NHTSA Complaint #10409062 — 2007 TOYOTA YARIS

THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN DEVELOPING FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END. WHEN I WOULD STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD A LITTLE. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT SOMETHING LIKE A BREAK PART OR TIRE WAS LOOSE FROM THE FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE. ON FRIDAY IS SEEMED WORSE AFTER PULLING IN TO A DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE HEAD OF A BOLT ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED/CORRODED/SHEERED OFF. THEIR ESTIMATED COST WAS ABOUT $650. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. MY EXTENDED 120K MILE/ 96 MONTH WARRANTY COVERS UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER THIS REPAIR. HAVING THEIR REFUSAL EXPLAINED TO ME TWICE, I'M STILL NOT SURE WHY. IT SEEMS THAT THEY MAKE A PRACTICE OF DENYING ALL CLAIMS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY ARE. (AUTO EXAM, HOUSTON, TX.) *TR