How is the Toyota 3yr/36000 mile warranty figured?

Not surprising at all. From my experience, Toyota has decided that it is most profitable for them to try to wiggle out of any warranty coverage at all. Their basic method is to deny that a problem exists - or to claim that the problem is the customer's fault!

 

Do you have a family member, in-law, close friend, neighbor, etc... that's an attorney?
If so- have them draft a letter for you and send it off to Toyota (local and corporate) just so you have your position documented.

 

It should be noted somewhere that the warranty started at 400 miles, so you're covered 'til 36,400 miles. As for the rest, start writing letters. I had problems with the local VW dealer and VWoA and I started getting action when I wrote to VW in Germany.

 

My experience is completely the opposite. Toyota and their dealers will bend over backwards to ensure I'm happy. Items have been replaced under warranty with no quibble.

 

Have you talked to the service manager or Fixed OpManager at the dealership? If you have then eMail or mail the Dealer Principal of the dealership in question and outline your position. If not talk to the Fixed op Manager. Use facts not emotions and give them all the required information. Be firm but polite. I think it will get you the attention that you want.

 

Since I put snows on in the fall with their own wheels without the TPMS sensors, I am used to the light staying on. When I replace the OEM tires, I will remove the TPMS sensors permanently. Such a useless device. Waste of money for the consumer but a money maker for Toyota.

 

The tire pressure monitor system was mandated by federal law. I'd bet the car manufacturers wouldn't mind seeing them go away.

 

Since the problem has been documented from the beginning, there shouldn't be a problem getting Toyota to follow through, especially since a case has been opened for you. I would suggest calling them again for an update as to just what they are doing on your case. The wheel (or in this case the TPMS customer)that squeeks gets the grease. Good luck!

 

Regarding the car having 400 miles on it when you got it. It may have been sold and delivered to a customer only to have the dealer discover after a couple of days that financing was denied to the buyer, who was then told to bring it back. I hope they gave you a big fat discount or concession on it. Otherwise you should have walked and gone elsewhere.

Regarding the ongoing issue. Since it started during the warranty period and it's an ongoing problem then the clock stopped ticking on the warranty as far as that particular problem goes. I would have an attorney draft a letter as suggested and you may let them know that since this is a recuring safety problem you might be considering excercising your rights with regard to lemon laws and will seek a buyback if the problem isn't solved. My brother in law got a full refund of his down payment, all monthly payments, insurance, title, taxes, fees AND attorney fees from Chevrolet for problems he had with his new truck a while back under the California lemon law.

 

I doubt the Lemon Laws in NC still apply due to the age & mileage. Tough to claim a safety defect after putting 35000 miles on the car.

The TPMS light does not come on for no reason. It appears everyone is too lazy to look for the cause. Have the sensors been pulled & tested? File a complaint with your county or state Consumer Affairs office if talking to dealership corporate doesn't get you anywhere.

 

Respectfully disagree.

The OP said:

"My issue with the car is the pesky TPMS warning light that comes on for no reason. It has been an intermittent problem from day one. I have records of warranty service about this. The dealership has repeatedly refused to do anything about it after the first couple of complaints. They will clear the error code, check the tire pressures and reset the TPMS button, but that is it."

The dealer kicking the can forward in hopes that they can delay the complaintants repair until after the warranty period expires doesn't let them off the hook. The clock stopped ticking at the first complaint which is documented and has not been resolved. It's all the proof they need to support their potential lemon law claim.

 

http://www.ncdoj.gov/consumer/automobiles/lemon-law.aspx

LEMON LAW

The North Carolina Lemon Law, also known as the New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act (N.C.G.S. 20-351), applies to new passenger cars, pick-up trucks, motorcycles and most vans bought in North Carolina. It requires manufacturers to repair defects that affect the use, value, or safety of a new motor vehicle within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Your car may be covered by the Lemon Law if all of the following have happened:

• The problem occurs in some part of the vehicle that is covered by the manufacturer's warranty and you are within the warranty period. It does not need to be something that keeps you from being able to drive the car. For example, faulty air conditioning or peeling paint could be considered defects under the Lemon Law.
• You tell the manufacturer about the problem in writing and give them a reasonable period, but not more than 15 days, to fix it.
  
• The manufacturer makes “a reasonable number of attempts” to fix the vehicle. This means that the car has been repaired for the same problem four or more times, or that it has been out of service a cumulative total of 20 or more business days during a 12 month period of the warranty.
  
• The manufacturers’ efforts to fix the lemon fail. Under the law, they must either replace your car or buy it back. You get to decide between a comparable new car and a refund.

It is a good idea to read your warranty to find out what kind of remedies your manufacturer might offer outside of the Lemon Law.
Clause 2 does not appear to have been met. OP should contact the DoJ. If indeed it is a lemon some 70% of the purchase price is recoverable.:
If you have a complaint about new car warranties contact us for help or call toll free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

 

Great information. I would think the TPMS, since it is a federal requirement on all new cars since 2008, would be one of the items that better be working correctly at least during the warranty period. In this case it was not. And like you said "everyone is too lazy to look for the cause.

If the Toyota dealers are saying it can't be fixed or they give up, the car was sold as a new vehicle out of federal compliance which may preclude any state lemon laws. I would pursue it.

As we all know, it's a safety item...kinda like saying "the airbags don't work even though you paid for them, or the seatbelts don't latch and the mechanics can't get them to click." I'm reminded of the SUV rollover deaths due to blown tires that took place a while back, which may have triggered the TPMS requirement by the feds. This device was intended to be an early warning system to prevent tire overheating due to underinflation which resulted in blowouts and deaths.

 

Good news!

 

As a follow up to this incident, you should contact Toyota's Customer Experience Center (first box on that page), and let them know about the difficulty you had getting dealer(s) to get a fix scheduled. They were very interested in my feedback about long repair times at my local dealership - I can only imagine they'd want to hear about refusal to honor warranty work. It is a separate department from official warranty service from Toyota.

 

Would you mind letting me know who the dealer is that you are dealing with so I will know to stay away if I ever need service in your area? I have kids in Winston-Salem and travel there frequently.