Updates: For a few days now, we do not know which Toyota vehicle is not subject to a recall. Even the Toyota Prius is not exempt. Its anti-lock breaking system has problems according to many owners. In the meantime, Ford is accelerating is sales campaign to take business from the embattled Japanese car maker.
Toyota has been announcing massive recalls and plans to repair the problems.
"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."
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Toyota Plagued with Quality Problems Stops Productiong of Cars and Trucks in the US and Europe, China and Other Countries
So much for the quality of Toyota vehicles! The company is recalling and stopping production of its very popular vehicles such as the Camry, Tundra, Highlander and Matrix from 2007 to 2009. Most of these vehicles have an accelerator problem which causes many drivers to get into accident. Some of them even die. The company is cautious and wants to find the cause of the problems. Until now, it has not found what is ailing the company.
Which cars have the problem?
The models affected are the 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350, 2007-2010 Camry, 2007-2010 ES 350 and 2007-2010 Tundra.
The models that will be recalled or subject to a sales suspension include:
• RAV4 (2009-10 models)
• Corolla (2009-10)
• Camry (2007-10)
• Matrix hatchback (2009-10)
• Avalon large sedan (2005-10)
• Highlander crossover (2010)
• Tundra pickup (2007-10)
• Sequoia large SUV (2008-10)
The suspension is due to problems with gas pedal mechanisms that may cause the accelerator to get stuck, triggering sudden acceleration. The problem has been traced to a US parts supplier. The parts from that manufacturer are used in Toyotas sold in the US and Europe. Toyota is considering a recall of 2 million cars in Europe, as well.
Similar sticking accelerator problems have arisen in the past, driving the car company to recall 4.2 million vehicles in November, and another 2.3 million last week. So far, Toyota has been unable to correct the problem.
Which cars have the problem?
The models affected are the 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350, 2007-2010 Camry, 2007-2010 ES 350 and 2007-2010 Tundra.
The models that will be recalled or subject to a sales suspension include:
• RAV4 (2009-10 models)
• Corolla (2009-10)
• Camry (2007-10)
• Matrix hatchback (2009-10)
• Avalon large sedan (2005-10)
• Highlander crossover (2010)
• Tundra pickup (2007-10)
• Sequoia large SUV (2008-10)
The suspension is due to problems with gas pedal mechanisms that may cause the accelerator to get stuck, triggering sudden acceleration. The problem has been traced to a US parts supplier. The parts from that manufacturer are used in Toyotas sold in the US and Europe. Toyota is considering a recall of 2 million cars in Europe, as well.
Similar sticking accelerator problems have arisen in the past, driving the car company to recall 4.2 million vehicles in November, and another 2.3 million last week. So far, Toyota has been unable to correct the problem.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Toyota To Trim The Gas Pedals Causing Earlier Accidents
Toyota Motor company has been dealing with a lot of recalls lately. The stuck gas pedal that causes unintended acceleration was the cause of some fatalities.
The problem, which allegedly has caused more than a dozen fatalities and resulted in more than 100 formal complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has presented the most serious challenge yet to Toyota’s reputation as the auto industry’s quality leader.
Wednesday’s announcement came one day after Toyota recalled 110,000 Tundra pickup trucks from model years 2000 through 2003 which have experienced underbody rust that in some cases may loosen spare tires mounted beneath the trucks.
For 2005 through 2010 model year Toyota Avalons, 2007 through 2010 Camry and Lexus ES350, the automaker will reconfigure the floor surface beneath the pedal to create more space between the pedal and the floor.
The action is designed to address the root cause of the unintended acceleration, which Toyota previously blamed on floor mats becoming trapped between drivers’ feet and the gas pedal.
The brake over-ride system that will be offered on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES and IS models should ensure the car stops if both the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time. Many of the reported incidents involved sudden increases in speed when the cruise control system is engaged. Drivers have reported that their brakes could not stop their vehicles when they experienced the phenomenon.
Toyota intends to make the brake over-ride feature standard throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines beginning in January 2010.
The problem, which allegedly has caused more than a dozen fatalities and resulted in more than 100 formal complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has presented the most serious challenge yet to Toyota’s reputation as the auto industry’s quality leader.
Wednesday’s announcement came one day after Toyota recalled 110,000 Tundra pickup trucks from model years 2000 through 2003 which have experienced underbody rust that in some cases may loosen spare tires mounted beneath the trucks.
For 2005 through 2010 model year Toyota Avalons, 2007 through 2010 Camry and Lexus ES350, the automaker will reconfigure the floor surface beneath the pedal to create more space between the pedal and the floor.
