Toyota Corolla Optifit Exhaust And Lack Of Customer Care

[CorollaST8]

Hello All

recently my rear silencer failed with holes in the outer box.

I decided to treat myself and get a new Toyota Exhaust.. I contacted several dealers and was advised to go for an opti fit exhaust at about £116+ vat. I also decided to get new securing brackets for it.

I got the new exhaust which came with a very flimsy bracket which had 2 thin welds at the crucial point. (the junction between the band round the silencer and and the hanger that fits to the chasis).

I thought not a problem I will use the new (old pattern) brackets I have bought. It was only when I had cut the old exhaust and tried to fit the new one that I discovered that toyota have changed the silencer section on the optifit exhaust. The old silencer was rectangular with round corners and the new one is oval shape.

I am now left with a problem because the new optifit bracket that came with the exhaust will not last more than say a couple of years bearing in mind the hard life they go through and the new brackets of the old shape are no good for that reason.

I have been on to Toyotas customer service in Redhill Surrey and they don't want to know. They won't explain why they have changed the exhaust silencer pattern. They won't even explain why you cannot buy a separate optifit exhaust clamp - you can only buy the old pattern one. (No good if one fails). They do not explain why they do not warn customers that the exhausts are different and won't fit on the old brackets. There are no apologies or even any hint of compromise from them. The basic answer is tuff luck. Just what you want from the number one car maker in the world!

As an aside it occurred to me that the new exhaust silencer is smaller than the old one and it will effect engine power as there will be less throughput of exhaust gases.

Has anyone else encountered this problem and how did you get over it?

Thanks

CorollaST8

[Heidfirst]

I understand your pain but am I right in thinking from your profile that this is for a 29 year old car?

First line customer support won't know that a part has been changed let alone why (heck, I bet that many parts departments wouldn't) nor will they know much about a 29 year old car - it's probably older than most of them!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Moved to the Corolla club.

[CorollaST8]

Thanks for all your replies

I have 2 UK Corolla's one a 1986GL (restoration) and the other a 1999 1.3i . I also look after a relatives 1.4 vvti Corolla GLS. This topic refers to the 1999 version. As there are still thousands of these cars on the road at present I feel sure it is an issue that could concern a lot of us. The problem with Customer service is that they do not know technical details but try getting past them to the people who possibly could help in technical.

Thanks again

CorollaST8

[Heidfirst]

believe it or not even Toyota dealer service dept. staff can't direct dial Toyota technical staff - they have to log a case on a contact management system & await a return phone call.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Reminds me of an issue we had with a Mazda 2.

The Mazda GB case manager we were involved with didn't know the European version of the 2 (2003-2007), was a sister model to the Fiesta/Fusion, used the same Ford mechancials, etc, and was built by Ford at the Fiesta/Fusion plant in Spain. After long wait for a Mazda part, I insisted they fit the equivalent Ford part. The case manager had to go to their technical people (based in another building to customer services), confirm the model was a sister model to the Fiesta/Fusion, and ask whether the part (HT Lead) would fit.

[Cyker]

You should be able to return it as not fit for purpose and then go look for one at a breakers' yard?