Toyota recalling 228,000 Tacoma's due to oil leaks and possible loss of control of vehicle

I think what it means is TRD and Offroad don't get fixed under the recall, they would be under the drive train warranty. It is most likely an accounting issue.

 

Stretching out or capitalizing costs for repairs is not in accordance with Generally accepted account principles and would be consider financial statement fraud if Toyota were to do something like that. Microsoft for example lost billions because of their Xbox 360 repair fiasco.

Correct, but that hasn't stopped countless numbers of companies from doing so. I know many COO, and CFO's and there are lots of ways to legally maneuver around regulations. Look at VW a very much respected German Car manufacture caught in a huge emission cheating scandal that fallout is still continuing. In Business 101 today, it is not about what is right, but what you can get away with. Look at the big tech companies that steal intellectual property. They know it is illegal, but by the time they are caught, they have already made huge amounts of money, and the fines that get imposed on them is merely a operating cost. Although later thrown out. When Apple was awarded 3 billion against Samsung, Samsung had already profited 30 to 40 billion on what they supposedly ripped off. If you told me to rob a bank and steal 1 million dollars, and my punishment would be a 300,000 fine, I am all in.

I am pretty sure that Toyota absolutely cares about exiting customers because they would lose customers to other manufacturers.

Really? They refused to fix the rusted frames and leaf springs on the first and second gen trucks (Tacoma and Tundra) until a class action was filed against them, and then only did a limited campaign, but the class action bent them over and they have to fix all the rusted frames.

I am not a Toyota employee or a Toyota Fanboy/loyalist, but I think it helps to have some perspective.

Toyota is on damage control right now. They sell a little less than 200k Tacomas in the US each year, and not they are recalling 228K, that is more than one years worth of sales. Toyota's brand is associated with reliability, and that is under great threat right now. In fact, that is the only advantage that their trucks supposedly have over other trucks in the market. Because on paper (Power, MPG, Rear disc brakes. etc.), Toyota makes the worst trucks in the business. They don't make the worst, but not the best either. Nobody does anymore.

Let's say that each tech makes around $20 an hour (probably $40 with benefits and Payroll taxes included), and each repair kit costs $400 dollars. If it takes 3.5 hours to complete the repair, then Toyota has an estimated liability of $123,120,000 that needs to be recognized right now. The accounting rules do not allow them to defer the costs or "stretch'em" out. Toyota has to write-off the expense for 2017. Toyota is basically losing money on a automobile line that is dead. The Tacoma's sales are declining, and GM/Ford are about to pounce on Toyota with superior offerings. Toyota may have the 5th most purchased truck in America now, but I am willing to be that as early as next year that this will no longer be the case.

And Toyota deserves all of that, they made their bed and they can lie in it. They cut costs and cheapened the product and that is the chance you take.

 

UPDATE:

I got a call from my local dealer in clovis. The service manager got an email from toyota corp basically saying the remedy is available and that they can begin inspecting the rear differential. At that point, whatever part or parts needed, they'll call toyota to place an order to my closest regional distribution center, which would be in san francisco. From there, if the parts are ready, they'll be shipped out within 2-3 business days.

 

Has anyone posted the procedure?

 

I just got back from the dealer after they said I have a leaking diff. Left with my truck cuz they were offering a Prius, and I can't load shit for work in the back of a Prius. I was told there was no fix and that I would probably just be waiting for a long time for a fix. From what I read on here there are some people getting fixes? Was a little sketched out he said that the rear end may sieze but I should be good haha.

 

I got an email from my service advisor this afternoon letting me know that Toyota released the repair kit and they expect to have it next week.

 

Yall are hilarious. .On October 10, 2012, Toyota announced a recall of 7.43 millionvehicles (2.47 million in the US,460,000 in Japan, 1.39 million in Europe, 3.11 million in other markets) worldwide. In the US the recall affects MY 2005-2010 Yaris, Corolla, Matrix, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia as well as Scion xB and xD....690,000 were gen 2. This ain't hurting toyota. Recalls are standar

 

Don't hesitate, start the Lemon Law process. It is pain-full but you need to protect your rights. If Toyota does good for you great, if not, you need to have a back-up plan in the works. There are well defined deadlines that Toyota must meet once you invoke the Lemon law process.

 

From today's posts, the fix/repair kit was just released today, refer to a few pages back, a Toyota tech posted the official bulletin.

 

Is there going to be a redesigned gasket and nuts for OR owners as well.

Ted

 

"Note: Any sign of leakage, even very minor, is still leakage. Minor seepage is still considered a leak. "

If your dealer previously told you "weeping" wasn't covered, you might want to return to the dealer with this info in hand.

 

I got fixed under warranty with exactly the same fix the recall is doing. Minor seeping, more than enough oil left in it (I had to complain a little for them to agree to check the level). They replaced the gasket and the bolts (according to the paperwork - and the bolts look new) and sent me on my way.

 

Sounds good , I'll call them tommorow and see if they know what's up, thanks! ill be sure to post a pic of the prius they will probably put me in during the fix ha

 

not the only advantage. Off-road ability is not something you find in american pickups.

a repair kit consisting of a gasket and a bunch of lugs/nuts is likely to cost Toyota something like $20. Not $400. But you forgot to take into account the cost of rental vehicles, so your numbers may be close to reality.

 

same with mine. stained oil on diff. 2016 offroad AC 4x4

 

I'd really like to hear from those that also had a diff howl once this gets fixed.

I don't see why this would fix it, but I'd be interested in hearing back from everyone who gets new gaskets and nuts.

 

Colorado ZR2?

Lockers front and rear sounds pretty off road capable.

Granted they are just now starting to trickle out, but the tests so far indicate they are the real deal.

 

I quoted it above. The .pdf files are in post #2066

 

Has anyone even received the letter yet, nothing for me yet.

 

True, what any don't know, is most manufacturing companies build into the price a specific amount for recall and warranty work. They do calculations on how how cheap they can make the parts or get them made, vs the probability of failure and do risk assessment numbers so that they have a good ratio of cheap and lasts long enough.

Building something that lasts a long time is in no manufacturers best interest. As said any times, car manufactures want and need you to buy every 5 years.

Back in the late 70's and 80's when the Big three US companies were making pure shit, the Japanese companies Honda, Toyota and Datsun (now Nissan) were able to make a indent into the US market by making cheap reliable and good fuel economy vehicles. Over time they built their reputation. Well in the past 20 years these Japanese companies are some of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. They now don't have to "prove" themselves.

Toyota's reliability is long gone, and really was never that super, marketing and media hype helped fuel that. Say something enough times and the masses will treat it as a fact.