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otagogal77
By otagogal77 | AA Member | 1 Post | 11 December 2011 at 1:38pm

Hi there!
We recently purchased a caldina and we are stoked with the purchase BUT it surges, and has low power. We did the standard stuff when we purchased - test drove, noticed surging etc and told the car salesman, and had our trusty mechanic have a thorough inspection of it. He made quite a few recommendations and these were rectified by the car yard, but the surging continues and whilst measures have been taken to rectify it - it certainly is reminiscent of what it was like when we test drove it. We have a Toyota specialist garage that the car yard has passed the car to in order to be fixed but the surging and low power continues. It is now getting to the stage where we think the car yard just hopes we will go away, but I'd like to know what our rights are in order to a) get a replacement vehicle, or b) get our money back. We took out an extended warranty at the time of purchase. We are waiting for the Toyota mechanic to get back to us, as he has to consult with Toyota NZ apparently. It hasn't got nasty..yet...but we won't be satisfied until the problem is fixed.
Thanks

jbiddle
By jbiddle | Community Member | 1657 Posts | 13 December 2011 at 3:04pm

If this vehicle is fitted with a D4 engine then surging and rough running issues are not uncommon. We have already posted several replies on the Ask Jack forum from both owners or potential buyers on this subject.

This engine is identified by either, or both, rear body badging (D4) or D4 pressed into the top plastic engine cover.

We know that Toyota workshops struggle to overcome these issues at times. The best advice they often offer is to recommend the use of the highest octane fuel (minimum 95) possible.

The D4 is a lean burn engine and the surge and idle issues seem to be a characteristic of this technology.

I don’t believe the extended warranty policy is going to help you at all to be honest.

Hopefully you are dealing with the most senior person at the Dealership concerned in trying to resolve this one way or another.

Sorry we can’t offer a magic cure, if there was one we would gladly pass it on. Hopefully Toyota NZ will come up with something more positive.