In March I bought a 2009 Toyota Corolla. Throughout the sale, I was told of the quality of the vehicle, and how committed Toyota was to their cars.
My vehicle has been in the dealership (s) 4 times for repair for rattles throughout the vehicle.
I was in arbitration with Toyota on Friday, December 5, and some of the things the Toyota representatives were saying were extremely concerning.
"With an empty passenger seat, it's typical for the vehicle to rattle, across our product line" - Roger Lepin, Field Technical/Training Specialist for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
In regards to the 2009 Corolla - "... Base grade vehicle, not a Lexus" - Jate Rademaker Field Specialist - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
Now, you will see from their advertising (http://www.youtube.com/watch? V=vwXbGc-t2qg) that this is NOT the way they are advertising the 2009 Corolla. They make you think/feel like you are buying a Lexus, not a "base grade" vehicle. Nothing about that commercial would make someone think that significant rattling is normal.
My car is the "S" model, it's one of the highest model types you can buy in the 2009 Corolla, I would not expect it to start rattling at 5,000 miles, which is my next point. If it's normal for it to rattle like that, why did it not start rattling at first?
I think it's fairly clear that there is VERY questionable advertising / business practices with the 2009 Corolla. Now I'm stuck with a car that rattles like it's a tin can, and Toyota will not do anything about it. They misrepresented the facts during the arbitration, and after that hearing, I have very big concerns whether the arbitrator was truly "neutral." For example, Jate commented that the windows were up and the radio was off, the noises were normal, HOWEVER, that is not true, Roger Lepin had his window down approximately 2 inches. Also, after Roger saying with an empty passenger seat, it was typical to rattle because of weight in the car. BUT, on the test drive, there were 4 of us in the vehicle. The conditions on which I were complaining were substantially different.
My only option now is to pursue legal action, assuming the arbitrator rules in their favor which is 99% likely, and file a complaint about their business practices with the Attorney General's office.
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