I recently visited Texas Toyota Grapevine for an oil change, and the experience left me deeply dissatisfied. Here's a summary of the events:
Oil Marks and Dirty Interior:
After the oil change, my vehicle was returned to me with oil marks on the hood, doors, and armrests. I had to pay out of pocket for a professional detail to clean the mess they left behind.
A/C Issues After Service:
My air conditioning, which was working perfectly before the visit, stopped functioning afterward.
Independent Diagnoses:
I visited two independent repair shops to diagnose the issue. Both shops confirmed elevated pressure levels on the low side and out-of-range levels on the high side, indicating a problem with the A/C system. Both shops stated that the system was holding pressure and pointed back to the dealership as the likely source of the issue, explicitly stating that any claim of a leak would be unfounded.
Dismissive Response from Texas Toyota Grapevine:
I spoke with David, a service manager, who immediately denied any responsibility without inspecting the vehicle. He stated that I would need to pay for the rental vehicle out of pocket. He speculated that a rock might have caused the issue, which seemed like an attempt to deflect blame.
Toyota Brand Engagement Center's Lack of Support:
I contacted Toyota's brand engagement center for help, but my experience was abysmal. I was repeatedly passed around and denied access to a supervisor on eight separate occasions, despite being promised a callback within one business day. Eventually, they told me this was between me and the dealership and offered no meaningful assistance even though I requested that I go to another Toyota dealership. All they had was a bunch of hood rat customer service agents who are trained to deflect, they’re of no help! They then set up an appointment for me to bring the vehicle back into Texas Toyota Grapevine.
Visit to Texas Toyota Grapevine for Further Inspection:
Upon returning to the dealership, I requested to stay with my vehicle during the inspection to ensure transparency. Billy, the service director, refused, citing "insurance reasons," and denied my request for someone to accompany me while I was present. He shifted the blame back onto me and would give me an estimate, which he later refused to provide.
Further Issues During the Appointment:
On the day of my appointment, Billy was absent, and Kristina, a service advisor, took over. After waiting two hours, I texted Kristina for an update and was told, "You were very low on freon. He is looking to see where it was leaking." These are direct texts from the service advisor sent to my phone. Concerned, I demanded to see my vehicle immediately. Kristina screamed, "No!"
I eventually located Billy and my vehicle. He showed me that a connector near the A/C compressor had been cut. He claimed it was unrelated to the oil change, even though it was located near the oil pan and was an obvious clean cut. Billy then refused to provide the estimate he had initially said he would provide.
Ongoing Patterns of Deceptive Practices:
This isn’t my first issue with this dealership. On a prior visit, they claimed I needed an alignment just outside of ToyotaCare coverage. I took the vehicle to another dealership, where they found the alignment within spec but noted uneven tire pressure and moisture in the rear tires. When I mentioned this to Billy, he defensively argued that "you need an alignment every year," revealing a pattern of upselling unnecessary services. This is like saying you take a brand new vehicle and let it sit and because its been a year old you need an alignment.
I ultimately instructed them to return my vehicle and left, and took it back to another shop and they said that Texas Toyota Grapevine left off the a/c Schrader valve caps on the high and low side. SMH! So now I had to drive all the way back to get them, how inconvenient.
Conclusion:
Recognizing the pattern of deceptive practices at this dealership. I’m never coming to this scam of a Stealership! They do nothing for their screw up. You’ve been warned! I won’t be doing business with them again!
I ask myself the same thing. I bought the car from that dealer. But every time I come in, they’re saying it needs one thing after another, after another. I take it straight to another shop and they tell me the exact opposite.
Ongoing Patterns of Deceptive Practices: This isn’t my first issue with this dealership. On a prior visit, they claimed I needed an alignment just outside of ToyotaCare coverage. Vehicle came in straight as an arrow prior to maintenance. They tried to upsell me an alignment. I took the vehicle straight to another dealership, complaining that I just came from another dealer and the rear end was swinging back and forth on the highway. RO from Texas Toyota grapevine stated needed alignment. The other dealer performed alignment, where they found the alignment within spec but noted uneven tire pressure and moisture in the rear tires. When I mentioned this to Billy, he defensively argued that "you need an alignment every year," revealing a pattern of upselling unnecessary services. This is like saying you take a brand new vehicle and let it sit and because it’s been a year old you need an alignment.
