Condenser struck by (something) Toyota will not replace under warranty

[Will721]

Pedestrian impact requirements have shaped the design of vehicle fronts. Fronts are designed to give way to some extent for low speed pedestrian contacts. That why there is so much empty space between the grill and radiator. It's also why some of the materials seem "flimsy" and held to together by plastic clips. They are literally designed to break and give way. It's not about being "cheap". Once you get past that though, modern vehicles are actually things of wonder in actual crashes. Modern vehicles save lives everyday.....at the vehicle's expense though.

Known in the industry as the 5mph rule, from a low speed test which required vehicles to be able to be able to "bump" eachother without damage. Its why older vehicles from the 70s added the rubber bumperettes.

Fun fact, the reason we don't have pop up headlights anymore is due to pedestrian protection laws.

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[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/nhtsa-proposes-new-vehicle-safety-standard-protect-pedestrians

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

Known in the industry as the 5mph rule, from a low speed test which required vehicles to be able to be able to "bump" eachother without damage. Its why older vehicles from the 70s added the rubber bumperettes.

Fun fact, the reason we don't have pop up headlights anymore is due to pedestrian protection laws.

Except the "5 mph test" was implemented to help reduce low speed vehicular impact damage, vehicle to vehicle and used only energy absorbing bumpers.

Pedestrian impact involves the design and material use of nearly the entire front end for everything in front of the "crash bar" (metal bumper behind the bumper cover).

By the way, you have to be of a certain age to remember the "5 mph test".

Oh wait.....I remember the 5 mph test.

 

[Lando]

This is the type of thinking that will one day get the excellent return policy at Costco revoked. I know people that return products they break as a defect.
Today’s complex society has different levels of what people think they are entitled to receive but from a manufacturer point of view this is no different from a rock hitting your windshield and cracking it.

 

[Will721]

Except the "5 mph test" was implemented to help reduce low speed vehicular impact damage, vehicle to vehicle and used only energy absorbing bumpers.

Pedestrian impact involves the design and material use of nearly the entire front end for everything in front of the "crash bar" (metal bumper behind the bumper cover).

By the way, you have to be of a certain age to remember the "5 mph test".

Oh wait.....I remember the 5 mph test.

Then you'll be surprised to hear that I am the "ripe old age", of 34. Suck it old man!

 

[oxi]

Wow, I sure feel sorry for the dealership that has to deal with you as a customer. So your logic, move the support over, so it would block the opening where a stone went through your condenser to have an alternate spot open for a stone to hit it. Clearly you simply don’t understand how AC works and thermo dynamics. Do some reading on it.

They designed it, not me.

If the customer has to resort to chicken wire on a new model, that tells you something.

I have driven Toyota trucks for decades and raced with Toyota back in the day down in Baja, please do not lecture me about these trucks.

 

[oxi]

Idk man, I get that it's a shitty situation, but it's not a design flaw, it happens on other vehicles too. Re: the upgrades .. If you didn't want to upgrade those things at a fraction of the cost like you did then you could have purchased the Pro and had them off the lot (skid, hooks etc). This was honestly just irritating to read. I pretty much despise dealers, but I feel bad for the service center having to deal with this BS.

So, catching them on camera talking about defrauding the customer and not being thoural is ok with you? Nice to know...

Same issue would happen with the TRD Pro, but my Camry would not have suffered this same fate.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

Then you'll be surprised to hear that I am the "ripe old age", of 34. Suck it old man!

 

[Sner]

They designed it, not me.

If the customer has to resort to chicken wire on a new model, that tells you something.

I have driven Toyota trucks for decades and raced with Toyota back in the day down in Baja, please do not lecture me about these trucks.

All. Cars. Have. Big. Openings. For. AC Cooling. Driving Baja has nothing to do with anything. I’m not lecturing you on these trucks, I’m lecturing you on AC operation and thermodynamics. Like I said, feel so sorry for the dealer’s service department. Yes it sucks, but this sort of thing can happen on any car at anytime. Designing or Covering an AC condenser would render the AC inoperative.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

So, catching them on camera talking about defrauding the customer and not being thoural is ok with you? Nice to know...

Defrauding ? Brother, you literally just told us all that you committed insurance fraud to receive compensation for this

And no, I'm not saying that behavior by the techs is ok. There's a reason I don't get work done at a dealer.

What I am saying is that you are being unreasonable and I would hate to do deal with you as a customer.

 

[oxi]

Defrauding ? Brother, you literally just told us all that you committed insurance fraud to receive compensation for this

And no, I'm not saying that behavior by the techs is ok. There's a reason I don't get work done at a dealer.

What I am saying is that you are being unreasonable and I would hate to do deal with you as a customer.

Seriously, do you people know how the world works?

I had to make up an "accident" with my insurance company to get the "claim" filed because Toyota would not stand with its customer base. We picked a date, road I was on and time of day to get the "claim" started.

That is why I got upset that Toyota dealer and corporate would not lift a finger. That was the basis of my argument to avoid footing a over $3k bill on a new truck with full warranty to 100,000 miles when I had no knowledge it happened in the first place.

My wife who deals with angry customers daily said it really sucked that Toyota could do nothing for me, I mean nothing!

Through my responses, I got the over $230 diagnostic fee waived when the dealer files with my insurance company final bill. The manager worked with me on that note, understanding my frustration.

You can side with too big to fail companies not lifting a finger all you want. But when I see something where the company could assist on something as a legacy customer like myself for something I had no idea happen and do not lift a finger shows bad customer service altogether.

That is how you lose your customer base. Hint, hint, it took a class action lawsuit from folks like myself complaining to get Toyota to admit their frames were bad. You guys would side with Toyota early on blaming the salting and not washing your truck as the customer being guilty right off the bat.

I am sure Toyota would blame the drivers for the Tundra engine issue until more complained to force the TSB or recall likewise.

Sometimes you have to argue back, and they may listen.

 

[oxi]

All. Cars. Have. Big. Openings. For. AC Cooling. Driving Baja has nothing to do with anything. I’m not lecturing you on these trucks, I’m lecturing you on AC operation and thermodynamics. Like I said, feel so sorry for the dealer’s service department. Yes it sucks, but this sort of thing can happen on any car at anytime. Designing or Covering an AC condenser would render the AC inoperative.

In Baja we had trophy trucks kick dirt and rocks into my 86 Toyota front, no issues whatsoever with stock radiator placement up front. No breaking shock bodies or mounts, tie-rod ends, axle shafts, nothing.

 

[Sner]

In Baja we had trophy trucks kick dirt and rocks into my 86 Toyota front, no issues whatsoever with stock radiator placement up front. No breaking shock bodies or mounts, tie-rod ends, axle shafts, nothing.

Don’t understand - what does all have to do with your AC condenser issue?

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