Takata Airbag Recall..."Loaner car" Conundrum

[SumpChump]

So my oil drinking Scion xB has the face shredding Takata airbag recall on it. I really can't work around the "Don't let anyone ride in the passenger side for 6months until parts come in" workaround that the recall notice states. So I call the dealer after work at yesterday about 4:30 they close at 5pm so they said, "we'll have to transfer you to Toyota HQ". Lazy buggers.

So I tell my story to Toyota who then transfers me to a "Scion Specialist", then I tell my story to them. They act like "why didnt they immediately inform you that you can have a loaner?" I replied that I had no clue and that they likely wanted to close up for the night perhaps. So they gave me a case number and emailed the dealer with a message to basically stop sandbagging and make accomodations. Scion seemed PO'd at them. She said the message would be a directive to give me a loaner for as long as needed.

So today I get a message from the dealer (of course when I arrive home after they close at 5pm). It says, "we were alerted that you have problems with your Scion, call so we can speak about the issues." I understand the idea of leaving a generic message but his dazed tone and words were like, "I have no idea what is the problem and nothing I can do."

I'm going to continue being patient and frankly thankful at the reasonable off from Toyota of a "loaner". I am sensibg a definite sandbagging from minute one with the dealer though.

We really need that front passenger seat useable so we need a loaner BUT here's my wife's concern.
A. What really is a "loaner"? A rental reimbursed at the end if the six months? I would hope it is a true loaner.
B. If I need it for SIX MONTHS do I need to put it on my insurance or buy additional insurance?
C. Who pays for the maintainence?
D. Do I baby the thing so it gets not a dent ?
E. Should I ask to store my car at home till needed for repair? The dealer has a very small downtown footprint. I assume my vehicle will be stored outdoor of course in some off site lot for months undriven.

Overall, if we get through whatever dealer sandbagging may lay ahead, we wonder how much of a hassle/worry such a longterm loaner would be through this spring and summer storm/hail season.

 

[HangFire]

If they really give you a loaner, you will magically shoot to the top of the replacement list, and you won't wait 6 months.

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: HangFire
If they really give you a loaner, you will magically shoot to the top of the replacement list, and you won't wait 6 months.


Point well taken.
Scion claimed that our region gets the new bags in September.

 

[bdcardinal]

FWIW Ford and Mazda are not paying for loaners for the Takata recall. I had the recall for the driver's airbag on my Mustang for about 2 1/2 years. Of course when the real fix parts came in mine was the first one to get taken care of. I really do feel bad for the owners, especially the ones with the passenger side being recalled that have not received an update since June. They come to us and I tell them that June was the last time we got an update as well. I give them the Ford Customer Service line and tell the customer to hound them until they get a real answer. Funny part is when the Customer Service people call me and ask why I haven't ordered an airbag and when I say the recall is still in Advanced Notice status with no part number to order they stammer because they cannot come up with an answer to tell the customer.

 

[Dr_Who]

Originally Posted By: HangFire
If they really give you a loaner, you will magically shoot to the top of the replacement list, and you won't wait 6 months.


Bingo!

Now think about the tens of thousands that are in the same position as you with those
dangerous explosive devices in their own cars and you can bet that these businesses will not spend one more dime than necessary.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: SumpChump
Originally Posted By: HangFire
If they really give you a loaner, you will magically shoot to the top of the replacement list, and you won't wait 6 months.


Point well taken.
Scion claimed that our region gets the new bags in September.


I think the automakers and Takata are losing their shirt over this recall and they're being real cheap in general about giving out loaners. This problem may affect up to 42 million vehicles in the US. The whole thing adds up fast.

 

[demarpaint]

What really bothers me is even after they knew the airbags were bad they kept using them. Then they have something like three years from the in service date to recall the car, or something like that? That is total [censored].

