Toyota's troubles are getting worse

Once the big guy goes down, everyone likes to pile on. It's human nature.

Tom

 

Just saw a news report that the president of Toyota, (Mr. Toyoda )
had to be flagged down on an economic summit in "switzerland" i believe, (not sure where) and he was very apologetic, but had no more comments AND DROVE AWAY IN AN AUDI. yes, an audi. was there no toyotas for him to drive? especially in this time of trouble? No toyotas to rent? hmmmmmm

 

Toyota CEO Apologizes: 'I Am Deeply Sorry' - ABC News

At least, he has a good taste for cars...

 

This is false. Before the hysteria locating the actual facts would be a good idea.

In 2004 GM recalled 10.6 million units. No other vehicle maker has ever recalled that many. Want to see the totals by year? These two by Toyota don't even rank in the top 3. One of them, the big one concern the mats, is absolutely bogus too.

Gather facts, engage fingers.

 

Let's not forget it was Audi, who in the late 80's was almost destroyed by in the US market by a sudden acceleration problem as well.

Also frequently in these types of international conferences the host of the conference provides the vehicles for its attendees. So using an Audi or another European vehicle would be the norm.

 

Well I have to decline the possible deal. The midwest is a bit of a distance to do a used car deal. Plus I've read many of Indykings posts and he admittedly has dash rattles and hasn't been happy with his purchase almost from the start. I think I'd rather start with a Prius with a clean slate. I'm afraid Indykings might be cursed.

To Indyking, I'd say you've been consistent with your dissatisfaction, that's too bad. Good Luck moving on to something else. Despite Toyota's very real and recent monumental problems, there are always options. My observations from the local Portland Auto Show was that interest in The 2010 Prius is still very high. There should be a buyer for you somewhere.

Not trying to talk you out of selling but have you considered just being patient? Now might not be the best time to make a move. The Media is indeed powerful but conversely it's fickle and the publics memory is short lived. Everyone will have a better idea of the reality of the impact of immediate events, about 2-4 months from now.

You were unhappy with your Prius before Toyota's recall problems really manifested, but it still seems like the classic situation of someone dumping stocks in a panic when the market crashes.

I guess it comes down to whether you are long term pessimistic or long term optimistic and I think Toyota will emerge from this recall. Wounded, but perhaps wiser and ultimately stronger. If Toyota has indeed lost sight of some of the basic principals that made them a great auto manufacturer, this might be a very tough but needed wake up call. My feeling is that Toyota will learn from their mistakes, while I can't say over decades I'd say the same thing about some American Automakers that seemed to make the same mistakes over and over.

 

So what is it!!? Is the 2006 Prius included in the recall? One Toyota site says it is and a link from that same site says it is not.

If not should we continue to leave the drivers side floor mat out?

As a side note: I participated in a round table discussion by Toyota 2 years ago regarding opinions driving my 2006 Prius. the major complaint by most participants was the poor rear visibility. We were told by the Toyota representatie that Toyota was well aware and will be changing the design in future models.

Has it?

 

The 2006 Prius is NOT involved in the gas pedal issue recall. It is involved in the floor mat issue recall.

You can continue to use the factory carpeted floor mat if you have them attached to the two restraining hooks on the floor board. Do not use any floor mats that are NOT attached to the retaining hooks on the floorboard, also do not stack floor mats on each other and do not use the all weather rubber mat.

 

With all that's going on, I'm puzzled by Toyota stock price lately.

 

It would also be a good idea of simply reading the post before replying hysterically using your own terms.

I said "safety recall', as the radio station I listen to was explaining during my last trip that a recall with a major "safety" consequence of this proportion is unprecedented...

But I have not verified if this is indeed true, because who cares? We're talking about a company which any safety recall for any matter is perceived as a huge fiasco...

 

Gang, I think the Floor mat problem is ALL USER ERROR. heck I have the factory carpeted floor mat PLUS the all weather rubber mat on top of them.... Yes, Instructions warn to not do this.

been this way from Jan 2004 for my 2004 I got Nov 2003. Lots of clearance, and don't see what all the fuss is about.?? factory carpeted floor mat are on the hooks, not going anywhere... All Weather mat spikes are dug in... So no movement forward no problems. I just have to make sure all things are put back into place when they are removed to bang out the dirt.

