I traded in my old car 3 weeks ago for a used RAV4. I’ve noticed a weird rumble sound while driving, so I got it checked out before making my first payment. The mechanic told me the torque converter needs replacing, and with labor, it’s a $4,000 fix. I bought the car for $16,000 and was assured it passed inspection and had no issues. Why would they sell me this car if it had transmission problems?
There’s no way I caused this in 3 weeks. I don’t want to pay a quarter of the loan on repairs that should’ve been disclosed. Any advice on how to approach the general manager tomorrow would be appreciated.
Update: I spoke with Toyota’s sales manager today. They’re either considering replacing the converter for free or allowing me to trade in this car for one without issues. I was so relieved that I cried while talking to him. I should hear back in an hour after he speaks to the service manager about their decision.
Yikes! Never let a salesman pick your test drive route. You should test in both traffic and on the highway. Did you buy from a dealer or small shop? This feels like a small shop thing. If it’s a dealer, you might have a case. If not, you might be stuck paying the repair bill. Next time, don’t buy from the same place.
Sorry you’re going through this, but this is why you bring a used car to your own mechanic before buying. If the dealer won’t let you, that’s a red flag. If this was an ‘as is’ sale, you might not have much recourse unless your state offers protections. Try negotiating with the dealer and get a letter from your mechanic confirming the issue pre-dates your purchase.
Before digging into the transmission, try this. It helped some Toyota owners. If there’s no warranty available, it’s worth trying a fix yourself. What’s the mileage?
Your best move is to talk to the general manager. Have you filled out a survey? These can help leverage your case. Also, did you check Carfax or a service history report? Look for any mention of transmission issues.
Take it to a reputable Toyota shop for a second opinion. Lots of things can cause a shudder that aren’t transmission-related. Cross your fingers and get another diagnostic before panicking.
Tanaka said:
I traded in my old car 3 weeks ago for a used RAV4. I’ve noticed a weird rumble sound while driving, so I got it checked out before making my first payment. The mechanic told me the torque converter needs replacing, and with labor, it’s a $4,000 fix. I bought the car for $16,000 and was assured it passed inspection and had no issues. Why would they sell me this car if it had transmission problems?
There’s no way I caused this in 3 weeks. I don’t want to pay a quarter of the loan on repairs that should’ve been disclosed. Any advice on how to approach the general manager tomorrow would be appreciated.
Update: I spoke with Toyota’s sales manager today. They’re either considering replacing the converter for free or allowing me to trade in this car for one without issues. I was so relieved that I cried while talking to him. I should hear back in an hour after he speaks to the service manager about their decision.
Unfortunately, used cars are often sold ‘as is.’ I bought a used Camry, and the starter went out two weeks later. The dealer didn’t care. Your situation is frustrating, but it might be hard to get them to cover the repairs.