 

[Wolf359]

The problem is that there are only so many companies that make them. There just wasn't another supplier they could switch to. They're unstable with age so they should be fine in the first few years. The other alternative would be not to make the cars until there was a supplier. That's why it's taking so long just to make the replacement airbags, just too many under recall and a limited manufacturing ability. Hence the least crazy alternative to the car maker, put in a defective airbag and recall it later rather than lose a sale.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
What really bothers me is even after they knew the airbags were bad they kept using them. Then they have something like three years from the in service date to recall the car, or something like that? That is total [censored].


Probably because having a defective air bag is still safer than having no air bag at all. Unfortunately, Takata makes air bags for just about everything out there and the sheer number of recalls has overwhelmed them. There have been models out there that have been recalled for a couple of years and the automakers still cannot tell the customers when the replacements will be in.

 

[Rand]

The airbags get progressively worse as they age in humid conditions.

so a fresh one = no issues right now.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
What really bothers me is even after they knew the airbags were bad they kept using them. Then they have something like three years from the in service date to recall the car, or something like that? That is total [censored].


Probably because having a defective air bag is still safer than having no air bag at all. Unfortunately, Takata makes air bags for just about everything out there and the sheer number of recalls has overwhelmed them. There have been models out there that have been recalled for a couple of years and the automakers still cannot tell the customers when the replacements will be in.


I hear ya. It just amazes me that IIRC it was 2013 they knew there was a problem, and in my case, 2016 they were still using the defective airbags. Does that mean that they made enough defective airbags in 2013, to supply cars, trucks, and SUVs with defective airbags three model years later? And were allowed to get away with it? Unless I'm missing something, they either had enough bad airbags in the supply chain, or continued turning out bad bags years after they knew. The company should go bust, and people responsible for the crime spend some time in jail.

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: Rand
The airbags get progressively worse as they age in humid conditions.


And there is my problem the xB is 9 years old and is here in WI with humind hot summers and wet soaking snowy winters. The car is exposed to cabin moisture all 12 months.

Well, I call them back today to reply to their, "We understand you have some kind of a problem with your Scion xB" voicemail, after they recieved Toyota email saying to get this guy a loaner asap.

 

[mk378]

What HangFire said. If you merely keep phoning the dealer, they'll keep stalling. Take all your stuff out of the Scion, take it to the dealer and get your loaner car. It varies by State but your insurance should, for a time like 30 days, automatically cover a car that is borrowed while your car is down for repairs.

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: mk378
What HangFire said. If you merely keep phoning the dealer, they'll keep stalling. Take all your stuff out of the Scion, take it to the dealer and get your loaner car. It varies by State but your insurance should, for a time like 30 days, automatically cover a car that is borrowed while your car is down for repairs.


Funny that you say that. The dealer sits ready with a rental for me now....BUT...my insurance agent says the underwriters may only cover it for 30days of the six month plus possible rental. So she is checking with the underwriters. What a sham all of this is!

If they come back saying just 30 days and zip coverage.... i will be asking them if that means they are prepared to cover the possible bodily injury to me from flying metal Takata parts coming from beside me. I cant beleive they are going to possibly "direct me" to drive the car that may cause bodily injury and spark a repair claim from an activated airbag blowing the dash apart.

 

[Touring5]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
What really bothers me is even after they knew the airbags were bad they kept using them. Then they have something like three years from the in service date to recall the car, or something like that? That is total [censored].


Probably because having a defective air bag is still safer than having no air bag at all. Unfortunately, Takata makes air bags for just about everything out there and the sheer number of recalls has overwhelmed them. There have been models out there that have been recalled for a couple of years and the automakers still cannot tell the customers when the replacements will be in.


And therein lies "the rub". The automakers send out a recall notice to inform the owners of the problem and tell them to not allow anyone to sit behind the affected airbag, with no time table for replacement. So, as in the case with my Subaru Outback, any passengers I may carry are supposed to ride only in the back seat. If someone sits up front in the passenger seat and there's a defect related injury who is culpable? I'm sure the maker can still be sued, but I'm sure they'd cite the recall notice and transfer the blame to the owner for ignoring their warning.