Perry reaching for wood to knock on..

 

Thanks EM, but I think Toyota is a lot more "cursed" than I am. Despite of the bad news, competitors are taking this opportunity to raise their share in the market. The competition is actually willing to pay a very fair price for my Prius if I get a brand new one in exchange. The problem is that I can't really afford the financial losses of buying brand new car right now.


My problem is that used car lots or privately sellers are not willing to pay what it is worth for any Toyota, and that includes at least one Toyota dealer that offered me to buy my Prius without me buying anything from them. It's not my Prius... rattles is not something specific to my car... you probably remember the results of the pool here... 85% of new Prius has rattles and I’m awfully sensitive to them. My wife doesn’t even bother with them. Also remember that Priuschat is mostly a pretty specific niche of Prius fanatics that hardly make up for any significant portion of potential buyers for my Prius in the general market.

But your point is well taken… I’m being patient and will try to sell it later if I can’t get a good deal now. No desperation here. My Prius is in very good shape and still saving lots of money due to my long commutes…

 

Yep, this is as succinct and accurate as possible.

 

Whatever your opinion is of Toyota and what should and shouldn't be - just be accurate in your facts. That radio station was wrong. Do your own homework and download the Recall Database from the ODI website to a speadsheet as I've done every year. Then sort it by Recall No and Manufacturer. Then cull out the ones going back to the 70's, 80's and 90's ( it's easy ). Then cull out the duplications and then you'll see all the individual recalls. It takes about 3 hours to do this.

That'll give you the real picture. Your second-hand or third-hand statement remains inaccurate.

Just sell your Prius and move on, if it doesn't make you happy then there's no need to make up other excuses. Of all the vehicles that you could have purchased from Toyota the Prius is very likely the most reliable and trouble-free vehicle that Toyota makes. But if it's not for you then that's your issue alone, don't fabricate reasons.

 

So, since you have done your homework and I have not, please go ahead and educate me.

Show me the numbers for recalls that directly impact safety (not any recall) and how they compare with the numbers from Toyota.

Not that I care, really, like I said before, but just to make sure you know what you're doing...

 

I'm sorry to hear that your servant passed away.

All recalls through ODI are safety recalls. Here's the link to the site...Safercar.gov

Click====> Safety Recalls
Click====> Downloads
Click====> Recalls

Go to work for 3 hours.

I've done it from 2004 to 2009.

 

"Directly impact safety "

Don't know about you, but catching on fire might be cause for a safety issue... Just saying.

no one in the auto industry is a saint. But, the Japanese Auto industry tend to be a little more forth coming then the US have to be taken to court by the Fed's before they even take notice...

Ford 2008 (12 million vehicles)
In February of 2008, Ford issued the industry's largest-ever recall, affecting Lincoln and Mercury SUVs, pickups, cars, and vans of model years '93 to '04. The lowly cruise-control switch was behind this mother-of-all do-overs. It had a nasty habit of catching fire, sometimes hours after the vehicle had been parked and turned off. Owner response, however, has been slow, so in a rare move Ford reissued the recall in September of 2008 for the 5 million vehicles still unrepaired

 

Good for you…

Like I said... I'm careless... It’s a Toyota! This is like the biggest thing on car scandals since who knows what.... Do you realize how many millions of people were stunned by the news?

 

HUH? Stunned? How many do you you think were stunned by the news that one of largest icons of the 20th Century had to declare bankruptcy in 2009...how about two of them? These were pillars of the American Century.

Want a bigger safety issue yet? Exploder / Firestorm. Now that was serious. This dustup is nothing in comparison to that horrific situation.

If you actually do the ODI downloads and analyze the last 6 yrs you'll see that Toyota has less than half the total recalls of either GM or Ford, even including the 4.6 million units in the bogus floormat recall. IOW GM and Ford individually have had more than twice as many recalled vehicles as Toyota has had over that 6 yr period.

This doesn't include the Exploder / Firestorm mess. Facts speak.

 

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