Runaway Toyotas. You saw it on this site first!

[Davemcc]

the brake problem with the hybrids is nothing to worry about.

This problem covers only the current 2010 model year and so far has allegedly accounted for four accidents and 2 injuries. What could have happened by the end of the model year had Toyota not been under intense public and government scrutiny? But it is nothing to worry about since you'll never find me driving a hybrid...or a Toyota for that matter.

 

[Rickster71]

What a coincidence, and just in time for the beleaguered US automakers.

There certainly seems to be some protectionism in the air.

Autos from all manufacturers, from all countries have had vehicles subject to recalls.
Notices for BMW's M3 models (unduly sensitive air bags), for Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV (seatbelt buckles that won't stay latched), and for a variety of Rolls-Royce's models (brake system failure).

Anyone remember Ford's exploding gas tanks?

I forget who coined the phrase... "There is no such thing as a coincidence"

 

[Rickster71]

Top Ten list Automakers with the Most Recalls:
http://www.streetsideauto.com/resources/10-automakers-most-recalls.asp

 

[Davemcc]

What a coincidence, and just in time for the beleaguered US automakers.

There certainly seems to be some protectionism in the air.

That's the thing, Rick. These companies have had many recalls over the years but until now, it's never been news. I don't think many people even know about rotting frames on newer Tundras being recalled. It's almost become a running joke at work that Big 3 recalls are always front page news but a Toyota or Honda recall, until now, is always buried in a tiny blurb on page 13 of section B in the newspaper.

The perception of import quality has been carefully crafted by the media, particularly by so called "respectable" automotive journalists. For decades, I could tell by looking at the cover of Motor Trend or Car and Driver which car won any "Comparo" article. Even if the domestic car won every category hands down, the import would win by virtue of the "subjective evaluation", i.e. they just like those better.

This is beginning to change, but it took an 9 million unit recall to jump start it. This weeks edition of Business Week magazine tells the story of a 2009 Toyota owner that is so frustrated with rattles in the dash and an overall lack of quality that he is ditching it early and will never buy another Toyota. It isn't all lollipops and roses over in import land despite the whitewash the media has been giving us for years.

 

[highfigh]

What a coincidence, and just in time for the beleaguered US automakers.

There certainly seems to be some protectionism in the air.

Autos from all manufacturers, from all countries have had vehicles subject to recalls.
Notices for BMW's M3 models (unduly sensitive air bags), for Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV (seatbelt buckles that won't stay latched), and for a variety of Rolls-Royce's models (brake system failure).

Anyone remember Ford's exploding gas tanks?

I forget who coined the phrase... "There is no such thing as a coincidence"

Ford has had more electrical problems than just about anyone but they didn't kill anyone, AFAIK. The gas tanks only exploded after major impact that would cause the tank to crush when it pushed into the differential.

I just heard an ad for a Nissan dealer who has one model with a starting price of $9889 and if you have a Toyota, they'll knock another thousand dollars off.

 

[highfigh]

The perception of import quality has been carefully crafted by the media, particularly by so called "respectable" automotive journalists. For decades, I could tell by looking at the cover of Motor Trend or Car and Driver which car won any "Comparo" article. Even if the domestic car won every category hands down, the import would win by virtue of the "subjective evaluation", i.e. they just like those better.

Motor Trend used to be a good magazine. I would read it when my dad had a subscription, in the early '60s but only read it sporadically after that. A friend told me that their choice for Car Of The Year was the VW Thing one year and the next year, they close the AMC Pacer.

Yeah, they knew good cars, alright.

 

[Rickster71]

Growing up, my family bought nothing but Fords, (that's my 72 Torino in my avatar) I never owned an import until 1985.
Up to that point I became proficient at changing Ford starters, water pumps and timing chains and idler arms, valve stem oil seals.
At the time I assumed it was normal to have to replace a starter once a year, or a water pump and timing chain before 50K miles.
I was used to broken door and window handles, sagging door hinges, leaking windshield gaskets, oil leaks, etc.

Then I bought a used Nissan 200SX with 50k miles and sold it with 185K miles with absolutely no problems.(not even an oil leak) It was the start of what would change my opinion of U.S. automakers.

I loved working on cars, and rebuilt almost every American engine, at least once.
What I know about cars was from being 'hands on.' I've never believed what's in the media; they're just a tool, to help the Tail Wag the Dog.

 

[Rickster71]

Ford has had more electrical problems than just about anyone but they didn't kill anyone, AFAIK.

My brother had a Taurus plagued with it's well known electrical problems.
The dealership couldn't fix it. They blamed it on squirrels and mice eating the wires.

The gas tanks only exploded after major impact that would cause the tank to crush when it pushed into the differential.

That was the Pinto.
Ford pickups used to have the gas tank in the cab behind the seat, standing on it's side.

 

[Rickster71]

That's the thing, Rick. These companies have had many recalls over the years but until now, it's never been news. I don't think many people even know about rotting frames on newer Tundras being recalled. It's almost become a running joke at work that Big 3 recalls are always front page news but a Toyota or Honda recall, until now, is always buried in a tiny blurb on page 13 of section B in the newspaper.

The perception of import quality has been carefully crafted by the media, particularly by so called "respectable" automotive journalists. For decades, I could tell by looking at the cover of Motor Trend or Car and Driver which car won any "Comparo" article. Even if the domestic car won every category hands down, the import would win by virtue of the "subjective evaluation", i.e. they just like those better.

