Toyota quality?

[ndavies]

Toyota's been having a terrible couple of weeks. First they have the largest recall in their history for floormats that won't stay put. This causing accelerators to stick leading to deaths.
http://jalopnik.com/5370486/feds-rec...or-fiery-death

Next the NHTSA opens a study on frame rail rust. This issue could cause the break lines to fail or the spare tire to drop off the vehicle.
http://jalopnik.com/5376116/nhtsa-op...e-rust-reports

Then a Florida company files a case against them with the ITC for patent infringment. The company is trying to stop Toyota from importing any hybrids. The Florida company has already won an infringment case and won $100 per vehicle.
http://www.hybridcars.com/history/ex...ems-26147.html

And finally we get to see the fix Toyota is providing to loyal owners for the floor mat fix. A couple of holes and a ziptie.

http://jalopnik.com/5377355/your-new...-crap/gallery/

I'd blow a gasket if this was my expensive Lexus. Obviously the pin through the carpet has a design issue.

If you think these are isolated issues, you need to look no further than Toyota's CEO to see Toyota's issues may not be so isolated. http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...e-death-84691/

[ccbatson]

The mystique of Japanese car quality used to be valid, not for the last 15-20 years, no longer.

[rb336]

Of course, one web news site had a story on Toyota's problems, headlines, with a picture. Unfortunately, the car in the pic was a 2010 Ford Fusion

[elganned]

They probably saw the crap the Americans were willing to buy from the Big 3 and thought, "Why should we go to the trouble to build all that quality into our product when the public has such low standards?"

So they've had a few problems lately. They still have a loooooong way to go to catch up to the laundry list of recalls and consumer complaints the Big 3 racked up in the last two decades. Let me know when they get close.

[rb336]

They probably saw the crap the Americans were willing to buy from the Big 3 and thought, "Why should we go to the trouble to build all that quality into our product when the public has such low standards?"

So they've had a few problems lately. They still have a loooooong way to go to catch up to the laundry list of recalls and consumer complaints the Big 3 racked up in the last two decades. Let me know when they get close.

they've been close all along. until recently, however, toyota recalls were largely not thrown into the headlines. Toyota recalled 100k or so camries with oil sludging problems the same day ford recalled 25,000 f-150s for a minor problem [[i think it was the latch for the spare). which got the headlines? the f-150

[Detroitej72]

Toyota is notorious for having what is known in the industry as "silent recalls", that is they fix a problem when folks bring their cars in free of charge, but never issue an "official" recall. Thus they kept their sterling reputation for quite some time.

[ccbatson]

Over time, quality and reliability for all manufacturers is tremendously improved.

[Detroitej72]

Over time, quality and reliability for all manufacturers is tremendously improved.

By not issuing recalls?

[vetalalumni]

An off-duty San Diego CHP Officer and 3 of his family members perished in San Diego August 28th. Heartbreaking.

Final words before fatal car crash on 911 tape
Accelerator was stuck, caller said
By Debbi Baker
Union-Tribune Staff Writer

2:00 a.m. September 11, 2009

A harrowing 911 call made by a passenger in a fated Lexus that crashed seconds later and killed four people Aug. 28 was released yesterday by the California Highway Patrol.

In the 50-second tape, crash victim Chris Lastrella begins by telling the dispatcher: “We're in a Lexus . . . we're going north [[state Route) 125 and our accelerator is stuck.â€�

The dispatcher asks where they are passing, and Lastrella is heard asking someone in the car where they are. He exclaims: “We're going 120 [[mph)! Mission Gorge! We're in trouble — we can't — there's no brakes, Mission Gorge . . . end freeway half mile.â€�

The dispatcher asks if they can turn the car off. Lastrella doesn't answer and says repeatedly: “We are now approaching the intersection, we're approaching the intersection, we're approaching the intersection.�

The last words heard on the tape are: “hold onâ€� and “pray,â€� and Lastrella, who says: “Oh shoot . . . oh . . . oh . . . â€�

Killed in the crash were CHP officer Mark Saylor and his wife, Cleofe, who were both 45; their 13-year-old daughter, Mahala; and Lastrella, 38, who was Cleofe Saylor's brother. All four lived in Chula Vista.

