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SydsnotNZ
By SydsnotNZ | AA Member | 1 Post | 13 January 2012 at 11:02am

Hi

We bought a new Toyota Highlander in August or September 2008 (brand new, not ex-demo etc) - V6 LX model, built in roofrails, so it is now only a few months since the warranty expired. It has been well looked after and not been in any accidents requiring panel work etc. I think it's done 60 or 70000km. (It's the current model before the recent facelift)

We rarely use the 3rd row of seats, but driving from Auckland to Rotorua a couple of weeks ago we had the kids in the back row. It was raining, and when we stopped we noticed that both of the seatbelts for the rear row were soaked through. No door or window had been left open, and water appeared to be running down the belts from the top, ie the roof direction.

Toyota have been very cagey, and are trying to get us to pay for any work involved. They have so far told us they think there is a crack in a weld/joint on one side, but no answer for the other side. They are trying to claim that it is no longer covered by the warranty.

I'm pretty sure we have a good case under the Consumer Guarantees act if Toyota don't come to the party and admit 3 yrs and 4 months isn't good enough before the body work starts to fall apart?

So - is this the case - are Toyota still liable for this - and how safe is a car that has started to crack after only 3 years of normal use?

Thanks

Ian

jbiddle
By jbiddle | Community Member | 1657 Posts | 19 January 2012 at 4:59pm

We find it very unusual that Toyota are asking you to pay for a possible crack in a weld/joint in the roof area for a vehicle of this age and mileage.

Has Toyota NZ been involved in making this decision?

We also question the diagnosing that has gone on in trying to identify the cause of the leak. To say they think it is a body fault on one side but have no answer for the other side sounds very unprofessional.

Unless the leak is the result of owner mistreatment then you have every right to ask for this repair to be carried out at little or no cost to yourselves.

We suggest you go back to the Toyota Dealer concerned and sit down with the branch manager or owner to discuss this problem.

If you get no satisfaction then make direct contact with Toyota NZ's free customer support line to register your disappointment (0800 869 682).