Over the past few weeks the Toyota recall story has been building. It began as a news story and it has not gone away.
By being slow to react it appears that Toyota might have done some serious long-term damage to one of the most respected brands in the world.
On the JapanToday’s website this finbarr68 comments, ‘Will we be saying “doing a toyota ” in 20 years to mean comercial suicide.’
Jessefelder blogs, ‘The bottom line is Toyota acts like it couldn’t care less about its customers’ safety and this is exactly how you kill one of the most powerful brands in the world.’
But here a person argues that there has been no damage done to the brand, ‘They have a huge reservoir of consumer good will, and shoppers are known to respond well when companies say they are sorry and fix things.’
Greg Brown writes a heart felt blog defending Toyota, saying he’s driven Toyota’s for 14years and still thinks they are a dependable company.
Would you still by a Toyota? Has their response been good enough?
RSS feed
BBC World Have Your Say 
I used to work at Toyota’s headquarters in Nagoya, Japan, ( teaching English classes to various staff and management). In my ten years there I saw examples of businesses from small stores to corporations.
In that system, change will happen. But when decisions are made, management makes them. And then you have a meeting to “discuss ideas”. But actually the management is just telling you what will be done. Culturally, Japanese businesses are still fighting change as much as possible.
Another aspect of this is the amount of personal debt to GNP in Japan. It double of what it is in the States.
When I lived there in the ’90s, I should have left after the first year. Because economically the govt. propped up a lot of zombie companies. Despite a change in govt., they still refuse to deal with the underlying causes of the global metldown. And unless they do, even giant Toyota will pay the price.
The first car I bought for myself was a Toyota Celica. It was old, rusty, and ugly as sin, but it never let me down, ever. I have always thought of them as the most reliable cars and still do. I heard a report on NPR that the problem with the new problem is that we (Americans, I guess) want our hands held, and the Toyota people are more mechanically oriented, so it was more of a PR issue on how Toyota appears to the public. I don’t know, and I don’t have a Toyota now, but as long as they are fixing the problem, fine with me.
Technological defect concerning brand products isn’t new. There were the cases of Japanese laptops and mobile phones as there was the case in 2009 when the American company General Motors had to recall nearly 1.5 million passenger sedans because of the possibility of engine fires.
As long as apparently, there have never been accidents related to the shortcoming in the braking system and as long Toyota has the means to amend for its technological defect, it will regain the market . This should be coupled with ongoing transparency in dealing with customers and advancement in technological procedures to make driving both safer and more comfortable.
Until and unless someone I know personally has experienced a major flaw in Toyota Cars which are due to manufacturing faults, I would still trust Toyota.
But that’s not to say that I would still place Toyota as my first choice over other cars.
I believe if cars are cared for properly, that these faults would’ve been known and rectified as soon as possible.
I’ve always had this personal belief, that you’ve given up on life if you buy a Toyota. They make the most boring cars, like the deliberately try to take the fun out of driving.
@ Steve- I’ve had some very exciting cars over the years. I never knew whether they were going to start or not, or if they were going to stall while I was driving. After all that excitement, I really appreciate boring. I admit that I have never bought a new car, so maybe people that can afford a new car can think about how fun it is. I don’t like spending so much money on something that depreciates in value so quickly, or paying full coverage on top of a car note. It makes me feel like a slave. I have always been what I like to call frugal, and what my family calls cheap.
I will be purchasing a car this year and had been seriously considering a Toyota. Not now! Glad I found out before I bought the car that safety is not a concern for Toyota.
Certainly I trust Toyota but I fault them for their culture which did not allow them to Confess-Apologize-Rectify the situation rapidly.
I guess no one ever told them about Tylenol of which I am certain they are taking lots of now.
I still think Toyota is a great brand its second hand cars are a big hit in Kenya and they are affordable and cost effective.
Toyota has being a credible car manufacturers over the years and their products has spread all over the world. Their car is very economical, i guess this pedal fault is an isolated situation- i can stil trust them.
I for one still think toyota is a great brand, and an affordable one too. In nigeria, i know its a little bit more expensive when compared to its counter-part like honda, kia, benz, etc; thats so because of its fuel economy and relatively cheaper to maintain unlike benz.
So yes i still would buy a toyota so long as the recall is effective, and error rectified. Its a wonderful brand in nigeria and i am waiting to see their 2010 models.
Toyota still have my confidence. I do not know for those in the develope world but back home in Liberia, we call Toyota “poor man friend” because it resist the bad road condition as compare to those other brands.