A preliminary investigation into its cause has indicated the accelerator may have become entrapped by a rubber floor mat, sheriff's Sgt. Scott Hill said. The car was a loaner from Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon. Dave Ezratty, vice president of Bob Baker, said Wednesday that the dealer was refraining from commenting until the investigation into the accident is completed.

The sedan was traveling north on state Route 125 at 6:30 p.m in Santee when it entered the intersection at Mission Gorge Road and hit the rear of a Ford Explorer. The speeding Lexus went over a curb and through a fence and hit an embankment before becoming airborne, officials said. The car hit the dirt in the San Diego River basin and rolled several times before bursting into flames.

Union-Tribune

Toyota president expresses regret over fatal crash

By YURI KAGEYAMA, The Associated Press

2:16 a.m. October 2, 2009
Toyota Motor Corp.'s President Akio Toyoda gestures during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Toyoda said it was "extremely regrettable" an American family died in a crash in which a floor mat in one of the Japanese automaker's vehicles is suspected as the cause. Four precious lives have been lost," Toyoda said Friday. "I offer my deepest condolences." [[AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye) - AP

TOKYO — Toyota's president said it was "extremely regrettable" an American family died in a crash in which a floor mat in one of the Japanese automaker's vehicles is suspected as the cause.

"Four precious lives have been lost," Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda said Friday. "I offer my deepest condolences."

Without giving specifics, he said an investigation was under way into the problem which potentially affects 3.8 million Toyota vehicles in the U.S., and may cause the accelerator to get stuck. If Toyota decides on a recall, it would be its biggest ever in the U.S.

Toyoda, who took helm at the world's top automaker in June, told reporters in Tokyo that Toyota was cooperating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U.S. to investigate the cause of the August accident.

That crash killed California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, 45 – who was driving a Lexus, a Toyota luxury model – and three family members on State Route 125 outside San Diego.

The vehicle was traveling at more than 120 mph when it launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames.

Toyoda said the company was still deciding what action it would take and did not acknowledge any vehicle problem during his appearance at the Japan National Press Club.

He apologized for any worries customers may have.

"I feel sorry that people who are driving Toyota and Lexus cars believing in their safety are now feeling uncertainties," he said.

NHTSA investigators determined that a rubber all-weather floor mat found in the wreckage was slightly longer than the mat that belonged in the vehicle, something that could have snared or covered the accelerator pedal.

Toyota has issued a safety advisory urging owners of 3.8 million car and trucks – including popular models like Camry, Prius and Tacoma – to remove driver-side mats. It wants drivers to watch out for loose or incorrect mats that could slide out of position and cover pedals.

NHTSA has said it had received reports of 102 incidents in which the accelerator may have become stuck in the Toyota vehicles involved. It was unclear how many led to crashes.

The warning affects 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.

In mid-September, Toyota ordered 1,400 Toyota and Lexus dealers nationwide to ensure that each new, used and loaner vehicle had the proper floor mats and that the mats were properly secured.

In September 2007, Toyota recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in some 2007 and 2008 model year Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry vehicles because of similar problems.

Toyoda, 53, grandson of Toyota's founder, declined comment when asked whether floor mat problems could hurt sales and earnings.

Toyota's global sales were battered by last year's financial crisis but were gradually showing signs of recovery. Toyota is still expecting to stay in the red for the second straight fiscal year through March 2010.

Toyoda warned his company was in a "near rock-bottom" crisis, but said a comeback was possible. He said troubled companies look for "salvation," but customers, not the president, are the only ones who can deliver it.

Toyota became the world's top-selling automaker in 2008, dethroning General Motors Co. It had appeared on track to hit 10 million in annual global vehicle sales, but is now expecting to sell 7.3 million vehicles around the world this calendar year, down from 8.97 million vehicles last year.

"What's important is each and every customer. That is my management philosophy," said Toyoda.

[elganned]

They should have been driving a Pinto--it would only burst into flames after it was hit.

[ccbatson]

Yes, it is tragic...but it should not be blown out of proportion either....operating a motor vehicle is dangerous, it certainly was not intentionally designed to be dangerous, and once discovered, the costly fix/recall was instituted.