1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Hom many are worried with Toyota's Reputation??!!

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Jreaka13, Feb 1, 2010.

?

Are you concerned about Toyotas Reputation??

Poll closed Mar 3, 2010.
  1. Yes

    167 vote(s)
    18.0%
  2. No

    677 vote(s)
    72.9%
  3. Unsure

    78 vote(s)
    8.4%
  4. Other...

    7 vote(s)
    0.8%
  1. Feb 2, 2010 at 8:39 AM
    #81
    akyota

    akyota Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2008
    Member:
    #7886
    Messages:
    241
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Vehicle:
    10' DC trd-offroad mag gray
    none yet
    I think its a scam to put THE BIG 3 back on top!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  2. Feb 2, 2010 at 8:41 AM
    #82
    tuckr2

    tuckr2 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2009
    Member:
    #26115
    Messages:
    738
    Gender:
    Male
    Western Washington State
    Vehicle:
    2010 Silver dbl cab LB 4x4 It's Purdy too!
    LT265/70/17 BFG A/T's, Disabled Seat Belt Buzzer, Black and Gray Covercraft Seat Covers front and rear, Matching SnugTop Supersport Canopy, undercoat, bed mat, window vent shades. Black Weathertech Liners. Trans TSB, Rear Spring TSB Installed.
    Awesome, you hit the nail on the head with this. Toyota has high standards. Testing is something they do continually and eliminating issues such as the ones they currently have is something we can expect of Toyota. Hopefully other major manufacturers will benefit from it too. In the end we will have something better from it.
     
  3. Feb 2, 2010 at 9:23 AM
    #83
    OU812

    OU812 ban the term murdered out

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Member:
    #8264
    Messages:
    2,640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    danusa
    Kilroy was here
    Vehicle:
    13 DblCab LB 4X4
    Nothing yet, brand new!
    One can find fault with any man made product. I will say that Toyota's quality has slipped over the years. This can be attributed to many factors most notably the rush to get new products to market. Once your development cycles are shortened it is only a matter of time for quality issues to appear.

    Some have made this into a "union" thing which it is not. That has no bearing whatsoever on a e-gas pedal assembly. The unit is built to spec by a supplier. Most auto manufacturers utilize outside suppliers for most of their vehicles.
     
  4. Feb 2, 2010 at 9:25 AM
    #84
    Clatrans243

    Clatrans243 Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    Member:
    #25521
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2010 4X4 TRD Off Road
    In the world of mechanical engineering, the road to success is littered with failures. I'm sure that the engineers who designed that gas pedal assembly believed in utmost good faith that it would work properly for the life of the vehicle. That a particular combination of humidity and wear would cause an infinitesimal percentage of the assemblies to stick was surely as much a surprise to them as it was to anybody else. It's what's known in the trade as an Oh-Shit moment.

    As for allegations that Toyota delayed acting on the problem, one does not go running to the doctor at the first sign of a sniffle. Toyota had a responsibility to its stockholders not to go off half cocked and cost the company millions -- or billions -- on the basis of what well could have been just an isolated anomaly. The legal vultures will say, of course, that Toyota should have done just that, but they are in the business of making fantasy sound like reality.

    Now that the problem has been identified as being real, Toyota appears to be acting responsibly and expeditiously to fix it. That they are getting so much bad press is more a function of who they are than it is the way they are handling the situation. The bad thing about being on top of the heap is that you make such a good target up there.
     
  5. Feb 2, 2010 at 9:53 AM
    #85
    adio

    adio Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2008
    Member:
    #9165
    Messages:
    2,643
    Gender:
    Male
    HI
    Vehicle:
    2015 INFERNO TRD PRO
    actually Toyota has already found a solution/remedy to the sticking pedal. now their just going throught the process of getting every vehicle that was listed on the recall list in for service..Toyota FTW
     
  6. Feb 2, 2010 at 9:55 AM
    #86
    DSTaco

    DSTaco Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2010
    Member:
    #30550
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Whittier CA
    Vehicle:
    '09 Dbl Cab TRD Sport White
    Leer Cover
    Not worried at all. I'm actually proud to say that Toyota is fixing the problem rather than ignoring like Ford did with the Pinto. Although I'm sure the folks at Toyota did their "cost benefit" analysis and figured it would be cheaper to fix the problem rather than deal with several law suits, destroy corporate image, etc. Either way, glad their fixing the problem...
     
