Beware of this dealership.

DOLAN TOYOTA RENO NV. So I got my first free oil change at this dealership. ONLY because it is free, truck hit 10k. This was Wednesday. So tonight had to get under my vehicle and surprise surprise another dealer u cant trust. This is not the dealer I bought my truck from. I bought my truck in Redding ca 100 miles away. Going the other way is Dolan toyota of reno 80 miles away. These are the 2 closest Toyota dealerships to me. So I have 2 bolts missing from the front bumper to the skid plate witch have to be taken off to change the oil there is a totall of 3. First thing I did is check my oil. That was good and clean. Now i am wondering if they changed the oil filter or if there is one in at all. I usually NEVER take my truck to a dealer unless my mechanic cant work on it or is a warranty item. This time because it was free and had to go to reno anyway. So tomarrow i will be calling and be a real Dick. And forward the pics to toyota.

 

One of my bolts was missing after my first oil change too. I didn’t call and complain about it.

So you think they lost the bolts removing the skid plate to get to the filter and then didn’t change the filter or took the old one out and didn’t put a new one in? You don’t have to remove the skid plate just to drain the oil.

 

After hearing stories like this I would just remove the skid plate myself before taking the truck in for service.

 

I believe they did the filter. BUT for me if you cant even remember to put 2 bolts on that are right in ur face with the truck in the air. And I know for a fact these 2 bolts were there because I changed my oil a 5000 miles my self. They didn't just drop 2 bolts and couldn't find them. Now I know at most dealers they don't have there master mechanics doing oil changes especially this one its huge. But I do expect better than jiffy lube.

 

I don’t think there’s any excuse for shoddy work like this. I understand that mistakes do happen but if that were the case they should’ve owned up to it and made things right. This is another reason why I prefer to do oil changes and work on my vehicles as long as I can.

 

Damn, sorry to hear. That’s where i take my truck for service. Its the only damn dealership in Sparks/ Reno. I better check mine then. Thanks for the post OP.

 

BAZNGA!!!! ^^^

I'm not going to say "well......here's yet anudder dealer service CRAP story for which we need a crane to hoist onto the top of the pile of dealer service CRAP stories." I'm gonna take the high road and just quote this above. Cuz it is exactly right. Even if one has to do it in the parking lot of the dealership (say, oh, you know------right outside the service entrance!!!!).

 

Where I come from that ^^^ IN NO WAY constitutes true service. It's more like a just giving you a helping hand (from a person with only one hand).

 

I didn’t want to take any chances, so I took off my skid plate before my 5000 mile oil change at the dealership. I have since installed the TRD skid plate. I will remove the access cover before I go

 

I installed an RCI plate and do it myself. Then I crimped the o-ring on the filter housing and Exxon Valdez'd the driveway. I fired myself but then had to immediately re-hire myself to clean the mess and re-accomplish the task. You can't find good help anywhere these days...

 

At least you can now bitch slap the crappy mechanic..........with no fear of repercussion.

 

The stock skid plate front three screws, screw into plastic inserts. They strip out really easily. One of mine was stripped from the factory. I made them give me a free one. Then I bought five more just to have in the toolbox as I’m sure they won’t last forever.

 

I tip my master-tech $10-20 every time he has my truck( depending on type of service). I get pictures of the new and old filters (I use the TRD HP filters) and we discuss anything about the truck that he finds or that I've mentioned, before they say it's ready . I feel fortunate to have a tech that genuinely cares for my truck, but I also make sure he realizes that I care about his efforts too.... Thus the tip. He is always reluctant to take the tip, and insists that is is not necessary, but when I insist that it is not a bribe, it is simply to say thank you, and have a nice day. Zero complaints about my dealership service.

 

Stripped or floating and fell off. Also make sure the hex bolts with the spacers are torqued tight too, they can rattle off and the next thing you know the skid plate is hanging. Don’t ask me how I know. Gotta get me an RCI one day with oil door.

 

Just got off the phone with the service manager he wanted me to bring my truck in (80 miles) I told him to just mail me the bolts. He was apologetic and I do understand they are JUST bolts. But he even said it would make him think what else wasn't done or done right. Its not the bolts its the attention to details (USMC). So if I need to go back to the dealer I will drive the extra 20 miles were I bought my truck. OR If I have to go back to reno I will stand there and watch them. My mechanic has been working on my vehicles for over 10 years lets you watch get under the vehicle while its on the lift buy your own parts and charges 30 to 50 bucks a hr. Dolan Toyota labor rate 180 a hr

 

Also told him IF the bolts were already missing it should have been noted

 

Definitely unacceptable from this mechanics view point. Rule 1 is to return it in better condition than you received it. Missing bolts is day 1 rookie shit.

 

I am not defending leaving hardware off someone's $40,000+ truck, but I don't know what Toyota was thinking when they used those plastic inserts to hold those front three bolts. I am betting the "skilled technician" was in a hurry and stripped the plastic retainers, so he just said "to hell with it" rather than replacing them like he should have.

There is no excuse for a Toyota dealership to do this to a customer.

 

Definitely what happened, probably using an electric impact or driver to put them in and stripped them. That's when you gotta own up and admit your mistake to the head honcho. Those plastic inserts probably cost the dealer .10¢ it's not the end of the world to replace them on a customer's truck

 

I did but then the employee threatened a civil suit so I just dropped it. Wait... What?

 

This is true also. Just call them and explain the missing bolts and inserts after their service. They'll probably send you the parts free given your distance if you just be be nice and ask them the make it right

 

I'm sure with the right tone, you may get something else free.

 

Depends. Service writers spend most of their day getting bitched at. Hopefully he gets someone further up in the chain that gets his issue

 

Dolan is usually great about service. This is Def not a common thing.

 

Totally agree. This guy needs to chill.

 

We'll need a video of that!

 

It's not just dealerships, but at least if your issue is out of warranty and it's on your dime wherever you go, you have a shot at finding decent service... or not. I went to the place I have basic things done that I don't want to bother with, just to replace my battery. The old one was bought there, has a warranty, so I went back for whatever they will give me for it in replacement. Also bought a brake light for the hitch since my topper third light was out after 14 years and it was too much money to replace. They replaced the battery, but once I got home and attached that brake light to the tow wiring, it wouldn't work. Dang. Then I popped the hood, and sure enough, the trailer wiring harness was dangling there next to the battery. Those dopes didn't bother to attach it. I won't even go there for batteries now.

My dealer's service bay has been good so far. My mother, brother and I have been taking our cars there for at least the last 22 years. But I still check under the car/under the hood- where ever they have been working, for stuff like this. Bolt-fastener/caps/fluid check, asking for the old parts back. Yea they cost a bit more than the independents, but they have been willing to either match price OR at least come close and that means something to me.

No point in being 'a real dick'. That accomplishes nothing. It's always better to find a way to accomplish something positive. The service bay should take this as a 'learning moment'. Maybe the manager is rushing his crew to get on to the next customer without a final inspection? Maybe someone there not doing their final inspection? A simple and quick RCA with the service technician(s) is in order, not 'let's be a dick and accomplish nothing that would prevent this in the future'. Just my .02c.