Under warranty dealer wants to charge a fee

Have check engine and traction control light on. Setup appointment with dealer and they want to charge 160 fee as just in case it’s not covered under warranty. I have an issue with this as the truck isn’t even a year old and has less than 15000 miles. I feel like this is a slimy practice and they could just say it’s not covered and get a 160 bucks in five minutes. Called corporate about this and waiting for a call back as case got escalated. Have any others experienced a similar issue?

 

Go to a different dealer. And purchase a code reader.

 

Do you have to actually pay it ? Or is that just an “estimate” in case it’s not covered

 

Our local dealer just got bought out by a bigger chain and they're starting to do the same thing.
They want you to sign that there will be a fee if they don't find something that is covered.
I guess I could understand if you're a repeat offender of bringing it for things that can't be covered, but a check engine light... come on.

 

Our dealership does this also...if its warranty you dont worry about it...but if its found to be modified or damaged causing the problem ,you'll have to pay the repair...if you decline the repair its 1.0hr labor

 

Don’t have to pay it but if for some reason they deem it not under warranty then I have to pay. They can make anything up I’m not back there looking at their screen. Thought about a different dealer but feel that if you sell cars part of your sale is also looking at a car under warranty. Also thought about buying a code reader but feel if a car is under warranty why should I have to fork out money.

 

So, unpopular opinion, but I see why they do it. If you’re over 60k, I agree with it.

There are many people that will have one location diag the issue, then price shop to resolve the issue at the cheapest location. This can consume time that techs could be using for paid services. Many people don’t understand how busy dealerships service centers actually are.

That being said, what I do not agree with is charging a diag for vehicles under 60k. Hear me out, if the CEL is on, and you’re under the bumper to bumper (which you are) why does it matter WHY it’s on? It’ll be covered regardless, unless it was caused by the user. (AKA, you draining your oil and not refilling it sort of thing)

If you’re under the 60k powertrain, it is still covered, so again, what does it hurt to service a 40,000$ truck to assure Toyota quality is being upheld.

So, yeah.. if you’re over 60k, while it sucks to pay, I understand it. If you’re under 60k, and have warranty, you should have this included regardless. 15,000 on the ODO and being charged a 160 diag just doesn’t sit right.

EDIT:

This of course is assuming you’re at Toyota and didn’t take your truck to like.. a Ford dealership. lol

 

Normal anymore. You get it back if warranty. You don't get it back if no warranty. It is to discourage people from bringing obvious non warranty work and expecting free work.

 

well...we have alot of people that come in with lets say a check engine light with 20k miles,its under warranty...check it and find millimeter wave radar missaligned..get out and look and the radar has been hit and out of its adjustment clips...thats not due to materials and workmanship

 

Yup. Experienced this with my 2019 SR5. Purchased it in July 2022 with 22k miles. I added the bumper to bumper warranty which the sales rep said it will "cover everything". About a couple weeks after purchase i get the infamous serpentine belt chirp. Made an appointment, took it and told the guy my issue and even showed them a recent video of the chirp. He said "we'll take a look but there's a fee just in case the warranty doesn't cover it". Got called back later that day saying they didn't hear any chirping and couldn't replicate the sound, they could change the belt but it was a fee. But if i chose not to do it they wouldn't charge the diagnose fee.

 

Yes it is a Toyota dealership. I do agree with the fact about trying to get free labor. My principle is the truck has 12,000 miles and they want a just in case. I know it will be covered but it’s principal for me. I guess I’ve got time on hands to call Toyota, don’t mind it really. Issue for me is the traction light is on, hypothetically speaking if the traction control could have prevented a accident would a lawsuit follow to that dealer as they didn’t want to do a simple scan when vehicle is under warranty?

 

Every dealer I have dealt with in the last 40 years does it. If it's not warranty and you say never mind dont fix it, they are out the money it cost to diagnose it.

We do it on welding machines, if you bring one in thats new because it's not working and our guy runs diagnostics, spends an hour and finds out it was user caused and not warranty, you gotta pay. If it's warranty, they wont charge you. If you think they are going to try to fuck you, you probably should have used a different dealer

Just look at the people on here who fuck one up modding it then try to slip it back for warranty.

