Power Steering P/s Light

November 2, 2011

Hi if you read my last posting about my Rav4 nearly throwing my wife of the motorway when the power steering just turned off, I have fitted a Steering ECU from a very low milage 2008 model and all is now OK, But a warning to any one in the UK who may do there own servicing. I found a Service bulletin relating to my exact problem and year of Rav4 so I contacted Vantage Blackburn Toyota Dealer, and ask for some advice etc this is what he wrote in an email

Mr Flannery

Can you please tell me were you got the bulletin information,as we have never heard of such a fault nor can we find anything relating to it on the Toyota system.

Furthermore if you can provide me with a full Toyota history we can submit a goodwill claim.Toyota will obviously only consider goodwill claims for customers that have shown loyalty by using a Toyota Dealer for servicing.

Regards

John Wharton (Service Manager)

I explained I had bought three brand new Rav4's and I had been in the Club Toyota and Toyota insurance since 1994 but did my own servicing because I was an Ex vehicle technician and a very Loyal Toyota customer this was his reply

Mr Flannery

I dont see what your complaint has to do with us at Vantage Toyota Blackburn?

Please feel free to call Toyota GB

Regards

John

I contacted Toyota GB who assured me the bulletin did not relate to my vehicle, and after speaking with MR Wharton from vantage they beleived he had told me to take the vehicle to a Toyota dealer, They have closed ranks and told lies not very impressed with Vantage or Toyota GB so much so I will not be driving another Toyota ever

November 2, 2011

In the first place I would be talking to J Wharton but secondly this response should go to both Wharton and TGB.

You have to remember that TGB are not obliged to honour claims outside of the warranty but they do more than any other manufacturer I know. Look on the bright side, your steering is working anyway and if you have serviced it yourself you haven't been paying £90 + VAT per hour for some semi-skilled kid to over tighten your filter and round off the sump plug. You have done it yourself, saved the cost of the steering motor and know it is done right.

I only ever had warranty work done by the dealer. I did the rest and was quite content with the consequences. They still put an engine in my first RAV recently (5 years old) so maybe you should just take your business to a more supportive dealer.

November 2, 2011

Thanks for the reply I have Been in contact with TGB I have contacted Vantage Toyota, since my poor service five years ago I always contact them by email etc, Mr Wharton from Vantage told TGB he had told me to take the vehicle in to a Toyota centre, I have asked how he contacted etc, I have been told by TGB in a final email Mr wharton is certain he told me by some means???? thats it nothing else so I have tried to warn others if they don't get there Toyota's serviced by Toyota this may happen to them, it may be a Vantage thing but again hopefully someone may read this and are then aware it may happen to them,