Warranty issues with “mods” + fresh new recall woes

[JustAnotherDingus]

Hey y’all!


how do you guys interface with Toyota over warranty claims? if they’re giving you crap about “mods”

I’m dealing with an internal computer freakout on my trailhunter rn (anybody who has a fourth gen Tacoma needs to look up the new recall ASAP because I’m pretty sure that’s what befell me.) basically it’s a giant stinky computer glitch involving whatever ECU is controlling the digital cluster. I’ve lost headlight functionality, windshield wiper functionality, I can’t open my tailgate, my fuel gauge isn’t updating, I can’t see my RPMs , and my digital rearview camera is flickering like it’s at a rave. It also is giving me warnings about whatever the safety sense start up thing is, but I can’t remember what Toyota’s official name for that is on the top of my head

*EDIT* I just remember. It’s the drive control malfunction. That’s the one.

But

the service advisors at this dealership are giving me some shit about “mods” that I don’t think they’re allowed to do, but I’m not entirely sure. They’re refusing to look at my rearview camera for the digital mirror because I relocated it… ages ago. So I could see behind my shell.

But the software glitch that freaked it out freaked out my entire computer… So the issue is probably in the cab of the truck not at the end of the basically extension cord I plugged it into? I’m just curious how you guys have dealt with this with Toyota before….? Surely they’re allowed/obligated to look at all the cables buried in the headliner for that and make sure they’re OK right? My understanding is they can only deny warranty related work if they can prove your modification caused it? But also, I understand why they wouldn’t want to physically touch the camera and its new location, but that shouldn’t prevent them from running diagnostics on the rest of it…?

I’m trying to figure out if my dealership just sucks and I need to go somewhere else or if they actually aren’t allowed to touch that?

They’re also giving me shit because allegedly “carpet in my bed is blocking my tailgate sensor” which makes zero sense because that also malfunctioned when the computer glitched. And idk how a trunk sensor can be blocked if the tailgate is closed properly? I have some drawers back there but again HOW would they cause that? When I asked for a photo or explanation over the phone, they genuinely provided me with neither and just repeated themselves, which was very unhelpful.

They seem to be working on fixing the actual gauge cluster, but they’re giving me crap about everything else and I’m trying to figure out what my rights are basically.

So fun.

I’m near LA if that helps?

thx in advance! And holy crap go get this recall checked out guys because it appears to be a DOOZY.

I will say I’m still absolutely loving the bejesus out of this truck otherwise. It’s been mechanically flawless. I literally picked a trailhunter trim to not mod it (sigh) so I could get a warranty for software stuff like this and they’re still giving me guff. Gah.

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[maxx075]

Hey y’all!


how do you guys interface with Toyota over warranty claims? if they’re giving you crap about “mods”

I’m dealing with an internal computer freakout on my trailhunter rn (anybody who has a fourth gen Tacoma needs to look up the new recall ASAP because I’m pretty sure that’s what befell me.) basically it’s a giant stinky computer glitch involving whatever ECU is controlling the digital cluster. I’ve lost headlight functionality, windshield wiper functionality, I can’t open my tailgate, my fuel gauge isn’t updating, I can’t see my RPMs , and my digital rearview camera is flickering like it’s at a rave. It also is giving me warnings about whatever the safety sense start up thing is, but I can’t remember what Toyota’s official name for that is on the top of my head

*EDIT* I just remember. It’s the drive control malfunction. That’s the one.

But

the service advisors at this dealership are giving me some shit about “mods” that I don’t think they’re allowed to do, but I’m not entirely sure. They’re refusing to look at my rearview camera for the digital mirror because I relocated it… ages ago. So I could see behind my shell.

But the software glitch that freaked it out freaked out my entire computer… So the issue is probably in the cab of the truck not at the end of the basically extension cord I plugged it into? I’m just curious how you guys have dealt with this with Toyota before….? Surely they’re allowed/obligated to look at all the cables buried in the headliner for that and make sure they’re OK right? My understanding is they can only deny warranty related work if they can prove your modification caused it? But also, I understand why they wouldn’t want to physically touch the camera and its new location, but that shouldn’t prevent them from running diagnostics on the rest of it…?

I’m trying to figure out if my dealership just sucks and I need to go somewhere else or if they actually aren’t allowed to touch that?

They’re also giving me shit because allegedly “carpet in my bed is blocking my tailgate sensor” which makes zero sense because that also malfunctioned when the computer glitched. And idk how a trunk sensor can be blocked if the tailgate is closed properly? I have some drawers back there but again HOW would they cause that? When I asked for a photo or explanation over the phone, they genuinely provided me with neither and just repeated themselves, which was very unhelpful.

They seem to be working on fixing the actual gauge cluster, but they’re giving me crap about everything else and I’m trying to figure out what my rights are basically.

So fun.

I’m near LA if that helps?

thx in advance! And holy crap go get this recall checked out guys because it appears to be a DOOZY.

