Workmanship on 2023 TS?

[fotw02]

I recently received my Corolla Touring Sports GR 1.8 in Ash Grey.

While there is much I like about the car, I noticed some questionable workmanship at the rear, above the number plate.

I reported to this to my dealer (Hendy Group) and also to Toyota. The Sales Manager confirmed that all other TS they had delivered, presented the same "finish".

Unfortunately, Toyota replied with the following "...Upon inspection this would be a standard finish on your vehicle, as this is not a manufacturing defect this is not something that would be supported by warranty..."

I am shocked! Not what I expected from Toyota.

Is this just a TS issue or same on HB?

[TonyHSD]

This is called rushed manufacturing. Some examples comes out with unattached bumpers, door mirrors covers, interior trims not properly aligned or secured and list goes on. You need to see Yaris examples 🫢 It could be worse though. It’s not only a Toyota cars, but all. 🫥

[fotw02]

Thanks Tony!

It's bad enough when things go wrong but it's their response that shocked me more.

My wife drives a Yaris and that one seems to have been built fine 🤞

[bigblock]

With my Corolla TS the front passenger door was mis-aligned with the body line by 1/4 inch. When pointed out the dealer fixed it before I drove it off the forecourt. After some careful inspection everything else looks fine. Guess I got lucky with this one. The poor door line up was blatently obvious but Toyota tried to get away with it. Like Tony says, it all seems a bit rushed and this is where quality control does and is suffering.

[DaveST]

Blimey.  Some of those examples aren't great! I'm collecting my new TS Design next Friday, so I'll be having a close look before I leave the dealer!  Thanks for pointing these out, guys.

[fotw02]

Hope yours will be fine Dave 🤞

Thought I better share so that you are prepared.

[fred88]

8 hours ago, fotw02 said:

I recently received my Corolla Touring Sports GR 1.8 in Ash Grey.

While there is much I like about the car, I noticed some questionable workmanship at the rear, above the number plate.

I reported to this to my dealer (Hendy Group) and also to Toyota. The Sales Manager confirmed that all other TS they had delivered, presented the same "finish".

Unfortunately, Toyota replied with the following "...Upon inspection this would be a standard finish on your vehicle, as this is not a manufacturing defect this is not something that would be supported by warranty..."

I am shocked! Not what I expected from Toyota.

Is this just a TS issue or same on HB?

Is that as rough as it looks? It looks as though it could snag a cleaning cloth or cut a hand.

[Basil-BarryC]

9 minutes ago, fred88 said:

Is that as rough as it looks? It looks as though it could snag a cleaning cloth or cut a hand.

Must admit that was my first thought,

Don’t think it’s a case of rushed manufacturing more a case of poor quality control. Sometimes things go wrong but it should be down to the dealership to ensure the customer is happy/satisfied and rectify the problem 

[fourbanks]

This was one of the reasons I ditched my sports GR for a Lexus, as I'm not really into a slap dash finish as there is no excuse. What your photos show is just bad pressing and a complete disregard for the customer, spending £30-000

[RabButler]

Just like my TS. The boot is fibreglass/plastic and the rough finish around the numberplate lights, camera and hatch lock button is caused by the gloss topcoat running over the edges. I have achieved a better fit (i.e. the black plastic surrounding the camera doesn't fall out any more) by careful use of a Stanley knife. I shall mention it when it goes in for it's first service. I am more concerned with the intermittent failure of the Emergency call system, the lack of OTA updates and the inability of my local dealer to even acknowledge that there is a problem. Otherwise the car is great. Just back from a week in Scotland. 900 miles, 62mpg.

[Basil-BarryC]

4 hours ago, RabButler said:

Just like my TS. The boot is fibreglass/plastic and the rough finish around the numberplate lights, camera and hatch lock button is caused by the gloss topcoat running over the edges. I have achieved a better fit (i.e. the black plastic surrounding the camera doesn't fall out any more) by careful use of a Stanley knife. I shall mention it when it goes in for it's first service. I am more concerned with the intermittent failure of the Emergency call system, the lack of OTA updates and the inability of my local dealer to even acknowledge that there is a problem. Otherwise the car is great. Just back from a week in Scotland. 900 miles, 62mpg.

The fact that it is fibreglass makes it even worse, I was a Manager in a company producing GRP Products and it’s a simple matter to trim components properly.
Really is poor quality control, if any glass is protruding with some of the gel coat it can be dangerously sharp.

[fotw02]

On 8/25/2023 at 9:23 PM, fred88 said:

Is that as rough as it looks? It looks as though it could snag a cleaning cloth or cut a hand.

It is a bit rough, yes. Snagging a cloth - definitely but not cutting a hand, unless you use excessive force.

Seeking legal advice this week...

[Popama]

3 hours ago, fotw02 said:

ISeeking legal advice this week...

Wouldn't it be faster and cheaper to fix it at a shop?

[Yugguy1970]

I took my rav in a few weeks back to have the rear light replaced.  When I got it back home I saw they had rushed the reassembly and done this to the rear strip.

I had to take the boot trim and the strip off myself and refit.  This seemed preferable to going back yet again.

 

[fotw02]

1 hour ago, Popama said:

Wouldn't it be faster and cheaper to fix it at a shop?

Will get a quote for that, too.

[fotw02]

Quote from independent body workshop came in at £480.

Toyota have offered to have a look to see if it can be a warranty claim.

Fingers crossed 🤞

Some helpful reading for anyone in a similar situation

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the-car-i-bought-has-a-problem-what-are-my-rights-aAnMC5b0ZzJb

[fotw02]

Found a GR hatchback in ash grey where they paintwork looks much smoother.

But notice the small gaps either side of the light fittings.

[Basil-BarryC]

My imagination or camera angle but does the GR logo look skewed ?

[ialexpw]

1 hour ago, fotw02 said:

Found a GR hatchback in ash grey where they paintwork looks much smoother.

But notice the small gaps either side of the light fittings.

I picked up my GR HB in ash grey on Monday, will check this when I leave work shortly and see if it's similar.

[fotw02]

On 9/6/2023 at 2:17 PM, ialexpw said:

I picked up my GR HB in ash grey on Monday, will check this when I leave work shortly and see if it's similar.

Hope all is well with your car.

I think it's just the angle of the photo I took that makes the GR logo skewed 🤞

[Basil-BarryC]

11 minutes ago, fotw02 said:

Hope all is well with your car.

I think it's just the angle of the photo I took that makes the GR logo skewed 🤞

Okay that’s good 👍

[fotw02]

Good news: just had confirmation that this is going to be resolved as a warranty claim at last 🥳