I Had a Flat On My 2025 Toyota Camry, The Toyota Dealer Charged Me $400 For One Tire, and Now They Tell Me It’s Another $800 For A New Wheel

"It cost me $400 to replace one tire on my 2025 Toyota Camry, and now the dealer tells me it's another $800 because my wheel is bent." 

That's what Tay (@queentayshops) says in her TikTok video. She bought a 2025 Toyota Camry and loves the car except for a few things. First, she had to have a tire replaced because she drove through a construction zone and punctured her tire. The Toyota dealer has now changed her exorbitant amount: $400 for one tire. 

And that's not all she had to pay. 

She thought the 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty would cover the cost of the tire, but it doesn't. If that wasn't enough, Tay had to take the Camry back to the dealer because when she damaged the tire, she also damaged the wheel, which was bent. Now, it's $1,200 to get both fixed, a cost she didn't anticipate. 

Here is Tay's unfortunate story. 

She says, "I bought a 2025 Toyota Camry in November, and it does include a 3-year warranty. However, they told me it doesn't cover the tires. So, I took my car to the dealer because I had a damaged tire. I told them to go ahead and fix it."

"Then they told me it would be $400 for one tire." 

"I said no, it can't be that much for one tire, and they said yes, it is. So, I called my dad, he told me I should take it somewhere else because I can get a new tire for so much less than that." 

"By the time I went to the service desk to tell them not to fix it, they had already replaced the tire. The lady who helped me with this and offered to set up an account to pay for this was so kind and helpful. 

"My Camry has bumper-to-bumper coverage, but my tire warranty expired at 10,000 miles. So I'm just over the 10,000 mile mark, so the tire is not covered." 

So why is the Camry tire so expensive?

"They told me it's more expensive because I have the more expensive trim level Camry and it's a brand new car."

Now, Tay hears a noise and feels a vibration coming from the new tire. 

"So, I get in my car after spending $400 and get on the interstate to go home, and my tire makes a funny sound. There was a vibration coming from my tire. So, I called the dealer, and they said, no, it shouldn't be making that sound, and I should bring my car back in." 

"So now I had to schedule another appointment."  

"Now, after they looked at the tire, they informed me that I must not have seen it before,  but my entire wheel was bent. It's not even a circular shape. They tell me I need a new wheel, and the tire warranty doesn't cover it because it's not part of the tire."

"So now, I have to pay another $800 to get a new wheel. The tire pressure monitoring sensor and all the parts need to be replaced. So, I checked other places, and no one else had the parts to fix it."

"I must have Toyota fix it because I'm leaving for a three-day road trip." 

"The tire cost was much more than other places would have charged me, but do you know what? I love it still. I love my Camry still. There is no other car that I would buy except for the new Toyota Crown. I need to see more of them on the road first." 

"It is so unique, and no one drives it yet, so it would not be smart to trade my Camry to get one." 

Two more things she doesn't like about her Camry.

"What I don't like about my Camry is the wireless charging for my phone is so slow, and the USB ports are extremely hard to reach." 

Tay concludes, "The only thing I would not recommend is to move to an area where there is a lot of construction like I did. Because I had to pay too much for Toyota to put on a new tire and a wheel, it was $1,200. The price was crazy. But I love the Camry and would still recommend it."

Why Didn't The Camry's Warranty Cover Tay's Tire and Wheel?

The standard Toyota Camry's 3-year/36,000-mile warranty does not cover tires. According to Toyota, the original tires that come with a 2025 Camry are warranted by the tire manufacturer, not Toyota. The tire warranty information is typically located in the vehicle's glove box. 

While the 2025 Camry comes with a comprehensive package including a basic and powertrain warranty, these warranties cover the vehicle's components and systems, not wear and tear or damage to the tires or wheels. 

Toyota Owners Can Purchase a Separate Warranty

Toyota Financial Services offers a separate tire and wheel protection plan that covers tire and wheel damage from road hazards, according to Toyota Financial. This plan is separate from the vehicle's warranty and must be purchased separately. 

To buy this plan, you can contact your Toyota dealer or visit the Toyota Financial Services website. 

Conclusion 

Should Tay have Purchased the Tire and Wheel Protection Plan?

Whether to purchase Toyota's Tire and Wheel Protection Plan depends on your needs and risk tolerance. The plan covers tire and wheel damage caused by road hazards, including potholes, nails, and glass. It's particularly beneficial if you frequently drive in areas with poor road conditions or have had previous issues with flats or wheel damage. This plan can provide peace of mind and financial security in such situations. 

How Much Does the Plan Cost?

The cost of the Toyota Tire and Wheel Protection Plan varies depending on the specific plan (e.g., Gold, Platinum, etc.) and the dealer.

The Toyota Financial website has examples of costs, such as $250 without protection and $0 with protection. A Reddit post mentions a Tire and Wheel protection plan for a 2024 Camry Hybrid LE that costs $995. 

It's Your Turn

Have you purchased Toyota's Tire and Wheel Protection Plan? If so, we'd love to hear about your experience. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your story. Your insights could help other Camry owners make an informed decision.

Check out my 2025 Toyota Camry story: I Got a Free Oil Change on My Toyota Camry, But I Would Have Rather Paid $100, It Took Over 3 Hrs, I Will Never Get My Oil Changed at Toyota Again

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Tay