 

[SatinSilver]

Here I thought you would be happy about getting a rental.

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Here I thought you would be happy about getting a rental.


Sure I was, i even mentioned it. Buy what use is it if insurance is talking 30days coverage only and after that I have to return to driving the car at risk? A useless rental if thats the case.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Touring5
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
What really bothers me is even after they knew the airbags were bad they kept using them. Then they have something like three years from the in service date to recall the car, or something like that? That is total [censored].


Probably because having a defective air bag is still safer than having no air bag at all. Unfortunately, Takata makes air bags for just about everything out there and the sheer number of recalls has overwhelmed them. There have been models out there that have been recalled for a couple of years and the automakers still cannot tell the customers when the replacements will be in.


And therein lies "the rub". The automakers send out a recall notice to inform the owners of the problem and tell them to not allow anyone to sit behind the affected airbag, with no time table for replacement. So, as in the case with my Subaru Outback, any passengers I may carry are supposed to ride only in the back seat. If someone sits up front in the passenger seat and there's a defect related injury who is culpable? I'm sure the maker can still be sued, but I'm sure they'd cite the recall notice and transfer the blame to the owner for ignoring their warning.


Amazing isn't it? Are there any class action lawsuits, not for injuries or death related to the defective airbags, but for people inconvenienced as a result of the Takata shoddy airbags? You own a nice well maintained car and have to have the front seat passenger sit in the back, or have to drive around with one less person in the car [a hassle to a lot of families] until they get around to replacing the airbag. LOL What a crock of [censored], and as consumers we have to put up with it, because we have no other options aside from parking the car, or dumping it. Truly amazing!

 

[SumpChump]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: Touring5
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
What really bothers me is even after they knew the airbags were bad they kept using them. Then they have something like three years from the in service date to recall the car, or something like that? That is total [censored].


Probably because having a defective air bag is still safer than having no air bag at all. Unfortunately, Takata makes air bags for just about everything out there and the sheer number of recalls has overwhelmed them. There have been models out there that have been recalled for a couple of years and the automakers still cannot tell the customers when the replacements will be in.


And therein lies "the rub". The automakers send out a recall notice to inform the owners of the problem and tell them to not allow anyone to sit behind the affected airbag, with no time table for replacement. So, as in the case with my Subaru Outback, any passengers I may carry are supposed to ride only in the back seat. If someone sits up front in the passenger seat and there's a defect related injury who is culpable? I'm sure the maker can still be sued, but I'm sure they'd cite the recall notice and transfer the blame to the owner for ignoring their warning.


Amazing isn't it? Are there any class action lawsuits, not for injuries or death related to the defective airbags, but for people inconvenienced as a result of the Takata shoddy airbags? You own a nice well maintained car and have to have the front seat passenger sit in the back, or have to drive around with one less person in the car [a hassle to a lot of families] until they get around to replacing the airbag. LOL What a crock of [censored], and as consumers we have to put up with it, because we have no other options aside from parking the car, or dumping it. Truly amazing!


Well folks here's the somewhat conclusion...
My insurance has confirmed that the dealer nor Toyota will carry any insurance in the complimentary rental of the 2017 Corolla. Which was expected. My insurance will pledge coverage for up to 6months at this point rather than just the typical 30days because they would rather I be in a "less risk" vehicle than be driving the proven risk Takata bag vehicle which could tesult in an injury claim anyways. They will provide my same coverage 100/300/100 etc. they did state that if the rental is damaged that I would be have to potentially pay "loss of use" to the renter (dealership) but that they would have to prove a true loss of use and lack of any other similar useable car on the lot. They said that rental companies themselves can prove this as that is indeed their very business but a dealer would have a tougher time proving a true "loss of use". So they said that there should be minimal "costly grey areas" in worst case scenario that rental was damaged.

 

[edwardh1]

what if there is a major ding in the car.
Enterprise car rental agents are very adept on finding some at car return (but they don't look much when you sign the car OUT)