Consumer Reports...Toyota

Has anyone seen the new CR? I got mine yesterday and I was shocked to first of all see that the Tundra is no longer recommended. But to see that the V6 Camry wasn't was a shock. Man, what the heck went wrong with those models. They haven't written up what the exact problems were yet and what people complained about in the surveys but it must be bad since they had a tone of irritation.

The next thing was about 3 or 4 previously non recommended Fords and Nissans getting recommended.

The Tacoma is still recommended though and still safe...at least above 80% approval. But dudes what happened to those other two???

 

I'm worried that Toyota might be succumbing to pressures to make more money and leaving the quality out...they've passed several "domestic" car makers in terms of quantity, and now, they're passed them in terms of quality (in a bad way).

 

I personally think Toyota is growing to fast and the quality is starting to suffer. I am happy with my truck but I think my 98 taco was definitely built better.

 

That's really bad news! !! My wife has an 07 -V6 Camry. She loves it and has 2000 miles on it so perhaps the bad stuff comes later (Right after the warranty is off)

 

As they say in Wayne's World, "well, it certainly does suck."

 

Edmunds still gave them 8s....
Thats pretty strong.

 

December 07 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine:

"What went wrong? Subscribers reported problems with the Camry's six-speed automatic transmission, Tundra's four-wheel-drive system, and power accessories and audio systems on the Lexus(GS)."

"The four-cylinder Camry and hybrid versions of the Camry and GS are still recommended."

These problems are with the 2007 models.

My wife knows my obsession with Toyota. She saw Toyota on the cover and picked it up for me. Too bad it's a negative article.

 

Toyota got some bad marks but it didnt seem to hurt the resale value. Most models bring 2-4 K more than a Ford or Chevy that is comparable. That goes for the new ones as well. That is my biggest gripe with Toyota.

In the 70's, 80's and part of the 90's the quality gap was huge when comparing a Yota to the domestics. That is just not the case anymore. Still, perception is a powerful thing. The domestics are gaining ground after decades of having a black eye. It may take that long for the Toyota quality perception to take a hit if they keep introducing new models with camshaft failures and tail gates coming apart literally at the seams. The Camry 6 speed transmission problems is widely known about as well.

In the day and age of the internet information is available in seconds and companies can no longer afford to put out a piece of crap product or the whole world will know about it very quickly. Nothing is perfect and how a company handles a problem can make or break some potential buyers. The Tundra tailgate failure is a good example. From what I understand Toyota is not willing to do a thing about it. That is BS people. When was the last time a Ford, Dodge or Chevy tailgate came apart like the ones I have seen? Talk about a black eye for Toyota and Im sure the owners dont use the Tundras any harder than the domestics so abuse is not even a consideration in my opinion.

I have lost some confidence in Toyota as of late. I know they make good products in general but still. My parents own a 03 4 runner and its 5 years old this month and literally has never had the first problem. Its still on the original battery. 03 was the first year of the redesign and it has been perfect so what gives with the Camry and Tundra?? The 4 runner was built in Japan but other than that its hard to figure. People are more educated that they were 10 years ago about buying cars and trucks and somebody at Toyota better yank a knot in somebodys butt to fix these problems and make sure they never happen again. Engine and transmission problems are inexcusable in my opinion and so are the tail gates.

In the past I may have been willing to pay a little bit more for a Toyota but not anymore. Im a cheap skate anyway and on my last trip to a yota dealer to look at trucks the salesman tried to sell me on the quality...blah blah blah and I ask him about the Camry tranny, Tundra tranny probs, camshaft and tail
gate issues and looked at me like I had three heads. He had no clue that they were even issues. Why in hell would I pay more to him for a company that is having these issues is what I asked. He had no answer.

Im not bashing here guys but Toyota needs to step up and make these things right. GM and Ford are great about sweeping problems under the rug and I hope Toyota does not take this route.

 

Honestly, the camshaft failures were pretty rare. I remember something like 20 cases being reported but it gave Toyota a black eye. The tranny trouble was pretty rare as well in my opinion. You can read about them at Tundra solutions. The tailgate issue seems to be more widespread. Im no expert and Im going off the seat of my pants and gut feeling.

If I were to buy a new Tundra the only problem that I would really worry about is the tail gate. Your friend probably has nothing to worry about.

OT but I remember way back in 1977 when General Motors had a bunch of camshaft failures in the 305 engine. They all went sour around 40 K miles.

 

Men,

I also have heard the rumblings, and troubling they are. Lets not talk about it, lets do something about it. One great thing about Toyota is they they listen, remember that it's people like us who brought Toyota to the stature they currently hold. A groundswell of feedback and concern will allow them to step back and reflect on where they have stumbled. Warranties are great for us but cost the company big money. Alright ramblers, let's get ramblin'

 

All new models go thru teething problems, one quote that you hear alot is " Don't buy the first model year of anything" this may be true with some particular models of the Tundra. Toyota will get the message very quickly, they did not get where they are by not listening to the pulse of the public.

Jeff
06,V6, 6spd, 4x4 , SR5 Bone stock still ,

 

maybe i should get a fj crusier....
at least they are made in japan so they have least problems???

since they are coming a trail team special edition in January..
I might just hop on it!

haha!

 

The big thing, IMO, was all the problems with the new Camry transmissions. Owner after owner has had problems with them and it's been widely reported. However, as someone said above, new (or redesigned) models always have problems so I wouldn't be surprised to see Toyota jump back up in the ratings over the next couple years. Let's face it, there's a reason why Toyota resale is so high and the domestics isn't.

Of course, when you're on top, everyone tries to find fault.

 

You could not give me a Tundra. The suspension has also been recalled.
The only problem with an `06 Taco is that you are screwing into plastic.
This is not good twice.

 

Thats the very first thing I looked at. How they compared the Tundra to the Tacoma. They did not even recommend the Tundra. I bought a Tacoma b4 I saw this article and it sure did ease my mind in the decision I made between the 2!

Just my2 cents!

 

I like the Taco. If I need more, I wiil fire up the Power Wagon.

 

Best review of the situation EVER

 

x2.. Too big, too fast.