Repair ripoff?

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
10/07/2014 at 16:21 • Filed to: None

A friend of mine was having transmission problems with their 2009 Corolla. The dealer said it was "bad" and needed to be replaced to the tune of $6,000. Your eyes do not deceive you.

Don't Toyotas have a 5-year powertrain warranty? And how in this day and age does an automatic gearbox that has been dealer maintained since new just "go bad"? And WHY in the name of JuJuBe does a dime a dozen Corolla autobox cost $6,000 to replace? That's a $2,000 job on a bad day!

DISCUSSION (11)

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:24

This is where you pay some guy to set the car on fire in the middle of the night.

For Sweden > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:24

Dealer labor

Chairman Kaga > For Sweden
10/07/2014 at 16:32

I priced the most expensive used box I could find at $1,400, plus 8 hours of labor at $100 an hour. That's top end.

Dealer labor can rot and burn.

davedave1111 > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:33

No-one reputable will quibble for a moment if you tell them you'll need a second opinion. It's a good idea to get a second opinion anyway, but just saying you will is often enough to weed out the chancers.

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:40

majik.

Takuro Spirit > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:42

New non-reman trans maybe? Some Mazda boxes go for 3-5k depending. And you'd think for a Mazda 3 they'd offer a reman engine for cheap like the aftermarket does since it's Mazda's Corolla but NOPE. $4,000 all day long, brand new only. And that doesn't even include gaskets.

Chairman Kaga > Takuro Spirit
10/07/2014 at 16:46

I'm sure it's a new box, since she's going to the dealer. And MAYBE the car is just outside powertrain warranty? It's an '09, and the warranty is only 60/60,000. Still, I get the feeling she's maybe being jerked around by dealer service and could do better by going to an independent garage. I mean, of course she could. Unless there's ground to appeal the warranty claim for some sort of manufacturing defect. I almost never hear of Toyota boxes dying that young unless they're severely neglected or suffering a defect, and she's ALWAYS had dealer service done and prescribed intervals.

jariten1781 > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:50

Those U boxes are stout. It'd be pure shit luck if it just failed that early. The lifetime fill they use in it is questionable (no personal experience, but read bad things) so maybe a drain-fill is in order.

thebigbossyboss > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 16:52

"WHY in the name of JuJuBe does a dime a dozen Corolla autobox cost $6,000 to replace?"....because race car? Oh wait....

Takuro Spirit > Chairman Kaga
10/07/2014 at 20:02

As a dealer professional, just let me say there are MANY variables and angles that can play a part in all this.

1. A warranty starts on the sold date. Even if it's an '09, it may have been sold in early '08 and therefore be even farther out of warranty.

2. Some dealers will price out reman, aftermarket, or used parts. But she may need to ask.

3. IF she has done all her servicing with Toyota, and is JUST out of warranty or there is a known problem with that transmission, Toyota might need to get involved and offer repair assistance. She needs to call Toyota Customer Service or whatever they call it, and see if she has an grounds for getting help.

Chairman Kaga > Takuro Spirit
10/08/2014 at 10:19

I got more info, and the car is still in the 60 months, but at 60,328 miles. Her dealer is refusing to even consider filing the repair as a warranty claim. I passed along your advice to elevate the issue to Toyota corporate, or even just try a different dealer. Explain the situation to them, let them know they can gain a new customer, and be pleasant.

She's willing to ditch the dealer network entirely though. I'll help her track down a reman unit and refer her to a reputable private garage that's already given me an informal estimate of 6 hours if the new trans is clean and ready to install.