Hi all,

Just want to warn anyone about using Oxnard Toyota. Took my runner to them for a 20k oil change, and noticed that for the next week I was loosing oil (at first didn't believe it was me!).

Finally looked underneath and found the oil pan drain plug covered in oil and dripping!.

Took it in and complained and they told me that there was an abnormal amount of residue from the oil change (still dripping after a week!!! dont think so).

They then told me that they had cleaned everything up (spraybrite) that they found no leaks and gave me the runner back. Took it away from the stealer and checked again. Found a nice new oil pan drain plug, and everything else still dirty

Question is, if they lied about the leak, is it to cover the technicians butt, or to get out of liability for negligent damage to the runner?

Maybe we should make a list of the good and bad dealerships to help stop other people having similar problems.

Mark

 

Do you really think the stealership is gonna tell you the truth?

 

The list is a good idea. add beaman toyota in nashville to the list of ˟˟˟˟ty places to have work done. body work at least. they lick balls

 

Lets list the good dealerships as well, haven't found one yet.

Got a service plan with my 4Runner at Capitol Toyota in San Jose and they are so-so. They keep trying to add extras I dont need and charge me for things that is sopposed to be included in maintenance plan.

 

OMG!!!! DOOD!!! Do you think you ran without a drainplug? i.e. NO OIL!!!! I would be down there at the dealership tossing around word like fraud, new engine deceit, new engine, concealment, new engine, lawyers, new engine.... Did I mention new engine?

 

Well it's tough since people have varying experiences and there aren't enough people for each dealership to get a good sample.

For example, I have had lousy experiences with Longo Toyota. I'll never waste my time there again. A tacoma owner that was waiting also said he was disappointed in the service. I have heard good and bad about Longo.

I have had a good experience with Symes Toyota in Pasadena. At least I can say they were honest and forthcoming with information from their service dept. so that is where I will go from now on.

I am wary of any service dept. and the only mechanic I truly trust is Beck Autotech in Pasadena on Walnut St.
He is one of those guys you can just pull in, throw him your keys and say "check it out and fix what's wrong". It sounds crazy but he is honest. He uses only OEM parts and will say "you don't need that or it's enough for now, don't spend too much money. Brakes are fine, they don't need replacing. Etc, etc"
Unfortunately, he is a Nissan specialist. I found him when I had my Nissan but as a customer, he works on my g/f's Accord (which he did a fantastic job on-of course) and will service my truck. I truly trust this guy 100%. He is one of the rare, good ones! He knows alot about Hondas, Toyotas, etc.
If anyone needs work done, PM me- he might take your Toyota.

 

CYA-Cover Your Ass, is the 1st thing they teach you in business especially anything automotive related

The dealership will mess up big time but they will never say they messed up, the tech probably never touched your truck, now an days all the Toy dealers have quick lube like shops for general oil changes so some kid probably changed your oil and made a mistake.

I would go back their and speak with the General Manager or whoever is the top guy incharge at the dealership, it's all in how you approach it, they don't want to loose customers, tell the service writers that you are getting the trucks underbody detailed and you want them to pay for it

Email Toyota, they will get it I have, then the dealer calls you

 

A dealer that has horrible service "Prestige Toyota" in Bergen County NJ their are a few Toy dealers with the Prestige name www.driveprestige.com minor things that should be done within an hour like I was told took 4-6 hours, getting their at 6:30am in the morning with a freakin appointment and getting the truck back at 12:30pm was complete BS.

My last straw with Prestige was when they scratched my rims and told me to deal with it and expect damage to your car everytime you bring it here.

Now Rockland Toyota www.rocklandtoyota.com I walk in around 4pm on a thursday they say no need for an appointment check my truck out and Im out of their in 40 minutes, place is awesome.

 

They tech probably left the drain plug loose or let oil drip everywhere from the filter removal. Stop being paranoid people. Leave the tin foil hats at home. Do any of you honestly think there's damage to the 4runner? What'd the tech do? Knock a hole in the block when his wrench slipped off the drainplug? Want a real solution? Change your own oil, do your own maintenance/repairs. The only way I ever got to being where I am was by performing tasks I wasn't qualified to do. I've noticed that as time went on and I performed more and more advanced jobs and I collected more tools, the tools I purchased almost always came out to be less than if I paid someone to do it. Now I have an awesome collection of tools, a lot of saved money, and the knowledge to fix ˟˟˟˟.

 

I've pretty much decided all the Toyota dealerships around me are pretty worthless. I have since found a guy who has an independent shop and he is now the only person besides myself that I will let touch my truck. He used to work for my father at a Honda dealership as well as a Lexus dealership and has pretty much worked on any car you can name. He tells me straight up if I need something or not, so I never have to worry if he is BS-ing me or not. Your best bet is to try to find an independent shop that you can trust and take it there. It's a shame that Toyota is one of the fastest growing car company's, but they have one of the lowest ranked customer satisfaction rating when it comes to service. Anyway good luck.