  7. Feb 2, 2010 at 10:18 AM
    #87
    20796

    20796 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2009
    Member:
    #20796
    Messages:
    19
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Superior WI
    Vehicle:
    06 TRD Sport Double Cab
    Personaly I am not worried. I am going to drive this truck into the ground so resale dosent bother me in the least. Even though I have several other vehicials I will be driving my truck to work this afternoon. Toyota will take a hit in the short term, long term though if they correct the problem they will be fine.

    As for the comment about the explorer. While the Firestone situation contributed the platform for those things was pretty much junk to begin with. They were about the least reliable of the suv's available and in my opinion were just plane junk. I have owned three ford rangers and my ex had an exploder. Never had more problems with a vehicle than those.

    I have two ford trucks and a gm car as well to drive when ever I wish. The toy though gets used nine time out of ten unless there is heavy work to do then the f-250 or f-350 come out. I haven't driven my car in two weeks, might not drive it again for a while, not a bad car I just prefer my yota.
     
  8. Feb 2, 2010 at 10:58 AM
    #88
    huddleston

    huddleston Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2010
    Member:
    #30487
    Messages:
    53
    Gender:
    Male
    most people dont take the time to understand the recalls ot TSB's issued on their cars to begin with. toyota's quality is not what it used to be IMO but is still much better than most brands. non enthusiasts however will take what the media gives them and run with it, making all kinds of assumptions that have no merit to them. i really hope toyota regains thier focus on quality over quantity.
     
  9. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:08 AM
    #89
    S-M-R-T

    S-M-R-T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2009
    Member:
    #13548
    Messages:
    121
    Gender:
    Male
    Unfortunately I doubt that there will be much fallout from this other then some short term losses. People will forget all about it soon enough. I actually hope that Toyota takes such a beating from this fiasco that they step back and rethink their current quality control standards which just aren't anywhere close to what they used to be. But I doubt that we will be so lucky. They will probably just downgrade more to make up lost market share.
     
  10. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:26 AM
    #90
    doughboy

    doughboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2009
    Member:
    #27214
    Messages:
    421
    Gender:
    Male
    norcal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma TRD 4x4
    hid head lights, hid fog lights, always on fog lights, bed lights
    remember toyota tried to cover it up at first, only when cornered by hard evidence then they start to do damage control. I'm sure they won't do any recall or admit anything if they can get away with it. but then again, this is probably true for most (certainly not all) big corporations.
     
  11. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:28 AM
    #91
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2009
    Member:
    #17177
    Messages:
    17,884
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005
    X100000000000

    Thats great service! My hats off to Toyota! :cool:
     
  12. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:30 AM
    #92
    Snipe

    Snipe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
    Member:
    #12421
    Messages:
    1,146
    Gender:
    Male
    Pacific NW
    Vehicle:
    08 TRD Off Road
    I have suspected that Toyota has been slipping from the publics favor for a while now and the January sales reports seem to confirm it, then again maybe it's just a fluke but the impact from the recall probably didn't have much to do with the latest numbers since it wasn't reported until the end of the month.


    These are the sales of Jan 2010 versus January 2009

    Toyota -8.7%
    Ford +35%
    GM +22%

    http://www.cnbc.com/id/35199522
     
  13. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:41 AM
    #93
    doughboy

    doughboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2009
    Member:
    #27214
    Messages:
    421
    Gender:
    Male
    norcal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma TRD 4x4
    hid head lights, hid fog lights, always on fog lights, bed lights
    that would be great if that happens all the time and to all customers and not just when there is media attention.

    they probably hired professional damage control consultants to turn a PR nightmare into an opportunity to look good.
     
  14. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:48 AM
    #94
    HouTacoSR5

    HouTacoSR5 New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    Member:
    #6631
    Messages:
    3
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    07 SR5 4x4
    Speaking of the Cobalt, came out today that they were being investigated for faulty electric power steering units.
    http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/83361617.html
    Think I would rather take my chances with a sticky gas pedal...at least I can control which direction the vehicle is going :cool:
     
  15. Feb 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM
    #95
    monrad

    monrad Coprolite

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    Member:
    #20150
    Messages:
    101
    Gender:
    Male
    B'wood, SC
    Vehicle:
    09 DC short box TRD Sport, TM
    Avid light bar+RBG, Lightforce 140s, fog mod, FSM badges, Bobcatoshi grille + Stampede, JDM DRLs, TRD cat-back, rear spring TSB, AccessLE
    Fixed.
     
