Toyota U.S. recall extravaganza
Tundras, Scions, and now... Toyota Motor is recalling 367,600 U.S. Highlander and Lexus RX SUVs to fix clips that may allow a console access panel to fall onto the gas pedal.The recall applies to 2004-2005 Highlanders and RX 330s and 2006 Highlander Hybrid and RX 400h models. Stronger clips will be installed to replace the original units.
Toyota says it has had seven reported complaints about the errant panel, and in two cases it interfered with the gas pedal, causing accidents. No injuries have resulted.
[Source: Bloomberg via Chicago Tribune] Thanks for the tip, Ryan!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TheOne442 9:21AM (7/13/2006)
It's like being kicked when you are down.
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Mike 9:21AM (7/13/2006)
I can verify this happens with all model toyota corolas as well from at least 1990. I would guess this might happen with other models from as far back as who knows when. This danger is real however subjective it might be. imagine a piece of plastic (appr 4" x 2") falling on your feet as you drive. However small this can be very dangerous.
Cheap plastics in cheap cars
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Mike 9:22AM (7/13/2006)
Just remember folks you get what you pay for
Cheaper is NOT always better when dealing with autos and you and yours' lives
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Mike 9:24AM (7/13/2006)
Just remember folks you get what you pay for
Cheaper is not always better especially with cars for you and yours' lives
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Colby S 9:27AM (7/13/2006)
Re#1: Oh, like the media is doing to Ford and GM?
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John 9:32AM (7/13/2006)
Kicking people while they're down brings great joy to my life.
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Mike 9:40AM (7/13/2006)
RE: #1
Oh you feel so bad for the large multi national multi billion corporation!?
What about the family of 4, or the 16 yr old, or the pregnant single woman with no job who are driving one of millions of Toyotas when the plastic falls on their feet?
Do you feel bad for them at all?
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Kurt 9:41AM (7/13/2006)
I am by no means a fan of Toyota... but the bigger a company gets and the more cars they build, the more they are going to recall. Even Toyota is not perfect.
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TheOne442 9:46AM (7/13/2006)
I don't like Toyota, they are bland and uninspiring to me. It's kinda nice to see they are not bullet proof. Didn't know my comment was a supportive one.
Did I mention under powered and poorly built.
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Gardiner Westbound 9:46AM (7/13/2006)
We have a 11-year old Toyota that has been excellent in every respect. In the market for a new car, we are starting to wonder it Toyota has lost its quality mojo.
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TheOne442 9:57AM (7/13/2006)
#4,#6
Confused guys, I don't like Toyota either.
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JB 9:58AM (7/13/2006)
I think we are seeing a graph of quality versus cost meeting and then parting. Used to be, that the last year of a car was the best. The thinking was all the bugs were worked out, that's why you avoided the first year especially. Now, OEMs want to reduce cost 10% or so every year. You can't do that forever without taking a quality hit. The cost out has to come from somewhere, so it's coming from quality. There's a radio commericial that goes something like this - "we need to take more money of this part - so then you hear a crashing sound and the same guy asks - where did you take the money out? The engineer says - I shortened the brake lines - now they didn't reach to the brakes, that's why the car crashed. It's getting to that point.
The other point is complexity. All these gizmos add possible problems. I would avoid as much equipment as I could. If it's not installed, it can't break. KISS.
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Tristen Bower 9:59AM (7/13/2006)
All I know is that I've heard from all of my neighbors that Toyota cures cancer.
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laserwizard 10:08AM (7/13/2006)
Told you so!
When Toyota was making limited numbers of vehicles in limited numbers of markets and model niches, it could sweat the details because it had less to sweat over. Now that Toyota (and Honduh) have decided they want to compete in all market segments possible, they are finding out what the Ford and GM have long known - mistakes happen and quality appears to suffer.
Also remember, Toyoduh and Honduh putzheads, some of these segments that these two companies are competing they know nothing about - no history - no experience. These companies aren't run by Gods - Japanese executives can be just as cheap and corrupt as American ones.
I am just sitting back enjoying Toyoduh and Honduh getting what they deserve.
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Jack Taylor 10:15AM (7/13/2006)
I having been in the Automotive Industry for 30 years. Worked with most Makes and models in that time frame.
Ther cars built today regardless of the manufactuerer are without a doubt the best quality ever produced. Anytime you get a mass produced item there are things that can go wrong. When there is a problem, they step up and fix it! Will it always be perfect? Absolutely not, but it will last you with proper maintenance and repair,longer than they ever did 10 years ago.
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Jack Taylor 10:19AM (7/13/2006)
The cars built today are far superior to anything ever produced. There are problems that pop up from time to time, but they repair them.
I would not hesitate to buy a Toyota now or ever. You all are overreacting and making it a bigger deal than it is.
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JarryHames 10:26AM (7/13/2006)
This is what you expect with such aggressive goals in being #1 vs. being the best. They bring more cars to market than any other company. I am sure that there are bound to be some production, quality, and parts issues along the way. And Nissan and Honda get their asses kicked because they're not bringing products to the market fast enough and aggressive in their growth. I'm sure that they want to make sure that they're not slapped with a continuous flow of major recalls. Toyota needs to slow down with their bland cookie cutter vehicles. There was a time when they were focused on OK designs and cars that were almost perfect in reliability. That was when I used to buy them.
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Larry 10:27AM (7/13/2006)
1. It's like being kicked when you are down.
by TheOne442
This is what I am taking about! Now it's Toyota time to shine. Every so called wannabee Toyota lover has always been bashing Ford & Gm for every reason possible. Now its our turn suckers, at least the American cars has style your but ugly Toyotas has always lacked in style. Please go buy a soccer car Yaris. If that car was released by Ford or GM you would have been bashing it forever.
Please help me I am driving a "T"rough "o"n "y"our "o"ld "t"rinket "a"utomobile
Cheers suckers
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julian 10:53AM (7/13/2006)
seems toyota's quality is going through a rough patch at the moment, or just might be a vendetta against it from becoming no.1...still, all this bad publicity for toyota must have ford and gm jumping about in glee
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robbie 10:53AM (7/13/2006)
We're talking about some $0.05 clips here people, not exploding tires or dashboard wiring fires.....
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