Corolla Door Handle Break And They Suck
Me
break even once? Not many, I'm sure. I'm the owner of 1999 Corolla and
in the last 3 years, I've spent over $400 to have the outside handle
of the driver's door replaced twice.
Such a problem has never happened even once to anyone I've spoken to.
I contacted Toyota to request a refund for at least one of these
repairs and was turned down.
I'm posting this so that you know what you might expect when dealing
with them.
I've owned several Toyotas and been generally happy with them. This is
poor customer service for a product which obviously has a design
flaw.
I have purchased my last Toyota.
mrsteveo
Perhaps you're already aware of this but could your problem possibly
stem from how you treat your door handles? Perhaps you're a bit too
harsh on them?
I have a 2002 Corolla CE which I believe has similar door handles and
have not had any issues at all.
I'm wondering if you're one of those who lift the handle and
immediately let go which causes the handle to slam down into place? I
would imagine that would cause issues.
I suppose there could be a defect but I think this issue largely stems
from your usage rather than a design flaw on Toyota's part.
Built_Well
I used to own a 1995 Toyota Tercel, and its driver's side door
handle broke like yours. But that was the only problem I ever
had with the car.
JoeSpareBedroom
news:1193069981.6...@v23g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
At what season of the year did they break?
Me
>
> - Show quoted text -
No, I'm not abusive to the door handles. You have a 2002. The first
time that the problem occured was in 2004 when I'd owned the car for 6
years. Maybe it'll happen to you too within the next year. Start
saving your pennies in case it does.
Me
> "Me" <BabaOhRea...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
Both times, they broke around this time of year- September-October.
Why would that make a difference?
mrsteveo
Well, your door handles are likely the same quality/build mine are.
If they're anything like this one:
The picture (assuming it's the picture of an OEM equivalent..)
certainly makes it look pretty flimsy to me.
As to the purchase, it seems pretty cheap... not sure if what eBay has
versus the dealer is different or not.
Also not sure how hard it would be to install myself but assuming I
could -- I don't get why it'd be such an expensive fix.
I'm guessing the laborious task of taking the side panel of the door
off? And then possibly the door handle being purchased from the
dealer at extensive mark up?
Built_Well
Yeah, the labor charge to fix a door handle can be high. I remember
in the 1980's my father paid an independent shop to fix the door
handle of
a 1974 Chevrolet Impala, and the labor charge was through the roof.
The worst part was the door handle broke again not long afterwards.
JoeSpareBedroom
If you said winter, I would've wondered if the door was frozen shut and you
were yanking on the handle too hard.
Me
>
> - Show quoted text -
lol, no, no. I would never have done that. I know how to handle
things.
Me
>
> The picture (assuming it's the picture of an OEM equivalent..)
> certainly makes it look pretty flimsy to me.
>
> As to the purchase, it seems pretty cheap... not sure if what eBay has
> versus the dealer is different or not.
>
> Also not sure how hard it would be to install myself but assuming I
> could -- I don't get why it'd be such an expensive fix.
>
> I'm guessing the laborious task of taking the side panel of the door
> off? And then possibly the door handle being purchased from the
>
> - Show quoted text -
lol, the handle cost about $110-120. This guy had it for $10. Oh well.
Honda here I come.
Built_Well
If I adjust for inflation, I think the labor cost of fixing the
door handle of the '74 Chevy Impala was $270 (in today's dollars).
And that was for labor alone.
Just not worth it, since the handle broke again after
the repair. So when the door handle of my old Tercel
broke, I just let it stay broken.
If you can get a 1- or 2-year warranty with the door handle fix, it
might be worth it, but who's going to give you that kind of
warranty on automotive repairs?
Cathy F.
"Me" <BabaOh...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193069981.6...@v23g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
Well it's up to you... obviously. But, OTOH, I've had 4 Corollas since '84,
w/nary a door handle problem, & no customer service issue probs re: anything
else, either. If anything, I've been pleased w/their service. On one
Corolla (the '84 or the 90?) the McPherson struts started to go before they
should have. Two were shot, one was showing signs of wear, & the 4th one
looked fine. But based on the 3 bad ones, Toyota paid for all 4 to be
replaced, parts-wise (~$600 at the time). I paid for the labor.
Cathy
>
Built_Well
Cathy F. wrote:
> ....I've had 4 Corollas since '84...
========
Cathy, always a Corolla and never a Camry? The Corolla is
a fine car, but wouldn't you like a little higher-end model
after having had 4 of them?
Perhaps, I'm misunderstanding a bit, and the Corolla was
just your secondary, commuter car? Would I be right in
assuming you and your husband (if you've ever been
married) owned a nicer primary car?
If not, why don't you think about splurging a bit more next
time, and buy a Camry. I'm really happy with mine, so far
(except for the poor quality speakers).
Hachiroku ハチロク
> How many of you have ever had the outside door handle of your car break
> even once? Not many, I'm sure. I'm the owner of 1999 Corolla and in the
> last 3 years, I've spent over $400 to have the outside handle of the
> driver's door replaced twice.
I had one door handle break on a 20 year old Tercel. I got a new handle
for $35...along with a radiator and an air filter cover.
Spent $400?!?!?! Repeat after me: J-U-N-K-Y-A-R-D and W-R-E-N-C-H.
Ray O
"Me" <BabaOh...@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193069981.6...@v23g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
I've heard of door handles breaking, but not very often. Did both handles
break in the same place and manner? Is the driver's door handle harder to
pull than the other door handles (indicating something binding inside)?
I wouldn't think that Toyota would offer any warranty or goodwill assistance
on a 6 or 8 year old vehicle, but there is a 12 month service parts warranty
if the part fails.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Built_Well
Cathy, I had a high school English teacher (a wonderful
lady) who remained single most of her life, until
her late 50's or early 60's when she married the Vice-President
of the Saint Louis Federal Reserve. I know the school missed
her dearly when she left. She was a wonderful teacher.
s.d.
My outer and indoor handle broke 5 times, I've replaced it multiple times,
it's just a pain to own this 2000 Toyota Corolla.
--
posted from
http://www.motorsforum.com/toyota/corolla-door-handle-break-and-they-suck-139925-.htm
Your Name
> replying to Me, s.d. wrote:
> >
> > My outer and indoor handle broke 5 times, I've replaced it multiple
> > times, it's just a pain to own this 2000 Toyota Corolla.
thieves don't keep trying to break into it.