I purchased a used 2003 Toyota Celica that was less than one year old with about 16,000 mi and that came with the 36k bumper to bumper warranty. Shortly after, I took it to KC Summers Toyota in Mattoon Il to fix and repair several problems, one of which was the car was difficult to shift and would lunge forward roughly and was especially bad when shifting from 1st to 2nd. The warranty repair invoice stated they inspected and it was "OK". I rarely drove the car, as it was purchased for my daughter. She accepted the problem that maybe it was the nature of this car to be hard to shift. It was drivable and we didn't complain further - my mistake!
Three years later, my daughter described a problem that was soon diagnosed - by Obrian Toyota in Urbana Il - as the clutch slipping and would soon need to be replaced. I took the car to an experienced import mechanic. He found 3 bolts connecting the engine to the transmission housing were stripped, causing one of the bolts to rattle loose at the base of the housing. This is what caused the "lunging" as the engine and housing would pull apart and bang together with the torque of shifting. Anderson Automotive of Champaign, Il had the broken engine mounts welded, new bolts, new clutch/bearing/springs replaced. His work was thorough and reasonably priced. He found no sign of rough handling by the driver and he felt that this was due to defective workmanship from the factory. He said that from our history that this problem was the reason why we complained to and were ignored by Toyota initially.
I wrote Toyota. They sent me a letter claiming that they tried to reach me. A lie - no answering machine or cell phone messages. I contacted them, spoke to Louis Carrille, a service rep. His contention was the car is off warranty therefore Toyota doesn't have to pay. He chose to ignore all the receipts and documents. He said "I'm sorry I can't help you. Is there any thing else I can do for you?" How sweet.
Moral of the story: Don't believe Toyota's PR BS. They aren't kinder, gentler, or any more understanding than other car company. They generally manufacture a fine car, but when they turn out a dud, they will lie, ignore and stonewall you in the sleaziest fashion to get you to go away. Therefore if you feel you have a valid complaint - especially under warranty - and the dealer tells you it's OK, now is the time to yell and raise hell and hang in there with the tenaciousness of a pit bull until they make it right.
Clutch began to go out at 75K miles, so it had to be replaced. The stock Toyota clutch was the same cost as an aftermarket performance clutch! The mechanic told me that recently 3 othernewer celicas came in needing the same thing at only 60K miles,
- candacea,
Oroville, CA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased a used 2003 Toyota Celica that was less than one year old with about 16,000 mi and that came with the 36k bumper to bumper warranty. Shortly after, I took it to KC Summers Toyota in Mattoon Il to fix and repair several problems, one of which was the car was difficult to shift and would lunge forward roughly and was especially bad when shifting from 1st to 2nd. The warranty repair invoice stated they inspected and it was "OK". I rarely drove the car, as it was purchased for my daughter. She accepted the problem that maybe it was the nature of this car to be hard to shift. It was drivable and we didn't complain further - my mistake!
Three years later, my daughter described a problem that was soon diagnosed - by Obrian Toyota in Urbana Il - as the clutch slipping and would soon need to be replaced. I took the car to an experienced import mechanic. He found 3 bolts connecting the engine to the transmission housing were stripped, causing one of the bolts to rattle loose at the base of the housing. This is what caused the "lunging" as the engine and housing would pull apart and bang together with the torque of shifting. Anderson Automotive of Champaign, Il had the broken engine mounts welded, new bolts, new clutch/bearing/springs replaced. His work was thorough and reasonably priced. He found no sign of rough handling by the driver and he felt that this was due to defective workmanship from the factory. He said that from our history that this problem was the reason why we complained to and were ignored by Toyota initially.
I wrote Toyota. They sent me a letter claiming that they tried to reach me. A lie - no answering machine or cell phone messages. I contacted them, spoke to Louis Carrille, a service rep. His contention was the car is off warranty therefore Toyota doesn't have to pay. He chose to ignore all the receipts and documents. He said "I'm sorry I can't help you. Is there any thing else I can do for you?" How sweet.
Moral of the story: Don't believe Toyota's PR BS. They aren't kinder, gentler, or any more understanding than other car company. They generally manufacture a fine car, but when they turn out a dud, they will lie, ignore and stonewall you in the sleaziest fashion to get you to go away. Therefore if you feel you have a valid complaint - especially under warranty - and the dealer tells you it's OK, now is the time to yell and raise hell and hang in there with the tenaciousness of a pit bull until they make it right.
- Theodore B., Shelbyville, IL, US