Afraid Camry Owner - Toyota found to keep tight lid on potential safety

revitrevit Member Posts: 476
edited June 2014 in Toyota
As a current Camry owner, I always thought I bought the best of the mid size class car. But after reading the article a friend gave to me, I am wondering if I should sell it as soon as possible due to safety problems?

Toyota found to keep tight lid on potential safety problems

During a routine test on its Sienna minivan in April 2003, Toyota Motor Corp. engineers discovered that a plastic panel could come loose and cause the gas pedal to stick, potentially making the vehicle accelerate out of control.

The automaker redesigned the part and by that June every 2004 model year Sienna off the assembly line came with the new panel. Toyota did not notify tens of thousands of people who had already bought vans with the old panel, however.

It wasn't until U.S. safety officials opened an investigation last year that Toyota acknowledged in a letter to regulators that the part could come loose and "lead to unwanted or sudden acceleration."

In January, nearly six years after discovering the potential hazard, the automaker recalled 26,501 vans made with the old panel.

In a statement to The Times, Toyota said that there was no defect in the Sienna and that "a safety recall was not deemed necessary" when it discovered the problem in 2003. The company called the replacement part "an additional safety measure."

A peerless reputation for quality and safety has helped Toyota become the world's largest automaker. But even as its sales have soared, the company has delayed recalls, kept a tight lid on disclosure of potential problems and attempted to blame human error in cases where owners claimed vehicle defects.

The automaker's handling of safety issues has come under scrutiny in recent months because of incidents of sudden acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles, which The Times has reported were involved in accidents causing 19 fatalities since 2001, more deaths from that problem than all other automakers combined.

After Toyota this fall announced its biggest recall to address the sudden-acceleration problem, it insisted publicly that no defect existed. That drew a rare public rebuke from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which chastised the automaker for making "inaccurate and misleading statements."

In the wake of Toyota's announcement of the massive recall, The Times examined some of the ways the automaker has dealt with safety problems in recent years and found that:

* The automaker knew of a dangerous steering defect in vehicles including the 4Runner sport utility vehicle for years before issuing a recall in Japan in 2004. But it told regulators no recall was necessary in the U.S., despite having received dozens of complaints from drivers. Toyota said a subsequent investigation led it to order a U.S. recall in 2005.

* Toyota has paid cash settlements to people who say their vehicles have raced out of control, sometimes causing serious accidents, according to consumers and their attorneys. Other motorists who complained of acceleration problems with their vehicles have received buybacks under lemon laws.

* Although the sudden acceleration issue erupted publicly only in recent months, it has been festering for nearly a decade. A computerized search of NHTSA records by The Times has found Toyota issued eight previous recalls related to unintended acceleration since 2000, more than any other automaker.

* A former Toyota lawyer who handled safety litigation has sued the automaker, accusing it of engaging in a "calculated conspiracy to prevent the disclosure of damaging evidence" as part of a scheme to "prevent evidence of its vehicles' structural shortcomings from becoming known" to plaintiffs lawyers, courts, NHTSA and the public.

As a result, plaintiffs attorneys are considering reopening dozens of product-liability suits against the automaker.

Toyota has called the allegations of the attorney, Dimitrios Biller, "both misleading and inaccurate" and noted that he is also suing another former employer. The company said it had "acted appropriately in product liability cases and in all reporting to federal safety regulators."

In a written statement to The Times, Toyota said that it strove to keep government officials and consumers informed about potential safety problems with its vehicles, which it says are tested to meet or exceed federal standards.

"Toyota has absolutely not minimized public awareness of any defect or issue with respect to its vehicles," the company said.

Currently, Toyota is a defendant in at least 10 lawsuits alleging unintended acceleration that caused five fatalities and four injuries. Two of those suits are seeking class-action status.

But few, if any, sudden-acceleration cases ever make it to trial, according to attorneys who handle such cases.

After a 2007 crash of a Camry that accelerated out of control for 20 miles before killing the driver of another car in San Jose, Toyota was sued by members of the victim's family. Their attorney, Louis Franecke, said the automaker "didn't want to go to trial," and paid them a seven-figure sum in exchange for dropping the case and signing a non-disclosure form.

In an interview, Guadalupe Gomez, the driver of the runaway Camry, said he also signed a confidentiality agreement and received a settlement from Toyota. He was initially arrested on suspicion of manslaughter for causing the crash, but charges were never filed.

