Mud Flap Issue - Update

[shawnd Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shawnd]

Today is my 1 month since i took delivery of my new Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto.

After reading through the issues with the poor design of the OEM mud flaps i approached the service department at City Toyota chasing an update.

They advised over the phone that Toyota has a fix (Heavy Duty Mud Flaps) to the issue which will be released in the first quater of 2011. He however advised that this may not be a warranty issue and may be an avialable upgrade option. Only time will tell.

Any way unhappy with the option of waiting for the "Heavy Duty Mud Flap" upgrade and the potential of scratching up the paintwork while waiting i called the services department to get a quote to supply and install the Hilux SR5 mud flaps. Supplied and installed they gave me a quote of $315 inc. GST.

Considering i just purchased a $64,000 vehicle i was not happy paying out $315 to fix a clear design flaw.

I then ended up sending an email off to the sales guy at City Toyota with a link to the thread showing that some dealerships were fitting the Hilux SR5 mud flaps to resolve the issue. I also requested him to discuss the issue with the dealer principal and request they cover the $315 cost given it is a design flaw.

Much to my surprize and delight i had a call back from the Sales guy at City Toyota confirming they will pay the $315 cost for the supply and installation of the Hiulx SR5 mudflaps. SO its booked in on Monday for the 1000km service and fitting the mud flaps!! :-)

I have to say the guys at City Toyota provide excellent after sales service!! Just as an example after placing the order for the new Prado I set to selling my JK Wrangler privately so i could get a decent amount. The dealers had only offered my $26,000 as a trade in. :-( To my surprise after advertizing in Carsales for $32,000 it sold at full asking price the next day. Very happy with the sale i now had another issue...... no transport for 5 weeks until the new Prado arrived. Again City Toyota came to the party and gave me a free loan car (nice new Camry) unitl the Prado arrived. Will definitely be going back to City Toyota in Perth!!! THANKS GUYS!!!

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

Sounds like you've ended the situation with a very good result!!!
Its also good to hear that there are companies out there with exceptionally good customer service...

Well done!

[Tar Trek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tar Trek]

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

Hi shawnd,

Congratulations on your achievement.

Good to see that someone has taken my lead & collared The Dealer Principle as per my post viewtopic.php?f=48&t=9397.

If the goods sold are not "fit for the purpose", it's the "Sellers" problem, not the Manufacturer's.

Why is this so?

Because if the Manufacturer does not have offices in Australia & many don't, the liability is with The Seller for the goods sold to be "Fit For The Purpose".

The Toyota Prado is marketed as an "Off Road Vehicle", however it will sustain body damage regardless of the type of roads it's driven on, due to useless mud flaps..

Tar Trek

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

This sounds promising re the new 'heavy duty' flaps.

I have sent Customer Experience another email pointing them to the petition and encouraging them to (based on the amount of disappointment) to make the new flaps a warranty item for customers who have complained about the lack of protection offered by the current design.

I have also added an update to the petition suggesting that this new design is in the pipeline.

Cheers, Sam.

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

I had confirmation of this from from Toyota Customer Experience...

"Thank you for your recent email received by the Toyota Customer Experience Centre.

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) can confirm that the design of the Prado 150 mudflaps is under investigation and an announcement regarding this is due to be made in the not too distant future.

We cannot advise whether any update will be covered under warranty but we have taken this opportunity to forward your feedback onto the relevant department for consideration."

Sounding promising.

Cheers, Sam.

[HendrikduToit Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close HendrikduToit]

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

Toyota South Africa fitted the first new test set today for me (shipped from Japan). They have only received 10 sets for now. Both front and back are 50mm longer than the original once. Looks much better than the original useless once and will do a much better job.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

Toyota South Africa fitted the first new test set today for me (shipped from Japan).

Are you able to post some pics?

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

Re: Mud Flap Issue - Update

Fitted in Western Australia

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

I have just bought a 150. Drove around a cattle property last week, ran over sone cow pats and the resultant markings demonstrate the problem clearly. Here are 2 photos of the front and back:
[IMG]file://C:\Documents and Settings\K&T\My Documents\My Documents-Keith\Prado\Mudflaps\IMG_0159.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]file://C:\Documents and Settings\K&T\My Documents\My Documents-Keith\Prado\Mudflaps\IMG_0162.jpg[/IMG]
It certainly shows that the mudflaps are not doing there job,

[pradokit Find all posts View Profile Close pradokit]

You can see how the mudflaps are not working as they should!

Sorry about the previous failed image posts - try again