Vincent Toms sent a message to Akio Toyoda President and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation - email address that said:
I took my 2008 Toyota Avalon to the Toyota of Gastonia service department due to a check engine light and after they inspected it claimed that my timing gear was bad. The car then had only about 44,000 miles on it and when I was quoted a repair cost of $1,600.00-$3,500.00 I was not happy. My extended warranty company paid about $1,600.00 as their claim was that Toyota had redesigned the timing gear and they are not responsible for the replacement of the other newly needed parts. This suggests that Toyota has had a problem with this component as a re-design was needed .MY car stayed on the mechanics rack for over two weeks while we/they were trying to negotiate a resolution and when I walked into the shop to speak to him asking of any progress he was furious and stated that he hated working on my car. He then sent me to the service advisor (Scott). I told him at this point that I did not want my car touched by this technician but he insisted that he was the best one he had? Finally after nearly three weeks and considerable rental car expenses Toyota fixed the car but when I was driving it home I called the dealer to tell them that I smelled burning oil emanating from the engine compartment. I immediately made an appointment to have it check out and they said they could find no problem but that my steering column was now leaking and had to be replaced. This was another $800.00. I scheduled a appointment and the this same mechanic magically found the oil issue stating a bank 2 seal puncture was the problem and the repair would cost me some $1,900.00. This is not covered by my warranty and the problem did not exist prior to this mechanic taking my engine apart. I also note that every time it has been in his possession Ive had to have the tires re-balanced. I know that my car being on his rack cost him money as suggested by management and am alleging that he did this damage to my vehicle out of retaliation. My car kept coming home with problems that never were there prior to this mechanic having his hands on it. I met with the service manager and the shop service advisor of which said Toyota was to do nothing about it.