Besides, everyone make mistakes. The doctors who carryout surgery do make mistakes, yet other petients keep entrusting them their lives. So I strongly believe that Toyota will regain her place in the market.
Another overblown news story.If anything, Toyota and all car makers should revamp their dealership sales/service model of doing business, which inflates price and diminishes quality.
Overall their record for recalls is still excellent compared to the other major brands so I’d have to say yes.
However, I think the luster of the brand has dulled somewhat since the publication of “The Toyota Way”. Back then they really were setting a new standard for quality, but unless you’re building luxury cars for a niche market the bottom line is quantity and sooner or later this is going to happen.
That being said, I have never owned a Toyota. I drive a Chevy and make it a rule, when possible, to not buy ANY product – even American made – that only provides off-shore support.
Toyota is a worldclass engineering company without crisis management and this is cultural in a vertical management structure that is predominantly Japanese and therefore STILL using the wait & see approach to media relations who are having a feeding frenzy in conjunction with the stock market. The Toyota board is old school and they still believe they can manage a global business from Japan. From an engineering standpoint that is correct [although quality control needs fixing] but not from a consumer and media perspective – these are local problems and need local attention with local crisis management seen as proactive in resolving the problem.
In these days of outsourcing and finding the cheapest alternative to labour and parts how can you trust any manufacturer?
No one seriously takes quality into account for any mass market. Why bother as if you lose 1 or 10 000 customers, there will always be many more to fill the gap.
Yes! most definitely. I moved to Toyota 6 tears ago, with the purchase of a REVO VX 200. An excellent vehicle. in all aspects.
The only problem is that Toyota spares are way over priced.
Their service to all customers is seccond to none!
Prior to Toyota I was a General motors fan and I thoroughly enjoyed my top of the line Omega.
Before them I was a Ford fan.
I have from my international driving experience of 55 years state that Toyota is my favorite now!
I most certainly do have confidence in the Toyota, as well as Mercedes and SAAB.
When I was a SAAB owner, I was not notified that there was a recall on the fuel injectors because they could cause a fire.There were no TV/Radio ads reported on the recall. When I took my car to the dealership for some repair work, at that time I was called and advised the fuel injectors needed to be changed as there was a bulletin out by SAAB manufacture.
Mercedes had a problem with the accelerator linkage. No TV/Radio ads reported on recall. If I recall, it was the local dealer that advised patrons when vehicle was brought in for repair/service. Linkage was changed. On the 450SL, a problem existed were the front suspension would crack in half. No TV/Radio ads reported on recall. When vehicle was towed to dealership, front suspension was replaced at no charge. .
The media likes to make everything sound worse than the facts are.
Sorry, I don’t understand all the hubub surrounding Toyota. Other car manufacturers have had similiar problems in the past and there was never this type of media condemnation. I think there might be more to this story than just failed brakes. I’ve owned two Toyotas and a Honda and I’m sold on Toyota. They’re reliable, affordable and get good gas mileage. I wouldn’t trade in my Toyota for the world. The only criticism would be that they need to bring in a new line of mini trucks and vans. I’d be over the moon if they could do that.
Ordered a Prius in 2003 and took delivery a couple of days before Shock and Awe. Best decision. It still runs like a champ, and I saved massively on gas during the huge hike in gas prices.
Capitalism is a game of knock the enemy, and nobody stays on top forever.
Great point by Ben from Ohio! Absolutely would buy Toyota, they are still great cars.
This argument is very interesting!Though I don’t own a car but I seem to like Toyota vehicles especially Toyota Fortunner.It is my dream car because of its name.
I think Toyota has a nice strategy of dealing with its business and they wouldn’t disclose their secret!A lot of people drive in Toyota here in my country,Ghana
I have been totally turned off of Toyota/ Lexus after owning their products for 20 years.
The dealers became arrogant and indifferent and took customers for granted.
Also, I had an odd accident in Dec 2004 that I am convinced was related to the current problem.
By the way, I am also turned off of Japan Airlines for similar reasons.
Toyota is the best! Period! ( for the money )
I say this with confidence because, I’m a Quality Manager at an Aviation & Aerospace service company working with close tolerance Aviation, Space Station and High Performance Parts for all different types of Industry.
