Are Toyotas becoming junk?

I've been a life-long Toyota owner and everything I've owned from them has run forever with zero, and I mean ZERO problems. But... I know I'm going to catch hell from saying this, but it seems like we're getting quite a few posts of people who are having very un-toyotalike problems with their trucks- like clutches wearing out very prematurely, suspension issues, electrical issues, smoking issues, and so on.Issues you used to NEVER hear about Toyotas. That and back in the day, if you ever had a major problem, Toyota would fix it. No questions asked.

So that's why I ask. I don't know since I own "old" toyotas. But seriously- anyone else think Toyota is slipping?

 

I think over the last few years Toyota grew too fast due to its reputation of quality. I think they have slipped a little, but they are still one of the top quality automakers out there. In a recent survey I saw in Consumer Reports, Toyota was ranked second to Honda. That's still pretty good in my book. My 2008 Tacoma has about 9,000 miles on it and it has never been back to the dealer for anything. I'm pretty happy with the overall quality of my truck.

 

I wonder Bob if it's just that,because of the internet,the world has become such a smaller place.We are networking like never before and forums like this give us the opportunity to voice our concerns and discuss our issues.But when you consider how small our little community is in the grand scheme of things,we all take notice when someone has a problem.If we have an issue ourselves,we can post about it and instantly have "me too" replies.

No vehicle is going to be 100% problem-free,but in the past,problems had to be fairly common and major before the consumer found out.This is my first Toyota and I've got the "tick",the "lurch" and the "lean" but none of those things are deal-breakers......Sometimes I think that things seemed better back in the day but remember....These ARE the good 'ol days.

 

Squad I agree 100% I don't think its more problems but we just hear about them now. As before it was you, your buddys and a local mechanic that new about your truck.

 

+2... Well put squad. I would aslo add that Americans used to be more polite and decent consumers. Now it seems a majority of the people bringing issues back to sellers stage self-serving, ego-centric tantrums before approaching with respect and politeness. Of course when vendors/sellers are put in such positions they are less likely to respond positively.

 

I don't think that Toyota is slipping. They have a lot more vehicles coming off the assembly line now a days, so there will be some issues.

 

I think Toyota's quality has slipped due to their vast expansion and interst in expanding their profit margin. Toyota has factories in several countries not known for building quality cars or parts...Thailand and Malaysia comes to mind.

Not that Consumer's Report is an unbiased source, but they stated that Toyota does not receive an automatic best buy rating anymore due to the perceived slip in quality. The new version Camry had several issues with the 6 spd Automatic Transmission, and interior fit and finish. Toyota interiors used to be the standard other car companies strived to meet.....not anymore, I've read many reviews where in many regards Hyundai interiors were rated higher.

I will say this if you are or were a lifelong Big 3 person, then you probably think Toyota is top notch; however, if you've owned nothing but Toyota's in the past, then you'd think the quality has gone downhill.

 

I think these 2 answers sum it up very well.

 

And they're only ranked second because they have a slew of new vehicles that they cannot rank based on lack of previous year information.

 

Have been driving Toyota since 1979 and my 08 is my 4th one.

In my opinion Quality has slipped a bunch along with workmanship and engineering.

My 79 continued to impress me for over 25 years of abuse

My 87 Celica continued to impress me for the 5 years I had it until it was totaled when someone ran a stop sign.

My 92 4 Runner continued to impress me right up to the day I traded it in on my 08 Tacoma


I have had the Tacoma over a year now and hate to say it but am still waiting to be impressed, too me it's just another vehicle, just like any other vehicle and nothing special.

Sorry Toyota but you lost a #1 fan

 

I did similar math for a TSB thread- In 2006/7 Toyota sold about 175,000 Tacoma's in the US. And we have about 15,000 members....so we represent about 12% of the owners...compared to 1 model year.
Figure if their numbers were similar from 96 until today...They sold about 2 million trucks....and we hear a few problems now and again.

They might have had to made a few concessions and they may have mixed distributors now...Lots of things playing against them. And squad had a good point about us being a VERY specialized group of folks...All Tacos and what not.

With very few exceptions tho- they are pretty good by me.

 

Most of the time, people come to the internet for answers and to complain. So it's no doubt that we are seeing a lot of problems here. It's what this place is for.

As far as quality, It's hard to say. Due to the amount of safety and emissions features they are required to pack into these now, all the manufacturers are cutting costs on other things and trying to lighten them for peak efficiency and profit.

Take a look at the build quality of an 89 Camry compared to an 09, it's just not the same. I firmly believe that build quality has taken a huge dive across all brands just because of the safety and emissions requirements.

 

I would agree that because of the internet it seems like more problems. when i bet there are people who do not post here are very happy with their purchase.

But I do feel like quality has slipped some, But I would still rather have a Tacoma, than a Colorado, ranger, or Dakota.

 

x4 x5 x6 x7 x8

 

still love toyotas but i do think the older trucks were better. i love mine but i REALLY love the 1st gens

 

1st gens rock! i ran my taco on the same oil for 35000 miles and no problems :] i eventually changed it and took more care of it after though! 186000 miles strong!

 

Consider that the slippage started by having them built here instead of in Japan. Hoping for 500k like in the 82 with plenty of life left but not quite optomistic about this one making it that far but we'll see..........

 

Ask me when I hit 100,000 miles on this one and I will tell you for sure. I think that the fit and finish of the interior is at a lessor quality than my first gen was but I need to see how it holds up mechanically too.

 

simple IMO...older Toyotas..."Made in Japan" on door sill...newer ones "Made in USA"

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956596-1,00.html

 

I concur with these 2. I had a 94 camry and 01 4 runner. both were great vehicles with fit and finish better than the tacoma imo. however, after owning many big 3 vehicles, I think Toyota is still better...which doesn't leave much to say about the big 3.