Rating Toyota's Recall Effort

Yep, our motorhome has the V10 that has the spitting plugs, except it was never recalled AFAIK.

Did you get the recall for the SCDS? That one is nice; it will leak brake fluid and since it is almost always energized with 12v, when the corrosion products build up from the action of the leaking brake fluid, it can short out and catch on fire. Affects most Ford trucks including the F-150 and some of the larger Ford cars too. They have been recalling them piecemeal for several years now; our 97 Explorer and 99 motorhome made the list this year.

 

Honestly, this whole thing just has not bugged me that much. I've driven a lot of different cars since the early 70's. I've worked for a Fortune 500 for 28 years and I know how large company's act and react even when they're trying to do the right thing and when they aren't. I just don't see this as being a big deal and yes, I've felt the brake (note the spelling) issue three times myself. Could Toyota reacted a little faster and made this a TSB in January? Yes, but I suspect they were trying to get it correct, one time, rather than trying to quickly fix something half way multiple times. The news media is more entertainment these days than it is for presenting the news and it gets ratings by whipping everyone into a frenzy on everything. It gets old.

Based on the facts, I just don't see this recall as being any worse or better than any others I've experienced in the past. If you add the news coverage into the mix, then yes it's been a much bigger deal but only because of the media.

None of this has changed my impression of Toyota or their vehicles in any way. When it comes time to trade, I'll do the same research I always do and evaluate what vehicle meets my needs at that time.

 

I am satisfied with Toyota's recall efforts. Sure they could have done a better PR job with it. But, for me, I am by far more interested in the correct technical resolution than I am in PR.

This is my first Toyota so I am not a long time loyal Toyota fan, though I hope to become one. My other car is a 2007 Honda Accord and I am a big fan of Honda.

 

In addition to my Prius, I also own a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, which had a recall on the bearings in the steering column. I bought new from the dealer. The bearing issue was announced and addressed quickly by Nissan. Comparing this to Toyota's recall... I don't know. I love my Prius and I've owned Toyotas for the past 15 years. I'm a loyal Toyota owner but feel Toyota dropped the ball on this one, only because they dragged their feet. No slam against Toyota. I'm sure they'll get over this and will move on.

 

Recall effort has been average, although I really can't say with any confidence that there would have even been a recall without all the pressure on them.

In terms of looking at Ford, and others... I don't really care how other manufacturers operate. My only concern is how I am treated by Toyota.

So far...I have yet to receive any notices from Toyota or my dealership.

 

This is a unique situation, in the fact it involves many accidents, injuries and deaths. It has been handled incredibly poorly by toyota, but I think much of that has to do with Toyota's recent past. Toyota has been reading too many of its press clipping and especially at the home office in Toyota city thinks it is 'untouchable'.
I will tell you right now that Toyota still has not come to grips with this situation in Japan. The problem stems from electronics, the floor mat recall was certainly nothing but a 'cheap diversion' and i am afraid the same may be said eventually about the gas pedal recall. The congressional hearing will make for some very interesting entertainment. If Mr Toyoda does not come, I think that will reinforce the theory that Toyota has not really fixed the problem in the 8 million vehicles.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iQQ34S6JO4atWukmMagF8-He-vPQD9DSIEHG0

 

Dave,

Got your point, but do you really want to be comparing Toyota's efforts to either Ford or GM? Personally, I expect more from Toyota.

 

My timeline for A0B:

• 2010/02/05 - announcement of brake pause fix, A0B
• 2010/02/8-9 - early adopters at PriusChat report no problems
• 2010/02/10 - scheduled appointment 3 days later, on Saturday
• 2010/02/11 - first dealer message on phone
• 2010/02/12 - second dealer message and e-mail
• 2010/02/13 - A0B applied and tested

Off hand, it looks like a serious push is on to get the recalls completed as rapidly as possible. Given the risk of a Congressional hearing, early completion is a good thing.

Bob Wilson

 

Bob,

No way they will complete the recalls before the Congressional hearings (there will be 3). They were scheduled to start this week, but with all the snow we've had, and the Gov shutdown for a week, it may be pushed back? Don't know?

I've heard nothing from my dealership, which is fine since I don't want to go in until my 10K oil change...which should be in about abouther month or two.

