Air Conditioning System Broken

[Sonja]

I would like to share the bad experience I have recently had with my Toyota RAV4, 2006, mileage is about 50000, car was bought from Toyota dealer and has only been serviced by Toyota.

In the spring I took my car in for the usual annual service and came out with a non-functioning air-conditioning system.

Toyota quotes over £1600 to fix it (they say it needs total replacement).

I considered Toyota to be a good brand, providing solid cars and not cars with faulty/short-lived parts. My car has a "superior" spec of the line, hence air-con is crucial, and I would have never thought the air con would be obliterated after 8 years of light and careful use and dedicated maintenance.

I would like to know if any of the members had similar experiences? Any advice on whether I should have the aircon repaired at Toyota? Do any of you know a good and reputable garage in York?

I assume that for the aircon to be completely gone as it is, the deterioration must have been gradual (but I was never informed of any fault, and only Toyota serviced it and never noticed it was not working) or sudden (but Toyota says they did not do anything that could have damaged the system).

I am so disappointed and my opinion of the brand Toyota has fallen to a level so low that I would never recommend this brand again.

[the fox]

Hi Sonja, sorry to hear of your problems, my wife just sold her 2006 Rav 4 because she lost confidence with Toyota dealers X3 and her Rav 4, her Rav 4's electric steering just locked up at about 60 mph going round a very fast bend on the slip road, nearly threw her off the road.

I know it's not easy but you need to ask why it's not working, It may be seized with not being used over the winter, it may need just a re-fill many garages now do a air con service try a decent one locally, my advise don't spend that sort of cash on it.....at 50,000 miles it may be something simple, it won't need a complete replacement...

Hi Sonja I believe you have a cool car mobile dealer in York, I can't tell you how good they are, never used them but they do get good ratings,

[FROSTYBALLS]

Go back to the dealer and ask what is actually wrong with the air conditioning - is it the condenser? That way if you approach someone else, you can provide an indication of what the problem may be.

[Grumpy stumpy]

Had problem with my aircon where it would work ok but if turned off and back on would play up, took it to my trusted independent Toyota dealer who said they were not too sure but got a guy in who was semi retired but expert on aircon systems, he traced it to the clutch on the compressor which Toyota and other main dealers will tell you it's a replacement part only at cost of over £350 , well he said these can be repaired and replaced a shim in the clutch for me and total bill £40 two years ago and still going strong so get a second opinion from someone who knows Aircon systems and don't rely on what they tell you.