It seems like, and maybe it's just me, but in the last year or so Camelback has really slipped in the way of customer service?

I got my '08 xB there in June last year and within a few thousand miles my brakes started squeaking and making noises. I called JP, who sold me my car (and my '06 xB AND my dads 08 xB) and he said it was probably brake dust and to just hose it off and it should be good. So I did that and it worked for about 2 miles afterwards

At my 5k mile oil change I was told nothing was wrong - they looked ok. They sure didn't SOUND ok. At first they were making noise once in a while but the shortly after my 5k mile oil change I noticed it was every time I hit the brakes. Once in while they'd make a grinding type sound and they just didn't feel right. I was going to be doing a bit of driving over the holidays so a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving (between my 5k and 10k oil change) I brought it in again just to have them look at the brakes and again I was assured they were fine.

Well, on my 10k mile oil change in January I was really concerned. They sounded worse and again didn't feel right. Again I was told they were fine. That the brakes were at like 92% and I shouldn't worry about it.

Well I brought it in for my 15k mile oil change a couple of weeks ago and now they are telling me I need new brakes, that they are down to like 5%. How the hell can they go from 90% to 5% in 3 months? And be completely worn down in 15k miles - less than 9 months old? I tried to argue with the service guy and he didn't want anything to do to help me.

I am so angry with Scion right now.

I've talked to a couple of mechanics and they've said, especially on new cars, even in the worst traffic I should at least get 25 or 30k miles out of my brakes. Hell my wife has a Honda Element, drives in way worse traffic than I do (we live in Glendale she works in Tempe and drives in all rush hour traffic - 35 miles one way) and she just now needs brakes on her '05 with over 50k miles on it.

I would be mad if I had to pay for new brakes at 15k miles, but what makes me the maddest is I've been complaining about them for 7 months. I shouldn't have to pay for new brakes on 9 month old car with 15k miles. I hate to say it but I'll suffer the trade in value and trade my xB in on a Honda before I pay for new brakes!!!

I've been a huge Scion fan for a long time. I've owned two, my dad has owned two and I bet I've "sold" a bunch of them with people stopping me or asking about mine. I'd think someone would want to keep my business but the service guy was just a jerk!

Who at Camelback can I complain to? Anyone? Do I even have ANY recourse at all? I have no clue who to call. Do I even call Camelback or move up the chain?

Thanks for any help!

Cheers
Rob

 

I'd say call to Camelback and ask to speak with a Service Supervisor and talk with him about your concerns. If you feel from that conversation its falling on deaf ears then move up to the Service Manager. Talking to just the Mechanics does not really document the issues/concerns going on with your car unless they take that extra step to bring it to the attention to the service writer/supervisor on thier shift. Give yourself time to let them look at your car with you, talking to them first on the phone and setting up a time for you/them to make sure they give you full 100% attention when you are there and not just driving up when they are really busy and not getting that attention to detail you would like. that is my .02 cents..

 

My breaks did the same thing. Larry Millar and Camelback told me the same thing that they're just dirty and i have 80% + on the brakes. Still made noise after the 3rd oil change and both dealers still said the same thing to me. Contact SCION and they'll take care of it :D

 

Ok I need to ask you is your '08 xB a 2nd gen first off?? The reason I am asking this is because when we had the Meet and Greet with the Assistant Cheif Engineer that came out from japan, I know for a fact that Chad (who is the Scion Dept manager at Camelback) brought up the fact that some of the new xB's were having brake issues and having them wear out way to fast. I can't remember everything that was said about that but the only thing i can remember is I thought that they were going to get back to Chad and I believe that scion was going to take care of this issue by replacing the brakes for you. Now please talk to Chad first on this, I am hoping that I didn't miss quote what was said but I do remember them talking about it.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've been having on your new Scion. Camelback has always been good to this community so I won't be surprised to hear that this is dealt with soon.

Please post up an update once everything is resolved.

 

Well, if you mentioned this problem on each service oil change then they should have it on the service report which should be on record. Have them bring up your service records as this will be your proof of when the problem started.

 

It Seems as of recent that there have been a few complaints with the brakes on the 08 xB's. You are the third person this week that I have seen or talked with about the issue. Give me a call tomorrow and we will get it worked out one way or another. I briefly talked with the Scion rep about this week, but she is out of town til Monday.

Generally speaking brakes, windshields, tires etc are normal wear and tear issues that just happen. Sometimes faster than others, but I think there is more to this than just that.

Again call me tomorrow and lets get this situation handled.

Chad
602- 914-7129

 

15K miles... Wow I have had pads last past that on a track car haha. No need to trade man, pads cost a whopping $40 usually, I can slap them on for ya for free if the rotors do not need turned "personally I just buy new rotors with each brake change as they are cheap and recycle the old"

 

Thanks Chad, I'll call tomorrow afternoon. Thanks everyone for the advice and letting me vent a bit. I really love my Scion so it would have been REALLY hard to trade it in for a <gasp> Honda.

 

Did chad ever get this taken care of?

 

Im pretty sure I get the same noises you get with your brakes. They sound like knifes being sharpened or something close to that. I own a tC and it doesnt bother me too much. Hmm if it worries you that much, maybe you should get a after market brake kit. Of course you will hear more noises when you stop but you will be able to stop on a dime.

 

Yes We took care of it to the best of my knowledge