Local mechanic and warranty?

I’m so done with my local dealership as far as their service department goes. It’s just pathetic.

Can anyone confirm if by taking my truck to an independent shop my warranty will still be valid? I’m still under the bump to bumper.

 

Whats wrong and how has the dealer not made you happy?

 

Nope. Just find another dealer.

 

Bad info being given in this thread.

“Do I have to get my car serviced at the dealership to keep warranty?”

“No. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. ... The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select repair facilities if the repair services are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty.”

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0138-auto-warranties-routine-maintenance

 

The driver side weather strip came off and when I took it back to the dealer, the jackwagon who installed the new piece wasn’t careful and had grease on his hand he was using to hold on to the inside of my cab while working on top of the rook. He left a huge grease stain from the front to back on the inside of my cab on the roof. So, I called the service manager after I noticed it, he said I’m sorry for the inconvenience, please bring the truck back when you want and I’ll have one of my detail guys make it right. I made my appointment today at 10am and when I made this appointment, I sent an email to the service mananger repeating our conversation we had over phone about the situation and what he promised to correct it. He copied in a service advisor that I was suppose to ask for when I arrived. I’m thinking no problem, this should be a piece of cake.

I show up this morning at 9:59am and want into service door 1 where I was told to go and the guy who was on copy to the email asked what I was there for. So, I told him my name and said I’m here to have my truck detailed on the inside. The first words out of his mouth were, “did you buy the truck here?” I about lost it at this point, but I remained cool. I walked him outside and told him I’d been in a week prior for the weather strip to be replaced and someone left grease on the inside of my truck. He started to get irritated with me and stated they do this kind of job only from the outside. I’m like dude, you knew the entire situation because you were on copy to the email! I told him I wouldn’t put grease myself on the side of my own truck. I keep my vehicles clean! He finally calls out a detail guy and they proceed with the job.

One of my biggest gripes about the dealership is they’ll pull a vehicle out when a service is completed and continue to make a customer wait 20-30 mins before calling your name. I get the fact if they’re sitting down with another customer, that’s a different story. A lot of times these service advisors just sit there and enter paperwork. In my opinion, they should get their customers out FIRST and then do their paperwork in between.

This dipshit today decided to take a personal call on his cellphone as my truck has been sitting for about 10-15 mins. Finally, I get up from the waiting area and stand behind him. He finally turns around and says, oh! Your truck is done, here are your keys.

I just don’t think this particular dealership is ran very well. Maybe it’s just me and other folks have had better experiences than myself but I’m done taking my vehicles here.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I think OP is aware that he will be footing the bill on repairs at an independent shop.

But the question he asked, was if his warranty will still be valid if he takes his truck to an independent shop. The answer is yes. Federal law explicitly states this.

 

I wouldn’t use him for stuff like that. More so oil change and tire rotations. But my original post was more along the lines of, using my local guy for oil changes and 30xxx tune up and something happens that would be covered under warranty, would Toyota still honor it?

 

Yes, exactly.

 

Yup, got it. I always keep a file for all my service work on any vehicle.

 

You’re warranty will not void if you follow the maintenance plan as described in your maintenance schedule.

 

Thanks Tony. Appreciate your input.

 

I believe a few who replied are a little confused by your question.
I took it as you asking if your warranty is valid at an independent service shop. Meaning can they submit work through Toyota.

Now, if what you are asking is will going to get work done from an independent shop “void” my warranty the answer is NO.
You don’t have to bring your truck to those assholes but you’ll pay out of pocket for work that is still covered under warranty going elsewhere.
It will have no bearing on your warranty.

 

I can see where you’re coming from. Yes, my question was regarding the fact of me taking my truck to an independent shop for routine maintenance would cause my warranty to be void by Toyota.

I now have my answer. If my tranny goes out at 55k and is still covered by Toyota, I’d obviously take it to a dealer to be fixed.

 

For what it’s worth I generally cannot stand bringing my Tundra back to the dealers as I have had nothing but similar issues as you.
I have found a shop that is TOYOTA/LEXUS only that I like and when I can’t get it covered under warranty I’ll take it to them.
I actually have a few warranty issues right now. ECU flash etc and am bringing it to another dealer in hopes they will be better. I’ve always just went back to where I purchased. Flawed game plan on my part..

 

This thread makes me appreciate the dealer I have. I do my own oil changes and things like that. But they have always been helpful and honest with me. Always willing to give me a loaner too. And when one of my cam towers sprung a leak, they went ahead and did both sides rather than just the one. Miller Toyota in Manassas, VA.

 

Maybe take them some Xmas cookies around the holidays to show your appreciation. Wish I had a dealership like that around me.