Rear Bumper End Caps are Loose

I've searched unsuccessfully for information pertaining to how the plastic end caps attach to the rear bumper area. Purchased Tundra and drove home yesterday; washed it today to get bugs and road grime off after 220 miles of non-Interstate Texas rural highways. In the washing process, noticed that the plastic pieces that attach to/cover the ends of the bumper are loose; one side is completely pulled away from the two rear attaching blots, and the other side is almost as loose but still has bolts holding it. My dilemma--it appears that the bolt heads are supposed to be inside a plastic tube-like part of the body panel, with no apparent way to get a wrench on it. From my cursory survey, it would be a simple fix for me if I had access to the bolts to remove and then reinstall properly. Anyone have any experience or pics showing how this is accomplished? TIA. Clark

 

Same thing when I picked mine up. I zip tied it to secure until the dealer was able to fix.

 

@Markus--Got mine into the dealer yesterday morning. Parts on order to fix--and they "zip tied" the facia in place until they get the part. I was impressed with the dealer's service department. They actually produced a video summary by the technician detailing what he had found and how he had zip tied it in place. Great visual reference. Don't know if that's a common Toyota practice, but I was impressed!

 

"I was impressed with the dealer's service department"

Now that is something you won't hear many say. What dealer?

 

That is good to hear,usually it's one and done once you walk out the door with the keys, heck they don't ever want to see you again, unless it's for a new purchase.
I have nicknamed them as a Stealership because 9.9% of the time they almost always yes you to death and take your cash....
JMO.
glad to hooked you up.

 

Don Ringler Toyota in Temple, TX. I have previously had Chevrolets and he also has a Chevy dealership right next door. Chevy service department has always been excellent as well--but the video summary is unique to the Toyota service department. Don Ringler is family owned and they recognize the value that true customer service brings to the relationship; they seek to build return customers. While we didn't buy the Tundra from them, it was with their "blessing" that we purchase where we could get the best deal. Yes, I had worked with them during the initial process and gave them first opportunity to get us in the Tundra. I would recommend them to anyone.

 

That’s interesting, my dealership surprised me with the same type of video attached to my emailed invoice. Must be a thing that some of them are doing now. I brought mine in to get my windshield replaced under warranty.

 

I have the same issue with my 2023 Tundra. Unfortunately, my dealer is less accommodating. They told me I was missing a bracket and someone tried to fix it with duct tape so they could not warranty it. Said it would be $399 to fix. When I questioned them they sent me this picture. .

I responded by sending them this picture from the bracket on the other side of the bumper and telling them it came from the factory that way and the "duct tape" is nowhere near the end cap.
I then asked for the part number for the missing bracket and was told they didn't notate the part number, sorry. So frustrating... my truck looks like a dog wagging its tail going down the freeway. Here is a picture of the issue for those who may have similar concerns.

 

What the heck happened to Toyota quality?

Much higher prices and multiple people get this?

Add this to the Tundra pre purchase check list. Love the one dealer charging to fix it.

 

Better have peek under your new one. Let us know if there isn't an issue, hopefully this defect has been corrected at the factory.

 

3rd gen trucks come with duct tape from the factory? Awww man I’m jealous.

 

Update to the saga. They are no longer talking about the tape or the mysterious missing bracket. However, they have doubled down that it has been "modified from original".

Now they are saying the wrong bolts are installed and "the bolts used do not have the large washer to keep the bracket from pulling away from the mounting location."

Price is now 399, plus "any hardware needed", plus recalibration.

 

Have look under the new and used ones on the lot to see if they are the same.

 

think your dealer may be a wee bit ass

 

How far to drive to a different dealer.
I’ve seen mention of some really good ones in your state.
Time for a different opinion…

 

Not too far, but far enough to be inconvenient. Not sure how to tell which is good and which isn’t, but maybe that’s just trial and error.

I’ve scheduled an appointment for next Saturday with a different dealer. I also sent a formal complaint about the dealer to Toyota with a copy of the correspondence. I’ll let everyone know what happens.

 

Another update. Dealer number 2 made it sound like they were going to submit a warranty claim. After taking nearly 1.5 hours to “look” at it, they called me up and said they removed the end cap and reattached it. They said it seemed there was a light impact that caused it to come off. No charge.

I’ve never hit or been hit while in or around it. There are no scuffs that would indicate someone backed into me. Makes me wonder if it was from the car wash, which someone had mentioned. Makes me nervous to take it back through one.

Toyota Brand Awareness called me on Thursday and were no help. However, they are going to call back Monday. I may take it through the car wash before they call and if there is an issue take it up with them.
Long story short, my local dealer has at least two liars working for them and they will no longer get any of my business, but have earned a very exciting yelp review.

 

Good you got it fixed ! As a longtime half-ton owner, much prefer the DIY wash bays. Last time went through an auto-wash I had a Tacoma and even then, the brushes knocked a roof rubber molding off, that didn't notice for a few days.