Review Time
Customer loyalty use to mean something, blame it on what you want, Covid, the economy or just plain greed, but it seems for some car dealerships, Customer Loyalty is a thing of the past.
Just recently, I decided it was time to start looking for a new vehicle and being a loyal Toyota customer, for the past 25 years, and seeing no reason to change, because, for starters, there’s no denying they have excellent vehicles. In the 25 years I’ve been driving Toyota products, I could probably count on two fingers the number of times I had issues with the vehicle itself. Which brings me to another plus Toyota has, warranty on their vehicles. Neither time did I have to pay out of my pocket to have these repairs fixed, it was all done under their warranty. Their staff is second to none. Always friendly, always consulting with you if there is an issue with your vehicle, if it needs repairs and making sure, they go out of their way to ensure you are 100% satisfied with the work completed on your vehicle.
But this is where things change. You have a dealership who put out flyers in the paper which says, Red tag days, but when you go in to buy that vehicle, for some strange reason it never applies to the vehicle on the flyer, it’s always a different vehicle and they always come back with but we have this model” which is always 2 or 3 thousand dollars more.
Another concern is money. It seems that you get nickel and dimed for everything, from extra add on warranty for tires, to scratches, to rims, to extended warranty on the vehicle. Some will argue, well, you don’t have to get all of the warranty. No, you’re right, but sometimes the salespeople aren’t very forthcoming with the information regarding these extras or they use pressure for you to purchase the warranty. They make it sound like, “well, you better get this warranty because these newer vehicles have a lot of moving parts”, never mind I have a warranty for the first 60,000 Km’s. Why not wait to buy the warranty after the 60,000 km is due you ask, because they always tell you they can’t guarantee the price at that time for the warranty, it will probably cost a lot more once the 60,000 km warranty has expired, again, more pressure.
The part that irritates me the most is that some make up rules as they go along. For instance, I had a lease. I wanted to sell my lease to make a little profit and either put it towards the vehicle or my pocket. Even though the Financial Institution who holds the lease agreement says you can either have someone purchase your car or buy the remainder of the lease at any Toyota dealer, one dealer wouldn’t honour that agreement, mostly because they are not getting the sale of a new vehicle or made up excuse after excuse. And the few that would do the changeover, want a $1000.00 fee for processing the agreement, plus a $1000,00 from me to purchase my new vehicle. That’s quite a payout for a little paperwork.
Same goes for the little extras.
It used to be you could get tires, or a couple of free oil changes or car mats. Not today, today, you get your new car with nothing but the payment, a handshake and a smile. I’m actually waiting on the dealers to start charging you money to just have a look at the new vehicle. It may sound ridiculous, but… I mean, they charge you $500 to hold or order a new vehicle, but that's another story in itself.
Another thing, when you used to go on the lot and you wanted a particular colour, the dealer would go out of their way to look for one, even, sometimes contacting other dealers, but today, they refuse because it cost them money, plus, its almost like they are in competition with the other Toyota dealers and they don't want to have to deal with them. So its either pick a dealer, wait up to 6 months, pay your $500 for your new vehicle or go somewhere else.
Interest rates. It used to be you could get a deal for 1 or 2 percent drop on the interest of the loan, for being a Loyal customer, not today, Today the explanation I got was well, it costs us money to give up interest rates. But I was however, given the option to put $5500 down in a secured deposit then they would drop my interest rate by 2 %. So they make 5% interest on my money, but they only give me a 2% cut on the loan, sound fair to you?
I really wanted to purchase a new Rav 4 this year, but the way things came about, turned off this 25 year loyal customer and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
So much for customer loyalty.
I have been resolutely fixated on buying a Toyota Sienna and fully appreciate how challenging this is. Timelines for new vehicles while reducing started at 18 months when I started my search. Second hand vehicles are much in demand particularly the newer models and requires a motivated buyer for success. I am a motivated buyer. Frankly Ontario Toyota dealers could not be more disinterested, rude and arrogant (Toyota Don Valley North as one notable exception). Toyota should be concerned about this - this is a significant erosion of brand value. Markets do turn and consumers remember what their experience was. I am now the proud owner of a brand new 2026 Chrysler Pacifica Sport and finding all sorts of advantages over the Sienna for the purposes I intend to use it for. So from a die-hard Toyota customer I will never consider buying one again in future. Just thought other consumers having the same horrible experience in Ontario with Toyota might want to know.
I have been resolutely fixated on buying a Toyota Sienna and fully appreciate how challenging this is. Timelines for new vehicles while reducing started at 18 months when I started my search. Second hand vehicles are much in demand particularly the newer models and requires a motivated buyer for success. I am a motivated buyer. Frankly Ontario Toyota dealers could not be more disinterested, rude and arrogant (Toyota Don Valley North as one notable exception). Toyota should be concerned about this - this is a significant erosion of brand value. Markets do turn and consumers remember what their experience was. I am now the proud owner of a brand new 2026 Chrysler Pacifica Sport and finding all sorts of advantages over the Sienna for the purposes I intend to use it for. So from a die-hard Toyota customer I will never consider buying one again in future. Just thought other consumers having the same horrible experience in Ontario with Toyota might want to know.
