THINK BEFORE YOU BUY A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. The rear window is dangerously distorted and one cannot get a clear view. When viewed through the rear view mirror, all lines on the road are zig-zagged and everything from behind is fuzzy. Bought the car on a rainy, overcast day. After noticing I couldn't get a clear view, I took the car to the dealer thinking that a fix would be a simple replacement. Every person at the dealer realized the problem and said they would not like it either. They checked other new Avalons from the lot and could not find a one that had a clear window. They suggested I come back and talk to the Regional Field Service Representative when he came into town. I did meet with him and he drove my car. He immediately noticed the problem. He went to the lot, checked the cars there, and not a one had a clear window. According to the Service Director at the dealership, the Field Service Representative was on the phone with Toyota in California and Georgetown, Ky., where the car is manufactured, as soon as the meeting was over. A few weeks went by, and I had another meeting with the Field Service Representative. He told me there was no fix for the window and that he and the technical people in Jacksonville, Fla. could not find a car anywhere without the same problem. I stated it appeared Toyota was continuing to manufacture a car that had a defective window and were continuing to put them on the road. He said, "You said that, I didn't". HE PUT IN WRITING THAT HE WOULD PURSUE A RE-PURCHASE OF THE CAR. I was advised to call California, get a case manager and a case number. After working with the case manager for several weeks, he informed me that Toyota was currently reviewing a possible release for a new designed rear window. He would check on it in two weeks and call me. On May 17, he called to inform me that the "Directors and Corporate Managers" were meeting on the problem and he would know on Monday, May 20th if a newly designed window would be available.. On May 20th, he called and said "I wanted to inform you that there is currently not a new designed window for the 2013 Avalon and I will mail out the arbitration forms. I went through the "song and dance" of getting all the information to the National Center for Dispute Settlement, only to receive a notice from them stating, " Your application describes a complaint relating to a design issue for this particular vehicle rather than a defect covered under warranty. The arbitration process has jurisdiction over service issues covered under Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Warrenties. Therefore, your claim is not eligible for the arbitration process." WHY WAS I LED TO BELIEVE THIS WAS THE PROCESS I SHOULD PURSUE. (To be fair to the Field Service rep., I do believe he thought this was the way to go.) Now, I have been informed that Toyota will not do anything. They cannot replace the window and will not repurchase the car. I bought this car to last me for the balance of my driving life. Now, Toyota has condemned me to drive a $41.782.00 DEFECTIVE car for the rest of my life, if I cannot get anything done. TOYOTA IS UNETHICAL and, as far as I can determine, still putting this car on the road. After research, I know others have complained.
THINK BEFORE YOU BUY A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. The rear window is dangerously distorted and one cannot get a clear view. When viewed through the rear view mirror, all lines on the road are zig-zagged and everything from behind is fuzzy. Bought the car on a rainy, overcast day. After noticing I couldn't get a clear view, I took the car to the dealer thinking that a fix would be a simple replacement. Every person at the dealer realized the problem and said they would not like it either. They checked other new Avalons from the lot and could not find a one that had a clear window. They suggested I come back and talk to the Regional Field Service Representative when he came into town. I did meet with him and he drove my car. He immediately noticed the problem. He went to the lot, checked the cars there, and not a one had a clear window. According to the Service Director at the dealership, the Field Service Representative was on the phone with Toyota in California and Georgetown, Ky., where the car is manufactured, as soon as the meeting was over. A few weeks went by, and I had another meeting with the Field Service Representative. He told me there was no fix for the window and that he and the technical people in Jacksonville, Fla. could not find a car anywhere without the same problem. I stated it appeared Toyota was continuing to manufacture a car that had a defective window and were continuing to put them on the road. He said, "You said that, I didn't". HE PUT IN WRITING THAT HE WOULD PURSUE A RE-PURCHASE OF THE CAR. I was advised to call California, get a case manager and a case number. After working with the case manager for several weeks, he informed me that Toyota was currently reviewing a possible release for a new designed rear window. He would check on it in two weeks and call me. On May 17, he called to inform me that the "Directors and Corporate Managers" were meeting on the problem and he would know on Monday, May 20th if a newly designed window would be available.. On May 20th, he called and said "I wanted to inform you that there is currently not a new designed window for the 2013 Avalon and I will mail out the arbitration forms. I went through the "song and dance" of getting all the information to the National Center for Dispute Settlement, only to receive a notice from them stating, " Your application describes a complaint relating to a design issue for this particular vehicle rather than a defect covered under warranty. The arbitration process has jurisdiction over service issues covered under Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Warrenties. Therefore, your claim is not eligible for the arbitration process." WHY WAS I LED TO BELIEVE THIS WAS THE PROCESS I SHOULD PURSUE. (To be fair to the Field Service rep., I do believe he thought this was the way to go.) Now, I have been informed that Toyota will not do anything. They cannot replace the window and will not repurchase the car. I bought this car to last me for the balance of my driving life. Now, Toyota has condemned me to drive a $41.782.00 DEFECTIVE car for the rest of my life, if I cannot get anything done. TOYOTA IS UNETHICAL and, as far as I can determine, still putting this car on the road. After research, I know others have complained.
- janeygeorgia, Loganville, GA, US