The 2007 Rav4 I drive and the 2007 Rav4 my wife drives are our 5 and 6th Toyota’s respectively. We love them! My Boss was surprised that my Rav4 was smoother and more comfortable than his 2010 Cadillac SRX. It’s not as fast, but a much smoother ride, much nicer to drive and far more comfortable to sit in and I have the 4X4 version.
You’ll notice that the Accelerator control that is causing problems, was built for Toyota by an American company. They say they built it to spec, but I would imagine that they cut corners somewhere in the manufacturing process and it is now showing up.
We say our New American cars quality is just as good as other manufacturers. They are not unless you want to spend to much money!
You’ll notice that Toyota is totally honest and up front about the problem, compared to other car companies that hide problems or tell you the part wore out and then they replace it, with no word or comment about how much the drivers life might have been in danger!
Will I buy more Toyota’s? Yes
Do I trust the Quality of Toyota’s? Yes I do!
Read some joke over the net the other day; “the car behind you is a Toyota with some serious mechanical fault!” Well, I think car buyers the world over are taking issue mostly due to Toyota’s delay in responding. And yes, I’d still buy a Toyota; the brand just got an egg on the face but its soul is steadfast.
(Writing from Nairobi, Kenya)
@steve
I get the boring thing. My red Mirafiori handled like a dream, but I had to lift up the hood and start it with a spatula to the solenoid for a decade. I had my boredom worries, when I bought Toyota, but I found them to be unfounded. Prius is not boring because you can play this game of skills–which route has the right terrain to charge up the electric, how do I maximize friction and hills, curves, etc. Economy made fun is not the speedway, but it serves as the dogs get older and petroleum gets dearer.
Toyota will have to lick its wounds and be prepared for a long-haul damage control. This recall of more than a million cars is bound to have severe repercussions on the company. Safety of its brake and clutch systems at the heart of the recall. This has come at a very bad juncture when automakers are reeling after a very bad recession and are struggling to survive. Of course Toyota made a name for itself in the past and loyal customers would expect the problems to be solved satisfactorily. But realists would expect a real dip in Toyota’s fortunes
I rebuild cars after collisions and the best cars are the ones made in the homeland countries of origin. Toyota from 1995 started to make cars in other courtiers and I hate to say it the quality suffered and they have been gradually outsourcing part manufactures and that’s what got them into this mess.
(If your VIN number on your Toyota does not start with “J” its not made in Japan)
Look at Volkswagen vehicles that are made in Mexico, they are just about the worst cars sold in the United States but I you buy one in Europe you get the real German made car with all the great reliability and quality made parts.
I hope they start making the parts back in Japan and let the American workforce put them together.
Toyota is still the best! but they better watch out for Hyundai they are nipping at their heels and making very good car now.
Toyota will emerge stronger for this set back.The Camray is a superb general market car .It gives me same feeling of confidence as the old VW Beetle ,reliable .driver friendly and well designed Buy it and Toyota shares then go sporty on the profits with a Lamborgene
Nora,
I agree. Is all this hubub about Toyota wanting to break the unions? Maybe
Obama and friends are trying to push their failing car company GM. There seems to be another story to this story.
A note to President Obama:
GM wouldn’t fail if they could manufacture cars people actually want to buy!
I don’t know much about cars but I’ve been driven in all kinds of Toyotas and not a single one of them seemed poor, mechanically, to me. Here in Kenya where I live, there’s a saying thus: the car in front is always a toyota. It could not be more true. When i finally get to buy a car, it most definately will be a Toyota!
slow news day
I have owned toyota in the past & I believe they are still trust worthy, but as with any mechanical product one can not expect it to be perfect. I do think they have to seriously attend to their design and quality control issues and they get only 1 out of 10 for their acknowledgement and speed with which they dealt with the issues.
It seems to me at times that the more sophisticated and technically computerised vehicles get the more vulnerable they are to malfunctions and glitches.
A few days ago, NPR interviewed a man who was involved in a very serious accident caused by sudden acceleration. He has been trying to convince Toyota to do a recall for over five years– with little success until now.
Any company that dismisses its customers’ valid concerns and seems to care less about the many people killed as a result of this defect is not a company that deserves my business. I have owned Toyotas in the past–never again.
Sure. I’ve owned both Camrys and Corollas and never had any significant problems. Nobody is perfect–fix the problem and move on.
Margaret Tacoma, WA
I’ve owned Toyota cars since the 1980’s and I will continue in the future. They make great cars. And they hold their value. Plus, American car companies have had numerous recalls and for more serious issues. Moreover, my old Toyota Camry kept me safe in an accident. I was broadsided by a speeding pickup truck that ran a stop sign. My car was totaled, but I walked out alive. That Camry was a sturdy car.
