Toyota recalls

[Felix]

A number of stories the past few days on continuing problems with multiple models of Toyota, relating to accelerator problems:

Toyota Recalls

Toyota has announced that it will halt sales of eight models due to its ongoing problems with unintended acceleration. At issue are accelerator pedal mechanisms that could get stuck in the open position due to wear, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably. Earlier this month, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million vehicles with the possible defect.

Late last year, the Japanese automaker recalled nearly four million vehicles for floor mats that could trap accelerator pedals, also causing unintended acceleration. The two issues are apparently unrelated, though a total of 1.7 million vehicles are affected by both issues.

No Lexus or Scion sales have been halted, and due to the sales suspension of the above eight models, a number of manufacturing plants will be shut down for at least the week of February 1st.

Indiana, Kentucky, Texas and Canada plants are are affected by this production suspension.

Toyota has built up a deserved reputation for quality in their cars. I hope more cars are not involved.

[Babs]

So THAT'S why I speed! I can't help it! The accelerator's stuck, Officer...

[LimitedRecourse]

"Oh, what a feeling...."

[Deleted]

I've heard the problem is supposed to be caused by slipping floor mats,



but I don't believe that.

[Bob]

Jan 27, 2010 15:10:42 GMT -5 @yodanbr2 said:

I've heard the problem is supposed to be caused by slipping floor mats,



but I don't believe that.

The article mentioned another problem too. (They were probably hoping for it to be just the floor mats)

My Honda has a metal hook that fits in a corresponding hole in the mat specifically to keep it away from the pedals.

[Deleted]

Another thing that I find curious (?) about the Toyota deal is the suggestion to shift into neutral if the throttle sticks.

Excuse me?

Won't the engine blow up / throw a rod or two from over-speeding if there's no load on it and the throttle is open?

I'd be more inclined to carefully turn off the ignition and be prepared for loss of power steering and power brakes. The steering and brakes will still work, even with the engine stopped. It just takes a lot more effort.

I wouldn't want to turn the key too far, because I wouldn't want to lock up the steering wheel, but (I hope) you get the idea.


or I could just cruise around I-285 in Atlanta until I ran out of gasoline.

[Justin Thyme]

Yoda, it is better to blow the engine than risk the average driver's attempt to turn the ignition carefully to the spot that it kills the engine but doesn't lock the steering. I've always felt that steering locks posed a serious safety hazard but we have to live with them I guess.

[el Gusano]

Rev limiters should prevent a blown engine.

[mandrake]

One thing compounding the stuck accelerator problem is that some of if not all of these cars probably have push button start and do not have a conventional ignition switch. An RFID chip in the "key" enables the vehicle. With push button start you stop the engine by pressing the button for 3 seconds, after you find it. If you have a keyswitch, stop is instantaneous. Having been around industrial settings doing troubleshooting and design for over 30 years, I can't imagine not having stop being positive and immediate.

[mikeydokey]

I recall the first Toyota I layed eyes on, it was about 1974-75 and my brother had bought a use blue Corolla, and I thought to myself, "self, that little car will never make it."
Do you recall your first Toyoto?

[el Gusano]

I bought my first Toyota when I got out of the Navy. I wanted a mid-sized truck, and the GM was so tight I couldn't use the clutch, the Ford had so little head room I had to scrunch over, and I'll never own another Chrysler product if it's free. The Toyota had enough head room and enough leg room, so I gave it a shot. It than proceeded to run 300,000 miles, in spite of being hit four times, with almost no repairs other than routine stuff like a clutch, brakes, alternator, and starter.

I've been sold on them ever since. Every single one has run 300,000 plus miles relatively trouble free, except the two that were totaled when hit.

[Justin Thyme]

Yeah, Gus, in their day Toyotas were something. Things change over time, though, and Buick usurps Toyota's place in dependability, quality and safety. Maybe Toyota will make a safe car again someday. This may force them to do so.

[el Gusano]

Only when they change the definition of "long term dependability" to only 3 years and 36k miles, and equate power window switches with transmissions.

[ScarlettP]

I actually had a car with slipping floor mats. It normally did NOT press down on the accelerator, it would some times hinder pressing the break. All I had to do was use my foot to pull the thing back whenever I got in the car and noticed it moving forward. Big fat hairy deal.

