I've lost track of how many cars Toyota is recalling. It involves at least 4 million vehicles, and there is some overlap among different problems. There were issues involving stalling engines and others, but most of the attention has been on the unintended acceleration.
Supposedly it is all down to the floormats and the shape of the accelerator pedals. But it is now being reported by Automotive News that part of the problem is from throttles not popping back due to condensation building up and corroding the return spring that moves the pedal back to idle position.
These are made by CTS corp at their plant in Ontario, Canada. It is alleged the likelihood of such failure is small, and that it has only occurred on high mileage vehicles.
They are the 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia, 2009-2010 Corolla, RAV4, Matrix, and 2010 Highlander models. Toyota has also suspended sales of these models until the problem is corrected.
This is the biggest blemish on Toyota's record yet. How they respond will make or break a lot of sales going forward.
Showing posts with label Corolla. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corolla. Show all posts
Jan 25, 2010
Headlight Bulb Change, Not So Fast
Well, if we thought all bulbs were easy to change quickly from the last time I did so, we’d be mistaken. Flashback to a previous model Toyota Corolla / Chevy Prizm (in this case a neighbor’s car) and we find that some times things do actually get simpler with time, bucking the trend of eve increasing complexity.
This was a 1998-ish model. The procedure for changing the bulb required the removal of 1 screw and 2 bolts, disconnecting the headlight assembly and removing the rubber boot.
It was a relative PITA (Pain In the you-know-where) aligning and putting the assembly back in because of the tight fit, and the fact it was freezing cold outside and getting dark – so I could only snap a few quick pics.
My guess is the newer model (2003+) was subject to stricter crash standards which required more crumple space, so the enhanced accessibility of the headlights is a bonus, not necessarily the primary intent.
This was a 1998-ish model. The procedure for changing the bulb required the removal of 1 screw and 2 bolts, disconnecting the headlight assembly and removing the rubber boot.
My guess is the newer model (2003+) was subject to stricter crash standards which required more crumple space, so the enhanced accessibility of the headlights is a bonus, not necessarily the primary intent.
Jan 22, 2010
Mechanic Horror Story: The Oil Change That Never Was
Here is yet another adventure in Corolla land. This one involves the second oil change that was done on the car. I still couldn’t remove the oil filter because it was on so tight. I needed a lift due to the awkward position, so I took it to a local garage where I once had a clutch replaced on another car.
I provided the Fram oil filter and four quarts of Mobil 1 I was going to use, and told them to only mount the oil filter “hand tight”. Ok done, no problem.
Months later I’m changing the oil again. The filter is still stuck so I look at it. It’s the original Toyota filter, which is blue. Fram filters are orange.
I checked my log and called the shop on it: “Pardon me, but did I pay you to not service the car?”
“No, that’s not possible.”
“Well you tell me why the original filter is on there when I brought the supplies and have the receipt that shows you only charged me for labor?”
[Long pause]
“Ok, bring it in and we’ll take care of it.”
After I verified it was done you can be sure I never went back to that shop. Call me paranoid but you can see why it is important to keep records.
I provided the Fram oil filter and four quarts of Mobil 1 I was going to use, and told them to only mount the oil filter “hand tight”. Ok done, no problem.
Months later I’m changing the oil again. The filter is still stuck so I look at it. It’s the original Toyota filter, which is blue. Fram filters are orange.
I checked my log and called the shop on it: “Pardon me, but did I pay you to not service the car?”
“No, that’s not possible.”
“Well you tell me why the original filter is on there when I brought the supplies and have the receipt that shows you only charged me for labor?”
[Long pause]
“Ok, bring it in and we’ll take care of it.”
After I verified it was done you can be sure I never went back to that shop. Call me paranoid but you can see why it is important to keep records.
Jan 18, 2010
Mechanic Horror Story: The Brake Job
Here’s another adventure in Corolla land. This particular car has been nothing but a headache from Day 1. These have nothing to do with the car itself but it’s just been one incident after another.
