Brothers Avensis

[Starensis]

persuaded my brother to buy an Avensis ( 52 plate ) a couple of years ago. came to see me yesterday & asked me to listen to a noise.

Diagnosed as Gearbox Knackered ( or nearly ). Makes a horrible grating noise when in gear, but disappears when clutch disengaged. :ffs:

Unfortunately, his warranty ran out in November. :censor:

I've told him to get it confirmed at Dealer & ring Customer relations to vent his anger & disgust at this very pricey repair + the durability of a component which should be good for 100k+.

He has always driven Rover & Fords. I persuaded him to move to Toyota due to their reputation etc. How bad do I feel now!!

Looks like Mr Toyota may have lost another customer if they don't sort it out.

[tarbee]

Hi there,

2001 VVTI 1.8 GS

This sounds familiar! Had a grating/whinning noise coming from engine bay but disappeared when clutch depressed. It got worse very quickly and turned out to be a known problem with main bearings in gear box!! Had to have it taken out and two new bearings put in gearbox. The car had only done 40,000 miles and most of those were with my driving and I'm not a boy racer so thats very poor !! Cost me 500 quid to have it done on the side and would have cost about 800 quid if done at Toyota garage!! This is on top of an oil burning issue I have with the same car at the moment (which is getting worse!!) I have just sent a letter to The Chairman of Toyota in Japan about the oil issue and will see what if anything he or his office have to say about it!

Toyota over here are useless! Unless the engine is on the floor they seem to think its fine (lie through their teeth) if you have to keep dropping litres of oil into your car between services!

Most unreliable car I've owned! Will see this year if I keep it or not!! :ffs:

persuaded my brother to buy an Avensis ( 52 plate ) a couple of years ago.  came to see me yesterday & asked me to listen to a noise.

Diagnosed as Gearbox Knackered ( or nearly ).  Makes a horrible grating noise when in gear, but disappears when clutch disengaged.  :ffs:

Unfortunately, his warranty ran out in November.  :censor:

I've told him to get it confirmed at Dealer & ring Customer relations to vent his anger & disgust at this very pricey repair + the durability of a component which should be good for 100k+.

He has always driven Rover & Fords.  I persuaded him to move to Toyota due to their reputation etc.  How bad do I feel now!!

Looks like Mr Toyota may have lost another customer if they don't sort it out.

←

[Starensis]

His car has only done 32000 miles.........how annoying is that!!

Don't forget, your engine is warranted for 5 years to cover the oil consumption. If it is burning more than Hemel Hempstead did, you may have a chance of getting it changed.

Did you try Toyota Customer relations for your Gearbox issue?

[tarbee]

No. Outside of the 3years warranty it wasnt covered. In your case its worth a try though considering its just out of warranty and its low mileage (As there is a Known problem with bearings in gearbox.)I was told this by Toyota mech so really speaking Toyota should foot the bill-even if you have to pay half/half with them?? No harm in trying!!

[roy the boy]

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AVENSIS ESTATE Rreg I GOT THE BEARINGS DONE FOR £300 MAKE SURE YOU GO TO A GARAGE THAT ONLY DOES GEARBOX WORK ,IF YOU GO ANYWHERE ELSE THEY JUST SEND THE WORK OUT AND THEN CHARGE YOU DOUBLE ,IF THE GEARBOX GARAGE ASK ARE YOU TRADE SAY YES ,AND JUST MAKE UP A NAME FOR A FIRM YOU ARE FROM ,I AM SELF EMPLOYED SO I USED MY COMPANY NAME.APART FROM THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GEARBOX I LOVE MY TOYOTA ,I USED TO HAVE A VOLVO AND HAD ENDLESS TROUBLE.

ROY

[Starensis]

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AVENSIS ESTATE Rreg I GOT THE BEARINGS DONE FOR £300 MAKE SURE YOU GO TO A GARAGE THAT ONLY DOES GEARBOX WORK ,IF YOU GO ANYWHERE ELSE THEY JUST SEND THE WORK OUT AND THEN CHARGE YOU DOUBLE ,IF THE GEARBOX GARAGE ASK ARE YOU TRADE SAY YES ,AND JUST MAKE UP A NAME FOR A FIRM YOU ARE FROM ,I AM SELF EMPLOYED SO I USED MY COMPANY NAME.APART FROM THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GEARBOX I LOVE MY TOYOTA ,I USED TO HAVE A VOLVO AND HAD ENDLESS TROUBLE.

ROY

←

£300? That seems very reasonable.