This is beginning to change, but it took an 9 million unit recall to jump start it. This weeks edition of Business Week magazine tells the story of a 2009 Toyota owner that is so frustrated with rattles in the dash and an overall lack of quality that he is ditching it early and will never buy another Toyota. It isn't all lollipops and roses over in import land despite the whitewash the media has been giving us for years.

Dave, this will be the first, and probably the only time we don't agree completely. (I can't believe it finally happened)
Knowing how you put food on your table, I certainly don't fault you for your opinion or perspective.

 

[highfigh]

My brother had a Taurus plagued with it's well known electrical problems.
The dealership couldn't fix it. They blamed it on squirrels and mice eating the wires.



That was the Pinto.
Ford pickups used to have the gas tank in the cab behind the seat, standing on it's side.

Yeah, I forgot about "The Toaster"- I was referring to the Crown Victoria like the one that burst into flames in PHX when the cop was rear-ended. He lived but it's not pretty. He eventually made detective and has since retired. I got into PHX the night it happened and they showed video on the news- one of the worst things I could imagine going through.

The Ford Pickup shown on 60 Minutes used a flare of some kind to ignite the gas, as it turns out. It must be hard to compete when a major news outlet is against them, yet tehy were teh only one of the Big Three that didn't take bailout money. Hmmm.

 

[Tarub]

Im testing my new keyboard made by Toyotttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I dont get it, wait its a recaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Oh man, i have to push the CPU power button twice to stop it.

 

[Davemcc]

Dave, this will be the first, and probably the only time we don't agree completely. (I can't believe it finally happened)
Knowing how you put food on your table, I certainly don't fault you for your opinion or perspective.

I'm not overtly loyal to my employer as evidenced by the fact of me driving a Vette and my previous Camaro SS. I'm also not shy about discussing the quality issues with my SVT. I hope you don't think I'm saying any of this because of my connection with Ford.

The media issue is real and I've been watching it since long before I worked at Ford. I had a subscription to Road and Track in the 80's and gave it up because the road tests and comparisons were so obviously biased and subjective. That's how far back I go with this issue. Recalls of imports like we see today, Toyota's accelerators, brakes, frames and Honda's window motors going up in flames really isn't new or unique. It's just being reported right now as if it is. Toyota's had a lot of recalls in the past few years that have simply flown under the radar. You know how Obama gets a free pass from the media for anything and everything...yeah, that's Toyota too, until now.

 

[Rickster71]

I'm not overtly loyal to my employer as evidenced by the fact of me driving a Vette and my previous Camaro SS. I'm also not shy about discussing the quality issues with my SVT. I hope you don't think I'm saying any of this because of my connection with Ford.

The media issue is real and I've been watching it since long before I worked at Ford. I had a subscription to Road and Track in the 80's and gave it up because the road tests and comparisons were so obviously biased and subjective. That's how far back I go with this issue. Recalls of imports like we see today, Toyota's accelerators, brakes, frames and Honda's window motors going up in flames really isn't new or unique. It's just being reported right now as if it is. Toyota's had a lot of recalls in the past few years that have simply flown under the radar. You know how Obama gets a free pass from the media for anything and everything...yeah, that's Toyota too, until now.

Dave, I don't doubt what your saying about the media.
I try not to rely on them to tell me facts; especially when those so called 'facts' go against what we know to be our own life experiences.

I sometimes wonder if the media felt as betrayed by our U.S. automakers as I did. When I worked on a car and could see that cars and their parts were being made with 'built-in' obsolescence. (I remember the timing gear teeth coated with Nylon, it would chip off and they would start to self destruct at 50K miles.)

"Built-in obsolescence, why would they do that?" One may ask.
As cars became more complex and computerized, fewer people serviced their own cars.
Less profit was made on the sale(due to buyers learning about the Dealer's Invoice price) so the intent was to direct more people to dealer service, and make up the lose there.

 

[highfigh]

Dave, I don't doubt what your saying about the media.
I try not to rely on them to tell me facts; especially when those so called 'facts' go against what we know to be our own life experiences.

I sometimes wonder if the media felt as betrayed by our U.S. automakers as I did. When I worked on a car and could see that cars and their parts were being made with 'built-in' obsolescence. (I remember the timing gear teeth coated with Nylon, it would chip off and they would start to self destruct at 50K miles.)

"Built-in obsolescence, why would they do that?" One may ask.
As cars became more complex and computerized, fewer people serviced their own cars.
Less profit was made on the sale(due to buyers learning about the Dealer's Invoice price) so the intent was to direct more people to dealer service, and make up the lose there.

The intent of more complex motor systems was to meet emissions standards and carburetors can't. The fact that people were unable to figure out how to service their cars is just gravy on the icing for the service shops.

 

[Davemcc]

Another Toyota recall. This time it's cracked driveshafts in 4x4 Tacomas.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/12/toyota-recalling-8-000-2010-tacoma-4wd-pickups/

 

[j_garcia]

Maybe they should just hire Tiger to do their appologies

 

[Rickster71]

Read in new Consumer Report mag, (April 2010)
Toyota cars built in Japan don't suffer the problem and 'are not' included in the recall.
They start with a letter 'J' in their VIN.

 

[lsiberian]

Maybe they should just hire Tiger to do their appologies

I'm not doing any apologies. I bought a Mazda, but it might explain Woods running into that fire hydrant.

 

[billy p]

Some good news... I guess?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703834604575364871534435744.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEADNewsCollection

 

[Rickster71]

Some good news... I guess?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703834604575364871534435744.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEADNewsCollection

Great post Billy.
Looks like history / human nature has repeated once again.
Post #13 also mentions the story from the 1980's