2004 Van out of warrenty by 4000 miles-HELP - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sky_driver · 02-27-2007, 08:23 AM

My 2004 Toyota Sienna van has a problem with the A/C. I took it in this past weekend and the dealer says he thinks there is a freon leak and that to make sure they need to run a "die" test which will cost about $160.00.

I brought the van in last spring when we noticed it not blowing correctly and they fixed something while it was under warrenty. Then we noticed it again in the several months ago, and when I took the car in to have an oil change, I told them about the A/C but they said that I would have to leave the van with them for 4-5 hours. Since I did not have time for that, and since it was winter, the service manager said just bring it in when I can leave the van with them.

I took it in this past Saturday, but now it is 4000 miles over the 36,000 mile warranty, and the service manager said he can't do anything about it. When I told him that they had fixed a problem with the A/C last year, and that I even brought it in several months ago about the A/C, he said they do not show anything in their computer about the A/C.

I usually keep all of my service records, but cannot find these showing that there was a problem with the A/C.

I know that the dealership will not help me, does anyone have any suggestions. I am trying to contact the local southeast Toyota rep so that I can talk to him/her about this.

Any advice would be appreciated.

BadNick · 02-27-2007, 11:24 AM

If you already gave up working with the dealer, I think you're on the right track looking for the regional factory rep.

Too bad you don't have some kind of documentation about your previous reports, I think that would clinch it for you. But based on my experience with Toyota, I'd be very suprised if they don't stand behind this and fix it for you at no charge.

Deltona Couple · 02-28-2007, 06:08 AM

As a dealership employee I can tell you that many service managers have their hands tied when it comes to warranty repairs. A dealership is a franchise, so ANY warranty work has to be approved by higher ups in the corporate ladder when it is usually more than 1000 miles above the warranty. Call your regional rep, and if that doesn't work, call the corporate office. Seriously, talk about how much you love your van, and that if this is an indication of how the dealerships are run by Toyota, that you will go to Nissan for your next car purchase. 99% of the time you will be SUPPRISED by how fast they react to help you out. Expect an offer of probably a 50/50 split if they don't cover the entire repair.

The "die" test that you refered to is actually a "dye" test where a florescent dye is added to the refrigerant system to help locate a leak. Good luck, and keep us up to date!

sky_driver · 03-01-2007, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the advice. I will keep everyone informed about what happens.

newtx · 03-01-2007, 07:14 PM

If you get no satisfaction under warranty you might try some freon with stop leak. However it would be a good idea to contact Toyota directly. (not through the dealer) Try to work your way as high as possible in the Toyota national office. If you do enough squeaking you stand a good chance of getting some relief by going over the dealers head. You won't score any points with the local dealership but it can't hurt since you are out of factory warrantry at this point.

02-27-2007, 08:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
sky_driver Insane	2004 Van out of warrenty by 4000 miles-HELP My 2004 Toyota Sienna van has a problem with the A/C. I took it in this past weekend and the dealer says he thinks there is a freon leak and that to make sure they need to run a "die" test which will cost about $160.00. I brought the van in last spring when we noticed it not blowing correctly and they fixed something while it was under warrenty. Then we noticed it again in the several months ago, and when I took the car in to have an oil change, I told them about the A/C but they said that I would have to leave the van with them for 4-5 hours. Since I did not have time for that, and since it was winter, the service manager said just bring it in when I can leave the van with them. I took it in this past Saturday, but now it is 4000 miles over the 36,000 mile warranty, and the service manager said he can't do anything about it. When I told him that they had fixed a problem with the A/C last year, and that I even brought it in several months ago about the A/C, he said they do not show anything in their computer about the A/C. I usually keep all of my service records, but cannot find these showing that there was a problem with the A/C. I know that the dealership will not help me, does anyone have any suggestions. I am trying to contact the local southeast Toyota rep so that I can talk to him/her about this. Any advice would be appreciated.

02-28-2007, 06:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Deltona Couple Addict Location: Spring, Texas	As a dealership employee I can tell you that many service managers have their hands tied when it comes to warranty repairs. A dealership is a franchise, so ANY warranty work has to be approved by higher ups in the corporate ladder when it is usually more than 1000 miles above the warranty. Call your regional rep, and if that doesn't work, call the corporate office. Seriously, talk about how much you love your van, and that if this is an indication of how the dealerships are run by Toyota, that you will go to Nissan for your next car purchase. 99% of the time you will be SUPPRISED by how fast they react to help you out. Expect an offer of probably a 50/50 split if they don't cover the entire repair. The "die" test that you refered to is actually a "dye" test where a florescent dye is added to the refrigerant system to help locate a leak. Good luck, and keep us up to date! __________________ "It is not that I have failed, but that I have found 10,000 ways that it DOESN'T work!" --Thomas Edison

02-27-2007, 11:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	If you already gave up working with the dealer, I think you're on the right track looking for the regional factory rep. Too bad you don't have some kind of documentation about your previous reports, I think that would clinch it for you. But based on my experience with Toyota, I'd be very suprised if they don't stand behind this and fix it for you at no charge.

03-01-2007, 06:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
sky_driver Insane	Thanks for the advice. I will keep everyone informed about what happens.

03-01-2007, 07:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
newtx Addict	If you get no satisfaction under warranty you might try some freon with stop leak. However it would be a good idea to contact Toyota directly. (not through the dealer) Try to work your way as high as possible in the Toyota national office. If you do enough squeaking you stand a good chance of getting some relief by going over the dealers head. You won't score any points with the local dealership but it can't hurt since you are out of factory warrantry at this point.