REPORT: Toyota recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles over melting door panels - in China
If you just got into your China-made Toyota Camry only to notice that your door panel has inexplicably melted, it's probably not your fault and the problem is going to be fixed for free. That's good news for you, we suppose, but not so much for Toyota. New reports say the Japanese automaker is recalling 688,314 Chinese-made sedans for faulty electronic window control systems. The damaged switches were reportedly caused by excessive lubricant used during manufacturing, which can cause overheating and, in rare cases, melting. The excessive lube issue has been traced to a single supplier, according to China's breathlessly named General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
The vehicle most affected by the recall is the Camry, with 384,000 recalls. The Corolla comes in second with 245,000 units affected, followed by 35,000 Vios and 22,000 Yaris models involved in the recall. A Toyota China spokesman reportedly told Gasgoo that no accidents have occurred as a result of the defect.
[Source: Gasgoo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
nrb 6:29PM (8/24/2009)
Melted door panels?
It's funny because it's not happening to me.
Reply
James 6:46PM (8/24/2009)
Too much lube is a bad thing...
...not always.
;p
Rick C. 7:10PM (8/24/2009)
Betcha the lube is lead based.
pmalloy4391 6:35PM (8/24/2009)
Toyota... Where Quality is king.....
Reply
Iwa 6:42PM (8/24/2009)
Replace Toyota with China and you have a true statement.
daleam 8:35PM (8/24/2009)
It's not that far off this side of the ocean either:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/toyota_sludge_settlement.html
Temple 11:16PM (8/24/2009)
Err... like GM, VW, Honda, etc have never had any large recalls.
We've had VW DSG transmission being recalled last week, GM recalling 1.4 million cars and trucks three months ago, and Honda recalling half a million cars over airbags less then a month ago.
Not in China mind you, but here in the US. Within the last few months.
O.Z.Racing_UK 6:44PM (8/24/2009)
Made in China, nuff said.
It even looks Toyota-ish.
Reply
O.Z.Racing_UK 6:45PM (8/24/2009)
Wait, Never mind the last part. :S
revaholic 8:51PM (8/24/2009)
Half the things within the room you're in were made in China.
What's your point?
daleam 8:55PM (8/24/2009)
Half the things around your room are crap.
anonymous j 8:57PM (8/24/2009)
what about the crap that comes out of Detroit? Let's not forget the garbage they call Range Rovers either, why don't you remind me where those are made?
gefinley 9:54PM (8/24/2009)
@anonymous j:
What are you talking about? Range Rovers? Detroit is at least getting a bit better, or Ford is. Chrysler and GM haven't convinced me yet.
anonymous j 9:41AM (8/25/2009)
@gefinley
I meant Land Rovers, which are built like crap in the UK are they not?. As for the Big 3 it's still WAY too early for anyone to say that their quality has really improved, even for Ford.
Frank 10:07AM (8/25/2009)
"Chrysler and GM haven't convinced me yet."
I can't speak for GM but Chrysler has had fewer recalls lately than Toyota and Honda, and they still sell more vehicles than Honda. The materials may be cheap (the newest models are much better though) but they don't seem to break down as much.
VW GTi 6:46PM (8/24/2009)
That would suck.
Reply
Paulie W. 6:50PM (8/24/2009)
Nevermind the recall...Wow, the Chinese Camry looks nice! Looks like it has a bit of VW Passat and Phaeton in it down the sides. Grill is Toyota for sure, but headlights look Korean. I knew Buick was better in China, but now Toyota too? Pretty soon people will be importing grey-market Buicks and Toyotas from China into the US.
Reply
James 7:00PM (8/24/2009)
"Pretty soon people will be importing grey-market Buicks and Toyotas from China into the US.."
Over here it's the other way, at least with my Chinese gf.
She imports USDM luxo Euro and Japanese makes, but mostly SUV's (her Chinese client's still rave these thirsty trucks..X5s, X6s, Cayennes, Touaregs, and esp Hummers) via Tianjin ports, near Beijing.
James 7:01PM (8/24/2009)
"Pretty soon people will be importing grey-market Buicks and Toyotas from China into the US.."
Over here it's the other way, at least with my Chinese gf.
She imports USDM luxo Euro and Japanese makes, but mostly SUV's (her Chinese client's still rave these thirsty trucks..X5s, X6s, Cayennes, Touaregs, and esp Hummers) via Tianjin ports, near Beijing.
MrQuick 8:59PM (8/24/2009)
That Chinese Camry is essentially a rebadged Australian Toyota Aurion.
In person, it still is a classic Toyota, remarkably bland and the whole car feels as though it falls over when taken past 7/10ths.
That photo is simply flattering.