By settling, Toyota has managed to keep potentially damaging information out of the public eye, said Raymond Paul Johnson, a Los Angeles attorney who said he had settled four sudden-acceleration cases with the automaker.

"It's just a matter of risk control for them," Johnson said.

Toyota said that although it does not comment on individual cases, it "has resolved and will continue to resolve matters with litigants through confidential settlement when it is in both parties' interests to do so."

The majority of unintended acceleration incidents don't end up in accidents. But even after minor incidents, some consumers have obtained deals under which their cars were repurchased on favorable terms.

Tim Marks, a small businessman in Camden, Ark., parked his daughter's 2006 Lexus IS 250 in front of the dealership last year and said his family would never drive it again after experiencing four sudden-acceleration events.

"They told my daughter she was texting while driving and wasn't paying attention," Marks recalled. "She is a 95-pound, little itty-bitty thing, but she was fixing to twist off on that man."

The vehicle was bought back and the title branded as a lemon, according to vehicle registration records. It was later registered in Florida, suggesting that the dealer resold it.

Much the same thing happened to Joan Marschall, a Visalia resident whose 2003 Camry accelerated on its own three times before she complained.

"I took it to the dealer and said I wouldn't drive it again," Marschall recalled. "I
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Comments

  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Of course not. The customer has to bring in the recall notice and request that it be done. Oil changes are free here anyway. Nice try tho.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    I say keep the car. There's nothing wrong with it. The Camry is a very decent vehicle. I think that everybody is over exaggerating by claiming that the Camry has runaway acceleration problems. Drive your car and try to enjoy it. It's not a bad car. :)
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    I concerned with not only my car, but several of my relatives own Toyotas and it seems like the entire lineup may have issues. For years, Consumer Reports always recommended all the Toyota vehicles, but it now seems the quality is not all that great and there was alot of cover-up going on. Sorry, but when it comes to safety, I don't take chances and I think in a couple of weeks I might trade in the Camry on a new Ford Fusion.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    I LOVE my Camry. The Ford Fusion isn't anything special just so you know.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    I DID too (past tense), no longer do I want to keep an unsafe vehicle and will no longer own a Toyota until they get their act together. There is no excuse for coverup when it comes to safety.
  • comuscomus Member Posts: 24
    Hey GT, I love my Camry. If only it would run, 2 years old, 4 BLOWN TRANNYS, and a DEACELERATION PROBLEM when TRACTION CONTROL kicks in. Luck, just lucky a tractor trailer did not share my space...............at the time of DEACELARATION....................It all remains to be seen, what happens to my case............................................................................- ...................................
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    LIfe's too short to be unhappy. If you are worried and concerned, even though that article was mostly bogus, then you should sell the vehicle and move on to something else. Don't be unhappy.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    Oh, I agree completely about being happy, but have to disagree about the article being mostly bogus. Now what was bogus was Toyota's response to the article. People lives are no joking matter and car safety must be taken serious. There is no excuse for this and here I thought Toyota was different than the other automakers, seems they are much of the same, even worse in some cases. Shame on Toyota for trying to cover up the truth all along!
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Sorry none of that happened. The LAT made up statements in that article. Pure and simple. The response to that article only came out as the actual facts after the LAT wrote their fabrications. The response to the article were the actual Qs and As that caused the article to be written.

    Believe what you wish but on this you're very wrong. You'll notice that the LAT hasn't said squat since Toyota published the actual Qs and As and slapped it around in public. But, if you aren't happy then sell it.

    BTW did you see that RL Polk yesterday gave Toyota the award for 2009 as the manufacturer with the most loyal customer base? Don't let that influence you. If you're unhappy sell the vehicle and move on.

    We move on.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    "BTW did you see that RL Polk yesterday gave Toyota the award for 2009 as the manufacturer with the most loyal customer base?"

    That's VERY true. The Camry is THE BEST selling car. I see a lot of 2007 to 2010 Camrys all over the place whenever I go. They are everywhere. I am curious to find out how many units have been sold for each year for the 2007, 2008, 2009 and the 2010 Camry? Does anybody in here know?
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Google knows everything. The last two years are on Toyota's website right now. For '06 and '07 use Google.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    The LAT DID NOT make up statements, but simply reported the facts that Toyota for too long has been covering up their safety issues.

    BTW, the Most Loyal Base Award? Wow, who cares when the car is unsafe to drive and causes an accident. Great, all the Toyota drivers stick together, but who is going to want to drive an unsafe vehicle?
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    "Great, all the Toyota drivers stick together, but who is going to want to drive an unsafe vehicle?"

