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Comments
Cj
cheers
Toyota Avalon proving 'problematic' as quality concerns grow for automaker
Posted May 2nd 2006 12:33PM by Chris Paukert
Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Sedans/Saloons, Plants/Manufacturing, Recalls/TSBs, Toyota
It's fair to say that Toyota's reputation for bulletproof quality has been enduring a few hits lately, and the 2006 Avalon looks like it will add to the discussion. With service bulletin issued for everything from bad catalytic converters to oil-supply line leaks and bad U-joint welds, the nameplate's largest and most expensive offering is leaving many owners frustrated.
While the automaker has declined to get specific about the Avalon's problems, adjustments are being made to the car's assembly lines. But even though the model is early in its production cycle, the automaker isn't getting a free pass from the media - Consumer Reports' quality metric has dipped to 'average' - below major competitors like the Ford Five Hundred, Buick LaCrosse and Kia Amanti. The magazine's survey has turned up issues in steering, body integrity and suspension.
(Click through to the jump for more details and the link!)
According to AutoWeek, many company loyalists are upset with the perceived quality lapses - and given that Toyota customers have been accustomed to vehicles that have consistently scored well on the reliability charts, it may unwittingly have created a public-relations problem of its own design. Company loyalists that have come to expect consistency in quality are arguably pre-conditioned to excellence, and are audibly more frustrated when their expectations are not met.
Analysts, critics, and marque devotees alike fear Toyota's rapid expansion has taken the automaker's eye off the quality ball. What do you think? Check out the AutoWeek article here, then sound off in 'Comments.'
[Source: AutoWeek]
And yes, CR did decide to remove its 'automatic approval' ratings on Toyotas in general but I think you'll find that was largely due to some mechanical tranny issues in the early new Camrys and nothing to do with the Avalon. Agree with you on the arrogance contention though.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
CHEERS,
Cj
Then there are "aftermarket" replacements which are manufactured by other companies who may not have had access to the original design documents and have essentially been cloned. The dimensions have been established by reverse engineering orginal windshields, so the fit may not be exact and problems like wind and water leaks can result, as well as creaks and other noises resulting from an ill-fitting windshield. These are usually the cheapest which is why your insurance company wants to install one of these.
You have the right to select the windshield you want, and if you want a 100% factory replacement so that nobody knows the windshield was ever replaced, then you should get the Toyota branded windshield.
It is very important to have an experienced techician do the replacement, so do not go for the el cheapo, volume replacement shop that your insurance company recommends. Ask your Toyota dealer who they send their vehicles to.
Remember that the insurance company is acting in their interest, not yours so you have to do (and push) for what's best for you.
That $1000 cost differential is a bit to much for the dealer to ignore.
Second, and possibly a bit more important, the factory supplied windshield was purchased with "beancounter rules", so the aftermarket windshield is likely to be of even better quality than the factory originals. Over the years I have encountered so very many aftermarket replacement components that were clearly improved over the factory originals I am now extremely reluctant to have factory approved as my first choice,
Right now I'm in a fight with an insurance co. that shall remain nameless to protect the guilty. My middle son's car was hit or rather he t-boned a stupid girl that was on the cell phone and made an illegal left turn. The Infiniti QX45 Suv, barely missed her and it was obstructing my son's view so he slammed into the passenger side of the car. The girl was not hurt, her car suffered door damage and rear window shattered. My son's car was pretty bad. The front bumper was off and the headlights were done with and there was other damage. Total estimate was around $4100.00 to repair. I insisted they use new parts as they were going to use re-mans and salvage parts. However they outsmarted themselves as they ordered new parts and they were sitting at the body shop ready to be installed and then they cancelled the order and sent used parts. A fender they took off another car, and who knows what else. In the meantime they paid for a week's rental, and the final repair tally was $4000.00 so they didn't save a dime.
Mack
Any help would be great, of course here in the Middle East Toyota do not even have the TSB issued.
email me if you like, clivedelves@yahoo.com
cheers
Not around here, not one.
The majority...??
I doubt that, sincerely doubt it.
If you need to go to arbitration, ensure you have well documented facts ie. Time, date, place of occurance and get letters from individuals that was riding with you
.
My problem started at 300 mi., so each time I took the car in I gave a copy in-detail of what the transmission had done, I kept an exact copy in my computer for future ref and use, you will also need a copy of the repair order. I also kept a running history on every time the shop worked on it,all of these I presented to the Arbitration Board. The big kicker was the TSB came out 6 weeks before Arbitration, they had never called me to have it done, neither did the Toyota Rep. that came to Arbitration know it existed. I know he was very arrogant during the meeting and offered no apologies for me having to put up with a piece of ____for little over a year, all the while they're telling me it 's how you hold your foot on the pedal yak-yak-yak.
No one ever considered the fact that I was a certified Claims Adjustor,with 40+ years. We're just dummies that won't go away.