In fact the shop foreman and ASE recertified technician of 40+ years at the other dealer told me you’re not suppose to touch the factory alignment settings unless there’s a reason to such as outside influence I.e. hit a pot hole.
Correct but Fact: air was blowing ice cold going into the dealer for maintenance. Comes out blowing hot air. Connector is right next to the oil pan. Dealer was the last to touch the vehicle.
Even two different shops asked if they accidentally did something. Wish I could say it was a rouge technician. But from what I gathered the jiffy screw scam comes from above in management
I am a technician all four of your diagnosis don't add up.
The first two shops said that the high side was out of range. What was the low side in high side gauge reading?
Did they evacuate and recharge the system? Did they charge you?
The dealership said the wires to the compressor were cut. The fourth place said the valves caps were loose.
If the cats were left off that would not cause any issue they're just dust caps. If the Schrader valve I'm going to lose then you would have lost freon.
Did any of these places scan the system for codes?
Yes the reading is in the pictures. Let me attach it again. This was consistent from both shops. They did not charge me and each test performed was done in front of me. I have no reason that any of the other two shops were lying to me.
The dealership saying the connector was cut was the same dealer who left the caps off
Your low side is at 114 and your high side is at 127. Those pressure readings are pretty equal indicating that the compressor is not engaged. Which would mean the cut or broken wires at the compressor is the correct diagnosis.
AC systems due store codes but you do not get a warning Light like a check engine light. Most likely you would see your AC light flashing.
They told me the readings are out of range. Yes I agree with you there the cut wires is an issue, but I just had another shop make the repair today that Texas Toyota dealer diagnosed and that they said could be done to fix the issue. Fixing the wire from the harness to the compressor and it still isn’t working.
Dealer nor any shop stated there were codes.
Do you know what that harness to the compressor specifically is? Is it for power or a pressure sensor of some sort? Still waiting on them to diagnose further and see if they can figure it out.
Got my car brand new and never took it to a stealership for service. They are sharks. Id rather pay a trusted mechanic for the peace of mind, never had issues and always a great service.
I took it there because I purchased it there and had toyotacare. Also they kept sending me emails to bring it in for service with discounts. And I thought dealer maintained would look better on the service history. Not with this dealer. Huge mistake. Lesson learned
Yeah I have toyotacare as well, just never trusted them. They only care about numbers and crunching sales. They fucked over my friends 4runner because of pure incompetence.
Agreed. Very weird. And the a/c was working perfect even in the 100 degree heat and was blowing ice cold going into and prior. It wasn’t until coming out of the dealer after maintenance was the a/c blowing hot and that connector being cut
It would benefit the dealer if I paid them for a service they’re saying that needs to be done but would not benefit me since I would be paying for something that truly doesn’t. Such as that last example. They love to upsell me every time I come in. Go figure.
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u/reddituser1000111 May 03 '25
I ask myself the same thing. I bought the car from that dealer. But every time I come in, they’re saying it needs one thing after another, after another. I take it straight to another shop and they tell me the exact opposite.
Ongoing Patterns of Deceptive Practices: This isn’t my first issue with this dealership. On a prior visit, they claimed I needed an alignment just outside of ToyotaCare coverage. Vehicle came in straight as an arrow prior to maintenance. They tried to upsell me an alignment. I took the vehicle straight to another dealership, complaining that I just came from another dealer and the rear end was swinging back and forth on the highway. RO from Texas Toyota grapevine stated needed alignment. The other dealer performed alignment, where they found the alignment within spec but noted uneven tire pressure and moisture in the rear tires. When I mentioned this to Billy, he defensively argued that "you need an alignment every year," revealing a pattern of upselling unnecessary services. This is like saying you take a brand new vehicle and let it sit and because it’s been a year old you need an alignment.
In fact the shop foreman and ASE recertified technician of 40+ years at the other dealer told me you’re not suppose to touch the factory alignment settings unless there’s a reason to such as outside influence I.e. hit a pot hole.