AutoNation Toyota Weston Reviews

I took the car to AutoNation Weston, where I had to pre-authorize a $224 charge for a "diagnostic" in case the issue was not covered by the warranty. The diagnostic results took more than two hours to come and they showed me a rodent had chewed through a wire connected to the second injector. An insulation plastic tube was damaged and a wire was severed. When I saw it I assumed that for an experienced technician, the broken and exposed wire would have been visible right away.

AutoNation Weston quoted me $998 for the repair. After declining the repair and doing my own research at home, I learned that Toyota may be using plant-based (soy-based) materials in their wiring insulation. I also found information about a class-action lawsuit (“Rodent Lawsuit”) where Toyota owners claim that these materials attract rodents and cause wiring damage.

I contacted Toyota Customer Service, and although they investigated for a few days, they never denied using plant-based wiring materials—suggesting this may indeed be the cause of the issue. The repair at no cost or a reasonable reduction on the cost of $1.222 was denied. What makes the situation even more frustrating is that the required original part (82125-06060) costs around $65, and the repair itself is simple and a mechanic resolved in about 35 minutes. Given that, a $998 estimate and a $224 diagnostic feel excessive and unreasonable.

It is disappointing to face this type of problem on a nearly new vehicle, and the lack of transparency and high repair estimate only make it worse. Toyota owners deserve better protection and fairer service. If you drive a Toyota, be aware of this rodent issue, use some sort of peppermint oil spray and/or even Honda Rodent Tape (Honda admits and come up with a remedy) and consider getting a second opinion before agreeing to dealership repair prices.

As I drove the car I discovered many issues with the safety systems, locking systems, cruise control, paint overspray (it even still had making tape and paper on the roof that wasn't removed after they painted it). Since they aren't a GM dealer I was told I had to take to an Autonation dealer that serviced this brand of vehicle in order for the issues to be covered by the warranty. The closest one was 3 hours away.

I made an appointment and drove to that dealer. They looked the car over and said the problems you're having are due to the fact that car has been in accident, had been painted incorrectly (the anticollision warning sensors) and the warranty that came with the car did not cover these things. Also, I would have to leave the car for several days, rent a car to return home and the find transportation to pick the car up (2 hours away) when it was finished, and it would cost at minimum of a couple thousand dollars. So, I have contacted Autonation corporate customer satisfaction 4 times. An automatic response says that they will be in touch with 24 to 48 hours. This has been going on for 2 months and they have not returned my calls or emails.