    The Toyota is NOT an unsafe vehicle. I LOVE driving my 2010 Camry LE. It's a "GREAT" car!
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    That's correct, as long as you use the clips and use only one mat, you will be fine. I have 2 Camrys, one is 3 years old. The mats don't move, and there is zero evidence of unintended acceleration. Some people wish otherwise :sick: but that's the facts. The poor cop and family was a victim of an idiot at the Lexus dealer that used the wrong mats and put one mat on top of another - that's it. The media and the haters have been running wild with the story ever since, trying to make it more than it really was. Again, I have 2 Camrys, and I was watching this story carefully because my family's safety is at stake here. But I know the Camrys are fine, no concerns, except the other people around me on their cell phones and texting!!!!

    I had a Ford and a Mazda years ago that did not have floor mat clips, and the mats got under the gas pedal. Guess what? It got stuck. I guess I should have sued Ford and Mazda :sick: Instead, I went out and bought floor mat clips, and never had a problem again.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Toyota proved that the LAT did make up statements. It published the text of the answers and showed where the LAT made up sh** for its own purposes. Notice that since Toyota slapped it around in public that the Times has shut up.

    The owners knew that something was amiss in what the LAT was stating. That's why it's having no effect on anything, except you. Have fun under your dark cloud.
  • gooddeal2gooddeal2 Member Posts: 750
    I think there's a report tonight about Toyota at 6:30PM EST/ 7PM CT during World News if anyone wants to see.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    Unfortunately, the LAT isn't the only source that is beginning to publish the truth. As for Toyota's response, I would have expected any further articles from the LAT at this time. The information was presented accurately.

    It is having an effect on me because I own a Toyota. I bought one for what I "thought" Toyota stood for, but the general public is now beginning to get the real story.

    Dark Cloud? How said you think so for all of those already effected by the various Toyota safety issues.

    Talk about more cover up:
    Toyota Tries to Fix its Reputation/

    Toyota claims it's not fitting throttle overrides because of sudden acceleration scandal
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    I'm not quite sure I understand your motivations for posting here. It's been nearly a month since your original post and you've not taken any action, just continued to fret. What really is "the truth?"

    If you're so worried, sell your Toyota and buy something else. Many of us have tried to reassure you that there's no real problem. I'm not trembling in fear every time I drive my 2004 and 2005 Camrys (with 70K and 43K miles, respectively). I'm not worried about my son driving his 2006 Prius either (one affected by the floor mat recall). He knows about properly securing the driver floor mat, and will take the car in for the recall.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    No fear hear, either. 2007 and 2010 Camry. If there was any evidence of a problem, I would be worried. Just use the clips and use only one proper-sized mat, and there will be no problem.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    Well, seems there must be some real problem for Toyota to now issue a recall:

    Toyota issues new voluntary recall for sticking accelerator pedals, 2.3 million vehicles affected

    The reason I posted here initially was because other Toyota owners have the right to know the truth. I bought my Toyota because I was "sold" on their reputation of having the best reliability; now that is obviously not the case.

    Here is the real kicker:
    "A class action law suit filed against the automaker last November alleges that Toyota has known about this problem for four years and received 2,000 complaints. It also alleges that sticking accelerator pedals have resulted in 16 deaths and 243 injuries."

    Now how about you go try telling the families of those 16 individuals and the 243 injured that the LAT just "made all this up"; shame on you for not being concerned about others safety.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    The reason I posted here initially was because other Toyota owners have the right to know the truth. I bought my Toyota because I was "sold" on their reputation of having the best reliability; now that is obviously not the case.

    Your opinion is noted.

    But to be clear. Even though you don't have any problems you want to make certain that everybody within earshot is unhappy and brought under your dark cloud. Amiright? Or you might work for Honda or GM or the LAT :surprise: and don't own a Toyota at all.

    You're generating lots of noise and smoke over a vehicle where you have no problems, aye? Amiright? So if you're so unhappy then sell the damn thing and make yourself happier. Remove the dark cloud that you're under. Life is simple, move on.