I bought a 2005 Lexus that had the same problem only 17,000 Mi. I took it in to the Lexus dealer and they did the TSB and it drove great afterward.
One other thing if you do go to Arbitration, have an ASE certified mechanic inspect your car, the price here is around $250.00 and with that he was contacted during the Arbitration and explained in detail what the car was doing and his suggestion for remedy,
I hope this has helped, if not, let me know and with your procedures there I may be able to guide you through the process. First I would have to see the rules of arbitration in Dubai, as well as your repair orders.
Good luck,
If I can help further hit reply.
Cheers
Lexus' answer:
SOP, Standard Operational Procedure.
'That's the way it was designed to work.."
How VERY true...!!
Flawed design, VERY, but working as designed.
To those of you that may dis the Caddy, see Motor Trend's comment's on the CTS....Motor trend car of the year. Some of you disbelievers in american car's may want to check out some of the cars available...there's a lot to be said for improvement, especially GM product's.
To Dubai, hope the info helped you.
Cheers
Doobre, messages # 13720 and 13721 give a link to the Toyota USA TSB. Toyota Canada's similar TSB came out some weeks later. In Dubai they may never issue a local TSB; but if the car is the same, you should have a strong case to have Toyota Dubai agree to fix yours in the same way. Hope they will!
I did check the old messages but the link doesn't work for me. it is 'protected' by something and then goes to www.moli.com....... which is blocked by my ISP.
I would really like to get hold of the document to stick in the face of the dealership.
EG033-07 is the one I need. ANYONE GOT A COPY..???
However dealer says they have contacted TMC and were advised that it does not apply to the VIN# brought out here. Perhaps they did contact TMC perhaps not, but with the document in my hand I would feel more like taking it to them and sticking it somewhere....
The main issue is that dealer says TMC have checked the car in sept05 and found it operates as expected (they did take it for a short test drive, but how hard did they look?)... TMC says I should contact the dealer...
so I am stuck in the middle at the moment.
9919911 - your way of documenting the situation is very complete and should leave no room for discussion.. I have some documentation, but the dealer here is very careful not to have any extras on the work order... and would not include any of my documents along with theirs 'in the files'. as it were... so I have been sending letters to them listing the things that have gone on. Its not just the tranmission...
Q.. have an ASE certified mechanic inspect your car.. what is ASE?
I have recently complained thru email to the Dubai municipality chamber of Commerce consumer complaints dept. perhaps they will be interested..??
cheers for all the advise...
Exactly.
I wasn't aware that Lexus was already "back-fitting" the NCF, New Car Feature, that attempts to solve the problem for at least one of the '09 models, but I'm certainly not at all surprised.
But yes, I have little doubt that for some drivers the NCF will make the "re-acceleration" problem arising for the design flaw virtually a non-issue.
I have a print of the Canadian TSB that I downloaded last year, but can't find a link to a free source now. If you don't mind paying, try mycarstats.com.
Someone else may know a free web source -- maybe a Toyota site?
I do have a copy of the TSP but it's for the 06 and 07 models. There is one for 05's as well but, you will have to get the Toyota dealer to get you one, if they don't help, there's a Phone number in your owners/warranty manual. Don't hesitate to call them, they put their pant's on the same way you do. If you're to get anything done you must get agressive.
Failing this, you may want to contact a Lawyer, you may find a Pro Bona, but I doubt it in Dubai.
Good Luck
Pat
If you didn't then that might be worth a try.
Just one bad tank of gas and the resulting knock sensor tripping will result in the engine running at a higher RPM and/or enriched to avoid knock/ping due to lugging.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/Auto-Parts/10101.jcw
1:) Empty the glove box
2:) On the right side of the glove box remove the (1) screw holding the little "shock" in place
3:) Squeeze in the sides of the box and gently pull down, the entire box will swing out of the way
4:) behind the door will be the fliter housing, open it and pull out the fliter and replace it in the same orientation it came out.
5: Reverse the steps to put it all back together.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
On the right side of the glove box remove the (1) screw holding the little "shock" in place
There is no screw but there is a plastic cross item that seems resistant to turn and what is the little shock. Is the screw inside or on the outside of the glove box interior?
Roland
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
NWBlizzard
Just purchased a 2005 Avalon and found out later that it has the remote start option. I cannot figure out how this works. Can anyone help me with an explanation. There is no button on the smart key.
Thanks
keith
If it works like my '06, press the "lock" button twice within 2 seconds, then press once more and hold for 3 seconds. Engine should start.
Of course, as we all complain about on here, as soon as you unlock the door, the engine will stop again........ :mad:
after only 85,000KMS replaced the power steering pump, steering rack, paint peeling, rotten eggs smell with hard acceleration.. exactly the same problems with my workmate's car.. more surprise to come I am sure..
its a crap car.. period..
if you haven't yet don't.. if you have good luck..
Mack :lemon: