The vehicle has self-stowing electrically operated mirrors. They also have electrochrome dimming for night operation.
The mirror failed when the gorilla at the car wash unstowed the mirror by forcing it back to the normal position.
It is not possible to identify this failure until the next time you attempt to stow the mirror. From that point on, you will get grinding noises from the mirror which will not stop. I finally silenced the noise but removing the mirror from the assembly, and cutting the wire going to the motor which stows the mirror.
A replacement costs well over $400, and this was from a junk yard - or should I say, "Auto Parts Recycler." In addition to that, I had to buy $75 worth of paint and primer, because the mirror was not the right color. I have no idea what this mirror would have cost from Toyota. I didn't even try to find out. I'm sure the price would have rapped my ulcer, which I didn't need.
I should think that Toyota's engineers would recognize that such abuse of the mirror was likely to occur under the circumstances outlined, and should have designed the mirror mechanism from sterner stuff. I will not buy another Toyota because of this sorry engineering.
As soon as my third row automatic seat will no longer go up, I started hearing this "dirt dobber" sound each time I start my car. The sound lasts for about 20 seconds. Mechanic says it's the motor which allows the side mirrors to fold in. Again, an electrical issue that will COST more money. I thought Toyotas were supposed to be such high quality and LAST forever.
The mirror motor runs non-stop and you can't close the mirror. The first mirror (passenger side) quit a few months ago. I took it in and they had to order a new mirror. Then the day I took it in to get fixed the driver side mirror quit working also. Each mirror runs $450 + $150 or so for labor.
- docdfw,
North Richland Hills, TX, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The vehicle has self-stowing electrically operated mirrors. They also have electrochrome dimming for night operation.
The mirror failed when the gorilla at the car wash unstowed the mirror by forcing it back to the normal position.
It is not possible to identify this failure until the next time you attempt to stow the mirror. From that point on, you will get grinding noises from the mirror which will not stop. I finally silenced the noise but removing the mirror from the assembly, and cutting the wire going to the motor which stows the mirror.
A replacement costs well over $400, and this was from a junk yard - or should I say, "Auto Parts Recycler." In addition to that, I had to buy $75 worth of paint and primer, because the mirror was not the right color. I have no idea what this mirror would have cost from Toyota. I didn't even try to find out. I'm sure the price would have rapped my ulcer, which I didn't need.
I should think that Toyota's engineers would recognize that such abuse of the mirror was likely to occur under the circumstances outlined, and should have designed the mirror mechanism from sterner stuff. I will not buy another Toyota because of this sorry engineering.
- gar s, Leesburg, FL, US