I will say I’m still absolutely loving the bejesus out of this truck otherwise. It’s been mechanically flawless. I literally picked a trailhunter trim to not mod it (sigh) so I could get a warranty for software stuff like this and they’re still giving me guff. Gah.

Despite all the bad information out there, it is pretty cut and dry because there is federal law on the matter. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) regulates warranties and protects the consumer. This legislation was enacted in 1975 in response to widespread deceptive warranty practices in many industries. Here is how SEMA summarizes things:

The essence of the law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle maker's brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part: No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name... (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

Despite all the bad information out there, it is pretty cut and dry because there is federal law on the matter. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) regulates warranties and protects the consumer. This legislation was enacted in 1975 in response to widespread deceptive warranty practices in many industries. Here is how SEMA summarizes things:

Thank you this is very helpful! I couldn’t remember the name of the law.

I guess I can show up later today and just read this to them lol. That’ll be fun. But this does validate that they definitely should check and make sure all my cables for my camera are properly insulated in the cab and haven’t shorted out, at least I think so. Same with the tailgate thing.

Anyone have any good dealer recs near LA (east side) that uh… are easier to work with?

 

[gasgasman]

The diag will be on your dime. The dealership has no clue what type of wiring you used and how it was ran.

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

The diag will be on your dime. The dealership has no clue what type of wiring you used and how it was ran.

That’s totally okay honestly. I’d still like them to check it out. I’m happy to explain it to them and everything (it’s literally one cable acting like an extension cord so it’s really simple!) but they’re kind of just holding up their hands and saying no which is unfortunate. I guess for that one, fair.

They’re now trying to imply that my headlights broke because of “outside influence” because I guess water got in during the rain storm and they shorted out? Idk. Apparently there is “impact” on them but when I asked for details I got nothing :/ I think theyre going to get a pic for me because I’d like that explained in detail. Hopefully I get some more info soon. I don’t know what I possibly could’ve done to crack my headlights that are less than a year old? This seems like the plastic housing had a factory defect and cracked because of the pressure and temperature changes, but who knows. Ugh. This is not fun

 

[bitflogger]

Thank you this is very helpful! I couldn’t remember the name of the law.

I guess I can show up later today and just read this to them lol. That’ll be fun. But this does validate that they definitely should check and make sure all my cables for my camera are properly insulated in the cab and haven’t shorted out, at least I think so. Same with the tailgate thing.

Anyone have any good dealer recs near LA (east side) that uh… are easier to work with?

For service I search out the Toyota dealers with the "president's award". The one in my home market area that's achieved that for a long time doesn't seem prone to getting a lot of common complaints. They're also not cheapest for sales or service, and follow the book.

For all services work I take a "How can I help you solve this?", "How can I make your day better.", "What else do you think we can do to help this situation?" sort of approach even if I might be frustrated and grumpy. Always act so you are not the person someone providing services wants to avoid.

I know the federal law and some state laws for warranties. Also, I've had jobs where warrant reimbursement is part of it, and am retiring responsible for all technology and business continuity in an enterprise so know the grey area when someone does a modification or where a problem is outside of warranty terms. Being friendly helps no matter what.

What you describe does seem like a dealer will likely have some labor not typically reimbursed with warranty. Also, like it is beyond the scope of the 25V595 recall for display. Definitely a situation where you could be assessed some diagnostics costs and where you would not want the dealer to be frustrated with you.

 

[goin2drt]

So can you not just remove the camera extension cord and put back to normal? Go get everything fixed and then put back or did you actually cut/splice wires?

 

[MNTBKR]

Man, sorry you are having to deal with this. I'm my situation I also don't care to deal with my dealership. So here's what happen to me. Over the summer I installed new wheels (17x9 +20) and tires (285/79 17) a set up that's common in the Tacoma community. I also installed a leveling kit (1.5") well all that threw off the driving assist sensors. They blamed it on the larger tires. I ended up paying for 3 hours of labor for them to recalibrate the ADASS. I tried to get it lumped in with the blind spot recall but they wouldn't budge. In the end I ended up paying for it because in part I choose to put the parts and also I wanted to have access to all the driving aids. I understand we should have the choice to modify our vehicles without facing backlash from the manufacturer, but I also understand that when I decided to modify my truck that I'm taking a risk of things going sideways. Good luck dealing with the dealer, I know personally I find pulling nurse hairs with a tweezer a more pleasurable experience.

 

[Vidman]

I have had great luck at getting warranty work done with modified Toyotas. I had a gen 2 taco with a 3 inch lift multiple lights and aftermarket bumpers. They changed all four wheel bearings for me with no questions asked.. I also had my 2016 tundra with a 6 inch lift and 37s that I broke a right side axle shaft and they mentioned that I had the lift on it but said they would warranty it. Been very happy with my dealer so far. I purchased my trailhunter from a different dealer in Connecticut and have had no problems as of yet with warranty work with the truck from the dealer that has performed the warranty work on the other vehicles. I will be sticking with my normal dealer..

 

[rijc99]

Cross Tustin off your list of dealers to try. I’ve heard Cabe in Long Beach is decent for modded trucks.

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