Toyota: toyota head gaskets, toyota motor sales, head gasket


Question
I have a 1989 V-6 toyota truck with 96,000 miles and going on third head gasket.Replaced first time at 68,000 miles,second at 79,000.I just heard about a recall (not from toyota),I've have got nothing but the runaround from toyota.They say they notified me about this (not true),they've told me my truck is not part of the recall.I've had it with toyota ,please help ,what can I do ?    VIN #JT4VN82N6K0002109  

Answer
First, try a different Toyota service shop if you haven't already.  I've had trouble with one particular dealership shop manager before, and never got good service there until that manager left.  He had a chip on his shoulder bigtime.  If you get no satisfaction there, then go to Toyota Motors USA's Customer Service:

Toyota Motor Sales, Customer Assistance, Dept. A102, 19001 S Western Ave., Torrance, CA 90509, (800) 331-4331; fax: (310) 618-7814; (800) 443-4399 (TDD); Web site: http://www.toyota.com  

Here is a list of Recalls and TSBs, and your year model and engine is definitely listed: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/60/89601050.html
I don't know how much it costs to get the full text of the recall, you pretty much have to sign up to see the price of a subscription. :-(

FWIW, the head gasket recall for V6s was a very hot issue with Toyota USA for several years.  It affects all V6s from the year of their introduction up to 1997 and even a few 1998 models.  They invented a much better gasket and did another round of recalls in 1998.  Maybe the shop is assuming that yours got done in the earlier recalls and it wasn't involved in the later one?  Anyway, I think Toyota USA can get it straightened out for you.  They are very concerned with the Toyota reliability reputation.

Good luck!
SherryB