70k miles break a rod bolt.customer took very good care of the truck-no reason for bolt to break-toyota paid for a rebuilt short block for it.he was only out labor.it was still a pretty hefty bill but the main thing is toyota helped substantially-now if that same 4runner had been serviced somewhere else & had the same problem no way in h*** would they have helped. alot of folks need to keep things like that in mind when referring to the "stealership"

 

Yeah, he doesn't have a warranty and he can't go after Toyota. I got a little more out of the story today, he says he went about 10,000 pas an oil change. But still, that seems unreasonable, true?

 

Nope. I've heard those engines have "sludging" issues. That being said, if the oil sludged and certain places didn't get oil, then it would likely cause a seizure.

redlobster- (mmm...tasty shrimp)
I agree with you. And I can also see your side having re-read my post. I have heard cases (such as the one posted above) where Toyota will pay for the engine, but not the labor. But that was only after the owner has to prove extensively that the dealer did all the scheduled maintenance on time. Going by the first post, I assumed all maintenance was done on time. But, going by the most recent post before mine, maintenance was not done in a timely manner Consequently, I would revise my previous statement and say "The owner is up sh** creek and on their own."