What a bunch of media hype. I’ve owned two Toyotas in the past 15 years, and both have had recall issues. Vehicles are highly engineered machines, but there is no way to build anything that is not, at some point, going to have issues. 8 million vehicles recalled, what a shame, but that does not disrupt my confidence in this company.
Here in the USA many of my friends have been loyal supporters of their small trucks. They are the only manufacturer who has provided a solution for working tradesmen and women. I wont be looking elsewhere due to the recall but because of their bulked up trucktruck designs as of late & and because they refuse to import the efficient diesel versions.
Olympia WA
It’s really unfortunate that Toyota is going through this current crisis.
Of course the fact that there is a defective problem with a huge number of their vehicles needs to be known to the public and fully addressed, to prevent accidents and deaths.
On the flip side, the media’s seemingly rabid frenzy over this story is a little irritating, and I don’t think people should completely write-off the company. They’ve been pretty solid for a long time, and I’m sure they will recover.
Goes to show that even the best of companies do have their major hiccups every so often. I’m hopeful that they scrutinize any questionable practices, revamp or fix their issues, and make a strong comeback. They’ve proven themselves for decades, let this crisis not be a reason to eventually give them another chance.
I own my first Toyota now, a 4Runner, and it’s a great car that I feel totally safe in. My spouse is need of new car soon and I consider the Camry or Prius, though in light of the recent events I am going to look elsewhere.
I think car companies become more and more arrogant starting from the bottom (or most local level-your local dealership) upwards. I looked into purchasing a Toyota about seven years ago. The sales people ignored or brushed aside most of the questions my mother and I asked and treated us as if we were idiots just because we were women. I subsequently went on to test drive and purchase a Mazda instead. Now, years later, I find the same level of arrogance and lack of customer service when I take my Mazda in for service at that same dealership. I believe this has to do with the popularity of each car company and fear that as Mazda has gotten more popular it too will start to exhibit the same issues.
What car company has not experienced some mechanical difficulties in certain years/models? A few years back I had a Jeep that was a lemon. It’s inevitable that there will be a few bad ones in the bunch. I have been in the market to buy a car this year, and Toyota was on top of my list before this episode. Today Toyota is still on the top of my list. The fixes are small and the Toyota customer service is second to none. In fact, I hope to get a better deal on one now because of the situation. BTW I drive an Audi and absolutely love it. 20 years ago their reputation was destroyed in the US due to false consumer claims. I wonder how the Audi-type hysteria parallels the Toyota issue.
I’m not normally a conspiracy theorist but didn’t the US Government recently become part owner of the leading world wide auto company GM?
Hello,
Toyota have a couple of design issues at the moment, but what about the others? You cannot say that GM (USA), Renault (France) or Volkswagen (Deutschland) never encounter any troubles before. In France, you should avoid any auto brand for months after a strike because there can be quality fluctuation on the assembly line and during quality control.
I do not intend to change car at the moment, but Toyota will remain a valid brand in the future for me without much of a scratch for the time being.
Good day.
Just because Toyota has recalled 8 millions Toyota’s doesn’t mean they are all problematic. Toyota is just addressing all the potential possible cars. I can’t for the life of me think that everyone of them has a bad part.
Would everyone prefer that Toyota lie about it or make sure every driver is safe no matter what the cost?
Many years ago I had a 1963 Toyota Land Cruiser and it is the most reliable car I have ever owned. Every time I turned the key, it started up, 98 degrees hot through minus 26 degrees below zero cold. I wish I still had it.
I am disappointed about the stories that the management has changed and reliability has dropped.
But what other car is even close? Honda is great but then you have to go up to luxury Mercedes to get that kind of reliability.
I’d bet on Toyota for the future, innovation and reliability are their strong points and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.
I DO WISH EVERYONE WILL LEAVE MY SOUL MATE ALONE!
I love Toyota! So you can imagine the hurt I feel on her behalf. Though I own her luxury brand Lexus, I’m quite certain the same level of quality and dependability is bestowed upon its marque brand-the TOYOTA. Lexus and I have a marriage made in automobile heaven, seldom does one find a corporate brand that knows her customers and exactly what they want in quality, dependability, and style year after year.