    And you're still wrong about the LAT. It fabricated several statements which Toyota showed were false. Reading comprehension might need to be improved. It's time to leave the troll so that he can get back to scaring bridge traffic.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    No doubt that this will be a hot topic, but please refrain from name-calling and personal attacks. Keep it civil, if you please. :)

    The burning question is who has already experienced this issue with their Camry?
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Looks like it might be bigger than mats. But I think Toyota is just acting like Detroit does. Remeber how Ford first tried to downplay the cruise control fire problem? Face it, businesses are no more honest about big issues than people are. Everyone tries to minimze negative things, especially when potentially big bucks are involved.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    I haven't; no problems. And to the originator of this thread, I work proudly for an organization whose goal is to improve highway safety.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    I will say is that NO, I will not be doing the first recall for EITHER of my 2007 or 2010 Camrys. There is no need to, as long as you use the proper mats, the clips, and use only one mat. If you don't use the clips or if you use more than one mat, you could have a problem. Since I follow these rules, I am not at all concerned. I happen to own a 2007 and a 2010, so I have a personal interest in this. The FIRST recall is for the people who don't use the hooks and/or use two mats (not following the directions in the owner's manual). This is what happened in the tragic accident that made this whole thing a huge issue. Did you know that someone had a loaner Lexus from the same dealer before the accident that experienced the pedal getting stuck? He complained to the dealership that the floormat got under the pedals and caused the problem. All because they put a floor mat (and the wrong one, to make it even worse) on top of the existing one, completely ignoring Lexus's (Toyota) instructions and common sense. The dealership did NOTHING, and THEN the accident happened.

    I repeat, the first recall is to make the car more idiot proof if you use two mats or if you don't secure the mats with the hooks. That's why they are doing the recall, which is fine. Note that the other makers (your favorites too) will be adding this smart pedal software to cancel acceleration if the brake is also pressed. It will cost us all money. Since I follow these rules, I will have no problems. I experienced pedal sticking down on a old Ford and Mazda, fortunately I was not in traffic. I went out and bought aftermarket clips, no problems after that. Maybe I should get a lawyer and sue Ford and Mazda?!

    This new VOLUNTARY recall? That one I probably will do - that is new, I will be looking into it, but I know I can just put it into neutral if I have any problem for the time being.

    But Toyota said Thursday's recall is due to potential problems with the actual gas pedal mechanism, causing the accelerator to become stuck regardless of whether the vehicle contains a floor mat. Toyota said in certain rare cases, the gas pedal mechanism wears down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return or, in some cases, stuck.

    Sounds like they have identified a potential problem - yes, different from the one in CA (different from the one that is caused by mats). That is news, but I have not read any actual problems caused by this YET.

    Thanks for the post in fifty places (ignoring the rules, maybe you should be banned), but I am not a liar, a car sales person, nor fat, nor do I name-call, or nor do I pray that Toyotas have problems, nor do I post about cars that I don't own, nor do I work for Toyota. Not saying you do all these things, but some others do. I try to help, and I try to inject some reality. Have a nice day.
  • maximafanmaximafan Member Posts: 592
    I drove a rental car Camry to South Florida from Tampa two weeks ago to visit family. I had no problems whatsoever in this car. In fact, I was very impressed with how it drove, the quietness of the 4 cylinder and the pep of the little engine.

    My daily driver is a 2007 Lexus RX350 that has been a dream to drive every day for the last three-and-a-half years. So, although I will be watching and reading how this all unfolds, as of now, my confidence in Toyota/Lexus has not waned.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    mcdawgg,
    VERY well said my friend. I have over 2,000 miles on my 2010 Camry LE right now and I love the ride. It's very quiet and drives very smooooooooooooooth.
    I read about the recall regarding the gas pedal mechanism. It seems that the gas pedal mechanism is NOT manufactured by Toyota, but by a private company for Toyota. I am curious to find out if this paticular defective part is made here in the USA or if it's made in Japan, China or by the beaners down in Mexico? Lots of parts for cars are made overseas nowadays. I'm wondering where this particular defective gas pedal mechanism part that Toyota is using in their vehicles is made at? It would be interesting to find this out.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    And I go to bed happy, knowing that I do my best to help others, and not hate other people or companies. Just a hint to people to make these forums and the world better. Thanks again for the link to the new VOLUNTARY recall. I will keep you up to date on the performance of my family's Camrys.

