Any Information About Toyota Recalls?

[indothai]

Hi all,

Toyota has a massive recall going in the states, now going to Europe... Anyone have any news about this going on in Asia, or even Thailand.

The recall concerns the gas pedal getting stuck.

(http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100125-704637.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines)

You can do a google search "Toyota recall".

I'm guessing things like this gets "sweeped" under the "rug", so wondering if anyone "heard" of anything funny.. cars having their own minds..etc.

[MikeyIdea]

I don't expect anything to happen in Thailand.

There was a problem with the ABS system on the rear brakes of Toyota Fortuners in Thailand several years back, there were at least one accident I know of (a friend of a friend of mine in Phuket). Enough "common knowledge" for car enthusiasts in my office to know about it and talk and discuss it. I asked if there ever was a recall or if Toyota officially acknowledged the problem. Nothing official and only those who complained got the problem rectified was the answer back then - Don't know if anything official came after that. Doubt it in Thailand

[kartman]

Lots of Toyotas have their 'own mind' but that is to do with who's driving so i don't think a stuck throttle pedal would raise any need for a recall in Toyota Thailand's books.

[katabeachbum]

I don't expect anything to happen in Thailand.

There was a problem with the ABS system on the rear brakes of Toyota Fortuners in Thailand several years back, there were at least one accident I know of (a friend of a friend of mine in Phuket). Enough "common knowledge" for car enthusiasts in my office to know about it and talk and discuss it. I asked if there ever was a recall or if Toyota officially acknowledged the problem. Nothing official and only those who complained got the problem rectified was the answer back then - Don't know if anything official came after that. Doubt it in Thailand

Vigo was recalled mid 2005, 3,0 4x4 auto, due to problems with high tourque and auto/converter.

Floormats are installed with hooks in LOS when original Toyota product is installed by dealer, so no floormat is able to stuck pedal here

but still be aware, after car wash some wash guys are sloppy and do not install floormat correctly. but could happen to any car/make

[MikeyIdea]

Good info abt recall thanks for that

I've had the throttle stuck because of the floormat when driving, interesting experience

[Digitalbanana]

A Vios auto gear 2006 I once used commonly got the throttle stuck under the floor mat. No floor mat hooks available then. Usually happened when I jumped in the drivers seat at start and pushed the mat over the throttle, then turned on the ignition. Once or twice on the road driving. A design fault if ever there was one.

[H2oDunc]

The recall will affect 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.

Link to the full story here

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33077383/ns/business-autos/

[craigt3365]

The recall will affect 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.

Link to the full story here

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33077383/ns/business-autos/

It appears this is for the US only...but I wonder if the same problem is with all cars no matter where they were produced????

[MikeyIdea]

Don't think it applies here, I haven't checked a Camry but I've checked Corolla and Avanza and a friend at work checked his Yaris and there is no way the *standard* floor mat can cause any problems. The mat that stuck the throttle for me was an after market one... Good wake-up call

[katabeachbum]

Don't think it applies here, I haven't checked a Camry but I've checked Corolla and Avanza and a friend at work checked his Yaris and there is no way the *standard* floor mat can cause any problems. The mat that stuck the throttle for me was an after market one... Good wake-up call

If Toyota original mats are used and installed with the hooks, its impossible to stuck the throttle, including Camry. BTW why are the mats for Camry so ugly?

Other floor mats can stuck the throttle, on any car.

Im amazed by this recall, cause all car makes have the same problem. I m starting to believe its a pr jippo by Toyota, to show how they give very minor problems much attention.

[mirthseeker]

Now a recall in China:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01...?section=justin

[indothai]

It's not the floormats that are causing the problems... that was the initial "assumption", but now it seems (from reading news, CNN, BBC, etc) that the problem is the throttle mechanism.

[indothai]

Well... I'm sure the Thai made Toyota's are not affected, it's made locally and not imported from US, Europe, or China.

[katabeachbum]

It's not the floormats that are causing the problems... that was the initial "assumption", but now it seems (from reading news, CNN, BBC, etc) that the problem is the throttle mechanism.

the throttle is electrical, so called drive by wire, I believe in all LOS Toyotas since 2004. From the same thai supplier as Honda.

[indothai]

It's not the floormats that are causing the problems... that was the initial "assumption", but now it seems (from reading news, CNN, BBC, etc) that the problem is the throttle mechanism.

the throttle is electrical, so called drive by wire, I believe in all LOS Toyotas since 2004. From the same thai supplier as Honda.

Now BOTH my cars have problems?! Potential... potential... problem... crap... well.. i'm glad it's only one manufacturer at the moment... i don't think the auto industry can handle two giants having technical problems of this magnitude.

