Toyota of Escondido CA - warning

Just wanted to let you all know of the fun I had recently. Had an appointment at the dealership. Should have been just a multi-point inspection and tire rotation.

Prior visit was full service, oil change, new engine air filter, in cabin filter, etc. Should have been quick right? Was there for over 4 and a half hours

Worst part was the service associate said I did not have an engine air filter. I explained I had a new one put in last visit. Sure enough he checked and saw that in the maintenance records. So since I didn't double check the dealers work... I had no engine filter between maintenance intervals

I had no warning lights of any kind prior to going in. They claimed I had a nail in one tire. I opted to have it patched. They came back and said I had a broken TPMS sensor. Uhh everything worked prior ... They broke it!

I wrote to the customer relations manager and left voice mail. No response and it has been 3 days. Just a heads up for anyone in soCal... Avoid this dealer like the plague.

Any idea how to report this kind of shoddy service to Toyota corporate?

 

jeez..so shady

 

I’m assuming they have a 1800 number

 

These are what you need -
https://www.motivxtools.com/pages/tundra_oil_service_tools

$37 Fumoto Original F103S LC-10 Lever Clip FS-Series Engine Oil Drain Valve, 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/Fumoto-F103S...J9DSCMJD862&psc=1&refRID=TG783MNWPJ9DSCMJD862

Then you just have to interact with the Parts counter people.

 

Make the extra drive down to Toyota if Poway. Service there is top notch

 

That's a bummer, I've always heard good things about Escondido - Especially their TE Motorsports division.

 

Man I miss San Diego...ucsd(revelle)

 

Yep had always drive out of my way to go there. I had bought the truck there. But when I got there this last time the dedicated truck side is now hyndai.

 

What?! That's crazy.

 

Not sure where in SD you are located. If you need good service, try The Truck Shop on Miramar Rd. Cool people and you can drool over their prerunner builds while waiting.

 

Ugh!

At my last Toyota oil change in Thousand Oaks, CA, they forgot to put the oil cap back on. A week later, I just so happened to open the hood and saw oil all over my engine. thank god I saw it!

The service person was mortified at least.

 

That's insane!

 

I continue to be AMAZED that the sh!t pile, known as STEALERSHIP HORROR STORIES, at just over 5000' tall, can still be reached to hoist one more dealership horror story onto.

There's a ridiculously easy solution to these stories.

 

One of the "big" selling points for my new Tundra was 'lifetime warranty'............ on the drive train. Catch - I have to service everything at their shop. That's a big F no. Once my 30k service was over I have never been so happy to install a Fumoto valve. I'm a short old dude and I can do all the service.

Funny thing was when I asked them if they greased the zirts and they told me I didn't have any. So I crawled under it and took a picture. Then he said they didn't need grease ever.................................

 

I went Marshall UCSD, Class of 2001.

 

Holy cow...no air filter at all?? Depending on driving conditions I would think there is a pretty good chance that's gonna shorten the life of that motor. I guess if the airbox was closed it would keep out most of the big stuff but it probably sucked enough crap to cause some premature wear.
They were probably too busy servicing one of the super cross riders trucks seems like every rider on the podium thanks Toyota of Escondido these days..

 

Was exactly what I'm most concerned with. I asked if I could get an extension on my extended warranty to be safe. Still no word back

 

Toyota of El Cajon has a decent service department.

 

It's stories like this that make me DIY and not even show up for the free services. I'd rather pay out-of-pocket and do it myself and know it was done correctly.

 

I know ... I went to the deal because I have an extended warranty. Bought and did all my service there so that nothing could be questionable. So much for that!

 

I've bought 4 new-from-the-dealer Toyotas in the last 3.5 years. NOT ONE visit for complimentary dealer service.

 

My freshman year was 1998, Man that’s college has changed. Have you seen utc??? It has changed. My college buddies still live in San Diego, they never left. I’ll return home one day..well that’s the plan. Had my wife and kids come with me a few times and pitched the idea we needed to move. So I will force my kids to go to college in sd so I can move and retire. I notice your in Orange County, well I’m Vietnamese and that pretty much sums up Santa Ana lmao!!!

 

I hear this rationale frequently...the idea that if you don't do your maintenance with the dealership it will somehow increase the likelihood for warranty denial. I guess my feelings are: 1. There's no guarantee the dealership will do it correctly; 2. For simple things that are easy to not mess up (oil change, tire rotation, air filter etc) there is really minimal risk to DIY. Besides having Magnuson-Moss on your side you'd have to really screw something up and they'd have to prove that screwup was the proximal cause of the why the warranty claim was denied. A log and receipts are all that is required. 3. You'd have to have a dealership and regional manager with a huge bug up their ass to unfairly deny warranty coverage when everything seems in order. I suppose it's not impossible but it's not likely either. If you just don't want to DIY even a good reputable local shop is often a better choice.

I've always done my own maintenance and I've never had a claim denied. Matter-of-fact I've never been asked for my log book or receipts and so long as the car was in warranty they've just fixed the issue.

 

Done my own maintenance before on previous vehicles as well. Point here is avoid this dealer for maintenance like the plauge.

 

I drive down every now and then...always under construction somewhere. They are building an above ground tram i think that links to the mall too! I am Chinese / wife is Vietnamese, love the food! Originally from the Bay Area though, like the weather down here and haven't left since college.

 

I refuse to go there anymore. I live in Esco and drive to Carlsbad. When my wife was pregnant they tried scamming her during a regular maintenance. Tried telling her she needed new break saying the we’re down to nothing. She called me and I reminded her I just put new breaks on her 4Runner. When confronting the manager they apologized and tried to offer free services but I want nothing to do with a place that would do that.

 

I ended up just calling Toyota corporate. I had tried emailing and calling Escondido directly... but didn't have any luck with that. Escondido Toyota ended up calling after corporate reached out to them.

They agreed to fix my busted wheel sensor. They also pulled the plugs, scoped the cylinder walls and said it was good. I was told those pics from the scope went off to corporate. I need to email corporate and ask if they have the pics just to ensure all is well.

Mainly I want to make sure everything is well documented at this point. Especially since who knows if things actually checked out ok. I kinda lost some trust given the situation.

The dealer was very apologetic. And all the work and parts along with a rental were covered by the dealer. So I can say they seemed to try and make it right.