'04 Solara T.S.B. issued!

by **estlin** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 7:27 pm

I took my SE in for the left pull problem. The service tech had called leaving a message acknowledging that Toyota knows about the problem and is trying to come up with a fix in a month or 2; at least I have this recording as evidence just in case the worse happens.

My car also had a defective stereo; it would crackle then cut out...they ordered a new amp for it which will be another 10 days. Toyota quality is not what I expected.

Funny thing is the week prior I was practically the owner of a new WRX...at the moment the dealer shook my hand and said congrats, I cut him off, realizing the monthly payments he quoted were inflated and I walked out. Oh well, we'll see where this adventure leads.

by **bigpow** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:45 pm

estlin, you could always go to different dealerships, let them try to fix the problem - say four times, and then claim your money back.

The way I see it, this is one way to make them learn from their mistake (poor quality control, build quality, communication, support, etc.)

I should have done the same thing, but I made a huge mistake - I fell in love with the car already. I'm trying to rectify my mistake even as I'm typing.

It's now "personal". :evilbat:

I thought my local service manager was honest and open and would treat me nicely, well I was wrong.

Now he's calling me a LIAR. He said that the problems have been fixed and there's nothing wrong with the car (as it's according to the specs).
It's completely different than before, where he admited the problem does exist and the specs are wrong.

F&*K! So the proper specs are supposed to make the car pulls to the left then.

For all of you who don't have the left pull problems, beware, your car specs are wrong.

Now I need to get a lawyer because my chance of winning is very slim (average joe Vs Giant Toyota Motor).

PS: For you folks who got tired of hearing my bitching, don't. I will soon leave the forum, as soon as I'm done with this arbitration.

If my arbitration fails, then I'll keep the car for one year and then trade it in (and take the huge $10K loss) and I'll never buy a Toyota again.

by **fotodad** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 8:34 pm

bigpow wrote:PS: For you folks who got tired of hearing my bitching, don't. I will soon leave the forum, as soon as I'm done with this arbitration.

I completely understand your position and feelings. I owned a Nissan 350Z which had frustrating problems. It seemed everytime I was on the 350Z discussion board I was complaining about something. For me owning a nice car is an emotional experience. I want everything to be just right. And when it isn't, nothing else matters but getting it fixed NOW! So when the Nissan dealer basically shrugged his shoulders and said "tough, deal with it," I got even more frustrated to the point of selling it at a loss and getting the Solara.

I hope you do not leave the forum and I hope you give Toyota and Solara another chance to prove themselves. I don't think you'll find a more realiable car other than maybe Honda. I would have bought another Nissan, but Nissan doesn't have the reputation for quality that, I believe, Toyota has. From here on out, it's either Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura or BMW for me.

by **TW85** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 8:42 pm

Go read Honda/Acura forums. Plenty of complaints, several of major problems.

Toyota/Lexus is still the leader in quality and reliability.

by **bigpow** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:15 pm

fotodad wrote:
bigpow wrote:PS: For you folks who got tired of hearing my bitching, don't. I will soon leave the forum, as soon as I'm done with this arbitration.

I completely understand your position and feelings. I owned a Nissan 350Z which had frustrating problems. It seemed everytime I was on the 350Z discussion board I was complaining about something. For me owning a nice car is an emotional experience. I want everything to be just right. And when it isn't, nothing else matters but getting it fixed NOW! So when the Nissan dealer basically shrugged his shoulders and said "tough, deal with it," I got even more frustrated to the point of selling it at a loss and getting the Solara.

I hope you do not leave the forum and I hope you give Toyota and Solara another chance to prove themselves. I don't think you'll find a more realiable car other than maybe Honda. I would have bought another Nissan, but Nissan doesn't have the reputation for quality that, I believe, Toyota has. From here on out, it's either Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura or BMW for me.

Thanks fotodad!

You've made my day.

It is EXACTLY what I feel now. Everytime I use the car, I want it to be fixed NOW. Toyota Service Manager basically call me A LIAR, because he thinks MY HEAD is PULLING to the LEFT... go figure!

