Dear Car Talk:
I just took my 2015 Toyota RAV4 to the shop for an oil change and brake check. They sent a list of recommendations — one of which was new rear shocks. The shocks were replaced around 27,000 miles ago (by them). The mechanic explained they were leaking and were “shot.”
My question is: Does this seem reasonable? Only 27,000 miles on a pair of shocks? I do a lot of driving to the mountains in rainy and snowy conditions. Would that shorten their life? Thank you. — Mike
This sounds like — what’s a word I can use in the newspaper, Mike? Balderdash.
First of all, all decent shocks last more than 27,000 miles. Unless they installed a set of shocks they found in a box of Cracker Jacks, you shouldn’t be anywhere near needing to replace them again. We often see cars with 100,000 miles on their original set of shocks, and the shocks are often fine.
If you told me you drive on pitted, washboard, dirt roads with one huge pothole after another, and you do that day in and day out, I might consider whether you wore out your shocks prematurely. But driving in the rain and snow on normal mountain roads does nothing to wear out your shocks prematurely.
So, the first question you might ask the shop is what the warranty is on the shocks they sold you 27,000 miles ago. Pretty much every reputable shock absorber company warranties their shocks, often for the life of the vehicle.
Why do they do that? Because they know, better than anyone, that you’re unlikely to ever need a second set of replacement shocks before the car is in the junkyard. So they may owe you a free replacement set if, in fact, yours are leaking after only 27,000 miles.
I would start by asking them what brand of shocks they put in last time, and how long the warranty is on them. If there’s a lifetime warranty (which is what the big, brand-name shocks come with), these guys should replace your shocks for free. If they hem and haw, look up the warranty details yourself, and see what you’re entitled to. You might even go directly to the shock manufacturer and ask them to intervene with the repair shop.
But barring an accident or clear case of abuse, I can’t think of a reason why you should have to pay for another set of replacement shocks after only 27,000 miles, Mike.
Got a question about cars? Write to Car Talk write to Ray in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com.
