Toyota Recalls

[127.0.0.1]

Originally Posted by PK198105

its not the ECU, they actually explained it. its the spring that helps return the pedal, apparently it gets used up and looses its tension so they are going to insert a shim to compensate and replace the spring

no that is not how it works. it has nothing to do with the spring


the hall effect sensor rubs the magnet (and it really shouldn't... or just barely touch) and when there is the slightest
bit of wear in the pivot the friction increases as the parts slide past each other.
the dealer-added shim maintains the fulcrum point (by wedging against the pedal arm) so the friction in the
sensor is reduced or eliminated throughout the life of the pedal

[goku87]

Originally Posted by 127.0.0.1

no that is not how it works. it has nothing to do with the spring

That and the pedal has two springs anyway.

[yaris2010RS]

ever thought the news give any simple excuse as to not complicate things? just a thought and my 2 cents....

[markitect]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

At least these posts show that it's not all just driver stupidity, we ARE dealing with a real problem with a physical part, not just a floor mat -- so can we just drop that?

Originally Posted by why?

That would rock! I'm kinda shocked we haven't heard of at least 1 person doing something like this to get revenge on someone, its the perfect excuse.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/u...river-reporte/

Now you have heard!

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by markitect

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/u...river-reporte/

Now you have heard!

Police reports stated that incident was intentional...

[eric81]

yeah... couldn't figure that one out even if it was the answer to Clue. Man, some people are just overly stupid... when you buy a vehicle, there is a thing called a Lemon Law, which tells the customer how long of a period they have to return a vehicle. Some states, such as Colorado, have a Now You Are An Owner policy. Once you drive it off the lot, it is yours forever. And it's not like Toota isn't tring to help customers out through this thing, they are doing everything they can as fast as the can. Hence they offered this customer a loaner car until his truck was fixed. The dealership should simply have him pay for damages, and nothing else. Obviously his truck, but he owned it, so I hope he has GAP insurance, or he's screwed.

[MadMax]

Unfortunately, there are way too many idiots in the world! I hope his insurance denies his claim because it was deliberately crashed. It would serve this moron right to have to pay for all the damages out of pocket!

This small problem does by no means make Toyotas "lemons." If that logic were true, then basically every car ever built qualifies as most have had a recall for some reason or another.

I found this article interesting, it only shows that no matter what the issue, it is the perception that matters...

Toyota's other pedal problem: Lawsuits

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp is facing a growing number lawsuits from consumers who complain their vehicles suddenly accelerate or may do so, and want the world's largest automaker to pay for it.

U.S.

Last week, Toyota stopped selling eight models in the United States and Canada, including its popular Camry and Corolla, because of possible unintended acceleration.

Some 8 million vehicles are up for repair worldwide over problems including alleged faulty accelerator pedals made by the supplier CTS Corp, and the possibility that floor mats could jam the accelerator pedal.

Other recalled Toyota vehicles are the Avalon, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia and Tundra.

The problems have tarnished Toyota's reputation for making some of the most reliable vehicles on the road. It is the most prominent auto safety issue since reports surfaced in 2000 that many Firestone tires mounted on Ford Explorers failed.

"Liability for Toyota could run in the billions of dollars, because of the number of vehicles involved and the fact there are serious injury and death claims," said Gary Robb, a partner at Robb & Robb LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. He said his firm has fielded inquiries from consumers and may sue Toyota.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has no proof that anyone was injured by a stuck pedal. It said it has confirmed to its satisfaction that five people have died as a result of floor mat entrapment.

Since November, at least 10 lawsuits seeking class-action status have been filed against Toyota in U.S. courts and in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada.

It is possible that some U.S. litigation could be combined because the claims are similar and it would be too unwieldy to try cases one owner at a time.

Toyota on Monday had no immediate comment on the lawsuits.

NEW LAWSUITS

Legal experts said drivers might have more difficulty recovering if they cannot show their cars actually experienced sudden acceleration. Fear that it could happen may not be enough.

"In a significant majority of states, there is no remedy for mental upset and fright, absent a consequential injury to people or property caused by the defect," said James Henderson, a Cornell Law School professor and product liability expert.

David Owen, a law professor at the University of South Carolina and director of its Office of Tort Law Studies, said Toyota might be more at risk in U.S. states that impose on manufacturers of a "duty to warn" consumers about a defect.

"The grounds to sue are that there was a design defect, regardless of what Toyota may do to mop up the consequences, and the possibility that a post-sale warning was delayed too long," he said.