 

Formerly a Ford dealer tech many years ago I can see both sides. When I was a tech I got paid for billable work done. Had many occasions when a customer had a noise complaint but could never duplicate even on road tests with customer. Every minute spent trying to find/duplicate with no success was time I was not getting paid. Then you could have the customer that wants it diagnosed but feels they can replace a part themselves. Even though your vehicle is clearly under warranty it is probably their policy to inform every customer prior to any work. If you purchased your truck from the same dealer, you should have been informed of that policy at least at time of delivery. At this point you will need show some faith and see how it goes. For any concern you ever have. I would document every detail of the condition when a problem is present. The weather, time of day, does it do on start up or after 10 miles of driving, are you the one taking your spouse's car in and trying to share what your spouse told you. Always make sure your vehicle is cleaned out and not full of disgusting smells (had a customer that would bring in his truck in that he would use on his farm, full of wet dog hair and mud/cow shit caked floor mats. Not the most pleasant to work on when you had to get under the dash). If possible, try to communicate directly with the tech. Use your phone to record any sounds you are concerned with.

 

another vote for Standard Practice.
You have to understand, Toyota reimburses the dealer after it is found there was an issue that falls under the warranty. Just because you have a bumper to bumper warranty does not mean anything and everything is covered.

 

common practice. trying to weed out shoppers. you know you didnt do anything to your new truck so, you wont have a diag fee. you are concerned, and over thinking it. Ski

 

You are beating a dead horse lol. Dealers are not Toyota owned, they are contractors for Toyota. They set their own rules.

 

Every dealership I know of and have worked for does this. As no one can be a psychic and immediately know an issue will be covered by the factory. I tell my service customers up front- if I don’t, it’s an uphill battle if something is not covered. Road debris, mice, user error, etc can all cause an issue. You’re expecting a technician on flat rate to diagnose your vehicle for no fee? Someone pays. Either the customer, the dealer or the brand. If it’s a defective issue with the vehicle, then Toyota will pay. If it’s a dealer-caused issue, the dealer pays. If it’s neither, then you will pay. If a tech hooks up a diag computer and finds you didn’t close your gas cap and the CEL is on, you’re paying for user error.
It is not charged up front- it’s asking you to acknowledge that IF it’s not under warranty, you’re paying for someone to tell you the issue and then you can take that info and decide to:
Ignore it
Fix it there
Fix it elsewhere cheaper
Fix it yourself

and with the knowledge of the issue you can also call Toyota and file a case. 800-433-4331. Consumer number.

I paid a guy to check my refrigerator. $159 just to show up. He told me if he did the work it was $400, or I could buy the $69 part on Amazon and do it myself. Basically the same as a dealership.

a warranty covers for a predefined time or mileage (excluding CSP or extensions or recalls) against defective components or premature failures of things not caused by the consumer or outside influences.

Not only am I a service advisor- I’m also a customer. I’ve paid diags and I’ve also authorized the fee only to have the issue covered.

 

Boy I love this stuff
Makes for good reading on the shitter..

 

Having worked for several dealerships over the years it's just a ploy to get more money out of you just like about everything else a car dealership will do to get more money. It's true mechanics are paid a flat rate, but the top senior mechanics get the gravy, and the newbies get what is left to try to make money on. The burn begins as soon as you pull into customer service area. That CSR is there to make a dealership money and help you while taking more money out of your wallet. They have meetings every morning with the service manager and are told what to push or sell. Customer service is just a marketing tool.
Do your lugnuts swell? The last Ford dealership I worked at were telling people that and I had to watch people buying new lug nuts with every tire rotation. The lube guys just zipped the old ones off and used the same socket to put the new ones on. I also liked when they sell you repairs and then I see those new parts in the trash never installed by your flat rate mechanics. I also liked when Ford was having transmission troubles with the Focus and Fiestas, they told customers their transmission didn't meet the requirements of replacement by Ford until after the warranty expired. Then it needed replaced on your dime. As a CSR trainee I quit because had to repeatedly warn the customers not to let them get away with this. It was the same with mice damage. Why just repair the one damaged wire when you could sell the customer a complete wiring harness replacement. It just goes on and on.
I always enjoyed the salesman giving each other high 5s when they burned someone. Remember for those guys it is the art of the sale. They don't give a damn about you and will say anything to pad their commissions.
You only go to a dealership while your vehicle is under warranty. That CSR will see stupid tattooed on your forehead and will try to take you for all you for all he can get. He is more concerned about his sales quota than he is about you. Dont think Toyota is any different.

 

They will also look at modifications to justify saying "not covered by warranty".