'Known fault' on Toyota

Maisie

Our Toyota Carolla has a 'known fault'. ie the baffle in the
manifold is loose/rattling.

Toyota say if the car was under the 3 year warranty they would repair it free of charge. As the car is 5/6 yrs old they will not and want £400+ to repair it.

Do we have any rights re a free repair seeing that it is a known fault?

Thanks for any advice.

jeannieblue

I work for toyota/lexus specialists - you've got me on the 'baffle'

What's a baffle? I know that names vary for different parts - but pardon the pun, you've got me 'baffled'!

You may want to post on the motoring thread -they may know what a baffle is.............

Maisie

The Toyota mechanic called it a baffle! Said it's like a plastic wing on a fan.

I'm none the wiser just took his word for it.

jeannieblue

Maisie wrote: »

The Toyota mechanic called it a baffle! Said it's like a plastic wing on a fan.

I'm none the wiser just took his word for it.

Still baffled! £400 is lot of money - I'm concerned about this, too many people are getting ripped off, and it is just not on. I don't trust this diagnosis. Sorry if I am wrong. But it sounds so unprofessional for a start and - what is a baffle??? I'm down South, if you are not, wondering if it is a northern word, but even so, should be a technical word for the 'part' that the Japanese could understand for one thing!!!!

Shame I can't advertise. But recommend you get a second or third or fourth independent diagnosis - alot of 'faffing' about.

No idea of your location....

Recommend you post on the motoring forum - some good guys and gals on there that am sure could point you in the right direction.

jeannieblue

Maisie - I've 'PM'd' one of the motoring guys to come and have a look at this thread and hopefully he can help or steer you towards someone else that can.

I've gotta go to bed, work etc.

Good luck - and don't get stitched up.

Nite

Still baffled............:o

goldspanners

a baffle is part of the exhaust,but not at the manifold,maybe he means the heat sheild? some cars have a heat sheild at the manifold,but £400 is a lot of money for an exhaust repair on a toyota. i doubt you will get it repaired for free,it will more than likely be a bolt head that has come off due to heating up cooling down and being exposed to the elements for 6 years.
the toyota garage will be pricing the repair using all new parts that may need replacing.
try taking it to an independant garage or dare i say it a fast fit place and tell them there is a rattle coming from the exhaust manifold area.

maninthestreet

If the car is 5/6 years old, you don't stand much chance of getting it repaired at someone else's expense. After 5/6 years (what mileage?), you would expect some parts to start failing due to fair wear and tear, even if it's a 'known fault'. Note that with most car repairs, it's usually not the parts that are expensive, it's the labour (£50/hour is the norm in the South East).

maninthestreet

According to www.usedcarexpert.co.uk, they state the following check should be performed on a Toyota Corolla if you are considering purchasing one:

"During the test drive, ensure you find a suitable road to reach 70 m.p.h. At 70 m.p.h. listen for a rattle from the engine. N.B. Owners that have hardly used the car on motorways may not know of this fault. If the engine rattles at high speed the problem is usually a broken plastic part in the INLET manifold."

MoneyMiser

Hi,

Not sure if this will work with Toyota but you could always try.

When the Alternator in my Fiat went I got it repaired at a cost of over £300. I did my research and found that it was a 'known fault' within the Fiat Punto's. I called Fiat's head office and made an official complaint.

I made it very clear from the outset that I wanted a refund as the problem was not my fault and was as I said a 'known fault'. This did take a lot of chasing up and faxing of documents to prove it had been done but eventually I got a full refund.

This also worked for someone else who PM'd me and had the same problem.

Hope this helps,

MM

custardy

sounds like a loose heatsheild
most can be spotwelded back in place at any small garage
i take it you have a rattleing from under the car?

jeannieblue

What is your location? May be someone can point you in the direction of someone who can sort it and not rip you off?

Meanwhile, I still don't know what a baffle is..

Goldie (goldspanners) what is the blasted baffle? Is there a southern name for it?