Like a hopelessly in love partner, I’m totally ready to forgive Toyota for her transgression and will accept her apology without hesitation. Everyone makes mistakes and I’m willing to give her a second chance. However we start afresh with hopes that she is more vigilant and avoid off-shoring her manufacturing to countries that will only dilute her supreme manufacturing principles. NO ONE TREATS YOUR PROPERTY BETTER THAN YOURSELF!
Toyota has fallen in the same trap that banks found themselves. It is the sin of self-regulations. For far too long we took their word on quality and they got away with it.
I have always insinuated that auto makers are not selling cars anymore given the observations of so many brands of vehicles I observe nowadays. The thing is – they are in a rush to the market to make a quick kill without caring about consumers by selling us heaps of plastics at a premium due to our gaulibility. Whats the use of airbugs when the roof of a car is made up of something like glued pulp?
That aside, no mordel is allowed to go for a year without being changed to something else so soon. You become apprehensive of lack of spairs in future – and mind you we are talking about an experienced company.
If I were Toyota, I will be very worried – not about cash but the death of a valuable working culture – which is Toyota itself.
I think that this is a great opportunity to buy a Toyota because people are scared and selling them off and so the prices will be very advantageous.
Times like this don’t come very often, especially with a great brand like Toyota.
In my humble opinion, this is the same freak-out, knee-jerk reaction that we saw with the failed Xmas bomber plot. These things happen all the time, yet everyone seems to think they deserve perfection. If one thing fails, everyone goes nuts demanding that someone be held accountable. If this were an on-going problem, I could see everyone getting up in arms… but it’s not. Take your car in, get it fixed, and get over it.
My wife and I each drive toyotas. Hers is a 2003 Corolla, mine is a 2002 Prius.
I have had nothing but good luck with these cars, and the dealership relationship.
the first toyota i drove was a 1968 Corona.
I would buy another Toyota in a hearbeat. Recalls are common in the auto industry. who can forget the fiasco between Firestone and Ford.
Toyota spent about 7 years and spend Billions of dollars trying to succeed in teh world of Formula 1, the pinnacle of automotive engineering and competition. But after years of failure and often cited complaints of management interference, the team never could succeed and meet its objectives. For many year they were the highest spending team in the Formula 1 world championship, yet they couldn’t beat the more innovative teams of the championship. When you compare Toyota to other cars, they may be reliable, but they are not the most exciting cars to drive or own.
I don’t want a formula one car I want a reliable safe family car and toyota delivers in that regards better than anyone else.
Please lets not make a mountain out of a molehill! Toyota is just taking a confidence building measure which should not evoke so much uncertainty in the brand. Lets not forget so soon that toyota is a world brand of no less repute which has served zillions.
I’m agnostic about Toyota. Surprised not to hear about Honda though; around here it’s held to be at the top of Japanese quality cars.
What I love is Ros’ little tidbit of Nairobi travel advice, right at the end of the segment! I wonder what brand of car the prostitutes favor most. Although their priority might be more in the sphere of interior design and space than of mechanical reliability.
OK then. Nicely produced piece!
I can’t think of many other companies that would bother to do a re-call in the first place, and very, very few, in so public a manner.
It makes me trust Toyota MORE, not less.
With other companies, my experience has been, that even under warranty, the service is shoddy, you are treated as though it is YOU that is a problem, and it ia handled privately, never mind the other owners of the same vehicle.
I am aware that public, mass, re-calls would only apply to systemic problems, but still; how many times have you seen Mercedes re-call? And it’s not that their quality is any higher than Toyota’s, as those of you who own, are have owned Merc’s will know.
My dog and I took a road trip last month across the states and back again, 8500 miles in two and a half weeks. This in a 1979 Toyota pickup truck with just under 200k miles on it that I paid $240 for. Don’t know or care how their quality is now, but I know value when I’ve got it.
I beleive Toyota is being picked on by the American government.Why should the American government make this a government to government issue?Isn’t this government intervention on the freemarket,like they did to prop up the three failed American manufacturers Ford,General Motors and Chrysler?This is only a glitch for Toyota,but the American government will not give up till it’s people turn away from Toytota to try their chance with American cars again.BTW l’ve owned three Toyota’s.
Toyota has been involved in a cover-up of its accelerator pedal issues, possibly dating back to 2002.
This current recall of more than 2 million vehicles has Toyota drivers either stranded or risking injury driving to work.
If you feel you were the victim of unintended acceleration, please consult this Web site for important legal information: http://www.toyota-class-action-lawsuit.com/
Toyota is also set to announce a recall on nearly a quarter-million Prius cars due to a malfunctioning brake system.