  16. Feb 2, 2010 at 12:00 PM
    #96
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2007
    Member:
    #924
    Messages:
    21,863
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Milton Juevo Portimous II
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    '06 TRD Access Cab, v6, 6-speed
    Scaffolding and a painted grill
    I thought we weren't allowed to talk about rep on TW?

    :locked:
     
  17. Feb 2, 2010 at 12:46 PM
    #97
    danbow

    danbow Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2009
    Member:
    #24288
    Messages:
    1,432
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    18 F150 Crew 4x4
    Please read the communication from Toyota Motor Sales - below. Toyota
    has announced a comprehensive plan to fix accelerator pedals on recalled
    vehicles. Plan details are provided.
    Please feel free to contact Toyota Motor sales with any questions,
    contact information is provided in their plan.
    Our dealership team Is committed to your satisfaction. Feel free to
    contact us with questions.
    Thank you.



    Toyota Announces Comprehensive Plan to Fix Accelerator Pedals on
    Recalled Vehicles and Ensure Customer Safety
    Rigorously Tested Reinforced Pedals Will Eliminate the Excess Friction
    that Caused Sticking
    Toyota Will Make Concerted Effort to Repair Recalled Vehicles as Quickly
    and Conveniently as Possible

    TORRANCE, Calif., February 1, 2010 - Toyota Motor Sales
    (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will begin fixing accelerator
    pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles this week. Toyota's
    engineers have developed and rigorously tested a solution that involves
    reinforcing the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess
    friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances. In
    addition, Toyota has developed an effective solution for vehicles in
    production.
    Parts to reinforce the pedals are already being shipped for
    use by dealers, and dealer training is under way. Many Toyota dealers
    will work extended hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly and
    conveniently as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day. The
    company has also taken the unprecedented action of stopping production
    of affected vehicles for the week of February 1.
    "Nothing is more important to us than the safety and
    reliability of the vehicles our customers drive," said Jim Lentz,
    president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS. "We deeply regret the
    concern that our recalls have caused for our customers and we are doing
    everything we can - as fast as we can - to make things right. Stopping
    production is never an easy decision, but we are 100% confident it was
    the right decision. We know what's causing the sticking accelerator
    pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it. We also know it is
    most important to fix this problem in the cars on the road."
    Lentz added: "We are focused on making this recall as simple and
    trouble-free as possible, and will work day and night with our dealers
    to fix recalled vehicles quickly. We want to demonstrate that our
    commitment to safety is as high as ever and that our commitment to our
    customers is unwavering."
    On January 21, Toyota announced its intention to recall
    approximately 2.3 million select Toyota Division vehicles equipped with
    a specific pedal assembly and suspended sales of the eight models
    involved in the recall on January 26.
    Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:
    · Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
    · Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
    · 2009-2010 Matrix
    · 2005-2010 Avalon
    · Certain 2007-2010 Camry
    · Certain 2010 Highlander
    · 2007-2010 Tundra
    · 2008-2010 Sequoia
    No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also
    not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris,
    4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry
    models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.
    Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with
    Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with "J" are not
    affected by the accelerator pedal recall.
    In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal
    that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to
    idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady
    application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly
    because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal
    pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the
    engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.
    Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to
    this recall are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at
    the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
    How Toyota Will Fix Recalled Vehicles
    Toyota has pinpointed the issue that could, on rare
    occasions, cause accelerator pedals in recalled vehicles to stick in a
    partially open position. The issue involves a friction device in the
    pedal designed to provide the proper "feel" by adding resistance and
    making the pedal steady and stable. The device includes a shoe that rubs
    against an adjoining surface during normal pedal operation. Due to the
    materials used, wear and environmental conditions, these surfaces may,
    over time, begin to stick and release instead of operating smoothly. In
    some cases, friction could increase to a point that the pedal is slow to
    return to the idle position or, in rare cases, the pedal sticks, leaving
    the throttle partially open.
    Toyota's solution for current owners is both effective and
    simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into
    the assembly that will reduce the surface tension between the friction
    shoe and the adjoining surface. With this reinforcement in place, the
    excess friction that can cause the pedal to stick is eliminated. The
    company has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly reinforced pedals
    through rigorous testing on pedal assemblies that had previously shown a
    tendency to stick.
    Separately from the recall for sticking accelerator pedals, Toyota is in
    the process of recalling vehicles to address rare instances in which
    floor mats have trapped the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and
    Lexus models (announced November 25, 2009), and is already notifying
    customers about how it will fix this issue. In the case of vehicles
    covered by both recalls, it is Toyota's intention to remedy both at the
    same time.