    Speaking of safety, by the way, did you check your tire pressure in the last few weeks? Please do so - it can cause accidents, even if you have the tire monitors, which both my Camrys do. Did you talk on the phone or text while driving? Please don't, these are real HUGE safety problems, as the research has proven. I can say that my family has NEVER used the cell phone while driving - NEVER.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    More than likely made here or Canada, because 75% of my cars are NA parts content. It is a voluntary recall, so I bet that Toyota found that after cycling the pedal millions of times that it could get sticky. I have read of NO evidence of this causing an accident, only the unsecured mats causing problems. But I will keep this in mind, and will do this new recall someday. My 2007 is fine, no problems, as is my 2010. The 2007 had to have the ECU reprogrammed about 2 years ago for the well-documented hesitation (took 25 minutes), no other problems since, and the 2010 is flawless.

    Like Ford's cruise control switch that can and did cause fires even when the car's off, the part was made by a supplier that makes autoparts for Toyota, Ford, whoever. It may have been the supplier's fault, or it may have been Toyotas - who knows, but it is Ford and Toyota that take the hit.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    mcdawgg,
    I agree with you. The manufacturer's negligence who built the defective part becomes Toyota's contributory negligence in this case. It's too bad that Toyota has to take the blame on this when it wasn't them who manufactured the part that's defective.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    There are two separate issues.

    The one is the design of the pedals in relation to the floor pans. I've checked multiple vehicles from all kinds of manufacturers. In no instances including all the Toyota vehicles I checked can the OEM carpetted floor mats come into contact with thepedal thus trapping it. This is doubly true if the OEM mats are secured to the anchoring hooks near the seat. However, if somebody erroneously puts a second or third or fourth set of mats on top of the OEM mats then those might slide forward and trap the pedal. In order to protect against something stupid like this happening, such as in San Diego, Toyota has agreed to widen the space between the pedal and the floorpan of certain vehicles. If the customers want it done!!! Nobody is touching the pedal on my '05 Prius. That's the 4.2 million unit recall.

    This new one today for 2.3 million units is a further precaution, probably discovered during the other investigations, that will replace the gas pedal on certain vehicles. They must have discovered a potential situation where the pedal might get stuck.

    Here's the interesting point. It only concerns vehicles made in N America (!) as far as I can tell from the press release. The 2010 Highlander being included was the key. This may mean that some supplier for N America may have an issue with design and/or manufacturing. Note that there are no Yaris', no Scions, no Prius', no 4Runners, no FJs, no Lexus', no 2009 or earlier Highlanders either. Only the 2010 Highlander made in Princeton Ind is involved.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    "Here's the interesting point. It only concerns vehicles made in N America (!) as far as I can tell from the press release. The 2010 Highlander being included was the key. This may mean that some supplier for N America may have an issue with design and/or manufacturing. Note that there are no Yaris', no Scions, no Prius', no 4Runners, no FJs, no Lexus', no 2009 or earlier Highlanders either. Only the 2010 Highlander made in Princeton Ind is involved."

    kdhspyder,
    I was thinking the same exact thing. The ONLY Toyota vehicles which are affected by this are ONLY the ones which are built and manufactured here in the great ole' USA. The Prius, Yaris, Scions, 4Runners and FJ's are NOT affected by the recall. This definitely makes me very suspicious here about the quality control that is being put into all the Toyota vehicles which are manufactured here in the USA. No wonder there's quality control and fit and finish problems with all the Toyotas which are built here in the USA. I bet you that if all these vehicles that are on the recall list were all 100% built in Japan that there would NOT be any gas pedal manufacturer's defect and recall. As long as Toyota and the other Japanese car companies build their cars here in the USA they will always have these types of problems. This incident is starting to make me believe that Japanese made Toyotas are much better built and have better quality materials in them than the USA American built Toyotas.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Sorry I don't buy that nothing good can be made here. Honda makes great vehicles, so does GM and Ford. Every maker has problems from time to time. This one appears to be a one-time event with one supplier if this is the issue.

    The prior recall on the pedal/floorpan gap is a combination IMO of design ( in Japan ) and a hyper-excitable press and legal environment. There is no problem with the gap between the pedal and the floorpan unless the operator does something stupid like stack mats on top of one another - or in the SD case a dealer stacks the mats and uses an incorrect mat to boot.

