NHTSA Complaint #11476647 — 2013 TOYOTA SIENNA

Anyone: In 2013 I bought a new Toyota Sienna from Fiore Toyota in Hollidaysburg, PA. It was advertised with a lifetime engine and powertrain warranty. I thought that I had made a wise purchased. Fast forward to 2022. In early June I noticed a loud humming from the rear differential area and since I had a family vacation planned with my son’s family I decided to take it in for diagnosis to my local dealer, Colonial Toyota of Indiana, PA. They said that it was the electromagnetic control unit but could not get me in for over a week and that it was not advisable to drive long distance. This resulted in my rented a replacement vehicle – an unanticipated expense. When I returned I took the vehicle into Colonial on July 7th and asked if the part would be covered under the lifetime warranty. They said they would check it out. There were several slow responses between the garage and the warranty company. Requests for additional service records, VIN numbers and what not. Meanwhile I am without a vehicle. Colonial had said that the part should be covered under the contract. Also Colonial’s lifetime warranty was a different company than Fiore’s insurer. Who knew? I had assumed that it was all a Toyota thing. Meanwhile after 8 days of no vehicle and another trip to Colorado approaching, (Granddaughter living alone while her husband is deployed in Poland.), I pulled the trigger and said fix the vehicle as I needed it. My thoughts were that it was a Toyota vehicle, serviced by Toyota “certified” techs at a Toyota garage what else would I need? The day after repairs were initiated, the warranty company says that they will need a 3rd party inspection to verify the defect. Just reinstall the broken part so they can hear it and then reinstall the new part or no coverage. Also this was to take place after I should have been half way across the country. Needless to say I didn’t do it. What good is a warranty that doesn’t trust Toyota techs? Out over $2500