Has Toyota gone downhill?

[Christine88]

Originally Posted by roxy1

yeah, I fail to see how one item going bad on a 6 yr old car equates to Toyota going downhill

6 years for a Toyota is nothing. I have a 2002 Echo hand me down from my dad that has almost 200K miles and has never had a major issue necessitating a tow to the repair shop so this problem for a 2011 is just unacceptable.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Christine88

6 years for a Toyota is nothing. I have a 2002 Echo hand me down from my dad that has almost 200K miles and has never had a major issue necessitating a tow to the repair shop so this problem for a 2011 is just unacceptable.

Really sorry that you feel this way. Since 2002 manufacturing has become even more reliable. As previously stated ALL electronic components from the factory face the possibility of some type of failure. Let's be very realistic here. For all you know there could have been some type of electrical issue, or surge, or something else that could have affected the component. They are designed with certain tolerances however they can be fallible. Now if you had the part crap out on you within the first year or two then I would think you would have reason to complain however there is not one manufacturer out there that has a perfect track record.

Also you cannot necessarily hold Toyota responsible for a part they most likely did not actually create. Most items come from another manufacturer to be assembled by the automotive corporation. Your rationale would mean that even though Takata Corp for example manufactures air bags for many auto corps that inherently those auto corps are going down hill by default. This is misguided to say the least.

We aren't here to gang up on you, far from it, but many folks in this community are Toyota faithful and many have great experience as well as expertise and knowledge of their vehicles and the components in them. About the only way that I see that Toyota is going downhill is their lack of vision at this stage. The bland offerings they have which can barely evoke a passion for the company or their offerings. We purchased a 2012 Highlander for example late last fall. We will be trading it in by summer for several reasons however none of them mechanical or electrical, etc. Just comfort issues, lack of amenities at what is considered a higher level trim, and a few design quibbles.

Don't let this issue affect the care that you have for your vehicle. I totally get how there is an expectation as well as the cost associated, but honestly only having to deal with a few hundred dollars in repairs on a vehicle that is 6 years old isn't bad. Hell, if you avg that $333 out over the 6 years (possibly 7 depending on manufacture date and sale) that only equals roughly $55 bucks a year. That is a drop in the hat. I actually felt the same way when my rear main seal went on my 96 Tercel at only 54k miles. That happened just inside of 5 years, but it was the only issue ever with the car I had in the 10 years of ownership. To this day the car is now on the 3rd owner with over 270k miles on it. The only other items that went bad were wheel bearings and brakes which are wearable items and they took over 10 years to have to be replaced. I live in a small town area so I see the car all of the time.

People rarely really take the time to calculate cost of ownership on what they have. It can be a real eye opener. You essentially pay for anything that has moving parts each and every year no matter who makes it.

[bairjo]

Originally Posted by Christine88

6 years for a Toyota is nothing. I have a 2002 Echo hand me down from my dad that has almost 200K miles and has never had a major issue necessitating a tow to the repair shop so this problem for a 2011 is just unacceptable.

I take it you never worked in a manufacturing plant? While most manufacturers have a goal of zero failure rates....it is a goal, which is very rarely achieved in mass production of cars or the components put in them. However, it would be nice know the failure rate of your part in question. I suggest you do a little home work and maybe you can come up with that information. If they are having a high failure rate, then you have a point and an issue to pursue. Otherwise, your quality survey sample quantity consisting of your dads car and your car, well, just is not a good sample of what is out there. Good luck if you choose to look into it and let us know what you find out.

[El Kapitan]

Originally Posted by Christine88

6 years for a Toyota is nothing. I have a 2002 Echo hand me down from my dad that has almost 200K miles and has never had a major issue necessitating a tow to the repair shop so this problem for a 2011 is just unacceptable.

the echo is considered one toyota's most reliable cars ever made. the only complaint you really hear about them is that they are ugly. personally, i don't have a problem with how they look.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by El Kapitan

the echo is considered one toyota's most reliable cars ever made. the only complaint you really hear about them is that they are ugly. personally, i don't have a problem with how they look.

No the main complaint (by people like Edmunds) is the ECHO isn't a BMW and no one with any self respect would be caught dead driving one.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

No the main complaint (by people like Edmunds) is the ECHO isn't a BMW and no one with any self respect would be caught dead driving one.