Service appointment for recall - BIG WASTE OF MY TIME!

Hi everyone,

I have an almost new 2108 Tundra 1794 which I just purchased in November 2018. This truck is my pride and joy.

Anyway, I booked my first service appointment at my local Toyota dealership, Brantford Toyota, two weeks ago. Today was the appointment. I was really hoping that this would be the start of a long and positive relationship, but unfortunately my first experience was not good.

I was told that there were two recalls that they could take care of in a 2 hour window and I took 3 hours out of my busy work day to make this appointment happen. I dropped off the truck, and they said everything was in order. When I returned to pick up my truck, I was told they didn't have the parts for one of the recalls and that I would need to come back. There was no mention of this even being a possibility until I came to pick it up. A simple heads up when I booked the appointment would have prevented the issue, but it was clear the service rep had not done his homework in this case.

In my mind, this is complete disregard for my time as a customer. Surely they would know the part(s) they need based on my VIN which I provided two weeks ago?

I have heard rumors about Toyota recalls but I honestly expected better than this. Is this typical for Toyota or was my service adviser just incompetent?

Thank you in advance for your opinion on this matter.

 

Maybe just that shop. Sorry can't help you.

 

No recalls on mine, so I can't really say. Every visit I've had at Toyota (all maintenance and 1 repair) they have been spot on. Maybe just the dealership you went to or more specifically the service advisor.

 

Love my dealership....took care of my recalls along with my 15k mike service in 2 hours.

 

Welcome!

Brantford Ontario? No idea about those guys, seems the idiots wasted your time, maybe try Ancaster Toyota? (a bit more upscale area)

I do my own maintenance and haven't had any recalls, I've only been to Upper James Toyota to pickup oil filters. The one time there I bought a wiper insert for my wife's Lexus and service was nice enough to install it, was a cold winter day. My kids had their granola bars and hot chocolate.

 

I would say it's the dealership and I would find a different one if possible. In my case there are two within about 30 minutes of me. I would never step foot in them again as their service department are a joke. So I make a little over 2 hours drive to a dealership that knows what they are doing and treat you like a human being. Granted i spend 4 hours driving but to me it is worth it.

 

1st world problems......while kids are starving somewhere....

 

Welcome from NY.

Sorry to hear about your issues.

 

Holy balls, note to self...don’t ever complain about anything on this forum, or public shaming will commence!


@jonnyzee welcome from SC, sorry to hear, I’d say a vast majority of Toyota dealerships and service advisers are top notch...sounds like unfortunately you got a “bad apple”.

 

No worries here. I get shamed a lot! All is good. I'm old school. I can handle it. I've haven't seen so much whining lately.

 

What the hell @Marty McFly , I want one too!

just playing OP. Sounds like bad dealership. Seriously some are way better than others. I drive 100 miles to service mine when needed as opposed to the one just down the street. Hope you find a better dealership to work with in the future.

 

I honestly don’t see a problem. So they didn’t have a part and the service manager didn’t know. Could he have called you and told you yeah but what would that have changed? I don’t know I wouldn’t write this place off over something so minuscule.

 

2108!




I wonder how time travel shipping works?

 

I can see the OP's point.. time is $$$

 

Breathe..
Take it on a Sunday instead?

 

WTH? you folks have dealerships open on sundays? They are all closed here.

 

I think your experience is more so due to the the dealership, than Toyota in general. I have owned many cars over the years and to be honest, Toyota has proven to be the most reliable of all. I have waited 2 months for airbags to be replaced on my $137K BMW. My wife’s brand new Honda Pilot SUV has been recalled 3 times in 3 months. Not to mention my Ford Mustang.

Not all dealerships are created equal. I don’t got to the nearest Toyota dealership to my home. They have the most thieving people working there at that dealership, than I have ever seen in my life. They steal anything and everything from my vehicles whenever we take them there for service. Not to mention the long wait times and bad customer service. None of that has anything to do with the performance of my Toyota vehicles, but the dealership itself.

Try other Toyota dealerships and hopefully, you have much better experiences. Good luck.

 

Sounds like every dealership honestly. My local dealership hired my cousin for an assistant service manager and his only prior experience was forkilt driver at a home and feed store.....he couldn’t change your windshield wipers if you asked him.....

 

That’s cool I’ve met some good people through dealerships but I never trust an employee on commission lol

 

I made my appointment for the 2 current recalls on my 18 yesterday for next Friday

The lady that made appointment looked up my “VIN” with the start of phone call and stated the radar sensor recall would require an inspection first( this is probably were they will say my truck has level kit and won’t be covered- as stated on here by others) and parts would have to be ordered then a 2nd visit will be required
The 2nd recall is “software “ update- she said both should take about 2 hours- we’ll she how it goes- I will update experience with later post

I take care of all my own maintenance that I have the “skills” & tools to complete
Only plan on letting STEALER touch my truck for updates and computer issues- hopefully!!

Happy WEEKEND everyone!!

 

I’ve had to wait longer than expected at every single place I had an “appointment” at... car dealerships, doctors, dentists, everything.... we always complain when we have to wait long, we never mention all the times when we don’t..

 

Feel ya, took my new truck in for its 2nd and final toyota care 10k mi service this past week, oil and tire rotation. Got to work and walked around the truck and realized they didn't bother to rotate the tires. Called the service manager, they reviewed the video and talked to the tech...prob not working out too well for that slack ass right now. They at least acknowledged they suck and apologized profusely. A really good dealer is hard to come by.

 

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts. Some good info in here. I can see why some do their own service but it's good to know there are some decent dealers out there. I might try another Toyota shop before I call it quits and get my own mechanic.

I'm gonna go for a drive now. That should cheer me up. Have a good weekend everyone.

 

As a Honda advisor for 4yrs now it is our job to know at time of write up of the vehicle to know if parts are available for the recall at the time. Also it is not very hard to keep in contact with customer. But our job in some dealers can get very overwhelming with two many customer that one advisor at times has to deal with many for example if we are short handed at times I have to write up to 35 customers at each day pull car for customer....possibly wash car as well call for any issues about each vehicle calling warranties but I always try my best to get to everyone but I also have been doing this for a while now.....but will most likely not doin for long ....I love the job but our pay has dropped 6 times in the last 3 yrs so i think I've had enough

 

I just got called this week about 3 recalls on the truck. The woman said they needed to order parts and asked to schedule me on Friday. The parts were gaskets to seal the TSS radar in the front badge. This prevents rain from causing an error.


So... yes they could’ve and should’ve done a little legwork to save you time and energy. Typical dealership nonsense.

 

The Solution isn’t always so simple. They work off commission, and they’d hate to put orders for stuff in not knowing if you’re gonna stiff them or simply go to another service advisor. Can’t blame them one bit

 

Now that’s some funny shit. So your “Cousin Vinny” is a good talker. Ha ha ha.

 

Commission or not, a service writer’s job is to take care of the dealership’s customers, as a result, make the dealership money. If they run off all their customers, then how are they going to make the dealership and themselves money??

I know that most dealerships keep very little inventory of parts in stock. In today’s world, just-in-time inventories are the best way to go. With that said, it benefits the dealership to provide the best parts and services to their customers to ensure long term relationships.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am not going to give my business to any dealership that doesn’t treat me right. Screw them!!

 

You mean liar....

 

Sounds like every dealership I've ever worked with in every city I've lived with every brand I've owned. Motorcycles too.

Meh, not the end of the world, keep your expectations low and you'll never be disappointed.