I purchased 2008 Scion Tc on July 31, 2007. Unfortunately, even after proper care and recommended services, the car broke down due to engine failure on October 27, 2010 with only 58,035 miles. To make matters worse, I was appalled to hear that Toyota has declined my warranty that I believe I am fully eligible for. They have rejected due to the fact that I could not 'prove' I have done regular oil changes in timely. As for my proof, I kept all 5 receipts after getting oil changes from various places such as Mr. Tire, jiffy lube and even 355 Toyota. As means to save money, I've done about 5 or 6 oil changes myself at home using recommended oil and oem filters. I have receipts, but inconveniently I am missing just a few receipts for the oil from local auto parts shops. I was told that if I so happen to recover every receipt, they would reconsider. My maintenance light turns on every 5,000 miles and I've been changing my oil accordingly. I even passed Maryland state emissions test on October 15, 2010 shortly before the breakdown of the car, which indicates my vehicle had no problems at the time. At this point, I realize Toyota really isn't trying to grant me the warranty. It seems every encounter I have with a customer service, they keep rejecting me due to 'technicalities, ' one after another. I'm pretty much out of options at this point, and writing to request for your help and to seek justice. Replace defective engine under the original warranty.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

I bought a new 2008 Toyota Scion. When my car broke down while driving, I had it towed to my mechanic. He suggested the engine was bad and would not touch it. Then I had it towed to the dealers. Its' engine died just short of the warranty miles. First the dealer tells me outright that in this economy there was no way the company would replace the engine. To add insult to injury, they called me to say that there's no oil in the tank ( I just had a recent oil change the month before) and then they said there was water in the oil tank and needed my permission to open it and charge me a $300 fee. If that wasn't the problem, then I wouldn't be charged. Finally, after weeks without my car, they tell me it needs a new engine and I needed to pay $7,000 for it on a car I still owe $16,000 for. They say perhaps if I showed the receipts that the car was maintained, then maybe they would work out something, but not likely. I gathered all the receipts that I could find and they refused to acknowledge the handwritten ones. The engine had to have been defective to die under 36,000 miles. I have been without my car (dismantled at the dealers) since Sept, 2009. I cannot afford a new engine let alone with the car payments $550 each month plus insurance that I still have to pay with no car. I don't believe that any engine should die that young with maintenance. I have bought new cars over 40 years and none of them ever had a bad engine that died. And, on average I keep my cars for 5 yrs with approximately 60,000 miles on them. Toyota is being unfair. They talked down to me because I am female and older. I am not stupid. They told me to go ahead and take them to court. This is no way to treat any customer.

- Edison, NJ, USA