"If it turned out that Toyota delayed the recall beyond the point when a reasonable manufacturer would have done so, then punitive damages in substantial amounts might be available to whoever was physically injured," Owen added.

Some plaintiffs are expected to seek recovery for an expected loss of resale value tied to the stigma from the recalls, though Owen said courts are generally "unresponsive" to such claims, including in Firestone tire lawsuits.

Others may seek to recover for expenses tied to the recall, including lost work hours and the cost of finding alternative transportation while their vehicles are being fixed.

POSSIBLE STIGMA

Four of the most recent lawsuits were filed on Friday.

In a federal lawsuit filed in Corpus Christi, Texas, the plaintiffs Albert and Sylvia Pena alleged that their 2008 Toyota Avalon unexpectedly accelerated at least twice, and on January 14 caused a collision at a stop sign.

"Toyota has long known about the defect with their throttle control, and has done too little, too late to correct it," said Robert Hilliard, a lawyer representing the Penas.

Three other federal lawsuits were filed in New Orleans on behalf of Avalon and Camry owners. These plaintiffs' lawyers were unavailable to comment.

Robb said Toyota might learn from Johnson & Johnson's 1982 withdrawal of Tylenol from stores, after seven people died from ingesting medicine spiked with cyanide.

The crime was never solved, but the company's response, including the introduction of tamper-resistant packaging, is considered to be a textbook example of how to handle recalls.

"They saved not only their public image, but that brand," Robb said. "There are real doubts as to whether Toyota's brand, from a PR standpoint, can survive this (recall) intact. This has dragged on too long and there have been too many excuses."

Note the paragraph I highlighted...the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has no proof that anyone was injured by a stuck pedal!

Yes, a sticking gas pedal can be a problem and Toyota has a fix for it before it happens; but to listen to the press you would think cars are crashing left and right and people are burning to death in the aftermath!

But I am a daredevil...I used to drive a Pinto!

Cheers! M2

[Yaris Hilton]

According to this article: http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/02/news...dex.htm?hpt=T2 The NHTSA is looking into a hypothesis that electromagnetic interference may somehow be causing the ECU to malfunction causing uncontrolled acceleration.

[ddongbap]

Nissan says the'll offer you 1000 MORE, if you trade in your Toyota for a Nissan. Epic.

[auxmike]

Originally Posted by ddongbap

Nissan says the'll offer you 1000 MORE, if you trade in your Toyota for a Nissan. Epic.

Screw that!
The Versa has a below average reliability rating according to Consumer Reports. They really HATE the Yaris and won't recommend it. Yaris and Versa both featured in this months issue of CR.

[wooverstone8]

Originally Posted by ddongbap

Nissan says the'll offer you 1000 MORE, if you trade in your Toyota for a Nissan. Epic.

Dog eat dog.

[bigbang]

Its all a goverment conspiracy to boost the sale of GM car
the USA is not a nation but a corporation GM is part of the corporation

[wooverstone8]

I test drove the Versa before I had purchase my Yaris. The Versa felt tinny compared to the Yaris.

[goku87]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

According to this article: http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/02/news...dex.htm?hpt=T2 The NHTSA is looking into a hypothesis that electromagnetic interference may somehow be causing the ECU to malfunction causing uncontrolled acceleration.

I knew it was the ECU!

And nobody believed me.

[fmicle]

Originally Posted by bigbang

Its all a goverment conspiracy to boost the sale of GM car
the USA is not a nation but a corporation GM is part of the corporation

Oh come on, everything is a conspiracy...

[Yaris Hilton]

It's a conspiracy headed by Jesse Ventura to promote his "Conspiracy Theory" show.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

It's a conspiracy headed by Jesse Ventura to promote his "Conspiracy Theory" show.

I am beginning to believe it is a conspiracy, and I don't subscribe to most conspiracy theories; but this press released makes me wonder...

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood just went nuclear in his tirade against Toyota: He is now advising owners of the eight recalled models to park them and not drive them until they can be brought into dealers to have their accelerator pedals repaired. (full story)

What BS! As I stated earlier, the NHTSA has stated they know of no accidents or injuries that have occured as the result of the sticking gas pedals (that straight from their web site), and now LaHood is telling everyone not to drive their cars?!?

Wow, I guess bailing out the US auto industry wasn't enough, now the Obama Administration has to start a smear campaign against the competition...

[1.5]

this is sad I heard toyota will be stopping all production for a while.