    There's no reason to look for negatives where there are none. This seems to me to be a one-of event that can be resolved quickly.
  • jsmith22jsmith22 Member Posts: 23
    TOYOTA RECALL: Reports of Runaway Cars
    Four Dead in Dallas Crash Where Problem Floor Mats Found in Trunk

    By BRIAN ROSS, JOSEPH RHEE and DREW SANDHOLM
    Jan. 21, 2010

    http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/runaway-toyotas-problem-persists-recall/story?id=9- 618735

    again I do not hate toyota. infact driving a camry from last 12 years without any problems. but we all are here in this forum to do research on the cars we have or planning to buy. so it is good to share all the info we get.

    this recall might mean a good deals on camry - as far as the problem is concern toyota is going to install a brake override system under recall.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Stupid paragraph in the ABC report...

    Safety expert Sean Kane tells ABC News that since last fall, when Toyota said it had solved the acceleration problem with proposed changes to gas pedals and a recall of 4.2 million cars with suspect floor mats, more than 60 new cases of runaway Toyotas have been reported. He believes this latest recall may still not be a complete fix of a problem that continues to be linked with serious accidents and deaths

    They didn't begin implementing the changes to the pedals until after the 1st of the year. This implies that the changes to 4.2 MM units were done instantly "since last fall".

    Sorry to dash your hopes but the pedals will be swapped out and the brake override reflashing will be done during an oil change and the owners may not even be aware that these changes were done. If an owner has no issues then this will be another non-issue. If the owner does have an issue then this change should solve it. Life goes on.
  • gtgtcobragtgtcobra Member Posts: 268
    "They didn't begin implementing the changes to the pedals until after the 1st of the year. This implies that the changes to 4.2 MM units were done instantly "since last fall"."

    kdhspyder,
    My 2010 Camry LE was built sometime in November of 2009 in Kentucky. Did Toyota use the newer gas pedal when they built my Camry in November of 2009? Or did they use the "older" gas pedal which they consider to be problematic? I would like to know.
    THANKS
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    I agree! Even when Toyota issues a recall there are those that try to feel they are above it and just because they have had no problem with their particular Camry, that clears ALL other Toyota owners. Again, I feel bad for those who have died and/or been injured due to this problem. Seems like it is something Toyota has known about for too long and didn't come forth until the media pushed the issue and their image was really starting to be impacted.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    For those interested in a wider range of comments besides from the select few here on this forum: Comments on Toyota issues new voluntary recall for sticking accelerator pedals, 2.3 million vehicles affected
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    The older one for sure. They didn't begin making modifications to the pedals until after Jan 1 this year. These mods are all being done at local Toyota stores. Probably what will happen is that you'll receive a notice from Toyota and when you go in for an oil change or normal service they'll swap out the pedal. You'll never know the difference.

    Did you also know that you're going to get a notice from Toyota soon that states officially that you don't need to bring your vehicle in for 5000 mile oil changes any longer? Your 1AR 2.5L engine requires 0W-20 motor oil. This is synthetic oil. As a result Toyota is officially changing the OCI for all the new vehicles requiring syn-oil in 2010 and beyond from 5000 mi / 6 mo to 10000 mi / 12 mo. You just saved money.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Seems like it is something Toyota has known about for too long and didn't come forth until the media pushed the issue and their image was really starting to be impacted.

    Like the LAT articles you so love this statement is false based on no facts. But this fact is true...you're gonna love this one..

    Toyota has the most loyal customers in the US, 2009. RL Polk

    Edging out General Motors for the first time in nine years, Toyota ranked number one in Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer, indicative of the manufacturer’s ability to retain previous customers. Toyota also won top honors in the Mid/Full-Size Car and Mid/Full-Size SUV categories for the Toyota Prius and Lexus RX respectively, and received the new award for brand loyalty among Asian American consumers.

    This is important because this loyalty and satisfaction reflects how Toyota deals with the difficult issues. If those that have Corollas, Camrys, etc. have their pedals swapped out easily during an oil change then the pedal issue never happened.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,376
    >Sorry to dash your hopes but the pedals will be swapped out and the brake override reflashing will be done during an oil change and the owners may not even be aware that these changes were done.

    Does this mean the Toyota store where you work will not tell people they have had the repair work done?

    Does this mean people have to bring their Toyota product in to your store for an oil change in order to get the repair done?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Wifey saw the news last night about the runaway Avalons.

    First she asked if I knew what to do if it happened. I said I grew up with junkers and a broken throttle spring was par for the course. Neutral, Brake, Off. No problem.

    Then she says she doesn't want to ride in it anymore. "Can you make it go away?"

    This is where the plot thickens. My way of thinking is dealer should cater to my needs and take Avalon and replace with ??? Lexus, Acura ???. He should replace Avalon with my choice car and have Toyota assist with any money difference.

