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

[oxi]

Maybe a rock or large bug struck the A/C condenser, and it leaked over time not to my knowledge until wife wanted to run the A/C.

Toyota dealer stated warranty claim rejected and same with corporate customer service. They told me to file an "accident" claim with insurance to cover the over $3k repair bill.

Not happy will full coverage 10 years, 100k miles and Toyota refuses to stand by product at no fault of my own. Add replacing the gearbox at 15k miles due to faulty design, this is by far the worst new Toyota I have ever owned.

Makes me re-think Toyota's reputation, durability and future new vehicles for me when they cannot assist. Not happy, may consider leaving Toyota products in the future. Or very soon...

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[Will721]

Look Im not loyal to Toyota in the least. Infact I own everything from Dodge, to Toyota, MG, International, and Plymouth.

I don't know where you get the idea that warranty means it covers accidents or acts of god. If you buy a new TV and drop it, does Sony foot the bill? Sit on your phone and crack the screen, does Samsung pay for that too? How about if a hurricane dropped a tree on your lawnmower? Does that fall back on Cub Cadet?

I get it, it isn't your fault. But its not their fault, nor is it a design flaw. If there was grating there a small enough rock will still make it through. The cooling pack needs air flow. You just had a stroke of bad luck, that is all. The gearbox is an understandable frustration but this is outright ridiculous. If lightning struck the damn thing would you expect Toyota to cover that too? What about flood damage? A Tornado? That's what auto insurance is for, not the manufacturer.

Just an FYI, no manufacturer covers acts of god or accidents. A coworker had his parking sensor smoked by a rock on his Chevrolet and guess what, they didn't cover that either.

 

[Mercedes]

Sorry that happened. It's not just Toyota. No manufacturer will warranty for accidents.

Not to make light of the situation, but it's no different than if the projectile aimed higher and cracked the windshield or chipped the paint. Unfortunately, it ended up in the condenser instead.

 

[NoSlushbox4Me]

I understand this frustration. I had 2 prior vehicles take road debris hits to the AC condenser within the first 6 months of owning each. I don't know why manufacturers don't put some sort of protective screen in front. It's an expensive repair to have to make.

 

[redlimitediforcemax]

The transmission was covered because of a known defect; that's on toyota. rock debris striking the condenser is not considered warranty work. Just like windshield cracks from rock debris you pay your insurance deductible to have it replaced so to me your issue sounds more like an insurance claim.

 

[aaudiholic]

Where do you live that doesn’t require constant use of AC to reduce humidity or heat?

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

Judging by the amount of bugs on the condenser, you do a lot of highway driving. Things like this are unfortunate side-effect of high speed driving.

Sorry OP, I know you're frustrated. But Toyota looks at this the same way they would a kid hitting your headlight with a hammer. No warranty coverage for that.

 

[lpsoldia311]

Where was the leak from? I see a few bends and dent marks in the cooling fins but nothing that would lead to a leak from the cooling tubes. If it really was from those little dings that's wild, I've seen way worse damage on nearly all my vehicles. I might have to put up a stainless steel mesh on the valance similar to the factory skid on the 5th gen 4runners.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I get the frustration of accidental damage for sure, but this is 100% just that. File a claim with your insurance company and pay the deductible. Moving through the world is annoying sometimes.

I just saw this post. Maybe those will help in the future.

 

[MJB4450]

Thanks to anti-consumer, pro government meddling regulations that on one hand require pie in the sky "I just pulled a number out my butt" mpg standards that necessitate lighter vehicles and the contradictory regulations requiring a lot of weight be added with mandated nanny systems, no manufacturer is making a tank like they used to. Everything is light duty now.

When I was extensively researching small and mid size trucks, since none of them really impressed me, I was on several other brand's Forums. You should see all the complaints about the Santa Cruz's cheap radiator that apparently can be put out of commission by a medium sized gnat. The owners on that Forum have take to rigging screening material in front of their radiators and there's even a company that makes them.

I also bought this first Toyota based upon the Fan Boys always talking about their durability and because the Tacoma looked like the best one offered these days. I also am disappointed at the quality of some things.

As far as your wanting Toyota to cover the bill, unless you can prove a defect like a leak at a weld or seam, it ain't gonna happen with Toyota or any other brand. You didn't state WHERE the leak was. Might be worth checking into. And $3k sound wayyyy too high. Yes, it's not your fault. But lacking a defect in manufacturing, it's not Toyota's fault either. Blame the people who voted for the folks who made the manufacturers answer to government rather then their customers. If there were no CAFE standards the manufacturers would still be making heavy duty parts or the consumers would go to another brand.

 

[oxi]

Look Im not loyal to Toyota in the least. Infact I own everything from Dodge, to Toyota, MG, International, and Plymouth.

I don't know where you get the idea that warranty means it covers accidents or acts of god. If you buy a new TV and drop it, does Sony foot the bill? Sit on your phone and crack the screen, does Samsung pay for that too? How about if a hurricane dropped a tree on your lawnmower? Does that fall back on Cub Cadet?

I get it, it isn't your fault. But its not their fault, nor is it a design flaw. If there was grating there a small enough rock will still make it through. The cooling pack needs air flow. You just had a stroke of bad luck, that is all. The gearbox is an understandable frustration but this is outright ridiculous. If lightning struck the damn thing would you expect Toyota to cover that too? What about flood damage? A Tornado? That's what auto insurance is for, not the manufacturer.

Just an FYI, no manufacturer covers acts of god or accidents. A coworker had his parking sensor smoked by a rock on his Chevrolet and guess what, they didn't cover that either.

I did not design the front bumper, grill and air inlets, they did.

 

[oxi]

Where do you live that doesn’t require constant use of AC to reduce humidity or heat?

Central Wisconsin.

Have 4 windows, they do wonders...

 

[oxi]

Judging by the amount of bugs on the condenser, you do a lot of highway driving. Things like this are unfortunate side-effect of high speed driving.

Sorry OP, I know you're frustrated. But Toyota looks at this the same way they would a kid hitting your headlight with a hammer. No warranty coverage for that.

Actually, it is the time of day. I am on the road between 330am to 430am to start my daily serfdom, so plenty of bugs out in that time.

Less bugs in the afternoon.

 

[oxi]

Where was the leak from? I see a few bends and dent marks in the cooling fins but nothing that would lead to a leak from the cooling tubes. If it really was from those little dings that's wild, I've seen way worse damage on nearly all my vehicles. I might have to put up a stainless steel mesh on the valance similar to the factory skid on the 5th gen 4runners.

Tech and service manager said a small pin hole leaked out all of the freon over time.

Right now the condenser is empty.

 

[oxi]

I get the frustration of accidental damage for sure, but this is 100% just that. File a claim with your insurance company and pay the deductible. Moving through the world is annoying sometimes.

I just saw this post. Maybe those will help in the future.

My 2010 SR5 had skid plate up the front and even chicken wire up there.

But that was my BOTT, this 2024 truck looks too good to mess up the front with a desert type front bumper.

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