MECHANICAL FAULTS IN TOP SELLING VEHICLES REVEALED
According to News Corp, AUSTRALIA’S top-selling vehicles are repeatedly returning to dealers for known mechanical faults — but in most cases they won’t be fixed unless customers complain.
Confidential service bulletins obtained by News Corp Australia show the Toyota HiLux is the subject of several “service bulletins” for running changes to address known faults that fall short of a safety recall.
These include recurring problems with clogged diesel particulate filters (DPF) that cause the vehicles to blow “excessive white smoke from the exhaust pipe”, air sensors that become contaminated with dust and trigger the car into “limp home” mode, and a transmission thump that has been traced to the drive shaft.
Dealer sources say HiLux customers must bring their vehicles back three times for a DPF “re-gen” flush; only on the fourth visit will the DPF be replaced.
The HiLux’s latest diesel particulate filter fix is accompanied by a “reflash” of the engine management computer.
The Toyota HiLux’s reputation for dependability has taken a bit of a hit following a number of dealer service bulletins to fix known widespread faults. Picture: Supplied.
Toyota dealers are also trying to repair faulty drive shafts — if customers complain — on the first visit by machining them. If the transmission thump continues, HiLux owners will get a new “rear propeller shaft slide joint”, but only on the second visit back to the dealer.
In a statement to News Corp, Toyota Australia apologised for the inconvenience to affected customers and confirmed the above technical issues are being addressed.
The company urged owners who encounter these faults to “immediately contact their nearest dealer, who will investigate further and provide support and transport assistance as required”.
The Ford Ranger — the second best-seller behind the HiLux — is also far from fault-free.
Ford has replaced complete engines in a number of near-new Ranger utes after News Corp Australia intervened on behalf of concerned owners.
On certain Ranger utes there are also known faults with intercooler pipes splitting, rear main oil seals leaking and harsh transmission shifts, for which Ford has introduced running changes. Ford is yet to disclose the cause of the catastrophic engine failures, which were initially diagnosed as being caused by poor quality fuel.
As with Toyota, however, only customers who complain get their vehicles fixed.
Confidential service bulletins obtained by News Corp Australia show the Toyota HiLux is the subject of several “service bulletins” for running changes to address known faults that fall short of a safety recall.
These include recurring problems with clogged diesel particulate filters (DPF) that cause the vehicles to blow “excessive white smoke from the exhaust pipe”, air sensors that become contaminated with dust and trigger the car into “limp home” mode, and a transmission thump that has been traced to the drive shaft.
Dealer sources say HiLux customers must bring their vehicles back three times for a DPF “re-gen” flush; only on the fourth visit will the DPF be replaced.
The HiLux’s latest diesel particulate filter fix is accompanied by a “reflash” of the engine management computer.
The Toyota HiLux’s reputation for dependability has taken a bit of a hit following a number of dealer service bulletins to fix known widespread faults. Picture: Supplied.
Toyota dealers are also trying to repair faulty drive shafts — if customers complain — on the first visit by machining them. If the transmission thump continues, HiLux owners will get a new “rear propeller shaft slide joint”, but only on the second visit back to the dealer.
In a statement to News Corp, Toyota Australia apologised for the inconvenience to affected customers and confirmed the above technical issues are being addressed.
The company urged owners who encounter these faults to “immediately contact their nearest dealer, who will investigate further and provide support and transport assistance as required”.
The Ford Ranger — the second best-seller behind the HiLux — is also far from fault-free.
Ford has replaced complete engines in a number of near-new Ranger utes after News Corp Australia intervened on behalf of concerned owners.
On certain Ranger utes there are also known faults with intercooler pipes splitting, rear main oil seals leaking and harsh transmission shifts, for which Ford has introduced running changes. Ford is yet to disclose the cause of the catastrophic engine failures, which were initially diagnosed as being caused by poor quality fuel.
As with Toyota, however, only customers who complain get their vehicles fixed.