    Is this reasonable? After all it is Toyota that brought this on themselves. I was led to believe it was floormats. Now we find out it is much more than carpet causing the problem. Had I been told the truth I would have stayed away from 2010 Avalon.

    Can I just unwind the deal and give them the car back? Is the dealer obligated to do anything for me? Is Toyota Corp obligated? I'm actually kind of hesitant to drive it. That was scary video from National News.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    You won't be able to unwind the deal without paying for depreciation. The federal regulations allow buybacks, but manufacturers won't typically do this unless the problem is not fixable by other means.

    Buybacks usually only occur for vehicles with severe rust issues.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    A few more bucks is not a problem. I just want to end the fear of a runaway car.

    When wifey says she won't ride in it that pretty much ends the cars usefulness.

    I'm waiting for a callback from the dealer right now. I hope it's that easy. That National News Story was scary enough to, hopefully make the dealer or Toyota corporate just let me return it without too much quibbling.

    Like Tony Soprano would say "that car's dead to me".

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jofallonjofallon Member Posts: 29
    Since Toyota was also changing the on-board computer so that the acceleration was shut off when the brake was applied, it won't be that quick a fix. It took 45 minutes to reflash my Camry's computer a year or so ago. If they replace the pedal and the mats in the car, it would probably have to be scheduled anyway. A bit more involved than an oil change.
  • pat85pat85 Member Posts: 92
    1) One is not required to have oil changes at the dealer.
    2) On the news last night they showed a dude who making shifts between neutral and drive made it to his Toyota dealer with brakes smoking and engine roaring, when he turned it off
    His floor mats were in his trunk
    3) It is not a floor mat problem
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    From Phil LeBeau of CNBC today...

    Fallout?

    too early to know say if Toyota can ride out these recalls better than Ford and Audi.

    It helps Toyota that it’s built up a considerable amount of good will with Americans over the last 50 years.

    And by coming out and installing a brake over-ride system on all models, Toyota is sending a signal to the public that it is taking steps to correct any real or perceived issues with its gas pedals.

    Still, it will be several months before we know if these recalls keep people out of Toyota showrooms.


    Ford did it badly and yet right now it's one of the darlings of the resurgent US auto industry. 99+% of the American driving public had no issue with Exploders rolling over either because they a) didn't own an Exploder and didn't care or b) did own an Exploder and never got into a dangerous situation with it. In any event life moves on and Ford is cruising as if that fiasco never happened.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,376
    >It took 45 minutes to reflash my Camry's computer a year or so ago.

    I was going by the Toyota salesman's post where he said they do things while the car's in for routine service and the customer doesn't even know repairs were made.

    In the past that was a technique for trying to keep owners feeling their cars were flawless--repairs and changes were made while the cars were in for service. That helped uphold some reputations, in some people's opinion.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    In the past that was a technique for trying to keep owners feeling their cars were flawless--repairs and changes were made while the cars were in for service.

    I know you've stated the above many times, but "secret warranties" historically have required the owner to complain about a given problem before the car was fixed. A dealer isn't going to make a repair or change and not charge the customer without the manufacturer's backing.

    Since I service my cars myself or take them to an independent shop for repairs beyond my capability, I always know what is done to them. I have yet to take either of my Camrys into the shop, whereas I was a frequent visitor with my former '90 Mercury Sable.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    mako, your wife is correct (as if you didn't know that already!).

    Toyota has admitted your car is one of the dangerous ones in that it contains a "corner case bug" that can result in crash/injuries/fatalities, and has done so for hundreds or thousands of USA Toyota customers so far.
    I recommend you trade the car for a non-toyota, just like I have been recommending to all my toyota-owning-friends since the horrifically dangerous flaws became clear a few months ago via Toyota's own press releases & customer reports.

    All the other manufacturers seem to be familiar with making a car fail-safe if throttle gets stuck "floored" due to mechanical or electronic failure. (brakes-always-work, shifting-to-neutral-always-works, turning-off-ignition-always-works.)

    Even a used Yugo will have brakes that can always overpower the engine/accelerator, a shifter that works every time you shift it to neutral, and ignition that turns off every time you turn off the key.

    As an engineer, I'm embarassed on behalf of Toyota's engineers. They probably need some sort of counseling - they are probably taking it very hard, knowing that their engineering/process mistakes have resulted in so many customer fatalities and injuries. It's very sad.
This discussion has been closed.