Recalls: Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, Honda - May 2005

[Marc]

DETROIT (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling about 4,900 of its 2005 model-year Avalon sedans in the United States to fix a defect in the steering wheel column that could result in a loss of control of the vehicle, the company and U.S. safety regulators said on Monday.

"A portion of the steering column assembly may not have been welded correctly," Toyota spokesman John McCandless said.

The recall is another blow for the world's second-largest automaker, which last week recalled about 880,000 sport utility vehicles and pickups worldwide due to a defect in the front suspension that could hamper steering.

Weeks after its debut, Toyota's Georgetown, Ky.-built Avalon sedan is being recalled for steering problems.

Toyota spokeswoman Allison Takahashi said the steering column on some early production models was not welded properly. If the welds break, drivers could lose control.

"We had one customer report this condition to us, so we started our own investigation," Takahashi said.

No accidents have been attributed to the problem.

Toyota will send notices to nearly 4,900 customers on Thursday.

Drivers should take their vehicles to Toyota dealers for inspection and, potentially, replacement of the steering column.

Toyota began building the redesigned Avalon in January, but it did not start showing up at dealerships until April.

Toyota sold 9,229 Avalons in April, up from 3,344 in April 2004.

The recall comes on the heels of a larger Toyota callback. Last week it recalled 750,000 pickups and sport utility vehicles for suspension problems.

Toyota is a perennial leader in quality among mainstream automakers.

Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling 7,191 of its 2006 model-year Mercedes M-Class sport utility vehicles because a clamp that secures the power steering fluid cooling hose may be defective and could cause a loss of the fluid.

This could diminish power steering and lead to a crash, the NHTSA said.

In another safety action, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. is recalling 14,967 2005 model-year Element wagons because the trailer harness kit has an incorrectly wired connector.

"As a result, the trailer brake lamps and turn signal lamps could operate incorrectly, or a fuse could blow causing a sudden loss of brake and turn signal lamp function," the NHTSA said.

[QChas]

Turn the clock back .... It's 1979 and I was in an accident that required extensive repairs to my 1978 Toyota Celica. When I got the car back the speedometer wasn't working. Took the car back and was told it wasn't related to the accident. This is a known problem with the car. When I asked about a recall, I was told "Toyota only recalls vehicles for safety reasons". I asked isn't this safety related? The answer ..... "Your car has a tachometer so you can gauge your speed by that". I actually sent a letter to Toyota and got the same response. Just think, here I am 1 year out of school as a Quality Engineer pumped on the Japenese Quality Programs so I purchase a Toyota based on low recall notices. Needless to say it was the last Toyota I purchased!

[David Hartman]

Originally Posted by QChas

Turn the clock back .... It's 1979 and I was in an accident that required extensive repairs to my 1978 Toyota Celica. When I got the car back the speedometer wasn't working. Took the car back and was told it wasn't related to the accident. This is a known problem with the car. When I asked about a recall, I was told "Toyota only recalls vehicles for safety reasons". I asked isn't this safety related? The answer ..... "Your car has a tachometer so you can gauge your speed by that". I actually sent a letter to Toyota and got the same response. Just think, here I am 1 year out of school as a Quality Engineer pumped on the Japenese Quality Programs so I purchase a Toyota based on low recall notices. Needless to say it was the last Toyota I purchased!

You have posted this twice now, and I just have to comment.

Do you remember the 1978 Ford Pinto, the 1978 Chevy Vega, or the 1978 Plymouth Volare? It has been 26 years and thankfully ALL of the worlds automotive manufacturers have made some very significant changes in their products and in their customer skills. Back in `78 Ford claimed that they were unaware of Pintos having a exploding gastank problem, GM wasn't convinced that the engine in Vega's leaked oil or that the bodies had rust through issues, and CryCo. just couldn't be convinced that the fenders on their Volare (et al) were rusting through (and with the exception of the Pinto gastank issue, none of the others were "safety" related issues).

So 26 years later, who do you trust to buy a vehicle from?

[Bev D]

yes. We must remember that the Japanese culture has a well established cultural norm that if the 'powers that be' say it is so then it is even if it clearly isn't. (Iforget teh japanese term for it) This isn't japanese bashing - just stating a truth that is not so obvious. It was a very useful technique for maintaining order on small island with a large population...

Some 'quality' claims about the more famous japanese based companies are true - others not so true.

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by QChas

Turn the clock back .... It's 1979 and I was in an accident that required extensive repairs to my 1978 Toyota Celica. When I got the car back the speedometer wasn't working. Took the car back and was told it wasn't related to the accident. This is a known problem with the car. When I asked about a recall, I was told "Toyota only recalls vehicles for safety reasons". I asked isn't this safety related? The answer ..... "Your car has a tachometer so you can gauge your speed by that". I actually sent a letter to Toyota and got the same response. Just think, here I am 1 year out of school as a Quality Engineer pumped on the Japenese Quality Programs so I purchase a Toyota based on low recall notices. Needless to say it was the last Toyota I purchased!

Simple question:
Was the speedometer ultimately repaired?
If yes, who paid?
If no, can you really gauge the speed with the tachometer?
(Ever hear of "Texas Overdrive"? - Truckers with speed governors on engines used to slip into neutral to go downhill faster than the governor (or speed limits) would allow. Tachometers would be in "idle" range. Apocryphal tales attributed the first use by Texans eager to get back home to cows after trips to west coast.)

[QChas]

It was fixed and I paid for it! I actually was given a service bulletin that stated 3300 RPM = 55 mph (this was back when 55 was the speed limit). I am not "Japanese Bashing" just stating a fact. The point is back in 1979 we heard all about the Japanese quality and I had this happen. Makes you think doesn't it. I'm sure things have changed for the better but back then Toyota seemed to be more concerned on the number of recalls and how do define a problem. I have not had that luxary (or do I want it) of picking and choosing what a customer complaint is.

[SteelMaiden]

Originally Posted by QChas

I actually was given a service bulletin that stated 3300 RPM = 55 mph (this was back when 55 was the speed limit).

Oh, man, that is too funny!!!! as long as there is no wind, water, the humidity and temperature stay constant, right?

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by SteelMaiden

Oh, man, that is too funny!!!! as long as there is no wind, water, the humidity and temperature stay constant, right?

It also assumes that the car is in gear, I suppose . Personally I don't think Toyota was wrong in not characterizing speedometers as safety devices. Believe it or not, as recently as about 10 years ago (the last time I looked) there were no state laws requiring cars to have speedometers, working or not. Safety with regard to speed is a relative matter; sometimes 10 mph is too fast, and sometimes 70 isn't fast enough. The prime utility of speedometers is in avoidance of speeding tickets. You don't need one to know that you're going too fast (or too slow) for safety.