 

I have no trust in any dealership whatsoever.

 

To add to the list, Thousand Oaks Toyota - they managed to leave the oil filler cap off the engine, covering my Celica engine compartment with oil, and making lots of pretty smoke. They promised a complete engine detail, but when I picked it up they'd just replaced the engine oil cap!.... Made them do the detail that they promised, and have never seen them again. Friends tell me that Ventura Toyota has a bad reputation as well.

I'll try a Lexus dealer next time!

Is there any problem with warranty if we do the oil change ourselves?

Mark

 

No. All that you need is a record of having purchased the oil and filter. If you have at least two oil changes per year Toyota will gladly perform powertrain warranty repair. Any less than that and there will be some neogeotiating happening.

 

Yea, you need to find a good shop for some things, but oil is not one of them. You need the oil, the oil filter, a wrench, a bucket, and enough balls to- Holy crap! Lay on the ground!

Oil is something everybody should do on their own.

About dealerships- never been to one.

About dealerships fixing things- not gonna happen. I think I'm gonna be going to ProTrux from now on. Went today for an IFS frame brace, and they are the nicest guys, very helpful, and low prices. Although they wanted $35 labor to weld on the $45 brace. Not gonna happen.

 

Do you know there is any engine damage? Did you check the oil level before going back? If the oil level was still above the add mark, no damage. If it was not on the stick, probable damage.

 

GOOD

Metro Toyota of Kalamazoo,MI

-Called about scheduling on oil change, the said come in, it's "guaranteed show up and 30min or less". Tested it on my lunch hour when everyone and their brother runs errands and they were busy and sure enough, 30min

-They even honored a coupon I had from another dealer and warned me that my battery was about shot, and instead of pushing me to get it changed there, recommended that since I had just bought my Runner 2 months prior that I go to the dealer across town where I purchased my Runner to get it replaced for free.

-Also went to look at a used Runner at Metro before I bought mine across town and found out it was sold. Salesman politely asked me if he could help me find another vehicle that suited my needs and when I declined he simply gave me his card and welcomed me to stop in again if I changed my mind.

Pretty good I thought, I'll take my Runner there for service everytime #1 for the treatment, #2 it's close.

 

Well, I have great faith in my local dealership as I have gotten to know them. The parts guys are on the ball and the service manager makes sure things get done right. I have had nothing but complete cooperation and I have inspected things before and after to make sure they were getting done on both my vehicles.

They have recently serviced my power door on my Sienna which was technically out of warranty but at their expense, it wouldn't close properly due to the contacts just being worn out from use, although they shouldn't have been worn out. Saved me $300 and lots of nagging from the wife unit.

They do all the routine maintenance on both my vehicles, including oil changes etc.

I think the key here gals and gents is taking the time and the effort to have a relationship with the folks that work on your vehicle, or anything you own for that matter. I'm not saying have them over for Sunday dinner, but at least treat them with some respect, get to know them by name, and it may sound simple but just be NICE and PLEASANT and let them do their job. Don't go in there with your underwear up your crack and then expect them to be nice to you in return. The old addage is true, treat others as you would have them treat you. It is amazing how you being nice to someone else will come full circle.

I am very happy with my local dealer.

 

I'll second that!! [offtopic rant] I've gotten to a point where I don't trust outside labor much at all. I've owned my home for a little over 5 years, and I've haven't found a reliable hired 'professional' for any of the small jobs I've had done. And the few I have hired were highly recommended by friends/colleagues. I've never been completely satisfied with anything they did. The last straw was with my new kitchen floor install. Two different installers screwed up a porcelain floor install over a 2 year period. After much complaining and contacting the Better Business Bureau, I was eventually completely reimbursed, plus compensated to hire a third party to rip out the floor and start over.

No way. I pocketed the money for the demo and removed the floor myself and re-installed it. No problems since. Plus I made money on the deal. While removing the floor I discovered why the 'professional' installers failed twice. A couple words to keep a very long story short: "non-standard subfloor installation" to cut corners. [/offtopic rant]

Only a select few will ever touch my ride. And only for the things that are beyond my abilities...

 

I have had very good service from my local dealer. It is Ramey Toyota in West Virginia. They have always been good to work with me and have always made things right. They even balanced the tires on my tacoma and covered it under warrenty when another shop screwed it up. The other shop is known for their balance and alignments but after the second time I just let the dealer do it and it came out perfect. Of course I have known the service manager and the sales manager since high school.
I guess it does help to know people sometimes.

 

Sounds like Brian and I have very similar dealerships. I love my dealer, I'm going by there after class to get some parts as a matter of fact. I know the parts guys really well and my uncle rode motorcycles for 2 years with the service manager.

Landers Toyota North should be on the good list, its in Arkansas so most of you have no idea who that is...but the few of you on here that DO live in Fayetteville should trust this dealer. They are great people!

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