I traded in my RAV 4 xle 2025 after 2 weeks, just didn't like it. There are much bigger now than some years ago, it took up a lot of space in my garage. And definitely too big for one person. Parking is not as easy, too. The sunroof looked like a hole cut out on a corrugated roof (so cheap looking) and wondered if it will leak. I didn't trust the stability of the car, too. I am not an SUV fan. Traded it for a 2026 Crosstrek (awesome car to me and well built). I wanted to post this on the Toyota website but they don't give you that option.
Just finished speaking with Joel, Toyota Canada Customer service, absolutely useless. Engine Recall, lights recall, broken seat base already replaced, door hinges already need fixing and now a $3000 front chrome grill that’s flaking and peeling since new off my 23 Tundra Platinum, but they decided not to help on this one, yet I’ve shown proof how many have been replaced and warrantied throughout Canada. Huge amount of money, additional extra warranties and at the end of the day they get to pick and choose whom they’ll honour the Warranties for, on the exact same issue, exact same truck. Definitely recommend everyone to do your research prior. Wish I read more Toyota forums.
I purchased a new 2025 4runner. Unfortunately, not long after, I hit a deer. My 4runner has been sitting at the collision centre collecting dust for 4 MONTHS now, and counting. They have no parts for the new model. They shouldn't be selling these new vehicles if there are no parts, for this reason. ANYTHING happens to your vehicle and you are out of luck. You spend 60k, and you are without a vehicle. I highly recommend you do NOT purchase any new Toyota models. The rep on the phone was super rude as well. Hardeep. Terrible customer service.
2021 Defected RAV4 XLE Premium | Diagnostic Code P0011 | Manufacturing Defects | 53000 kms | Only serviced at Dealership | Engine | Timing Cover23000 kms | October 2023: Meadowvale Toyota informed me that the brake shoes on my vehicle were nearly worn out and required replacement. However, in January 2024, Taylor Toyota in Regina inspected the same brakes and confirmed they still had 7–8 mm remaining—enough for another 65000 kms.39000 kms | November 2024: My vehicle developed a timing cover leak due to a manufacturing defect. Taylor Toyota initially claimed this was not covered under warranty and quoted me CAD 3,000 (including taxes) for replacement of the timing cover. After I followed up in April 2025 (47000 km) they acknowledged it was indeed a warranty-covered issue and resealed the timing cover. However, they never clearly communicated whether it was resealed or fully replaced. I later discovered in August 2025 that it had only been resealed—contrary to the impression they gave me.August 2025: While driving in Calgary, my vehicle broke down due to an engine failure—specifically, cylinder 2 was not producing compression due to a manufacturing defect (valves were making contact with the piston). Although Heninger Toyota repaired this under warranty, they couldn’t explain the root cause of the issue. Since the breakdown happened on the highway, I attempted to troubleshoot, which resulted in a drained battery. Now they are asking me to pay for the battery replacement, despite the situation arising from the silly mistakes they did while manufacturing the vehicle.These issues have significantly impacted the vehicle’s resale value. Toyota, however, insists otherwise—as though a previously opened engine has no bearing on value and every customer is expected to understand the intricate details of engine repairs - enough comedy! Their own dealership has offered CAD 27000 when the similar vehicles are priced at CAD 37000 and plus.Throughout all these interactions, the attitude from Toyota has been rigid and dismissive—more of a “take it or leave it” approach. There has been little humility or accountability. Their communication often amounts to a simple “we’re sorry” followed by me bearing the consequences.Given everything I’ve experienced—from the misdiagnosed brake shoes to the mishandled timing cover and engine defect—it’s clear to me that Toyota will always be my last choice. I would be glad not to deal with them again.Pro Tip: No brand, no matter how big, is immune to decline/fall if it stops listening to its customers - Nokia is one such example
Toyota Victoria needs to fire most of their staff and re-hire! I've never experienced such dishonesty before at a place that is supposed to be reputable and trustworthy. I wasn't able to open the doors using my fob on my prius and brought my fob in to the parts department to have the batteries replaced hoping that was all that was needed. They said they put new batteries in and told me it was free of charge. Unfortunately the doors still wouldn't open which led me to make an appointment to get a new fob. I was quoted over the phone $400.00 but when I showed up to the appointment, they gave me a quote of $600.00. So I left and didn't go back. I recently went away and left my car at my friend's house. He put in new batteries and told me my doors work just fine. I'm so upset! I can't believe they would have lied to me about this. The inconvenience it has caused is inexcusable. I will never go back there again! Absolutely disgusted with the staff there.
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