120 Towbar recall

[dagree Member Find all posts View Profile Close dagree]

Steve,
The service manager at our local dealer told me that it is just about to be reclassified as a recall and the letters are being prepared to be sent out soon but couldn't say how soon!!

Got mine booked in for Friday and they want the car for the day????????

Cheers,
David

[CaLLaN 52 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close CaLLaN 52]

Hi David,

Seems to be a big variation on time they need vehicle, I confirmed with them around 1 hour, coz I'm calling in b4 work & waiting till its done!

Cheers,

Steve

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

They'll say they need it for a day so they can fit it in when one of there mechanics has got nothing better to do! It would only take about an hour to do.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Steve,
The service manager at our local dealer told me that it is just about to be reclassified as a recall and the letters are being prepared to be sent out soon but couldn't say how soon!!

Got mine booked in for Friday and they want the car for the day????????

Cheers,
David

Hi David,

Seems to be a big variation on time they need vehicle, I confirmed with them around 1 hour, coz I'm calling in b4 work & waiting till its done!

Cheers,

Steve

Should only take about 1 hour.

When I booked mine in they told me 3-4 hours, then said "Oops. Sorry. Thats the Bullbar recall. Actually its about 1 hour." The bar has never been used with a WDH/LDH so it looks like they only checked the bolts.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

I was pissed as I booked it in for a time walked back hours later and still it had not been checked. Like Whitey said, it's earning them no money so just get's done when a mechanic has nowt better to do. I'd give it till the New Year (2014) as there is currently no new stock available (if yours is faulty)..it's all being fabricated.

[Brad_kosij Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brad_kosij]

Yeh I read this and checked my vin with Toyota and they have advised me its one that has been included.

So in about a months time ill make the 400km round trip to Toyota to have it checked.

I bought the prado at 120,000 so unsure of what hitch has been used.

[dagree Member Find all posts View Profile Close dagree]

Not really worried if they have it all day or not as I'm on an RDO on the day and the Mrs can run me around for the day then take me back

Not sure if it's already been used with a WDH/LDH (or what ever they want to call them now) but it will be soon.

If the toyota ones aren't adjustable, or suitable for commodores, I might just bite the bullet and get a HR bar fitted for insurance issue possibilities.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

IF they send out recall letters I wonder if I'll get one seeing as the dealer sent my car out to Vic Park towbars where it was fitted with a HR style towbar at my request prior to delivery. This should be on their records. I reckon they will. They've done the bullbar recall 3 times even though I have an ARB bar fitted. They got the wrong VIN on the last service and serviced my car as a petrol V6. Dumbies.

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

Picked up my Prado from its service yesterday and they mentioned they had done the recall on the towbar aswell. Didn't tell me what they did but I know it's done now anyway. There is a stamp on the Towbar now, I'll try get a picture of it later...

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Will try and get some pictures tomorrow, it does not look like the 150 unit

Any luck with a photo FC?

[CaLLaN 52 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close CaLLaN 52]

Well I took my Prado for the Recall t'day, took them 2 hours to check it, then I have to go back & have the Bolt Kit fitted, when they need the car for longer!! Can you claim for loss of work hours plus frustration?? Plus I can't tow now until fixed!

[GraysPrado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close GraysPrado]

Hi all. The above makes interesting reading. I tow a caravan (used on road) and sometimes a Off road Cub Camper. The bottom bolts on my Prado were always coming loose . I was unable to check the bolts behind the bumper. I do use a Hayman Reece WDH with the caravan. The loose bolts caused me some concern, so in May this year I made a decision to have the Toyota bar removed and a Hayman Reece bar installed. It is secured to the outside chassis rails and in total has 12 bolts. I shopped around and found a 4WD place in the northern suburbs that changed it over for $400. The towbar sits lower than the Toyota Towbar.
I am very happy with the result, except that I now have an obvious cut-out in the rear bumper, but can live with that.

[3810pault Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 3810pault]

Where Does the Liability Fall in the Event of a Accident

Hi All,

Just got my Toyota tow bar recall done yesterday, The bumper bar was removed and the tow bar was removed and checked on a gauge (apparently) and passed, new bolts were installed and the car is good to go.
Upon receiving the car back i noticed that there is a new supplement for correct towing methods book in the service manual and also a sticker over the previous section in the handbook with updated details and also a sticker on the tow bar stating Toyota recommends using only a Toyota Factory Supplied LDH with the tow bar or it basically voids warranty and liability.

I have been towing with a Drop Hitch HR WDH Kit for the last year and the previous owner has also for the last 4-6 years and no issues.

I rang my insurance company to confer with them as i do not want to be liable in the event of a accident or deemed to be negligent should the tow bar snap and the van run off and clean up someone's else s family. (as now legally I actually know about the issue as i took it to Toyota for the recall)
The Insurance company (CGU) stated they didn't have a problem with it as long as HR didn't as the tow bar was installed from factory and should be fit for purpose, but would not put it in writing. They further stated maybe it was a quick money grab from Toyota and if i was still uncomfortable ring HR and confirm it all.

Me being me, wanting to have all my issues sorted, I then rang HR and told them the issue from the start, they stated since Toyota has advised me personally and updated the car manual book, not to use anything other than a Toyota LDH. A HR WDH system should not be used as i would be deemed to be liable in the event of an accident once a investigation occurs as i am well aware of the issue.

Best situation is to either can the HR WDH or go with Toyota LDH (which does not suit my needs as i need a drop hitch) or change the Tow bar package to a HR system which is fully compatible and fully covered.

So now i am in limbo land, and very annoyed with the extra expense about to be incurred.
My best course of action to ensure my family's safety and anyone else s family is to change the Tow bar to a HR System Part Number 02912R for $410.00 supply only or $540.00 Fitted.

Very tempted to write a letter to MR Toyota, stating that the product supplied is technically not "fit for purpose" and demanding a refund on the factory tow bar.

Wait to see your thoughts on this and whether i am heading down the right path, considering most of you may be in the same situation as this.

Very annoyed with Mr Toyota
Paul

[madmaxwa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close madmaxwa]

Hi All

Just been on the blower to my Toyota dealer, car is going in for a service next week and they are going to replace the bolts on the tow bar, they knew exactly what I was talking about. I've been more than happy with the service and treatment that I have received from Toyota so far so I will keep you all posted on the outcome.

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

Picture as promised.