I'll get my arbitration 1st for now. I want my money back. I don't think I can bring myself to buy another brand new car soon. I'll just use my old car (98 Corolla, with 130K miles, no rattles nor squeaks, no left drift)

by **estlin** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 4:00 pm

Some days I take it easy and wait patiently for the fix, and other days I curse the day I bought the Solara and want to go to arbitration right now! But I guess there's not much I can do now, so I'll sit tight.

Bigpow, I think you or someone else said you were going stright to arbitration after just one fix? Well good luck to you and let us know how it goes, maybe give me some pointers, I might need them.

by **got sport** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 7:37 pm

bigpow, what tires you running on your Solara?

by **bigpow** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 10:25 am

estlin wrote:Some days I take it easy and wait patiently for the fix, and other days I curse the day I bought the Solara and want to go to arbitration right now! But I guess there's not much I can do now, so I'll sit tight.

Bigpow, I think you or someone else said you were going stright to arbitration after just one fix? Well good luck to you and let us know how it goes, maybe give me some pointers, I might need them.

estlin, so far I had three failed repair attempts. Toyota customer rep. told me to go for arbitration - but a lawyer told me I need four attempts. So although I've filed all the paperworks, I WILL let them "FIX" it again one last time (which I believe, they won't be able to). Then file it.

You're a patience man. I regret the day I bought this car, EVERYTIME I drive the car. I drive long commutes, it's no fun holding the steering wheel tightly all the time.

got xango, I have stock crappy Turanza. And no, I won't change them because I want to cut my losses now.

by **estlin** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 11:01 am

Brought my car in to the dealer today to have a new stereo installed (and check that window water residue issue I've also seen posted elsewhere), and to my surprise the Service Manager said Toyota has the official fix out for the alignment. So hopefully when I pick up my car today everything will be all good. Anyone else get the message that the fix is out? Or are they trying to pull a fast one?

by **royaloakranger** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 11:34 am

I believe the problem is not with the alignment but with the strut assembly. If they are replacing the strut assembly then you might have the real McCoy.

by **bigpow** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 2:36 pm

estlin wrote:Brought my car in to the dealer today to have a new stereo installed (and check that window water residue issue I've also seen posted elsewhere), and to my surprise the Service Manager said Toyota has the official fix out for the alignment. So hopefully when I pick up my car today everything will be all good. Anyone else get the message that the fix is out? Or are they trying to pull a fast one?

the latter ?

by **estlin** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:00 pm

After taking my Solara in for the official fix from Toyota, everything drives straight. Hopefully the issue has been resolved for everyone else. The only bulls**t complaint I have now is the window water residue issue, which my Service Manager told me was a normal issue with several Toyota models and was not deemed an issue that Toyota would fix. Oh well, gotta pick my battles. This is the first time I've had a chance to really relax and just enjoy my car. *crosses fingers*

by **Buckeyegirl** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:33 pm

estlin wrote:After taking my Solara in for the official fix from Toyota,

What was the "official fix" ?

by **Blazed04** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:34 pm

OK GUYS! I got a call from the dealer and blah blah blah. They had 12 cars report the same problem, and untill a week and a half ago they hadnt figured out the fix...so they have figured it out (from Toyota Motor Corp in california) All the solaras they have fixed so far with this solution have had no complaints and after getting mine fixed today...99.99999% perfect! (i dont want to say 100% because nothing is 100% perfect) Anyways i know youre all anxious to know what they did, so.... they rotated the strut assembly 10degrees and aligned the car to specs. Like i said 99.99999% perfect!

by **royaloakranger** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:39 am

Which strut assembly(s) did they rotate 10 degrees. Was it the drivers front strut assembly or were there others involved?

Could you please tell us which dealership and mechanic you dealt with so that our guys can interface with your guys.

Thanks

'04 Solara T.S.B. issued!

estlin

Re: estlin

Re: estlin

not the alignment

Which strut assembly(s)

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