The question is similar to if i still trust IE. Yes a single event can’t mar a reputation built for years. So long as urgent steps have been taken to address the problem the trust is unshaken.
Of course, as much as I trusted any car maker. I trust they will always do what best for them, and hopefully they will not do anything to kill their own business or me in the process! Anything more than they would be truly misguided!
This whole fiasco has had the effect of causing me to consider buying from other makes. Such as GM, Honda, Hyundai, Or Kia.
The most reliable care I have ever owned was a toyota camry 320k kms and will probably do another 320k it will never give up and I have yet to find someone that doesn’t agree. Toyota is among the best car makers on the planet if there’s a problem they will fix it .
That the question even comes up screams, “Yes!” If any other major auto producer would announce a recall, we’d think, ‘Oh, another one?”
While it’s a good time to jump on the bash-Toyota bandwagon, the action stinks of hypocrasy and, worse, nationalism. One recall compared to how many major players’? Pick your manufacturer of choice.
Never owned a Toyota, I’m kind of a Ford guy but if I were to by something other then a Ford it would be a Toyota. I think the fact that they have recalled so many vehicles and stopped selling some until they get things figured out is a wonderful and responsible thing to do. Go Toyota!! FORD ROCKS THOUGH! LOL
ford is the best ok at least ford actually tells the truth
They could have acted faster though.
not conversant with a car,still havent had one..but any car that would improve my time more than am walking now,would be good for me.
but can roadside speed limit signs etc make us more safer ?
TV(tambua village/jebrock),HAMISI,VIHIGA,KENYA.
I know its a little late but I had to chuck this in :). It seems however after reading the above posts that everyone still trusts Toyota for their reliable, dependable cars, and that the problem stems from beancounters trying to make an extra buck by cutting corners and the main kafuffle is coming from the media, probably GM raising a stink so the consumer trust goes down on Toyota’s near-indestrucable cars and the can move in 😉
Yes, much more than politicians. Toyota admits its mistakes, dosen’t cover up and rectifies them.
This is mostly emotional, irrational, uninformed hyperbole. And just parenthetically, I am no Toyota apologist. I find them to be supremely boring and soul-less, and that includes Lexus.
First point: if the car accelerates unexpectedly, PUSH ON THE BRAKES!! for heaven’s sake, and then shut off the engine after you’re stopped. Brakes easily overpower any car engine. Don’t pump the brakes. This isn’t braking on ice. Just push and keep pushing until you’re stopped. It’s probably a good idea even if you have a stick shift, because pushing on the clutch (which certainly works too!) may cause the engine to race too fast. So, push on the brake pedal.
Now that throttles are electronically controlled, sure, Toyota can program them to close if the brake pedal is pushed, but this is just nice-to-have. As far as stopping the darned thing, it makes almost no difference. Stopping distances with throttle closed or wide open vary by just a handful of feet.
I don’t know that Toyota has figured out what the problem is, so from what I can tell, they are changing the software as I described above, and they are changing the accelerator pedal assembly. However, just let’s not make a big global issue out of this. Audi had to go through the same media feeding frenzy, way back when.
And also, let’s stop hyping up how reliable Toyotas are. Many cars are reliable these days. Enough of the irrational emotional outbursts.
I am not an auto worker and never have been so I have no vested interest in expressing any opinion one way or the other on the quality question. My concern is a much more fundamentally important although only tangentially related one. Despite several incidents having reported to NHTSA agency in the years previous to the current kerfuffel it was only after the family of an off-duty police officer were the victims of a fatal crash that any real attention began to be paid to even acknowledging and investigating the possibility that a problem existed let alone actually forcing any action to address the problem. And what was the off-duty police officer doing in the few seconds before the crash instead of using one hand to shift the racing vehicle into neutral to slow it down? TALKING ON A CELL PHONE – the very thing we mere mortals without badges are told must inevitably distract us from paying attention to controlling our vehicles! So dire is this warning in fact that several states have passed laws against doing it. Presumably these laws will apply to everyone except cops talking on 2-way radios in their patrol cars. Let’s not assume that badges render individuals immune from the same mistakes that everyone else is subject to. If certain rules make common sense then by all means apply them to ALL DRIVERS equally across the board.
I policed for 17 years, I never owned a cell phone but most of the younger guys I worked with did, some of them had two or three of them. They would wear them on their uniforms along with the other stuff we had to wear making themselves look more like a walking electronics display, I guess they thought they looked cool. I still do not have a cell phone and really don’t see the need to have one, I have lived 42 years without one and I’m sure I’ll make it another 42 years just fine.
