Hello - New Corolla Owner - Not Happy

[Scotsman]

Hi there,

New to the forum - Hello.

I bought myself a 2.0 D-4D hatchback in July. It's a 2004 on a 53 plate.

I love the car. The paint is a bit ropey - looks like its lived in a car wash, and a bad one at that. That doesn't worry me too much as the majority will polish out and the rest will wet sand.

The concern I do have is spare parts.

When I took the car for a test drive I noticed the air-con was not working. The garage said they'd fix it. It turned out to be a leaking pipe. They ordered a spare from Toyota. Six weeks later the car is still not fixed. The dealer who sold me the car says they are having trouble sourcing the part. When I asked why the reply was that Toyota had discontinued it.

Well as I didn't believe a motor manufacturer would discontinue a part for a car that is 3.5 years old I phoned Toyota customer relations who confirmed that that part has indeed been discontinued and therefore are unable to supply a replacement.

They are however raising the matter with Toyota Europe and Toyota Japan.

So not a happy Toyota bunny.

[compressor mad]

mmmmmm thats a strange one indeed

[Scotsman]

mmmmmm thats a strange one indeed

I though my dealer was pulling a fast one - but no. They are now looking at having one made. The man I spoke to from Toyota also found it strange which is why they are raiseing it with Toyota Europe and Japan.

Its a shame because I love this car, but it's really uncomfortably hot.

[compressor mad]

i thinks thats a bit shocking from toyota because that model is not that old maybe the had a set batch made up because they new they didnt break that often have you tryed the interweb?

[Scotsman]

i thinks thats a bit shocking from toyota because that model is not that old maybe the had a set batch made up because they new they didnt break that often have you tryed the interweb?

Its down to my dealer - the car was sold to me on the understanding that the air-con would be fixed. They have mentioned trying to source a second-hand pipe but said they would rather have one made as they don't like to use second-hand. They are also like me and hope Toyota find one in a cupboard somewhere.

The guy I spoke to from Toyota said he's never come across this before. Make you wonder what other parts have been discontinued.

[Ed_Shek]

Thats a worry for alot of E12 Corolla Owners out there! Really Shocking if that is the case!

[Black Knight]

They're oblidged to continue making parts for the car for 10 years after the model production so yes a very odd one.

Sounds like someone's dropped a clanger

[Scotsman]

They're oblidged to continue making parts for the car for 10 years after the model production so yes a very odd one.

Sounds like someone's dropped a clanger

I'm hoping its just a system error - ala 'little Britain' - The computer says no!

Just waiting on hearing back from Customer relations.

[Black Knight]

That's the most likely cause

[Scotsman]

Heard back from Toyota customer relations.

They were all apologetic. Turns out to be one big mis-understanding and my dealer has now managed to place the order - delivery expected on the 11th Sept.

[Ed_Shek]

Phew - Had us all in a panic there! :D

[Scotsman]

Tell me about it.

It's been a nightmare - my two year old son wouldn't let us open the windows because of the noise. It not been a great summer but we've been melting it that car.

Tried to get Toyota to pay for my timing belt change. They came back saying they'll cover parts but not labour (see other post).

[Scotsman]

just to follow up....

Toyota said part would be delivered on the 11th Sept.

Now its the 19th and still no sign of it. Customer relations have not responded to my email either.

[jezza c]

Tell me about it.

It's been a nightmare - my two year old son wouldn't let us open the windows because of the noise. It not been a great summer but we've been melting it that car.

Tried to get Toyota to pay for my timing belt change. They came back saying they'll cover parts but not labour (see other post).

i got toyota to pay for my cam-belt change ! the car had 56000 k on the clock when i bought it from toyota in leeds, i asked about when the belt replacement was due and the salesman said 80 000k . it was'nt untill i'd bought the car and read the service book that i found out it was a 60 000k change.

i wrote a ( not very nice letter ) to toyota, who then got in touch with the dealer, needless to say , it got replaced FREE OF CHARGE.

