Disappointment 2021 Tacoma TRD Sport Gold Certified Used

I just purchased a Gold Certified used 2021 TRD Sport from a Toyota Dealer in western MA. , with 32k miles. They had the leather, sunroof heated seats etc. For me this was to be a problem free vehicle and to keep me from working on other vehicles. As I live in NH they had to deliver the vehicle 2+ hr drive as MA doesn’t have temp. Plates. I drove it less than 20 miles until having state inspected today at a local non Toyota garage.

The Service Tech called me in to show me the power steering pump was leaking and the reservoir is well below minimum level. SO…. What am I to think? Gold Certified? As it’s a long drive to the dealership where I purchased it I called a local Toyota dealer. Said it would be $129 upfront to look at it and couldn’t say if the warranty would cover it, oh as it’s Tuesday thought they could get me in sometime late next week! But if it’s covered I wouldn’t have to pay the $129. Geee…..

Salesperson where I bought the vehicle hasn’t called back yet I was conducted by another individual who would look into it and respond back today.

Ah the Toyota feeling.

What can I say. I’d rather not have bought this not because I don’t believe Toyota Tacoma is a good truck but dealing with people and dealerships. Worst that happens is I have a newer vehicle to work on.

 

You bought it sight unseen?

 

I drove the truck at the Toyota dealership. Did I not mention Toyota Gold Certified Used 1,000 point or so checks they do. If they would have let me inspect it I would have.

 

Welcome to TW! Good luck!

 

I'm not familiar with Gold Certified but I purchased mine certified used and opted to get the platinum warranty. Not sure if you purchased an additional warranty or they're talking about the factory warranty.

Toyotas are known for reliability but that doesn't mean they never have issues. There are certain things no warranty will cover and dealerships often charge diagnostic fees simply to cover themselves. Nothing like spending an hour or two of your time diagnosing an issue only for the customer to decline service or finding out warranty won't cover it AND the customer declines service.

A 1,000 point inspection is still subject to things being missed. While it pisses you off as a customer, we are still dealing with humans.

 

Welcome aboard!

I emphasize with your situation, but it seems like the real mistake wasn’t your choice of vehicle per se, but your choice of dealership. Every vehicle ever made will have a problem at some point. Some have problems earlier than others. And when you buy used, you never really know if you’re taking on someone else’s headache. Buying used is always a gamble, to some degree…which is the risk you take, in exchange for saving some cash.

Generally speaking, a “certified” preowned vehicle is a safer bet than a non-certified vehicle (assuming same model, year, mileage, etc). However, sometimes issues “fall through the cracks” and get overlooked or ignored. It’s always the buyer’s ultimate responsibility to make sure the vehicle is up to par, and every individual has their own standards. What might be a dealbreaker for you, may only be a trip to the salvage yard and a 30 minute fix for someone else.

There is a reason why independent vehicle inspectors exist. Being “certified” by the dealership doesn’t guarantee it will be free of problems, or in like-new condition. “Certified” simply means they gave it a more thorough inspection than they normally do.

If that dealership has any integrity, they will make a genuine effort to rectify the situation. Don’t expect them to cover your expenses getting the vehicle to them. But CPO warranties usually cover the parts, and often the labor as well. But if you get nothing but doors slammed in your face/no return phone calls, then you’ll just have to find someone local that can fix it. I don’t envy your situation, and it’s a pain in the ass to deal with people 2 hours away. But next time you buy a vehicle (especially used), try to find something closer to home, and a seller with an excellent reputation and accountability. Good luck!

 

English is my 4th language, but I got the impression he said the exact opposite.

 

What's your contract say?

Don't know why you'd pay a service tech to tell you what you already know though... Either tell them you want them to fix their BS or man up and fix it yourself

 

You are correct. I misread the last paragraph. Comment edited.

 

Gold certified as a tier in Toyota’s CPO program; I am unaware that you have to take it to the purchased from dealership.

I thought you could just take it to any Toyota dealer based on the brochure they provide with the program.

By the way, they claim a limited seven year powertrain warranty, so I’m pretty sure the PS pump should be covered.

 

Welcome!

 

This is no fun - worst way to start the experience.

 

Saga continues… Local Toyota Dealership can not make the power steering leak repair (actually coming from steering rack) also found leak from gasket at oil filter housing. Certified Toyota folks require it’s done at dealership where I bought the truck due to being within 30 days and low number of miles driven.
Again that dealership is 2 1/2 hrs.

Add one more issue. The transmission shutters noticeably at low rpm and higher torque requirements (small hills) found this fina. Tech said it was typical, no fault codes and recommended ant-shutter additive. Really?

At this point I want my money back.

 

Sorry for your pain. These are good trucks!

 

CPO means they looked it over, it's clean, maybe put on a couple tires, brake pads and wiper blades, change the oil and send it down the road at a premium price with a fledgling warranty.

Probably 2 out of every 100 bites them in some way. But they cleared good $ on the other 98, so no big.

I bought a CPO RAV Limited, 5 yo, 45k, but managed a fair price (in 2019). Later found previous damage from a battery situation that I would have seen had I looked closer, but too late for them to take responsibility.

Good news is I fixed it myself for under $150 in new OE parts and it's been a great vehicle now for 5 years.

Point of my post is no one should be awed by the term CPO. On any marquee. It's value is 100% on the dealer doing the prep.

Best wishes for resolving your situation.