10/2/14, two hrs into a 12.5 hr drive to care for my terminally ill parent ,my oil VSC and TRAC control lights came on. I pulled over to the side of the road outside Orangeburg, SC and phoned my roadside service. After being towed into the Toyota dealer, they ran a diagnostic test (3 times) informed me that the "air fuel sensor" needed replaced, but they did not have the part(s); it was safe to continue driving to my destination to have repaired at a local dealer there. I was given a print-out of the parts the dealer would need to order for the repair. I got on the freeway and my cruise control would not engage upon restarting my car at that point.

On 10/3/14 I pulled into Preston Motors, New Castle, Pa with the paperwork from the Orangeburg Toyota dealership intending to make an appointment to have the repair work completed. On that day I paid $350.92 for the special order parts and made and appointment when I had not heard from them on 10/6 to confirm the parts had arrived and arranged to have the work done 10/8.

On 10/8, I was pulled aside and informed the "air fuel sensor" work could not be done because now the "exhaust manifold" had to be replaced before the air fuel sensor work could be done that it had been stripped. Led to believe the original work could not be completed until the new parts were ordered and replaced I authorized that they order the necessary parts for the removal and replacement of exhaust manifold (right bank, rear of engine compartment) which cost an additional $1,361.72 that day. Upon arrival of those parts both repairs were scheduled and completed 10/14/2014.

HOWEVER, upon returning to my home state, when I went to my Toyota-certified mechanic for a mileage servicing I asked him about my above repairs. He informed me that it would not have been necessary to purchase new exhaust manifold parts that it was possible to repair the existing one, but that the dealer would not have informed me of that. BUT, more importantly the exhaust manifold portion (if not all) this bill WOULD be covered under the Federal Emission Control Warranty 8 years/80,000 miles coverage (my car delivery date 05/25/2007 - 33,204 miles) as the exhaust manifold is just another term for catalytic converter; so I should file a claim and expect to be reimbursed.

11/13/2014 I phoned Toyota to file a claim and was informed I did NOT qualify for reimbursement under the 3 years/36,000 miles warranty. My claim number is #1411170907. When I asked Erica what my next recourse was, she said there was no recourse, that was it; my claim was denied. I had my book in front of me that told me about a claim form I could file, which I did. I have just received the National Center for Dispute Settlement, Lena Wright, Case Administrator's response and she also denied my claim.

All I can say is my next vehicle purchase will be a Honda. My previous 20 year old Honda with 30,000+ mileage never had this large of a repair expense. AND when you have a Toyota-certified mechanic telling you it's covered under warranty it just emphasizes why I stopped going to the dealership since moving from California. ALL of my experiences with dealerships since moving from California have been a nightmare.

The car is missing and wanting to cut off, it is making a noise like a diesel truck, very loud and smelled of sulfur (like rotten eggs). The car has no power. I've taken the car to Toyota twice once overnight. They said there was nothing wrong that they could find. I read another complaint on this sight and called them regarding the 8 year or 80,000 mile warranty. They said to bring it in. I will take it today and see what happens. I'll be back on here tomorrow to let you guys know what happened. If I can't get an answer I too will write to Japan,CA and the ownership of this Toyota Co.