Kakadu/VX Service

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

I think that Toyota Service Centres should have dedicated mechanics trained-up for the high tech features of the Prado. Whenever a Prado is booked-in for service then one of these specialised mechanics could be allocated to the vehicle and all of the other mechanics can do the work on the Camry's and Yaris's, etcetera.

So far I have had disappointing service on my Kakadu generally through inexperienced or apprentice mechanics being assigned the job. It seems that it is just a lottery as to which mechanic gets your vehicle and not much selection goes into it.

Anybody else having problems?

[strombleki Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close strombleki]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

Welcome to fixed price servicing...
And so-called "Factory trained technicians"
You are well within your rights advise which particular mechanic you want working on your vehicle...

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

What specifically were the dissapointments?

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

I think that Toyota Service Centres should have dedicated mechanics trained-up for the high tech features of the Prado. Whenever a Prado is booked-in for service then one of these specialised mechanics could be allocated to the vehicle and all of the other mechanics can do the work on the Camry's and Yaris's, etcetera.

So far I have had disappointing service on my Kakadu generally through inexperienced or apprentice mechanics being assigned the job. It seems that it is just a lottery as to which mechanic gets your vehicle and not much selection goes into it.

Anybody else having problems?

It seems strange you are having "disappointing service on my Kakadu generally through inexperienced or apprentice mechanics being assigned the job" as realistically it would be just oil and filter changes. I mean that shouldn't be too hard to stuff up. As Tassie Tiger asked what exactly are the issues you are having.

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

1) The mechanic couldn't unlock my passenger door or my rear door. My Prado has two-stage unlocking. So, I had to return on a different day (here is the inconvenience kicking in) and show them how to unlock the passenger and rear doors so that I could get my air conditioner filter cleaned and my spare wheel tyre pressure checked. They said that I had the car in valet mode. I welcome any of you reading this post to offer me an explanation of that one. I think the nitwit was referring to me locking the glove box and retaining the small key. I gave them the complete key set with the glove box unlocked.

2) The foreman mechanic was tugging at my rear wheel cover (yes, I was standing alongside him watching this) wondering why it wouldn't come off. I had to tell him to remove the plastic plate near the camera and undo the bolt that is behind the plate. How do I know this? Because I read the f*&^ing manual. Obviously they don't.

3) I had an oil leak after the 10,000Km service. Had to have the filter removed and the leak rectified.


Try telling me that these guys are 'trained'.

4) Loose wire in centre console gets found and fixed but boot will not stay affixed to the gear knob. I had to go back to show them and complain. A new part gets ordered and yesterday I go back AGAIN to have that fixed.

5) Mechanic butchers the console and leaves marks in three places where he prised open the console to fix the boot.

6) Mechanic leaves black grime on both front door sills.

Now my centre console is going to be replaced. ANOTHER trip the the service cente and more inconvenience. :x

Keep in mind that I call the Service Centre beforehand and tell them not to put a novice or unskilled mechanic on my vehicle. I get assured that the mechanics have the right tools and the expertise. YEAH RIGHT! and pigs fly backwards.

NOT HAPPY JAN!

I wish I had the Service Manual CD so that I could study it and tell them how to do the work on my Prado. I might put it to the Service Manager but then I'd be dangerous (to them). I'd know too much.

[akram Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close akram]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

how often you guys get your vehicles serviced in Australia?

in my country, we must take it every 5000 km, else, we would lose the warranty.

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

how often you guys get your vehicles serviced in Australia?

in my country, we must take it every 5000 km, else, we would lose the warranty.

10,000Km or six months. Whichever comes first.

Any more visits to the Service Centre and I'll be an expert with their coffee machine and be on a first-name basis with all of the staff.

[strombleki Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close strombleki]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

Sounds to Me like you need to Find a new servicing dealer your obviously dealing with clowns...
This may not be in a convenient location to you or your work but how much more inconvenience can you put up with at this location.. ??..
I would have walked long ago..