Trying to get the car into local dealership this week to confirm if it is bearings. If I get no joy with Toyota Customer Relations, I will ensure I heed your advise & use a G/Box specialist.

Cheers.

[roy the boy]

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AVENSIS ESTATE Rreg I GOT THE BEARINGS DONE FOR £300 MAKE SURE YOU GO TO A GARAGE THAT ONLY DOES GEARBOX WORK ,IF YOU GO ANYWHERE ELSE THEY JUST SEND THE WORK OUT AND THEN CHARGE YOU DOUBLE ,IF THE GEARBOX GARAGE ASK ARE YOU TRADE SAY YES ,AND JUST MAKE UP A NAME FOR A FIRM YOU ARE FROM ,I AM SELF EMPLOYED SO I USED MY COMPANY NAME.APART FROM THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GEARBOX I LOVE MY TOYOTA ,I USED TO HAVE A VOLVO AND HAD ENDLESS TROUBLE.

ROY

←

£300? That seems very reasonable.

Trying to get the car into local dealership this week to confirm if it is bearings. If I get no joy with Toyota Customer Relations, I will ensure I heed your advise & use a G/Box specialist.

Cheers.

←

the garage i used for the bearings was TAMESIDE TRANSMISSIONS DROYLSDEN MANCHESTER,

cheers

roy

[RPB]

Just registered on this site today.

I have a 1997 Camry 2.2 Sport and a 2003 (Jan) Avensis 1.8GS.

The Avensis had to have a new steering rack last July. Replaced under warranty, with no quibbles. From a few months old it used to squeek when the wheel was turned any great distance. Then last summer it started leaking oil and the steering fluid became contaminated (the red fluid went the colour of engine oil).

Just started to use a fair bit of oil. AND car currently in with dealer having gearbox bearing replaced (at least that is the diagnosis of the terrible noise!).

To be fair, the main dealer has been excellent so far: their service manager is a top man and rang me to warn that the warranty expired on 17 Jan 2006, so ensured that it got in quickly.

But I am surprised since I take real care of the car and have only driven 38000 miles.

Looking at this site today, I have found that all of these problems are fairly common!!

[Starensis]

Update!

Gearbox totally seized today. Had to have it picked up & delivered to local dealership.

Contacted Customer relations & they are now waiting for a report from the dealership. We will see what happens once the diagnosis is complete.

I am determined to push this as far a I need to to highlight this appalling MAJOR component failure, for such a low mileage vehicle.

I will keep you updated.........

[Starensis]

CR today have refused to repair!!

Their excuse was that the car did not have FTSH. I will be faxing the proof off tomorrow which proves it has!!

Next step will be Watchdog if this does not give me a positive response. :censor:

[roy the boy]

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST,AND HOPE THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT ,I WILL KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR YOU ON WATCHDOG.

KIND REGARDS

ROY

[dacman]

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST,AND HOPE THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT ,I WILL KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR YOU ON WATCHDOG.

KIND REGARDS

ROY

[dacman]

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL THE BEST,AND HOPE THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT ,I WILL KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR YOU ON WATCHDOG.

KIND REGARDS

ROY

I had my engine replaced at 40000 miles (after a fight). Ever since I got the car back it has made a dull grinding noise but the dealer said there was nothing wrong. Due to losing all faith in the dealer, I never went back there (but the car has had every care and service since at a reputable local garage). The car suddenly ground to a halt a week ago. I have been told I need a new gearbox and clutch. It will cost me a fortune. This is the most unreliable car I have ever had. I have had 3 Toyotas, never again. It seems the recent spate of bad cars has taken the dealers by surprise- the mechanics are clueless and, imho way out of their depths. I believe it was a bodged engine fitting that destyroyed my gearbox. They are not experienced at dealing with major faults, until recently these were good cars. The dealers and the company are in a state of denial about oil usage and gearbox problems. I am now faced with the serious prospect of scrapping my car.

It is 4 years old, has done only 60,000 miles. Its in great condition and has a new engine.. but no gearbox or clutch. I am told it is worth only a couple of hundred pounds. I am absolutely devastated. I phoned Toyota, they will not do ANYTHING about it (though they acknowledged there are lots of "issues" with the Avensis). I am going in to speak to the dealer next week- I am out of warranty so dont expect a result. If I buy another Toyota, perhaps they will help me find a way out- but ALL Toyotas have VVTi engines, therefore I am worried that the new car I end up with may fail again at 30,000 miles and there will be more problems, more disputes and more breakdowns. Where have Toyota gone so wrong?

Gutted.

