Engine Bay Body Rips - Page 257

HHP · 06-17-2008, 10:17 AM

Just bringin' this back up, any follow-ups, TSB#, or dealer comments?

potatomutato · 06-21-2008, 02:48 AM

i hate to admit it but i'm finally showing a bulge and it ain't because of the nice females i met earlier this evening...unfortunately.

ACHlLLES · 06-25-2008, 07:34 PM

I don't have the bulge yet, but would like to prevent it. What's the deal with guys like me??

kokopelli · 06-25-2008, 07:38 PM

I've heard the lowering the beer and pizza helps, but after 50 it's less effective.. LOL.. Ron

PS: Sorry, but we have about as good of chance of preventing one and the other

Quote:

ACHlLLES previously said:

I don't have the bulge yet, but would like to prevent it. What's the deal with guys like me??

**cruiserlarry** · 06-25-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

HHP previously said:

Just bringin' this back up, any follow-ups, TSB#, or dealer comments?

There is a 3rd generation inner fender apron being tested by Toyota as we speak (type). The testing should be done by late summer, and if successful, the new inner fender apron will be integrated into FJC production models, and used to retrofit all models with the bulge / rip issue. Until that time, I'm going to sit tight, despite the new rips I have developing in the middle of the inner fender apron below the crush zone and above the liner lip...

ACHlLLES · 06-25-2008, 08:12 PM

Does it mean they will replace after the warranty expires?

**cruiserlarry** · 06-25-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

ACHlLLES previously said:

Does it mean they will replace after the warranty expires?

Yes, assuming you have documented the problem during the warranty period (although I've been unofficially told they will take care of this problem no matter what...).

This is why I've been stressing the importance of taking your FJC to the dealer as soon as you see any signs of the issue, and to file a NHTSA complaint as well. Your documentation of the problem will keep your warranty "open for this problem, as no proper fix was available during the warranty period. (I have almost 49,000 miles, and my rep said "no problem"- the bulges started during the warranty, as documented by Toyota, so the warranty in regard to this problem is open until a fix is in place...

FJWoods · 06-25-2008, 08:57 PM

The dealer had a Toyota Rep take a look at mine, My skid plate is dented from hitting on some rocks. They claimed that the stress I put on it from banging it down on rocks caused the bulges. I grabbed the sheet metal on the skid plate and pulled it back out to show how flimsey it was.... Stating that it did not take much to dent the skid. They insisted that I had abused. The dent in the skid is the only dent in the entire vehicle.. it has not been abused, but I have hit some rocks. They said they may go ahead and fix as a good will gesture..... but I continued to abuse it they would not fix again.. I am still waiting for them to get back with me to confirm that they will provide this " good will gesture"

I had also talked with the dealer about chips in the paint 4 months ago.. they said they were going to get a rep to look at that... it never has happened... they said the rep who looked at my truck this time was only addressing the fenders... and they are still waiting for someone else.

This is crazy... I don't have much confidence in them at this point.

BJ Woods, aka fjwoods

**cruiserlarry** · 06-25-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

FJWoods previously said:

The dealer had a Toyota Rep take a look at mine, My skid plate is dented from hitting on some rocks. They claimed that the stress I put on it from banging it down on rocks caused the bulges. I grabbed the sheet metal on the skid plate and pulled it back out to show how flimsey it was.... Stating that it did not take much to dent the skid. They insisted that I had abused. The dent in the skid is the only dent in the entire vehicle.. it has not been abused, but I have hit some rocks. They said they may go ahead and fix as a good will gesture..... but I continued to abuse it they would not fix again.. I am still waiting for them to get back with me to confirm that they will provide this " good will gesture"

I had also talked with the dealer about chips in the paint 4 months ago.. they said they were going to get a rep to look at that... it never has happened... they said the rep who looked at my truck this time was only addressing the fenders... and they are still waiting for someone else.

This is crazy... I don't have much confidence in them at this point.

BJ Woods, aka fjwoods

Sounds like time to visit a different dealer... This is not uncommon - some dealers are interested in customer service, and some are not. Contact the Toyota Corporate office customer service, and have a case number assigned to your situation. They will arrange for a rep to check out the vehicle. and file a complaint with the NHTSA to help document your problem...

fjdave5341 · 06-26-2008, 01:04 AM

[quote=cruiserlarry;1029342]Yes, assuming you have documented the problem during the warranty period (although I've been unofficially told they will take care of this problem no matter what...).QUOTE]

Larry,
Any advice for us lucky ones who don't yet have this problem showing? Its great news that they are going to cover the guys with problems and they should. My (and others) fear is that we show no symptoms of this until the 37K mark and are denied a fix because it didnt happen during the warranty period. I included your quote above where you said you were told unofficially they will take care of the problem no matter what. With your experiance with Toyota, do you think this is will be the case? How would you recommend someone handle a case like this? Try your luck with the dealer first and if that doesnt work call Toyota USA? Any idea if they are going to publish any official paperwork stating that this is a known problem? This would help those affected or future affected owners when they hit the dealer up. Thanks for keeping on top of this.