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Re: Prado Service

How about this for trained service experts.....
1st Prado D4D GXL Auto Service, and I enquire politely..."what oil do you use?"...."oh, its toyota oil " I am told...."yeh, but what sort? This is my first diesel"... I ask...."Oh the diesel and the petrol Prados use the same oil"...huh?....so I enquire further ....only to be given three different answers....10w something, 20 w something and some other number W something else????......and in the end I still don't know what oil they used....and then, just to be sure, they over filled the engine oil by about 1.5cm above the top mark on the dip stick...( I checked it cold the next morning on level ground)....Ahhhh, here we go again.... I just sold a Subaru and this is my first Toyota... but please don't get me started on Subaru Dealer Services...double double AHhhhhhhh... :x

Wiper blades paid for, but not changed
Wrong coolant in the radiator.....a potentially very VERY serious error
Wheels supposed to be rotated, but not even removed
Fuel additive supposed to be added, but the fuel cap not even touched...(masking tape across the fuel cap still in situ)
and in the end you get a pre-printed dealer proforma of what was "supposed" to be done at the service, but you have no idea what was "actually" done at the service.....rrrrr

So....the rules for next time: ....Show me the parts you are going to put on before they go on, and show me all the parts removed before you bin them, show me the fluid containers before the fluid is changed, and independantly confirm correct fluid type before it goes in.....rrrrrrr, what else have you got to do? I want to keep this vehicle for a long time.......

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Re: Prado Service

deleted duplicate

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

UPDATE:


I had a facial tissue in the centre console so that my carport remote controller wouldn't rattle around. That went missing. Big deal I hear you all say. Well today I noticed part of it trapped inbetween the console layers on the driver's side and I cannot get it out. What the heck was the mechanic doing?

When I drove the vehicle away my DAC was on. Bloody hell!

and

Now my passenger side seat heater switch will not light up at night. Not the "ON" LED, the 'here it is' lighting that helps you find it at night. Again, what the heck was the mechanic doing?

Small comfort that I was told that he was sacked and told to pack up his tools and leave within the hour. His problem.

Me! I have to go back and probably endure more butchery when they replace the entire console.

I have that "Oh what a feeling!" It's a feeling of bitter disappointment and disillusionment with the entire Toyota business. I am starting to think that Toyota Australia suck!

I have sent an e-mail to Toyota Australia telling them that my new 'luxury' car experience bubble has burst. I am feeling quite flat and fed up right now.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Re: Toyota Service

I have a local mechanic who always do a great job, they know what they are doing, you speak to the actual mechanic who does the job.... but I am simply not game to go through another warranty argument because it was not serviced by a dealer.....rrrr, the last dealer service will be the day the warranty expires.

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

With my Holden I worked out where to get the best service. The trick is to pick a Holden Service Centre that services HSV Commodores. If they can do HSV's they can do my Holden. It was a good theory and works.

But with Toyota I am stumped (read depressed) . I have no idea how to find a good service centre. Is there one? They have a different attitude to customers than General Motors Holden do. I find Holden Service Centres so easy to do business with . Toyota don't care and don't listen.

I think Toyota Japan should come here and have a good look at Toyota customer service after they have sorted out their problems with U.S.A. They should start with that damn Call Centre.


Oh What a Feeling...

[trowal Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close trowal]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

Ah, I'm sitting back reading this thread with interest. I took my May 2010 Kakadu into the dealer for it's 1000km look over, have the factory standard 1500rpm rattle investigated and have the seat belt warning buzzer turned off (I hate it going while jumping in and out moving trailers around). I was told to wait as it will only be 1 hr. 2 hrs later I'm waiting around for the "client liason officer" (office chick) to to a "delivery handover" (give me the keys) only to find out they didn't investigate the rattle and only turned off the seat belt warning buzzer for the drivers side only, not passanger. Told them not to worry out the rattle as it was intermittent, clearly documented on the service request in case of future warranty claim and not rattling at the time and set the apprentice back to have the passanger site seatbelt buzzer turned off as per the service request.

10,000kms service done last Friday. This time at the mechanic that's been servicing the family cars for the better pat of 20 years. 2 hrs and $185 I'm back on the road, full factory logbook service, tyres rotated, windscreen cleaned, dirty car mats shaken out....the works. I'm prepared to void my my 2 extended warranty (if was free anyway, but conditional on the car being serviced at the dealer) in exchange for proper service by a mechanic who know's what he's doing.

[LaoK User account deleted at own request. Find all posts View Profile Close LaoK]

Re: Kakadu/VX Service

Re: Numerous centre console switch lighting faults and air-con/clock display brightness.

The culprit was a bent socket pin inside the centre console. So I am told.

My centre console has been pulled apart twice before.

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