2005 Rav 4, 4 cylinders, standard, started leaking antifreeze just after my 100,000 mile extended warranty ended. Brought car to the station, ripped me off over $300 flushing the system, changing the radiator cap and finally gave up. Brought it to a second mechanic who correctly diagnosed it as the TSB #SB-0015-11 NHTSA ID #10037592, there are damaged cylinder head bolts threads, which has happened to many people from what I've read, as the car approaches 100,000 miles and sometimes earlier. Because it is not a recall, I'm screwed, stuck with a car that needs a new motor because the mechanic says it's not worth trying to fix. I have to fill my radiator with antifreeze three times a week, more if I travel longer. I have huge pools of antifreeze all over my driveway and garage. I have called corporate for Toyota who did absolutely nothing for me except document my VIN and hang up on me. This car has 120,000 now and is worth crap. What happened to buy a toyota and run it forever. A hundred thousand miles is just a break in period, according to my mechanic. Where is Toyota to back up their product. The problem lies in the materials used that the head bolts are steel going into an aluminum block. It's definitely a defect and Toyota should be responsible. Any ideas at all? Where do I get relief from this problem?
2005 Rav 4, 4 cylinders, standard, started leaking antifreeze just after my 100,000 mile extended warranty ended. Brought car to the station, ripped me off over $300 flushing the system, changing the radiator cap and finally gave up. Brought it to a second mechanic who correctly diagnosed it as the TSB #SB-0015-11 NHTSA ID #10037592, there are damaged cylinder head bolts threads, which has happened to many people from what I've read, as the car approaches 100,000 miles and sometimes earlier. Because it is not a recall, I'm screwed, stuck with a car that needs a new motor because the mechanic says it's not worth trying to fix. I have to fill my radiator with antifreeze three times a week, more if I travel longer. I have huge pools of antifreeze all over my driveway and garage. I have called corporate for Toyota who did absolutely nothing for me except document my VIN and hang up on me. This car has 120,000 now and is worth crap. What happened to buy a toyota and run it forever. A hundred thousand miles is just a break in period, according to my mechanic. Where is Toyota to back up their product. The problem lies in the materials used that the head bolts are steel going into an aluminum block. It's definitely a defect and Toyota should be responsible. Any ideas at all? Where do I get relief from this problem?
- suzerock, Swansea, MA, US