The action is designed to address the root cause of the unintended acceleration, which Toyota previously blamed on floor mats becoming trapped between drivers’ feet and the gas pedal.
The brake over-ride system that will be offered on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES and IS models should ensure the car stops if both the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time. Many of the reported incidents involved sudden increases in speed when the cruise control system is engaged. Drivers have reported that their brakes could not stop their vehicles when they experienced the phenomenon.
Toyota intends to make the brake over-ride feature standard throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines beginning in January 2010.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturn is in Big Trouble. Penske Automotive Group; GM Dealerships in Trouble all Over The Country Backed Out of Deal
The deal that was supposed to happen to save or rescue Saturn did not happen. After all, Penske Automotive group decided to back out of deal. That comes as a blow for Chrysler. Many jobs will go away with this backout.
In another development, many GM dealerships may not be on a list that was sent to the ebay auction site. Dealers are grumbling and are asking whether the lack of mention of their dealership should mean the end of their business.
this is an upside down world in which dealerships are dealing these days.
In another development, many GM dealerships may not be on a list that was sent to the ebay auction site. Dealers are grumbling and are asking whether the lack of mention of their dealership should mean the end of their business.
this is an upside down world in which dealerships are dealing these days.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Toyota Problems and Recalls: Toyota is Recalling Millions of Vehicles due to Faulty Mats
Why the Recall? What is the problem?
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company’s largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash.
The recall will involve popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid.
See the list of Toyota vehicles with the most recalls
http://www.toyotaproblems.com/recalls
The top 20 Toyota vehicles with the most recalls are shown below. Currently the Toyota Camry & Corolla sedans have the most recalls, closely followed by Toyota's trucks.
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company’s largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash.
The recall will involve popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid.
See the list of Toyota vehicles with the most recalls
http://www.toyotaproblems.com/recalls
The top 20 Toyota vehicles with the most recalls are shown below. Currently the Toyota Camry & Corolla sedans have the most recalls, closely followed by Toyota's trucks.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
iPhone 3 G S, Leader of the Pack: Customers Dashed to Buy New iPhone Releases, Stores Sold Out!
I was one of the early birds who went to hang out at the front door of a local ATT corporate store. After a week of great weather, I expected to have a great time waiting in line for my new phone. It was not the case. It was hot and people were complaining. Those who had pre-ordered the iphone 3G S were able to enter the store and claim their prize from 7 am to 9 am. Those of us who wanted to buy the new phone or trade in for a higher upgrade had to wait in the sun outside.
Many of us, apple product fans, did not complain much. The employees at the store were very happy to pass cups of water to us. However, there were a few guys who started complaining about the long wait. Tensions were mounting. It was like the opening of a new movie. Just like the release of any major action movie, the upgrade to the 3 G S was received with great enthusiasm. Many of us were talking about the great features of the new phone. That was a good reason for us to have.
So far, after using the phone the whole day, I have been pretty pleased with it.
Truely, the iphone is the leader of the pack. Many fellow reviewers only have the greatest things to say about the phone.
"The iPhone 3G S (the S stands for speed) is a more subtle upgrade compared with last year's launch of the 3G. The improvements don't quite blow your hair back on the first pass, but coupled with the new iPhone OS 3.0 software upgrade, they cement the iPhone's status as the best smart phone experience available.
The iPhone OS 3.0 improvements alone might be enough to satisfy many existing iPhone and iPhone 3G users. But if your contract is expiring or even if it's not, there are a lot of reasons to make the jump to the iPhone 3G S, which sells for $199 and $299 for 16-GB and 32-GB versions."
Many of us, apple product fans, did not complain much. The employees at the store were very happy to pass cups of water to us. However, there were a few guys who started complaining about the long wait. Tensions were mounting. It was like the opening of a new movie. Just like the release of any major action movie, the upgrade to the 3 G S was received with great enthusiasm. Many of us were talking about the great features of the new phone. That was a good reason for us to have.
So far, after using the phone the whole day, I have been pretty pleased with it.
Truely, the iphone is the leader of the pack. Many fellow reviewers only have the greatest things to say about the phone.
"The iPhone 3G S (the S stands for speed) is a more subtle upgrade compared with last year's launch of the 3G. The improvements don't quite blow your hair back on the first pass, but coupled with the new iPhone OS 3.0 software upgrade, they cement the iPhone's status as the best smart phone experience available.
The iPhone OS 3.0 improvements alone might be enough to satisfy many existing iPhone and iPhone 3G users. But if your contract is expiring or even if it's not, there are a lot of reasons to make the jump to the iPhone 3G S, which sells for $199 and $299 for 16-GB and 32-GB versions."
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