    Thank You,
    Toyota of Fort Worth

    --- I'm not worried. Toyota will fix it.
     
  18. Feb 2, 2010 at 1:31 PM
    #98
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2008
    Member:
    #8350
    Messages:
    8,042
    Gender:
    Male
    Just east of crazy, NV
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5 DCLB 4x4
    Color matched door handles, Weathertech floor liners, bed mat, Durafit seat covers, tailgate clamp, 2016 TRD Sport 17" wheels with Yokohama Geolander AT tires , Toyota exhaust tip, Toyota/Yakima bike rail mount, Toyota wheel locks, Toyota hitch cover, Redline hood struts, unifilter on air pump.
  19. Feb 2, 2010 at 1:38 PM
    #99
    91r100gs

    91r100gs Understand the Voice Within

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2008
    Member:
    #6100
    Messages:
    656
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Kansas City area
    Vehicle:
    '08 Impluse Red SR5 I-4
    Factory bed mat, TacomaWorld.com sticker, EGR In-Channel Vent Visors, AFE ProDryS drop in air filter
    This will cost Toyota 20% loss in sales until the public realizes that Toyota is back on course. They have been off course quite a while now. Tremendous cuts in quality all over the line. The Tacoma in this generation is one of the worse examples.
     
  20. Feb 2, 2010 at 1:40 PM
    #100
    danb86

    danb86 East Ender

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Member:
    #7391
    Messages:
    205
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 I4 Access Cab 4x4
    "Who, me worry?" - Alfred E. Neuman

    It isn't so much the recall (s) that makes one pause; it's the APPROACH to the recall that's revealing.

    Toyota's reputation and legacy were hard won based on the principle that quality was the top priority. Where do we stand now?

    I'm the proud/happy owner of a 2010 4x4 Mag Grey I4 Access cab and wouldn't choose anything else had I to do it again (Well, yes, I'd get the Timberland Mica which was promised to me but was unavailable!)

    The Tacoma is the right size for me, the right price for me, the right look for me and nothing, BUT NOTHING, compares to the quality.

    That said, it's a bit disheartening to find out Toyota dragged their feet when reports of the accelerator issue first began to appear. Wouldn't it be smart business to use reports such as those to IMPROVE your product instead of telling people to pull out their floor mats?

    It wasn't poor quality that undid the American automakers...it was the fact that they were ARROGANT about their place in the scheme of things coupled with poor quality that was their undoing. Keeping your head buried in the sand might work for an ostrich, but it's a lousy approach for a multi-national corporation.

    Granted, finding out that EVERY gas pedal you've got out there needs fixing/replacing is going to be EXPENSIVE, but was Toyota really ready to gamble on the fallout we're seeing now? I doubt it.

    In the end, it's probably a good thing for this to happen to Toyota at this point as it's a wake up call to pay more attention to basics. The recall notwithstanding, Toyota products rank among the best and if this helps re-focus the company on quality, it won't hurt in the long run.

    On the other hand, should Toyota continue to trivialize customer feedback and white wash real quality issues, then their recent ascension to number 1 in auto sales will surely be short lived.

    Personally, hearing the grandson of Toyoda issue a humbling apology is revealing in that I get the sense there are real PEOPLE at the helm at Toyota and that changes will be made to ensure they maintain the standards that have brought them so much success.

    I look forward to many miles with my Tacoma and am already looking forward to my next Timberland Mica, turbo diesel, 30 mpg Tacoma!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top