Post by Nomen NescioOn 12/28/2011 7:53 PM, Nomen Nescio wrote:> I took my car (2000 Lexus
ES 300) to a Toyota Dealership.
Post by Nomen NescioRequested cabin air filter replacement. It is an extremely difficult
part to reach on the 2000 Lexus ES 300 (close to the accelerator
pedal/center floor console).
They claimed they changed it: Part #87139-YZZ05, and gave me the
supposedly old filter (I requested to see it).
To the best of my knowledge, the 87139-YZZ05 is the cabin filter for
2002 and later Toyota/Lexus models.
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2000/lexus/es300/air_intake/cabin_air_
filter.html
What is the best course of action now?
Replace it with the correct filter
Refund your money
If the newer style filter fits the filter compartment, perhaps it is
perfectly adequate. If is not an exact replacement, then you will need
to determine that.
I had a 200 ES300 and later owned a 2007 ES350 and I know the filter and
replacement is a bit pricey. /
/If it were me I would go to the Parts Department and ask to see the 2
different filters to determine if one could actually be incorrectly
installed rather than the other.
It is entirely possible that they installed the correct filter but used
the wrong filter number on your invoice since your car is quite a bit
older than most of the cars they are servicing. You may actually have
the right filter but the wrong part # on your invoice.
I spoke to the service manager the next day.
He claimed the mechanic did replace the filter, and invited me down to
the repair facility to allow the mechanic to show me the new filter in
the car.
I went down the next day, and the mechanic tried to explain that he had
to remove the glove compartment to show me.
I told him that he could try to do that, but that the 2000 Lexus ES 300
had no air filter near the glove compartment (cabin filter is near the
accelerator pedal).
I even gave him a printout of what the filter looked like. It is a 2
part filter that looks nothing like the used 87139-YZZ05 they gave me
claiming that to be my old filter.
He took that to he Parts dept, said they had to order it and made me
wait for 3 hours while the part arrived, he replaced it and gave me the
correct old filter for my inspection.
The correct cabin filter costs around $25 online.
Should I file a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, and
send a copy to Toyota and Lexus HQ, for this Toyota Dealership repair
facility trying to rip me off?
I would ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY file a complaint with both the BBB,
Toyota/ Lexus, and I would personally go to the State Attorney General's
Office as well, since I personally had entirely BAD, BAD, BAD service on
my 2nd ES350. I no longer own a Lexus as a result, am now driving a very
well performing Acura, and have horror stories about the one and only
local Lexus dealer here providing shoddy service, a very haughty and
arrogant attitude, high prices, and a disgusting attitude of "we are in
the ONLY Lexus dealer in town so get in line".........
I was on the verge of sending letters myself but never had the time
since I was yet to be retired. Now I wish I had, but it is years later
since I had and sold my 2007 ES350.
Toyota in general and Lexus in particular very very badly need some
external pressure. Their handling of the floor mat debacle was nothing
but disgusting to me, for example.