It’s a cruel world – rivals capitalizing on Toyota ‘Total Recall’
The effects of Toyota’s infamous accelerator pedal recall continue to mount. The latest figures, extracted from Autoblog.com, gives an estimated total of 9.0 million vehicles in the US and the UK being affected by the recall. Compounding Toyota’s problems are the irked owners and all the resulting bad press.
The cost of replacing all those pedals are just the tip of a very big iceberg of problems for the beleaguered manufacturer. Autocar.co.uk recently reported that Toyota’s stocks in Japan has plunged by 16.7% in the space of five days. However, it goes without saying that the worst of the damage is how this recall blasts a massive chink in Toyota’s once-invincible armour in build quality and reliability. Let’s not talk about all the resulting legal repercussions.
Thus far, there have been two separate, but related recalls – the floor mat recall, and the accelerator pedal recall. The first of the two, the floor mat recall, is said to be caused unsecured floor mats jamming the accelerator pedal in full-throttle position. This recall started with just 55,000 cars in 2007, then grew to 3.8 million in September 2009 before a further 1.1 million vehicles were added to the list on 28 Jan 2010.
Toyota’s reputation of invincible quality now under serious threat.
According to the official website of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, models affected by the floor mat recall are:
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- 2007-2010 Camry
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2008-2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2004-2009 Prius
- 2005-2010 Tacoma
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2009-2010 VENZA
The later, more serious defect of the sticking accelerator pedal, hit 2.3 million vehicles, and forced Toyota to suspend the sale of eight models. Things went from bad to worse when 1.8 million vehicles in Europe also had to be recalled on 29 Jan 2010. A solution has nevertheless been found, and Toyota has commenced shipping of replacement pedals to dealerships already.
Once again, according to Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, models affected by the accelerator pedal recall are:
- Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
- Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2005-2010 Avalon
- Certain 2007-2010 Camry
- Certain 2010 Highlander
- 2007-2010 Tundra
- 2008-2010 Sequoia
Meanwhile, Autocar.co.uk has listed the eight Toyota UK models affected by the recall as
- Aygo (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
- iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
- Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
- Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
- Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
- Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
- Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
- RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)
As Toyota now faces the wrath of customers and also the possible onslaught of legal inquisitions, rival dealerships in the United States are all too happy to capitalize on their woes. GM paved the way with a month-long campaign ‘aimed at compensating Toyota and Lexus owners for the depreciation the recall has caused’. It didn’t take long for Ford, Chrysler, and Hyundai to join the queue with similarly attractive offers, giving cash incentives worth up to US$2,000.
The irony, of course, is that arch-rival Honda has ruled out following suit. Autocar.co.uk quoted John Mendel, American Honda’s executive vice president as saying, “We will not react in a predatory way toward either Toyota or Toyota customers.”
Honda refrains from twisting the knife.
Perhaps because they have a recall of their own to worry about?
Meanwhile, closer to home, UMW Toyota Motor has recently released a statement that Toyota cars sold in Malaysia are NOT affected by either recalls.
KON
Sources:
- Autoblog.com (who also gave the nick ‘Total Recall’ to this fiasco)
– Autocar.co.uk
Talk about it in our Forum: Toyota Recall
i wonder why every recall in the world doesn’t affect malaysian market. My theory: when compared to Malaysian cars, those recall items still considered better quality than most Malaysian made cars!
well, i read an article that said models sold in US and models sold in Asia had accelerator pedals supplied by different vendors. although they are of similar specs, they are not identical per se, and hence our Toyotas here are not affected by this particular recall.
however, it does raise a point of concern for those who bought parallel imported Toyotas. these guys do not get support from UMWT, and if their cars are really affected, they’ll really have to source for a replacement pedal and have a mechanic competent in fixing Toyotas (there should be plenty in Malaysia!) to change it. at the owner’s cost!
cruel is the wrong word !
For the last few years. Toyota has being very actively racing to become world number 1 in the Automotive industry and last year 2009 , Toyota managed to took over the number # 1 spot from General Motor.
As a Toyota fan , i am proud of the achievement of the Toyota. Nevertherless, just starting the new year of 2010 , we read on this shocking news of huge recall of 2.3 millions cars and certainly more to come.
No doubt Malaysian Toyota cars was not affected but the question is still What has gone wrong with Toyota ? This is the questions that stuck with everyone mind because most of us are inspired by the success on Toyota and into certain extent has become a way of life.
We also noted that for Toyota Malaysia , in order to capture the market, it seems that Toyota came out Vios J spec and sell at lower price? Why didn’t Honda and the rest of Japanese cars manufacturers do the same way?
If Toyota continue to think that by making huge profit and to lower down the quality and getting more sales, this company is digging it’s own graveyard.
Another typical example is Altis 1.6E and G spec and 1.8E and G spec. Why can’t Toyota coming the Dual VVTI to benefits the own Malaysian market and established its name
There is also another concerns of ” establising own brand ” such as TGMO (Toyota Genuine Motor Oil). Does the quality of this oil better compare with others expert engine oil manufacturers such as Mobil ? The answer is certainly NO as I tested with my own Toyota car using these 2 types of fully synthetic oil Grade 5W-40 . The engine responsiveness is totally different and driving feel as well
A company may takes years to established it’s name in terms of quality and reliability but it can take few days of damaging it’s name
For this time , Malaysian Toyota cars owners are lucky as the recall happening in US and Europe, as the way Toyota to progress as it, nobody could gurantee what will happen . We just hope that and may god bless that Msian Toyota car owner no need to recall their cars
Toyota cars are not affected in Malaysia? How do we know that?
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