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Anon

Recently my Toyota Corolla developed a leak from the power steering system.

The problem was originally suspected as a leak from the power steering pump seal.

Lots of pump seal replacements later, the reservoir was finally diagnosed as the problem and replaced.

As a result of all this, I have been told, that if the power steering pump seal was to leak in the future I will have to replace the entire pump assembly. This is due to the number of seals which have been removed and refitted in the pump housing, all of which did not fix my original concern.

This is in a "reliable" Toyota Corolla that has done a little over 110,000km.

Total spent on this Power Steering Leak problem has been $1210.73.

The cost of the reservoir was $157.00.

I don't have a lot of confidence in Toyota service after this experience and have decided not to go back to Toyota for further service or to consider a new car from them.

Gordon

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 23 April 2010

jbiddle

Toyota NZ has always prided itself on being very customer focused and I'm sure they would be disappointed to hear of your experience.

They sell their product in huge numbers and when you look at the big picture their customers do receive a good experience from what we hear.

The interesting thing for me however, is this; Toyota has built its reputation on reliability and their product is pretty much bullet proof in areas such as power steering leaks from the pump and reservoir.

It's the way you as a customer have been handled when a problem does arise that would worry me the most.

New car distributors and their dealer networks should never under value the service experience their customers receive.

It can become such a vital part of customer retention in my opinion.