I bought a lemon. Need advice

T

tsabelo94

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Hello everyone,

I've been a long time lurker and finally decided to register an account.

I bought a car about 7 months ago. It was mostly fine until about 4 months ago when it started going into limp mode. A dashboard message saying "loss of power, please visit your dealer." The error disappears as soon as the car stops completely, and then it drives normally again.

The issue is very unpredictable. happening sometimes 3 times in a day or only once every 2 to 3 weeks. The dealer can't pull any error messages and thus can't diagnose the problem. I've taken it to three different dealers, but none of them can help.

The dealership I bought the car from isn't an official dealer of the brand. I've asked them to replace the car or refund my money since it seems to be a lemon that no one can fix. They eventually said they couldn't help and that I'm on my own.

I paid 550k for the car. The cars warranty/plan expired 6 months before I took ownership.
I took the matter to MIOSA. I've been waiting for almost 3 months now for a verdict. Nothing.

I need some advice on what to do next. MIOSA seems to be dragging their feet, and I'm not hopeful. Is it worth pursuing this legally with a lawyer?
 
If it goes into limp, it would store the code and a reader with read it.

Personally sounds like a maf/map sensors or TB issue..

Take it to a non dealers, tbh dealers only know how to replace a part or service a car and nothing else.
 
tsabelo94 said:
Hello everyone,

I've been a long time lurker and finally decided to register an account.

I bought a car about 7 months ago. It was mostly fine until about 4 months ago when it started going into limp mode. A dashboard message saying "loss of power, please visit your dealer." The error disappears as soon as the car stops completely, and then it drives normally again.

The issue is very unpredictable. happening sometimes 3 times in a day or only once every 2 to 3 weeks. The dealer can't pull any error messages and thus can't diagnose the problem. I've taken it to three different dealers, but none of them can help.

The dealership I bought the car from isn't an official dealer of the brand. I've asked them to replace the car or refund my money since it seems to be a lemon that no one can fix. They eventually said they couldn't help and that I'm on my own.

I paid 550k for the car. The cars warranty/plan expired 6 months before I took ownership.
I took the matter to MIOSA. I've been waiting for almost 3 months now for a verdict. Nothing.

I need some advice on what to do next. MIOSA seems to be dragging their feet, and I'm not hopeful. Is it worth pursuing this legally with a lawyer?
Click to expand...
Take it to a generic or a 3rd party and let them check it out.
 
BadBoyGP said:
If it goes into limp, it would store the code and a reader with read it.

Personally sounds like a maf/map sensors or TB issue..

Take it to a non dealers, tbh dealers only know how to replace a part or service a car and nothing else.
Click to expand...
I took it to an auto electrician for a scan. Picked up zero faults or errors.

My issue is that the limp mode fault existed before I bought the vehicle. The salesman mentioned they took the car in for the same problem after it happend to me. However, the dealers have no record of the limp mode fault or any repairs in their system.
 
An issue I've seen on other Toyota's in the past is when the fuel pump starts to fail, car goes into limp mode. It will then be fine for a bit once it's sat for 5 and then exactly the same symptoms appear randomly. Worth a check, but that being said I'd assume the ECU would have stored a "low fuel pressure" alarm/fault as it would be preventing the engine from running lean and destroying itself.
 
Which engine do you have and what's the current mileage?

Early GD6 versions had a defective air filter design which led to the mass air flow sensor being contaminated. This could account for some of your symptoms.
 
Before all these ECU's etc we had a new Cortina 3.0 Ghia that did the same thing and it turned out to be dirt in the petrol tank..
I would suggest to start acting quickly because this is dangerous and needs to be sorted.

As mentioned go to a good workshop and not a Toyota.
 
FiestaST said:
I legit thought you were going to say Chery or Haval :unsure:
Click to expand...
Nothing against those brands. They just wouldn't work for me. I do a lot of sand driving in thick sand, so need a 4x4.
lukekay said:
An issue I've seen on other Toyota's in the past is when the fuel pump starts to fail, car goes into limp mode. It will then be fine for a bit once it's sat for 5 and then exactly the same symptoms appear randomly. Worth a check, but that being said I'd assume the ECU would have stored a "low fuel pressure" alarm/fault as it would be preventing the engine from running lean and destroying itself.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I'll have that looked at. It's beyond me though that Toyota themselves can't pull any error codes. It has a dual battery system fitted and I'm wondering if that could be causing any electronic issues. The auto electrician said everything is fine though.
Ϲhristopher said:
Which engine do you have and what's the current mileage?

Early GD6 versions had a defective air filter design which led to the mass air flow sensor being contaminated. This could account for some of your symptoms.
Click to expand...
It's the GD6, but V6 engine.
 
Hemi300c said:
Before all these ECU's etc we had a new Cortina 3.0 Ghia that did the same thing and it turned out to be dirt in the petrol tank..
I would suggest to start acting quickly because this is dangerous and needs to be sorted.

As mentioned go to a good workshop and not a Toyota.
Click to expand...
It has a bigger aftermarket fuel tank fitted. When I fill up it takes a good 5-10 min before the needle moves to the full position. Thanks, I'll have them look at the tank.
 
You could perhaps get yourself a bluetooth OBDII scan tool and the app on your phone, then you leave it plugged into the OBDII port while driving and open the app and check for codes while it's showing the fault on the dash perhaps? (Since you say there are no codes stored when going to the mechanic). I don't have any specific links because I bought mine years ago, but it was around R199 for the OBDII dongle and I used the free version of the torque app on my android phone.
 
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