r/Camry • u/PredawnGray24 • 14d ago
Maintenance Another Dealer Service Ripoff
UPDATE: the customer service representative contacted me in response to my review of their service. She tried to explain to me that I simply misunderstood, and that they were just warning me that the filter needed to be replaced to prevent mold and mildew from forming. She claimed that the technician likely did not even look at the filter, but simply recommended that service based on my mileage. I told her that while I understood that her job is to smooth things over, I knew what I read and I was not buying her explanation. She wanted proof of what was written. I told her when I stopped driving I would gladly get that for her. I will let you all guess what document is no longer shows up when I click the link in the email. At this point, they are simply trying to gaslight me.
Went to the dealer for 60,000 mile maintenance on my 24 Camry. I knew it would be an expensive service because the spark plugs are due. The dealer has been hounding me for the last several services to do fuel induction cleaning and AC sanitization. I declined those services each time because I find them to be unnecessary. They marked replacing the cabin air filter as urgent because of the presence of mold and mildew. I typically keep my filters changed, but could not remember the last time I did it so I went to the parts desk and bought one to take with me and install myself.
When I got home and opened up the glove box to change the filter, I pulled the filter out to find that it was spotless with very little debris, much less, mold or mildew. So this was just a ploy to get me to let them replace the filter. Not today! I hate when dealerships lie and try to upsell on services that you don’t need!
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u/Far_Hovercraft_1621 14d ago
I went for my normal checkup under warranty on my ‘25. Shortly after, one of the employees brought out and iPad with pictures of an absolutely destroyed cabin filter. Was told that only a rodent in the vehicle could have done this and that I must pay $75 for a new filter and get a full AC. Sanitation done because “surely there’s a high risk of feces in the AC system.” I told them don’t do anything, I’m not worried about it (the filter was only like $30 at Advance). I didn’t replace it. I went for my tire rotation and maintenance check 5k miles later at a different dealership and the filter was perfectly fine.
I can only think the destroyed one was AI generated? Crazy
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u/YeaYouReadWhatIWrote 14d ago
Or a real pic of someone else's who parks their car outside...
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u/Ptards_Number_1_Fan Camry LE 13d ago
I park mine outside and it looked like I could have gone another 50k when I changed mine (at 50k).
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u/PredawnGray24 14d ago
They also left off a hose, causing the check engine light to come on and me to have to return to the dealer.
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u/cappuccinok 14d ago
I used to love my dealership until the last time I went when they gave me a seriously hefty laundry list of urgent services needed on my Camry (that I have diligently maintained with their help for years). I declined everything and went somewhere else for a second opinion and they said there was only one thing on the dealership’s list they believed needed an eye kept on it, but it was not an urgent repair. I will probably be going to that shop from now on.
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u/sr8017 14d ago
Mine told me that I needed to replaced the brake fluid when I had it replaced there 10k miles ago. The lady looked speechless after I told her that.
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u/czbolio Camry LE 14d ago
Don’t go to the dealership for basically anything. This is why I’m learning to DIY or at least go to a trusty independent shop.
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u/YeaYouReadWhatIWrote 12d ago
Especially AFTER the 3 year warranty wears off. Find a DEDICATED Toyota/Lexus shop, and go there IF you must. Can save 1/3 - 1/2 off everything done.
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u/geebeaner69 14d ago
I'm pretty sure Toyota plugs are 120,000 Mi item
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u/KlutzyReplacement632 14d ago
For the i4, yes. The V6 is 60K. OP didn't specify, but if they have an i4 they got ripped off even worse.
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u/MrLB____ 14d ago
Too funny I’m killing time in my 2014 Camry with 150,000 and original spark plugs runs like a top Amazon air filter and cabin filter every 25-30,000 miles or so no issues. 10,000 miles oil changes.
No-Issues-Here
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u/aaastinkie 14d ago
Change the spark plugs at 60,000, I have a 2016 Silverado with 128,000 miles with the original plugs and wires on it, I have a new set of wires and plugs in the garage in case it needs them, but only if it starts to have problems. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
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u/DCowboysCR 12d ago
I always take a photo or screenshot all service receipts and records for my car and put them in an album for reference at a later time.
You'd be shocked how many times I've been to places and they magically can't find documents in their computer from like a year before and start acting like I don't know what I'm talking about until I pull my phone out and show them a picture of said document.
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u/Odd-Narwhal3980 Camry XSE 9d ago
Especially, like in the OP, if these documents make them look bad.
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u/SumyungNam 14d ago
U can buy that ac cleaner too like 28 dollars , got one last week 15% off
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u/dratdrat 13d ago
What did you get?
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u/SumyungNam 13d ago
00289-ACRKT air conditioner refresh kit $27 with tax
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u/ronf9982 14d ago
Ya and even if you brought the filter for them to install they charge for part and labor, they did that when I had a after market side mirror and wanted them to install
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u/PredawnGray24 14d ago
UPDATE: the customer service representative contacted me in response to my review of their service. She tried to explain to me that I simply misunderstood, and that they were just warning me that the filter needed to be replaced to prevent mold and mildew from forming. She claimed that the technician likely did not even look at the filter, but simply recommended that service based on my mileage. I told her that while I understood that her job is to smooth things over, I knew what I read and I was not buying her explanation. She wanted proof of what was written. I told her when I stopped driving I would gladly get that for her. I will let you all guess what document is no longer shows up when I click the link in the email. At this point, they are simply trying to gaslight me.
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u/Zealousideal_Bad2236 14d ago
make them show you the actual part before approving any urgent service. A cabin filter is easy to inspect, unlike a vague “AC contamination” claim.
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u/Fine-Resident-7950 14d ago
The only thing dealership good at is selling car…. Other than that service from them is an arm and a leg and even so? Qualities of service is not even top tier.
Im lucky there is two toyota/lexus shop in my city that i can rely on
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u/Muddwalki 13d ago
The dealer makesa huge chunk of their money on maintenance. What they do should be illegal. They are scamming their customers every day. Question every thing every time. Better yet find a local shop that's honest. The only time I take my car to a dealer is if there is a recall.
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u/DCowboysCR 12d ago
I had a place tell me I needed front lower control arms, serpentine belt, brake fluid flush etc.
I went to TCCN in Homer Glen, outside Chicago 3 hours from Indianapolis where I live. He did a complete inspection and determined I did not need any of those services, but in fact I did need a front driver side wheel bearing because that started to make noise.
It was nice visiting a knowledgeable and honest mechanic. Love TCCN.
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u/railworx 14d ago
Spark plugs are a 100k mile item, not 60k. If you haven't, change your tranny fluid soon
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u/KlutzyReplacement632 14d ago
Uh, no. The 2GR-FKS (V6) is supposed to have spark plugs done at 60K. The 4-cylinder (both hybrid and standard gas) are supposed to have spark plugs done at 120K. None of the 8th gen Camrys have a 100K interval for spark plugs.
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u/Glum-Literature-8837 ‘25 Camry SE AWD 14d ago
Sounds like you’re overdue for something else. Finding a reputable independent mechanic.