A/C evaporator broken, quoted $1,800 to fix

My 2018 has 59,000 miles. The A/C has been blowing warm lately so I took it in for diagnosis: the evaporator needs to be replaced and because it’s buried in the dash, the repair will cost $1,800+.

Toyota has a new revised design for that part, presumably because the old design was poor. There is a TSB out for A/C blowing warm air at idle, and the new design of evap is in that TSB.

Am I out of line in thinking that Toyota should cover this repair? This is VERY early to be having the A/C conk out to the tune of $$ thousands. And it’s a known issue. And I meticulously maintain this truck, and had planned on keeping it for a long long time. Yes, the 3yr, 36k warranty is over. But come on. If I wanted repair bills like this at 59k, I would’ve bought a GM.

UPDATED 7/7/22:
Toyota is covering the repair. They are the best! This company really stands behind their quality.
The TSB that pertains to this issue is 0004-22.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10207964-9999.pdf

 

Agreed it should not have broken so soon. Especially sketch because they redesigned it.
I had a similar situation with Kohler toilet. Those fucks changed a gasket cuz it was poorly designed. I had to buy the redesign cuz mine leaked.
Straight up would not admit they fucked up.

 

Go get that GM. Toyota wont lose sleep over it lol

 

It would be a cold day in hell before I pay $1,800 for a A/C repair. Mine goes out it will stay out.

And when the service department takes out your dash you can expect to see the plastic all scratched up after they get it back together. Had a brain box on a 2003 Dodge Dakota go out, it was buried behind the dash and the guy said they were careful but damn it sure didn't look like it. My plastic on my door in the Tacoma is scuffed up just from my pants leg so I hate to think what the inside of your truck will look like afterwards.

 

I agree that it should’ve lasted longer because it’s a “Toyota” but I also think you’re out of line thinking it should be goodwill. It’s been redesigned because it obviously fails over time. It would be a different story if it failed the first year or so of use.
Toyota redesigned it because they don’t want it to fail again. You can go get a GM where they don’t redesign most common failures and you keep having to make the same repair every couple years. Toyota at least makes the effort to correct the issue to avoid future repairs.
You have a 2018 model truck, you’re going to have most of the same issues as the 2016’s. By the last redesigns you have most if not all issues corrected like the now 2020+ models. Always buy the last model years of any vehicle.

 

Extended Warranty?

 

It does look like a very labor intensive repair. OP, I hope Toyota takes care of you. I had to slow down the YouTube playback speed to watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxSZqnOx6w4

 

1. Get a second opinion, make sure what they say is wrong is actually what is wrong
2. Get another quote not from a dealer to get an idea of the price range
3. Don't waste your time fighting/arguing with dealer if they aren't playing ball
4. Contact Toyota corporate to plead your case
5. Be calm and professional, don't lose your cool
6. If you played your cards right, corporate might help you, if you go in guns blazing, they are going to tell you to fly a kite

 

Not well designed for maintenance is it.

 

From experience, any manufacturer will only help you if you have good repair history with them. They have no incentive to help you if you only get free work from them.

 

Happened to my Turd Gen. luckily it happened with only about 20k on it so it was covered.

 

If Toyota Corporate doesn’t help you I would check around for mechanics who have experience replacing the evap core and get an estimate from them. It’s obviously labor intensive based on the video posted above, the A/C Evaporator Core only cost $70-80 for the part itself.

 

My prior 2004 Ford never had a problem.

 

I had a similar issue with my 2013 Tacoma back in 2017. The ac seized at 4 years old and the truck had about 34k. I filed a claim with corporate and they covered 90% of the cost. The service manager at the dealership I took the truck to worked with me. Hopefully things work out for you.

 

Manufacturers have offered AC in vehicles for 80 years. It’s incompetent to screw it up in 2018 IMO.

 

Toyota lubies working on your vehicle will for sure screw it up.. Reinstalling the dash and forgetting where the correct nuts and bolts go. Guarantee there will be left over parts

 

I cant believe extended warranty wouldn’t cover it. Read warranty and bulletin to have a good knowledge of what can apply, good luck

 

dang might as well take the bed and wheels off while they're at it

 

Moral of the story is dont buy new gens for 3 years so they can figure out the issues. When did the redesigned part show up?