I do like my computer though, don’t think I could use it and drive though. LOL
Toyota is a great manufacturer. People believe they should get perfection when they buy a car, but 50 out of 10 million is as close as you will ever get.
Toyota is still the best.Dont forget how reliable they have been.Till tomorrow many will dream to own one.
I have just checked my car against the database of recalled Toyota cars. My car is not included in those being recalled. I am baffled because I experience the stuck pedals regularly. I had two instances last week. I drive a Toyota Auris 2007.
Does this mean that there are other issues which Toyota is not aware of?
Could you please look into this and advise. I believe that there may be a lot of cars that will be omitted from the recall.
Many thanks
Mrs Adewusi
All credit to Toyota thay put thair hands up appoligised & recalled the cars.We would still be in denial.
Toyota is still better than many of the american cars around .I believe that toyota will learn a lesson from the happenings and will make the most reliable cars as ever, for which they are known for.
As a 2010 Camry owner, I’d have to say, yes. Yes I do trust them, although I can’t help but be somewhat alarmed with their slow response to this problem.
A company reduces the cooling capacity of its vehicles because the emission & fuel economy numbers are better when the engine runs at higher temperatures. Thousands of people have their engines seize up from the higher temperatures breaking down the oil into sludge. For years, the company says that they do not have a problem and victims are told that the $8000 engine job is their responsibility. Victims complaining on the internet are accused of lying and told that they are stupid. The company decides to take care of the problem when several states plan a class action lawsuit.
People cannot stop their cars and are crashing at a 100 mph! They say: We do not have a problem. The stupid people do not know how to handle their floor mat. Give them a new floor mat. No! Then it must be the stupid American company that makes the gas pedal! Give them a new pedal.
Superior engineering? Superior image marketing.
How can you love these guys?
No, I don’t trust Toyota regarding the recent problems within the company…Maybe, some day, the company will earned back the trust of the people!
PS: There is a Toyota Dealership in my area!
-Dennis Junior-
Toyota dealerships everywhere,of course dennis their no.1 and yes i still trust them.which car company is without fault cast the first bolt!
I think the only real long-term damage done to Toyota will be for how ever long the Media continue to make a circus of this story. Toyota have a good track record, are a great brand and I’d still buy one !
Now that Toyota the current largest car seller is entranced the US market she has to brace up for more quality and liability issues. In the US the industrieal standards is vey high so is the quality and minimum standards. With these issues of custumer satisfaction s and liability issues. I
This whole Toyota recall mess is unfortunate for a company like Toyota. I have been a Toyota fan for years and have not thought twice about the company or the product.
I am beginning to think that someone or a group is trying to damage Toyota and their reputation. Perhaps some type of conspiracy or something. The media has been relentless and never reports the facts. They report whatever they can to get people to listen to their news programs.
Maybe that is the price the #1 auto manufacturer has to pay for building a great product. They would have never gotten to be #1 if they did not manufacture a great product. Toyota will survive this mess and come out smelling like a rose, this will drive them to an even higher standard of quality that few will be able to match.
Another issue that bothers me is how competitors are publicly offer incentives for people to trade in their Toyota.
Did Toyota offer extra incentives when GM and Chrysler were filing bankruptcy. It would of been very easy to take advantage of that if they were without principles and morals.
Strange how most of the complaints came in *after* the company went live about it… before that people didn’t seem bothered…
Every car manufacturer has or has had their problems and major recalls, some with many design flaws, not just one. Since the 1950’s Toyota has tried very hard to build their good reputation but to banish them as badly engineered cars after one recall is ignorant . When I was looking for a new car- after researching and testing all other makes for about a year, I decided to get a new RAV 4 . As a first time Toyota owner, I have grown to like my car more and more, apart from one or two minor issues, it is well designed, practical, has a powerful engine, is fun to drive, safe, sporty, yet economical…and best of all, reliable! Everything that has sold Toyotas in the past ! I have owned many makes of cars and Toyota may have sold me on my next one too.
Do I still trust Toyota? Of course I do. I’ve owned three Toyota vehicles, all bought brand new and they have provided me with the best driving experience of any vehicle I have ever owned. I’ve owned a lot of different brands and migrated from a Ford to a Toyota years ago.
I had big problems with my Ford and will probably never consider one again as I have such great luck with Toyota.
