Probably my first and last Toyota..

It was my first time time buying a Toyota. My spouse said we needed a bigger car as the current VW Polo that faithfully had been operating for over 11 years was not big enough.

Given the price range, hunting around back in 2023, the Corolla Cross was ticking most boxes as a most apt family car. I mean, its Toyota...the most loved and trusted car brand by South Africans. Right! What could go wrong.

And yes, somethings did go wrong. Note the pural use off the word "somethings".

Within the first 3 months after purchase, a knocking sound was heard on the front off the car when going over a bump. Took it back to the dealer who promptly advised that there was a factory fault that had compromised a wheel shock absorber on the vehicle. They changed all shock absorbers.

After driving around and some 18months later, I observed a small but noticable indent on the soft padding area on the driver side door panel. Thought this was normal and let it pass until I saw another Cross with a similar problem while waiting in line for a service booking. Once addressed with the service adviser while waiting in the service line, by two customers having the same problem, this was promptly attended too and the door panel changed.

Some 30 months down the line, I noted some slight rust on the rear door hinge. Being caught up with other things, I had forgotton until I picked up some rust spots on the tailgate some 2months later. This raised my investigative eye, too also find support struts inside the engine bay that had rust on the joint.

Back to the dealership...long story short, they can repair it and no courtesy vehicle provided. Called in Toyota South Africa and was told the exact same words...they will honour the week long repair, but its somehow acceptable to leave the customer without a vehicle. Truely stunned.

I am not sure Toyota South Africa, but all I can say is that this was probably the last straw for me.

It is dissappointing and makes me second guess the linking off the brand Toyota to the word reliable that they have become so known for.