But... any local news lately about this problem? anyone?

[MikeyIdea]

It's not the floormats that are causing the problems... that was the initial "assumption", but now it seems (from reading news, CNN, BBC, etc) that the problem is the throttle mechanism.

the throttle is electrical, so called drive by wire, I believe in all LOS Toyotas since 2004. From the same thai supplier as Honda.

Now BOTH my cars have problems?! Potential... potential... problem...

I don't think we should say that Toyota built in Thailand have any problems at this stage, this is most likely blown totally out of proportion as usual. Let's wait for some evidence

[gotlost]

There is not one new car that is sold in Thailand that would meet western safety standards. So why worry.

[katabeachbum]

There is not one new car that is sold in Thailand that would meet western safety standards. So why worry.

sure

BMW made in Los, sold in Los with 10 airbags. Made in LOS, sold in OZ with 10 optional airbags.

Benz E, not to mention 500 SEL, made in LOS.

Ford Ranger made in LOS, sold in US

Izu Dmax

list goes on

only +500.000 units exported a year, to meet western safety standards

[craigt3365]

But these countries don't have as many lawyers. So, recalls are not that big a deal. A lot of the recalls are based on a very small number of problems, though the problems usually mean loss of life. And in the west, that will cost billions of dollars....mainly for the lawyers. The ultimate plaintiffs get just a fraction.

[craigt3365]

Here is a new article out today from the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/business...ines&emc=a6

Looks like there are now recalls in China. Here is an interesting quote from the article....

“I think that’s the big debate right now,” Mr. Meyer said. “Is Toyota going back to its roots and protecting consumers because it is the right thing to do? Or are they doing it because of legal considerations?”

[Donnyboy]

Here is a new article out today from the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/business...ines&emc=a6

Looks like there are now recalls in China. Here is an interesting quote from the article....

"I think that's the big debate right now," Mr. Meyer said. "Is Toyota going back to its roots and protecting consumers because it is the right thing to do? Or are they doing it because of legal considerations?"

9 million cars worldwide!

[Donnyboy]

"I think that's the big debate right now," Mr. Meyer said. "Is Toyota going back to its roots and protecting consumers because it is the right thing to do? Or are they doing it because of legal considerations?"

either way its about the bottom line

[indothai]

Ok.. so it's not the floor mats and it's the electronic thingy-ma-jiggy as reported in CNN (company called CTS in the States designed, manufactured, and sold) ... so.. I'm ASSuming that the Toyota Thailand is using CTS as well... or is it with from some other company with the same specs?

I saw on CNN that Toyota has halted sales of the affected models, what's happening here? in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore?? In Hong Kong, I think they are importing U.S. spec Camry's... are they halting sales there??.. how about Singapore?

Actually, I know they are NOT stopping sales in BKK just because I know better,... But if it's something that has to be replaced, does anyone have any info on how the Asian's (ASEAN) are quietly doing it.

[PattayaParent]

A Vios auto gear 2006 I once used commonly got the throttle stuck under the floor mat. No floor mat hooks available then. Usually happened when I jumped in the drivers seat at start and pushed the mat over the throttle, then turned on the ignition. Once or twice on the road driving. A design fault if ever there was one.

So YOU know that there's a potential problem and don't do anything to resolve it YOUSELF and it's a desgn issue?

I wonder what those guys in those cars that had someone walk in front of them with a red flag used as an excuse? The floor mat ot stuck under the gas peddle?????????????????

[katabeachbum]

A Vios auto gear 2006 I once used commonly got the throttle stuck under the floor mat. No floor mat hooks available then. Usually happened when I jumped in the drivers seat at start and pushed the mat over the throttle, then turned on the ignition. Once or twice on the road driving. A design fault if ever there was one.

So YOU know that there's a potential problem and don't do anything to resolve it YOUSELF and it's a desgn issue?

I wonder what those guys in those cars that had someone walk in front of them with a red flag used as an excuse? The floor mat ot stuck under the gas peddle?????????????????

floormat hooks on TOYOTA ORIGINAL fabric/pvc mats since 2004, all thai made models

just bought my gf a 2008 Nissan Tiida 2 days ago, first day floormat stuck pedal. threw the drivers mat out, have to find something better

[stingray]

A Vios auto gear 2006 I once used commonly got the throttle stuck under the floor mat. No floor mat hooks available then. Usually happened when I jumped in the drivers seat at start and pushed the mat over the throttle, then turned on the ignition. Once or twice on the road driving. A design fault if ever there was one.

