Months ago I took my Toyota Hybrid Avalon in for service, the battery was dead, I needed to jump start the vehicle to get it to start. I was told that is was due to a defective positive battery terminal. The next day the same thing happened again, the car would not start. I returned to my dealer and after a day's investigation they suggest that someone have changed the original battery and installed an incorrect replacement. It turns out that in 2020 I had the same issue and it was this dealer that installed the battery that just failed. They have since replaced the one they installed after destructive testing, leaking the acid over the battery and battery compartment. I submitted the service reports to Toyota Customer Experience Center, Case **************. I was certain that the battery itself was defective because it was confirmed by the dealership. In any case I requested reimbursement of the paid amount to determine the battery was in fact defective, $160.79, based on the vehicle warranty I should not be charged. I have spoken the service manager, Rob Hayes. He suggested I write directly to Toyota based on the above analysis and Toyota would reimburse me.
Toyota has a responsibility to insure equipment works and if it fails in the normal course of driving with no exceptional use, they should repair or replace item at no cost to their customer, especially those with a long commitment to the manufacturer. This event demonstrated that product loyalty is of no concern to Toyota. Not only that but the active functioning of their product. There was a time when reliability was paramount, not any more. More important is the fact that none of the following offered any help, consideration, or even a reply:
1. Letter to their Chief Operating Officer
2. Warranty program.
3. Customer Experience Center.
4. National Center for Dispute Settlement.
5. Finally they recommend Small Claims Court; but I am not sure that it is worth this effort.
Respectfully, Michael A. Miller