Now, Toyota's and their unexplained problems... sounds way scary. Think of it as a boon for GM.

(So sorry for American Toyota assembly shops. VW doesn't have this problem does it?)

[Deleted]

> Rev limiters should prevent a blown engine.

Do cars normally have those?

[mandrake]

Yoda,
Newer cars and trucks do, primarily to avoid exceeding the speed rating of the OEM tires.

[el Gusano]

And to protect the engine.

[Jay]

My toyota's still going strong. It only has 58,000 miles though...

[gridbug]

My toyota's still going strong.

That is the whole problem, when one's Toyota won't stop going strong.

[el Gusano]

My wife is more paranoid than I am.

It's all US made vehicles (or US made parts) that are defective. All of Toyota's plants are union free, except for one that is being shut down (or has been shut down) and a parts factory.

She thinks it's union sabotage to help the Big Three or one of the Big Three.

[Justin Thyme]

She thinks it's union sabotage to help the Big Three or one of the Big Three.

Union sabotage isn't necessary. Buick just makes a better car these days.

[Police Moderator]

Fatal Houston crash leads to lawsuit against Toyota
By MARY FLOOD
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
Feb. 1, 2010, 10:40PM

The family of a Houston woman whose car sped through a stop sign and smashed into a cement wall, killing her on impact a week before Christmas, filed what is likely the third acceleration-related wrongful death lawsuit against Toyota in the nation Monday.

Trina Renee Harris, a 34-year-old mother of two, died on impact when her 2009 Toyota Corolla slammed into an East Hardy Toll Road cement divider at Barry, leaving no skid marks, Houston police reported.

Her husband, Michael Harris, filed a lawsuit Monday against Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., gas pedal maker CTS Corp. and Fred Haas Toyota World, which leased her the car. Lawyers involved in the lawsuit said it's likely the third such case filed in response to acceleration problems that prompted Toyota to recall millions of vehicles and halt some production.

“I want those who were negligent to be held responsible. This problem was there before Dec. 18 when she died,” Michael Harris said. The U.S. Navy petty officer first class had recently completed a stint on an aircraft carrier in the Middle East and was in San Diego when he learned of his wife's death. He returned to Houston, where the family opened Christmas gifts Trina Harris had bought.

Read more: chron.com

[rstewart]

149,495 on my 01 Tacoma. Only thing I've ever had to do to it is brakes, tires, timing belt, and water pump. Less than $600 in repairs in almost 9 years. Pretty good I'd say.

I also have a Buick but bought it used and have only had it for a year. One repair, bad ignition switch, $450. Runs good and drives great. Gets about 29 MPG on hwy and 24 in town. Not bad for 3.8 V-6.

[Jay]

Feb 1, 2010 19:51:17 GMT -5 Justin Thyme said:

She thinks it's union sabotage to help the Big Three or one of the Big Three.

Union sabotage isn't necessary. Buick just makes a better car these days.

Like Gus said.. It's hard to trust those long term reliability surveys when "long term dependability" (is) only 3 years and 36k miles, and (when they) equate power window switches with transmissions."

[Justin Thyme]

Feb 2, 2010 11:19:52 GMT -5 Jay said:

Feb 1, 2010 19:51:17 GMT -5 Justin Thyme said:

Union sabotage isn't necessary. Buick just makes a better car these days.

Like Gus said.. It's hard to trust those long term reliability surveys when "long term dependability" (is) only 3 years and 36k miles, and (when they) equate power window switches with transmissions."

Okay, so a car that is less dependable than another car after three years will be more dependable after ten?

[Jay]

Please refer to the second part of Gus' statement.

[Justin Thyme]

Feb 2, 2010 12:19:57 GMT -5 Jay said:

Please refer to the second part of Gus' statement.

Yeah, I can see where a transmission problem could be more problematic than a power window motor.

[Jay]

Point being... I wouldn't necessarily trust those "long term" reliability studies...

[Justin Thyme]

Jay, you either trust those studies or you rely on personal testimonies that are subjective and rife with personal bias. JD Powers relies on it's reputation as a fair and unbiased source for a continued stream of business. Uncle Joe's only concern is getting back at that company that sold him what he considered a lemon. Of course Uncle Joe is always a fair and reasonable man.

[Warkitty]

I suspect those LLRT's are more accurate than emotional attachment to a name brand.