Since March have also had, clutch release bearing replaced, was squeaking when clutch pedal was pressed, also engine oil and filter changed , just last week, i'd noticed the oil filter was'nt a genuine toyota part, so i kicked off about that too !!! ( i dont think they're keen on me now )

[Scotsman]

Sent another email and this time they phoned me.

The air-con pipe still has not been ordered. The reason - get this;

"THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS" I mean WTF.

They are endeavouring to find out how much it is from 'Toyota Parts GB' who appear to not want to tell.

The relations guy did say that if (I mean when) Toyota parts tells them how much the part costs the part will be ordered.

Have you ever heard the like.

[Black Knight]

Suspecting another clanger off the back of the first one. If it wasn't on there to start with then it won't have most of the information. No-one'll know how to charge costs between the relevant areas and hence it doesn't happen. A real pain. Just keep kicking it up the tree until someone gets their ubik kicked and demand an appology/compensation :)

[Scotsman]

Suspecting another clanger off the back of the first one. If it wasn't on there to start with then it won't have most of the information. No-one'll know how to charge costs between the relevant areas and hence it doesn't happen. A real pain. Just keep kicking it up the tree until someone gets their ubik kicked and demand an appology/compensation :)

I've now emailed them stating that I wish to make an official complaint against Toyota Parts and Toyota customer relations.

I have it in writing from them on the 5th that the part was available and that my dealer had successfully ordered it and that delivery was expected for the 11th. today Toyota virtually admitted that that letter was a work of fiction.

I'm glad the part is not for something that would stop me using the car. We have now been trying for over two months to get this part.

[Scotsman]

Hi again.

Sorry for dragging this out - it's wearing thin on me also.

If I want to complain about 'Toyota Parts GB' and 'Toyota GB Customer Relations' who should I complain to? Should it be Toyota Europe in Brussels or Toyota Japan?

Does anyone have an email address or failing that a postal address?

It seems there is no point complaining to Toyota GB about themselves.

[Black Knight]

Found this. Seems to have some contact details on it. You could try it for a starter

http://www.toyota.eu/

[Scotsman]

Thanks for that Black Knight. I'll give them a try tomorrow.

[Scotsman]

I emailed Brussels today and asked them if they could supply me with an email address to complain about Toyota GB.

Got the address in a reply.

Then as I'm writing my complaint. Toyota GB phoned me. They have not resolved the pricing issue, but they have overridden their procedures and managed to place the order for the pipe.

Yippee I thought, but then.......

However the part is unfortunately on back order with no delivery date available :) :D

They're taking the proverbial now.

When the call was over, I finished my letter to Brussels and sent it.

[Parts-King]

I see your point, and it's frustrating when you can't get an answer, but I too have seen this, with air con pipes, on other models. You are best sticking with TGB, as frustrating as it is, as Brussells will just fire it back to TGB, the same will happen if you send it to Japan. The country with the problem is ultimatly the one to sort out the problem. On a slightly different note, all the parts for GB and Europe are sourced in Belguim, so if you have the part number that has been ordered on your behalf, they may be able to give you some further information, sorry but I dont have any contact details for them.

Kingo

[Scotsman]

I understand what you're saying.

I'm sure Toyota GB will sort it out at some point but we're now approaching 1/4 of a year to supply a spare part for a four year old car.

I have written to Brussels mentioning parts GB but the main reason for the letter is the way Customer relations have handled it.

Every time I receive a letter or phone call they tell me something that ultimately is untrue. I suggest they might like to give me a free timing belt change for which Toyota quoted 196 +vat as goodwill and they basically dismiss the trouble and inconvenience I've been through by offering to pay for the belt only (£30 or so).

[Scotsman]

you were spot on Parts-King.

Toyota Europe emailed me this morning - they've kicked it back to Toyota GB.

I'm running out of options. I'm now thinking of registering www.notgettingatoyota.co.uk. it will only cost me £4 for two years. I can then document the problems I've had trying to get a part for a Jan '04 car.

[chrisio]

You are right about how poor Toyota GB customer relations are.

When I had my issue with the running of my car (see other posts) some snotty bint at TCR talked down to me and made me feel like I was trying to con them :censor:

Set up the website, I'll contribute some posts