 

I haven't heard a peep from the dealer, nor have I received any mailings from Toyota for the recall. Taking out ads is great, but the dealer networks needs to be better involved.

I'm at 98oo miles, and my car is at the shop for it's second attempt at body work. When I get it back, I'll need to schedule my 10k oil change. Maybe it will be free , but I doubt it.

With the way my dealership functions, I'll probably need a second apopintment to get the ECU flash done.

 

Recall? What recall? I haven't heard a word from Toyota or my dealer.........

I would have at least expected a phone call from someone at the dealer to re-ensure me that they would be in touch about the problem

They call after an oil change pretending they are concerned and are just checking to make sure I received satisfactory service.....

But when the media is telling everyone in the world the Prius has a potential safety problem with their brakes, where is Toyota or the dealer?

Is it true there is a recall? or is this like the Global Warming myth?

 

LMAO.

Exactly. Yep, same thing here...they call after my oil change, but have heard jack since all this crap hit the fan. If they can call after my oil change, why can't Toyota call to update me on what's going on, and to calm/answer customer concerns?? IMO, Toyota gets a D in their handling of this whole mess.

On the CBS evening news tonight (both local and national), they reported that the number of deaths due to Toyota acceleration problems has now topped more than 40 people. Folks - this thing ain't going away anytime soon. Unfortunately for the Prius owners, we are getting dragged along in the mud with the rest of Toyota's problems. In the CBS report, while taling about the accelerator-induced deaths, they showed a film clip of the Prius. Wth? Can we bring some journalistic integrity to the reporting process? Please. That pissed me off to no end.

 

I believe the brake issue and global warming are directly related. Better get those brakes fixed ASAP!

 

Don't just worry about the Prius Brakes........I believe there have been a couple of instances of uncommanded acceleration in Prius's

I love my 2010 Prius but having been in Aerospace Quality for 40+ years, I believe there is more to the acceleration problem than a sticky gas pedal,......as I believed back in the Fall the mats were not jumping up and holding the gas pedal down. I cautioned then blaming the mats did not make sense

Think computer; and for your own safety try throwing your car in neutral when you are doing 30, 40, or 50.

We train pilots to pratice emergency procedures, wouldn't help preparing yourself, just in case.

Todays autos, all makes, are very complicated, and software glitches are extremely difficult to find and detect, especially if they are induced by outside sources. Remember, they warn people with pacemakers to stay aware from microwaves.

I firmly believe the Prius is safe and I am not rushing to have my brakes tinkered with. But my aerospace experience with engineers and quick fixes (like mats and little metal inserts), makes me suspicious. Too easy!

I tried throwing my car into neutral. No problem, especially in the Prius, just a flip of the lever! Try it, it won't hurt

If there is something else lurking in this new technology, I feel confident I can respond to it

 

It really depends on your dealer. I got no less than 5 email messages from my dealer (Longo Toyota) regarding the recalled vehicles, including not my own. One forum member here said his dealer called him personally and encouraged him to come in early.

The recall letters from Toyota are forthcoming. They're certainly not going to get them out to everybody by now. I have never heard of corporate Ford or any other manufacturers phoning the customers directly, so why should you expect the same from Toyota? All such correspondences have been by mail only.

 

Very good advice. I never appreciated a lot of things on cars until I took a number of advanced driving classes on a track. I've said it before, and strongly believe it - many Americans simply don't know how to handle their cars in an emergency.

 

My dealer has my email address, my wife's email address, her cell phone, my cell phone, and our home phone number. No email or calls yet. I'm not worried, BUT, I think they could have been much more pro-active by calling, or emailing. It takes virtually no effort to send out an email distribution to let people know what's happening. I figure if they have the time and resources to call me after i have a service, which they have done, then they clearly can call/email for something as important as this. I get emails from my dealer - all the time - on "service and accessory specials", so why not one for a recall update?

While to call/email a customer over this may be dealer specific, perhaps Toyota should consider this a matter of policy, and mandate that all dealerships call/email to keep customers better informed...?

IMO, if you start comparing how Ford or GM did things, to how Toyota is doing things...you've really set the bar way too LOW.

 

We Got A Call Last Week From The Service Dept.
I believe my partner has an appointment this weekend to get the brake issue taken care of.