Once I was at the local garage to have the pads and rotors serviced because I was too busy and lazy to do it myself.
When it was done my Mom picked it up. She called me to say there was a weird sound, like something was loose. I went over and test drove it. Sure enough it sounded like it had the suspension of a NYC cab.
Then I put my hand behind front wheels to check for loose parts. I’ll be darned. Both (!) front brake rotors were loose.
So I called up the shop manager about it and he apologized profusely. I brought it back and all was well afterward. It was an honest mistake but it is a miracle that cars run as well as they do.
Once I was at the local garage to have the pads and rotors serviced because I was too busy and lazy to do it myself.
When it was done my Mom picked it up. She called me to say there was a weird sound, like something was loose. I went over and test drove it. Sure enough it sounded like it had the suspension of a NYC cab.
Then I put my hand behind front wheels to check for loose parts. I’ll be darned. Both (!) front brake rotors were loose.
So I called up the shop manager about it and he apologized profusely. I brought it back and all was well afterward. It was an honest mistake but it is a miracle that cars run as well as they do.
Dec 24, 2009
NHTSA Investigating Toyota Corolla, Matrix Automobiles
This is not a Toyota blog. It’s just that Toyotas are good used cars to consider so this is important information to know if you are considering buying one of these cars.
So while I still remember this, Automotive News (one of my favorites) 2006 Toyota Corolla and Matrix autos are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for engines randomly stalling. This covers 397,000 U.S. vehicles equipped with 1ZZ-FE engines. These are 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engines with cast aluminum blocks and cylinder heads.
Supposedly in 2007 Toyota issued a service bulletin to replace the engine control unit in cases of stall complaints.
So while I still remember this, Automotive News (one of my favorites) 2006 Toyota Corolla and Matrix autos are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for engines randomly stalling. This covers 397,000 U.S. vehicles equipped with 1ZZ-FE engines. These are 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engines with cast aluminum blocks and cylinder heads.
Supposedly in 2007 Toyota issued a service bulletin to replace the engine control unit in cases of stall complaints.
Did Your Oil Really Get Changed?
In 2004 my Mom bought a new Toyota Corolla. I change the oil on all our cars. So when it came time for the first oil change on her car I bought the oil and filter and then found I couldn’t remove the filter. It was on tight and it was hard to get a grip on it without a lift.
So I brought my oil (Mobil 1) and filter to a shop where I had a clutch replaced once, and they had done a good job. I told them to tighten the new filter such that it would be snug, and I could remove it myself next time.
Five thousand miles later I’m under the car to do the next oil change. I still can’t remove the filter. So I look and see the original blue filter which came with the car. I use Fram which is orange.
I checked my maintenance log, called the shop and explained the situation. Their response was that it was “not possible”. I countered with the fact I keep records and asked them what they were going to do about the problem.
They asked me to bring the car in and they would “take care of it”. After I got it back you can be sure I double checked. And yes, it was done.
Unless you can verify the work was done, you can never be sure. Does it happen all the time? I don’t know. But I do know that uncertainty is a synonym for risk. And risk costs money.
So I brought my oil (Mobil 1) and filter to a shop where I had a clutch replaced once, and they had done a good job. I told them to tighten the new filter such that it would be snug, and I could remove it myself next time.
Five thousand miles later I’m under the car to do the next oil change. I still can’t remove the filter. So I look and see the original blue filter which came with the car. I use Fram which is orange.
I checked my maintenance log, called the shop and explained the situation. Their response was that it was “not possible”. I countered with the fact I keep records and asked them what they were going to do about the problem.
They asked me to bring the car in and they would “take care of it”. After I got it back you can be sure I double checked. And yes, it was done.
Unless you can verify the work was done, you can never be sure. Does it happen all the time? I don’t know. But I do know that uncertainty is a synonym for risk. And risk costs money.
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