- #684 of 768
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Re: Fix of Popping Noise in 2006 Steering Column /won't buy another Toyota
by carperson1
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Jan 09, 2009 (1:18 pm)
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Replying to: canam1960 (Oct 14, 2008 2:12 pm)
I had an awful time with Toyota Today--mostly the corporate customer service 800# -- and the World Toyota Dealership in Atlanta, GA. I was so upset by their customer "no service" that I have decided to never buy another Toyota and to tell all my friends not to buy them. So, My RAV4/2006 began making the thunking/popping noise when I turned the wheel a couple of weeks ago--so I took it into the dealership yesterday. They said that it was a rack and pinion problem and would cost me $1021. The car is only a little over 2 years old but does have 49000 miles on it--so is no longer within warranty. I thought maybe they would extend the warranty since it was such a big problem and the car is still relatively new. I called the corporate 800 # and they said too bad--I was out of warranty range. Then I did some research on my own and found that it wasn't a rack and pinion problem but a steering shaft column. The dealership said oh, ok--I guess they had a more senior mechanic take a look at it originally?? And now it would cost $653. Hmmm...that's about a $400 misdiagnosis. Good thing I have the internet.
I am still miffed that this is a problem that Toyota knows about and has issued the TSB about...but I still have to pay for it. I wish I had known while I was still within my warranty at least.
Hopefully, this repair will fix the problem. I still feel cheated and "taken" and feel that I am paying for a problem that they knew existed and is potentially dangerous. It is my understanding that the steering wheel can "lock up" if the issue is not corrected in time. Shouldn't this be a recall? I also thought Toyota was supposed to be an honest company, but I am not impressed
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- #685 of 768
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Re: Fix of Popping Noise in 2006 Steering Column /won't buy another Toyota [carperson1]
by canam1960
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Jan 09, 2009 (5:37 pm)
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Replying to: carperson1 (Jan 09, 2009 1:18 pm)
I can't agree with you more. I emailed Toyota Corp as well as spoke with my delaership's service manager about the same problem. They both basically said the same thing about their quality / design problem, "Sorry and Good Luck"
Toyota quality is not what the trade papers think it is. It has gone down hill in a hurry. I cancelled my order on a new Venza and told the sales manager I'll look elsewhere and "Good Luck"
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- #686 of 768
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Re: Fix of Popping Noise in 2006 Steering Column /won't buy another Toyota [carperson1]
by steve_ HOST
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Jan 09, 2009 (7:33 pm)
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Replying to: carperson1 (Jan 09, 2009 1:18 pm)
Please post about your experience over in Dealer Ratings and Reviews too. Thanks!
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- #687 of 768
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Will car towing hurt my car?
by Thinkinghard
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Jan 10, 2009 (7:54 am)
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My new 2009 Rav4 (4wd) was towed. After I drove the car back, I felt it seemed not as "smooth" as before. I asked the towing company how they towed my car. They just said they drag it to the bed of their truck and drove their truck away.
I've asked dealer to check it for me and they told me everything is okay.
It is a new car I bought 3 weeks ago. Really feel frustrated as I do feel something maybe wrong with transmission?
Please give me some advice. I do appreciated it!!!!
 
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- #688 of 768
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Re: Will car towing hurt my car? [Thinkinghard]
by wwest
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Jan 10, 2009 (8:49 am)
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Replying to: Thinkinghard (Jan 10, 2009 7:54 am)
Why the tow....??
What work was done at the dealer..??
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- #689 of 768
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The Tow
by gilvkona
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Jan 10, 2009 (10:01 am)
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Did you watch them tow it? When they did that to mine(for a dead battery which would not hold a charge, covered under warranty) the tow truck had a platform. The back end of the platform was lowered to ground level and they pulled it up with a wench and nylon ropes. The platform was then leveled. It would be all but impossible to damage your vehicle if they did this. There are example in the owners manual on how to tow your RAV4. I would guess the tow truck operator would be versed in the proper technique but anything is possible.
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- #690 of 768
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Re: Will car towing hurt my car? [Thinkinghard]
by bigdadi118
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Jan 10, 2009 (3:10 pm)
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Replying to: Thinkinghard (Jan 10, 2009 7:54 am)
"DRAG" sounds like it was towed due to illegal parking. I saw a city tow flat bed trucker dragged the car up the bed (bed was lowered to street as slope) and wheels are not moving (assume shift still in Park). Wheels are like pencil erasers rubbing on all surface it travel. I don't know whether it hurt your car or not, maybe some one here can tell.
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- #691 of 768
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Re: Will car towing hurt my car? [wwest]
by Thinkinghard
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Jan 10, 2009 (6:27 pm)
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Replying to: wwest (Jan 10, 2009 8:49 am)
I lived in an apt complex. I parked my car in the parking slip which was assigned to my apt. I did not move my car after the snow so the apt management company towed my car. That sounds ridiculous to me coz I parked my car in my parking slip and I have the parking permit! Anyway, I will get the towing fees reimbursed.
The dealer checked suspension and tires. they said everything seems ok now....
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- #692 of 768
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Re: The Tow [gilvkona]
by Thinkinghard
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Jan 10, 2009 (6:33 pm)
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Replying to: gilvkona (Jan 10, 2009 10:01 am)
I did not see how they towed my car. I asked the towing company and they said they knew it was RAV4 so they drag the "windcheck" ( I did not hear the word clearly thru the phone) to the platform their truck. But, who knows!?
I did some research and found that if towing company did not handle it well, my car's transmission might be hurt.
Is there any way to check the transmission?I do want to have a double check at a local garage....
Thanks!
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- #693 of 768
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Re: The Tow [Thinkinghard]
by sage3
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Jan 12, 2009 (5:08 pm)
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Replying to: Thinkinghard (Jan 10, 2009 6:33 pm)
It sounds like they dragged it with a winch to the platform.I would think that it was not too far of a drag, if snow was on the ground it could have decreased the amount of friction. Personally, I am very sensitive when it comes to my vehicles especially when they are new and so in case of such an event I would be looking for noises and or abnormalities. I have learned to take a deep breath and not focus on the negative, in the event that something was damaged the tow company could be held liable, and plan C could be go to a different toyota dealer and tell them your Rav seems to have a problem and it's under warranty...
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