Doubling up efforts on quality, extended warranties and some good deals will make it a no brainer decision for sure.
I LOVE MY TOYOTA
i also trust toyota
My answer is simple. YES!
I trust TOYOTA and I would buy it next time too.
My husband left a comment in this site too but it was deleted.
Well, my husband loves TOYOTA too.
Please don’t delete my comment!!
Why are people being injured in car accidents caused by sticking gas pedals?! Am i the only person who would have the sense to put the car in NEUTRAL?!!!!!!
I do not trust Toyoata! I especially do not trust the 08 Tundra we own. Recently, When we got in and started it, the speedometer didn’t work and several indicator lights were flashing on and off-4 wheel dr. indicator,break indicator-others. we took it in and were told it was just a freak thing and that they couldn’t find anything wrong. Only When they saw I wasn’t satisfied with that answer, did they look it over again, telling me that they had reset something, but had ordered a new part and to bring it back when they called. I did and they did who knows what to it. I didn’t even get any paperwork-who knows if they did anything at all. We pull a 5th. wheel trailer with that truck, and I can just imagine what might happen if some electronic problem occured while towing it and we were speeding out of control.But are we just to park the thing, and call it a total loss? We certainly don’t have
that kind of money-it would be a huge financial downfall to us-and we have not heard anything at all from Toyota, except to remove our floor mat, which we did. t That was before the electrical problem we had, and haven’t even been told yet if the floor mat is to be replaced. I even think they should give the customer a new mat to replace the one they had us remove. It’s like they have abandoned any thought to customer satisfaction-or safety.And we have driven Toyotas a very long time, have always found them to be super quality, and have always been 100% satisfiedl This is so sad.
Poor old Toyota – It’s a big job they are undertaking and I honestly think they are trying their best.
Eight million recalled worldwide is not really that much and the amount of any real serious accidents is miniscule compared to the general fault – BUT – I now see All the vultures coming out of the woodwork making up their ‘accident’ stories and baying for compensation . They really don’t deserve this.
I trust TOYOTA. Did you know the Ford recalled their cars while Toyota had issues? Today, Hyundai and Chrystler started recalling some of their cars. Hyundai also recalled some models last year too. Which company has no issues?! It seems to me that many car companies are having issues and they are trying to fix them before they are persecuted like Toyota was.
Toyota is still the most reliable car brand I my opinion. Everytime there is a car breakdown on the highway overhere where I live, it’s either European or American cars. Very seldom I see Japanese car breaks down on highways. I have always had Toyota cars for the past 15 years and they never dissapoint me. Never meet anyone so far who says Toyota cars have bad quality. Snobish salespersons at their showrooms… maybe. Low quality… no.
If you can’t drive, don’t blame the car.
Toyota will have set the standard for “how to deal with a recall” by the time all is said and done.
I don’ t think people’s minds’ will be thinking in black and white again until the grey area falls onto another auto manufacturer.
Many other brands are bound to get caught up on this mess after the Federal Government finds fault with the Denso Pedal Company.
Toyota will emerge and return to #1 status.
toyota is finshed ok man since 2005
After reading all the bashing on GM Ford and Chrysler cars, allot of people still live in the 80s, owning only American cars since the 90s I have to say the quality
is so muck better and the cost of ownership (parts and service) are so much cheaper that owning a domestic car only makes sense.
I have a 1999 Chevy van v-6 with 350,000 miles and still runs great
I will support my country’s products and keep Americans working
how can you have product loyalty when the company lies to you for a year and maybe longer??
hey just saw a jap car broke down today, in an accident, wonder if the gas pedal stuck?
Hey, watch these news!!
–January 19, 2010–Ram Trucks Included in Chrysler Brake Recall
Ram trucks are included in a new recall of 24,177 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products. The problem involves a clip that secures the brake pedal rod to the truck’s brake booster. The clip might be either improperly formed or missing altogether, and either scenario can lead to total brake failure.
Other vehicles included in the recall: Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Nitro, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee and Liberty.
–February 25th, 2010 –Chrysler Group LLC is pulling about 356,000 Dodge Caravan, Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans off the road in so-called “salt belt” states due to problems with the airbags.
— February 2, 2010 — Federal regulators have opened an investigation into complaints that power steering systems in the Chevrolet Cobalt can fail, making it more difficult to control the car.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says there are 1,132 complaints about the Cobalt’s electric power steering, including reports of eleven accidents and one injury.