So YOU know that there's a potential problem and don't do anything to resolve it YOUSELF and it's a desgn issue?

I wonder what those guys in those cars that had someone walk in front of them with a red flag used as an excuse? The floor mat ot stuck under the gas peddle?????????????????

It's not about the floormat. Last night they showed on BBC News: There is a spring in the mechanism who have to be repaced. This would be more serous than a floormat.

[indothai]

A Vios auto gear 2006 I once used commonly got the throttle stuck under the floor mat. No floor mat hooks available then. Usually happened when I jumped in the drivers seat at start and pushed the mat over the throttle, then turned on the ignition. Once or twice on the road driving. A design fault if ever there was one.

So YOU know that there's a potential problem and don't do anything to resolve it YOUSELF and it's a desgn issue?

I wonder what those guys in those cars that had someone walk in front of them with a red flag used as an excuse? The floor mat ot stuck under the gas peddle?????????????????

It's not about the floormat. Last night they showed on BBC News: There is a spring in the mechanism who have to be repaced. This would be more serous than a floormat.

Correct, not the floormats, Toyota already spent millions recalling those and it didn't solve the problem...

It's the "thingy-ma-jiggy", some say it's electonic-cally, others say it's springy-a-tingy... but Toyota.. well.. they're just spending millions.

On a serious note:

A link from the Los Angeles Times with advice to owners (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-q-and-a30-2010jan30,0,2210984.story?track=rss), yes, this is article is from the U.S. side and I'm fully aware that this topic and forum is about "stuff" in Thailand, I just wanted to share information that might be helpful... Can't seem to find any "helpful" information about this on our side of the "pond".

Drive safe.

[stingray]

It's important for everyon to know. If you get conronted with this problem and the gaspedal (trottle) want get back, shift the gear stick imidently in "N" Neutral position and shut down the engine (ignition switch), only in accessory position. Don't remove the key, otherwise you are not beable to control the steering wheel anymore.

[mirthseeker]

A couple of days ago, the Bangkok Post (business section) reported an interview with a Toyota executive, about the recall. The executive was only quoted about the floormat issue (hardly re-assuring), and the reporter did not ask about the throttle control. If concerned, the advise was to contact your dealer.

Apparently floormats in Thailand are thinner than those fitted overseas ( ) so they aren't subject to recall. Incidently, I saw elsewhere that the floormat issue surfaced in November in the States, so you may be waiting a while before Toyota Thailand confirms or denies whether the throttle sticking is an issue here.

Apparently overseas, other car manufacturers are seeking to take advantage of Toyota's woes, but not Honda. Then a day later Honda announce a global recall because the driver's side window switch is subject to water ingress, possibly resulting in fire.

On another matter, I noticed above a reference to safety of cars in Thailand.

Perhaps someone could advise me of a consumer level vehicle (not a high cost luxury vehicle), readily available in Thailand, which has side curtain airbags, and particularly Electronic Stability Control (ESC)? Where I come from (Victoria, Aus), ESC will shortly be compulsory to be in all new vehicles, and is already fitted to vehicles imported from Thailand.

My wife has a house just within earshot of sirens along Rama 2 Rd, and the new Ring Road. Up to a couple of years ago, we seldom heard sirens. Now every week, at night, we hear multiple sirens, often followed later by an ambulance siren. Perhaps, as a volunteer firefighter in a former life, I have an overactive imagination?

Local taxi drivers tell me that accidents are common on bends the Ring Rd, particularly on one bend. Hardly surprising on a 4 lane road where there are huge speed differentials, no overhead lighting, no reflective paint or cats eyes to define lanes. I've passed a couple of these accidents myself - rollovers of chassi type vehicles (high centre of gravity, combined with lower roll over protection than monocoque construction).

Chilling!

Be careful out there!

[mirthseeker]

It's important for everyon to know. If you get conronted with this problem and the gaspedal (trottle) want get back, shift the gear stick imidently in "N" Neutral position and shut down the engine (ignition switch), only in accessory position. Don't remove the key, otherwise you are not beable to control the steering wheel anymore.

Just to expand on Stingray's excellent post:

Manual gearshift:

Depress clutch pedal

Brake or swerve if necessary

When safe, turn the ignition switch to Acc. and select neutral.

Don't remove key, or the steering will lock!

The motor may scream it's head off until the ignition is turned off, but the rev limiter should prevent damage.

Auto:

Knock into neutral

Break or swerve if necessary

When safe, turn the ignition switch to Acc.

Don't remove key, or the steering will lock!

The motor may scream it's head off until the ignition is turned off, but the rev limiter should prevent damage.