[silverarrow]

yep this was what we have all been thinking will happen toyota uk are not thinking long term i hope they read the info on this site

i was told that i washed my car too much and thats why the headlights let water in and grow mould and then i cannot see ummm ummm lol lol

the dealer makes me see green i think we need BBC watchdog on oil and giving out the engine block numbers

a friend in the trade has said fiats are a better buy have a look at the trade price for a 3 yrs old toyota with 40 k on the clock

THE TRADE KNOWS POOR BUILD ON UK CARS

good luck post back with any progress

[noddydog]

I mentioned this in another thread, but has anyone tried approaching Toyota re these problems quoting the Sale of Goods Act.

Here are some sections that seem appropriate to this situation;

Buyers are entitled to goods of satisfactory quality, taking account of any description, the price and other relevant circumstances. If an item has a fault that is present at the time of the sale (which may be a ‘latent’ or ‘inherent’ fault), the consumer can take the issue up with the retailer once it is discovered.

If a product that was not of satisfactory quality at the time of the sale is returned to the retailer, the buyer is entitled to a full refund (if it is within a reasonable time of the sale), or, if a “reasonable time “ has elapsed, to a reasonable amount of compensation. Any legal proceedings to enforce a claim must be started within 6 years of the date of sale.

There was an interesting addendum to this Act in 2002 that puts the onus of proof onto the retailer. You can look it up under the 'The Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations'. Retailers have to prove that a fault was 'not' present at the time of purchase. Given the wealth of information on this forum alone I suspect Toyota would have a damn hard job doing this!

Personally I would email their customer services, relations@tgb.toyota.co.uk (or phone Customer relations 01737 363633) citing this Act and also giving them a link to various relevant threads on this forum. I would then point out that you intend to exercise your consumer rights as well as publicise their response should they fail to comply.

Then I would write to Watchdog with all the info (assuming they won't play ball). I work in the consumer side of TV and I can say that Watchdog might well be interested in a story like this since it really challenges the public's perception of a gaint of 'quality' and 'customer service' like Toyota. Bsically it makes really good telly when the big boys are caught with their pants down

I imagine by this point Toyota (if they think you are serious) will sort out your problem pretty quick. They're not stupid if Watchdog ran the story it would cost them millions.

[Ricardo44]

:) My 02 plate Avensis 1.8VVT-I had a gearbox bearing replaced under the Toyota extended warranty Scheme. Cost of bearing and seal was £20 total cost was £650. The Extended Warranty offered by Toyota seemed expensive at the time but has proved to be a good investment.

I bought my Avensis a year old with 24K on the clock and it is going in for its 80K service next week. Apart from a rear windscreen, changed under the manufacturer's warranty and the aforementioned gearbox problem no real issues with the car despite taking it over the Pyrenees and across France each year. It used no oil between changes up to 60K, I now put in about 1/2 a litre about 3K before the next change and that keeps it well over the minimum.

I am trying out a new Toyota Dealer's workshop next time for the service. Apart from having lower hourly rates than the big city dealer used so far the last service failed to report brake pads worn right down to the discs; which could have been expensive if it had not been spotted when I went to replace the rear tyres 200 miles after the sevice.

I have worked in the Automotive Industry with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to all the Major Manufacturers, Toyota is still regarded as the most consistent and quality conscious customer. Seeing at first hand how the other manufacturers hammer their suppliers I will be surprised if Totota are not doing the same on any issues that could effect thier reputation. Getting the BBC or Which involved could well get them into action although they will not be happy if they end up paying out.

[Starensis]

My brother ended up paying £350 labour towards the cost of repair. Toyota only paid for the parts, which probably amount to £30 at the most!

I have urged him to push it further & demand Toyota pay more, but he is not the forceful type.

If it had have been me, i would have refused to pay & taken it all the way!!

It would be nice if we could get someone from Customer relations to reply on this site. After all, they do list this site in some of thier literature!! Pity they don't visit the site they advertise.

Let's create a Customer Relations Forum & invite them to reply to some of our issue!!

It would obviously need moderating so the issues are major & repetative.

[dacman]

Well my Avensis has finally been sold. 60,000 miles, two engines and two gearboxes. What an absolute pig of a car. I have written and spoken to Toyota UK, the dealer and guess what....its actually acceptable in their opinion that I should be scrapping a FOUR year old Avensis as an uneconomical repair. It seems there is NOTHING they can do for me. It had done 60,000 miles from new with full history and was effectively written off. I`m moving on from Toyotas now. I wish you all the best with your problem cars- the manufacturer is dining out on the previous good name of these cars (I have had 3 of them but this last Avensis has been a SHOCKER). As for Toyota....no help at all.