T180 Owners - Important Technical Problem

[nbilling]

Dear All,

I would like to bring to your attention a serious issue conveyed to me (but for 4 months attempted to be hidden by Toyota) of the T180's incompatability with the grades of diesel in parts of Spain and Portugal.

I have taken my T180 (acquired in April 2006) to Spain. In August of this year, the car broke down with injector problems. After having replacements fitted, the car broke down a further three times. After having blamed contaminated fuel, it seems Toytoa have put their hands up and stated that this engine is not compatible to run on some diesels supplied in parts of Spain / Portugal. Toyota do NOT have a working replacement part and are having to manufacture it from NEW. Available from January 08.

Has anyone had any similar experiences? I am now in discussions with laywers as I stated to the salesman I was taking the vehicle to Spain. This I deem to be in breach of Sales of Goods act.

Not only that but I've had other untold issues with this car.

Those thinking of purchasing this vehicle - DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! In fact, sell it while you have the chance.

[GuidoM]

I own an Avensis Dcat (T180), and I've been to Spain with the car. I've had no fuelproblems whatsoever.

[Parts-King]

It has been well commented on in the trade for a long time. Diesel can vary considerably in quality in Europe and ALL the manufacturers have had problems when poor quality diesel has affected the new high pressure diesel pumps fitted to modern engines. UK diesel is far better quality and the problems here are nothing like the problems being faced in some parts of Europe. Your campaign should be aimed at the fuel suppliers, Please let people make up there own mind wheather or not they should be buying a Toyota, it certainly would not be restricted to T180's as ALL the D4D engines have a high pressure pump, along with most other manufacturers. I know of one manufacturer who has had a torrid time with their cars and poor fuel

Kingo

[Djoezz]

This problem is being discussed on other "Toyota Owners'" sites as well, like in Spain and in the Netherlands.

The problem is obvious, after some 30,000km the 2.2 D4D engine starts to become noisier and noisier, especially when cold.

I own one with 43,000 km on the odometer and it rattles when its cold and it annoys me when cruising with a warm engine.

I also suspect that the absurd oil consumption of this engine type has to do with it ( 1 ltr every 2000km).

The Toyota dealer still uses the 50's adagio that 1 ltr per 1000km is regarded as "normal".

I have to say that it is a great car but just because of the noisy engine, I would never buy another one unless the problem is being solved ( new injectors?).

I have to say that I have done quite some driving in France and Spain, but I have not read any instruction in my owners manual about approved diesel types and to avoid Spain.

If this is my experience, I feel free to mention this in a forum like this. Even a negative advice as nbilling gave is quite apropriate in my view.