Knee Jerk Toyota Reactions

[Geo]

Out of 20 million vehicles sold, there have been 2,000 documented complaints of gas pedals sticking. Don't get me wrong- a sticky gas pedal is bad. However, I believe (as usual) Americans, fueled by the media, are behaving/reacting irrationally. And I believe our govenment is acting irresponsibly.

Remove emotion and what we have is a product issue that affects 1 in 10,000 consumers. Um, the odds of being killed in a car accident is 1 in 165. Should the transportation secretary tell people to stop driving completely? Because he told Americans he recommends they stop driving Toyotas until they are fixed. He later said he misspoke.

What he should have said is, "let's remain calm and rational. Toyotas have proven to be safe and reliable. But in the unlikely event that you find your Toyota's gas pedal (or any make/model for that matter) to be stuck- Remain calm, shift your car into Neutral and pull over to the side of the road. Do not resume driving your vehicle. Have it towed.

Toyota has been handling this better than what I've seen from many other car companies when faced with similar issues. But I believe these guys are getting it far worse from the court of public opinion.

 

[Bob]

come to daddy!

 

[Geo]

May the "not perceived to have a catastrophic glitch" car win.

 

[Minnie]

I don't think Toyota, and I own one, has been treated any differently in the media than any other vehicle that has proven to cause loss of life.

Where Toyota went wrong is blaming the problem on the floor mats when in truth that was not the problem at all. There have been fatalities with the mats removed.

I guess when one loses a loved one it is hard to remain calm. There were numerous reports of problems prior to the deaths but they were not taken seriously.

I will continue to drive my Toyota, as so far mine as not been listed as one needing to be recalled but I will no longer feel they are a trusted company where money does not influence decisions.

 

[sunspotbaby]

Maybe the government wants Americans to buy American? Lots of folks getting their income tax, spending that money buying or trading their vehicles.

Maybe they're just trying to capitalize on the current circumstances.

 

[Minnie]

Maybe the government wants Americans to buy American? Lots of folks getting their income tax, spending that money buying or trading their vehicles.

Maybe they're just trying to capitalize on the current circumstances.

I think a large percentage of the cars affected were built in the US.

 

[Geo]

Toyota halted sales at dealers, issued a recall, apologized, placed ads in major publications, etc etc

Historically, automakers have done zilch when an issue has resulted in the relatively few deaths we're talking about here. Plenty of examples starting with the Ford Pinto.

 

[Minnie]

Toyota halted sales at dealers, issued a recall, apologized, placed ads in major publications, etc etc

Historically, automakers have done zilch when an issue has resulted in the relatively few deaths we're talking about here. Plenty of examples starting with the Ford Pinto.

Totally agree what they are doing now, is the right thing and probably more than was done in the past. But people expect more now. So are they doing out of the goodness of their hearts or because it is demanded of them.

They should have stepped up sooner. One death was too many.

 

[sunspotbaby]

I think a large percentage of the cars affected were built in the US.

No matter where they're built, If consumer confidence in their product wanes, and sales slip, my guess is it's going to affect the bottom line. right? And possibly, at the same time, generate sales of other makes whether American or other.

Maybe i watch too many spy shows.

 

[librarian]

there are actually 2 recalls. i heard about the 1st-floor mat -a long time before i got notice and had to actually pester my dealership to get the info on it. i don't believe: "just in case something happens put your floor mat in your trunk" is appropriate when they leave it at that for month after month-no communication by dealer or online. then comes the 2nd recall with little info -why couldn't they send out even a postcard saying "this is what's going on..."

i do care that they've lost my trust AND i'm having to answer to family about driving a fairly new car many think is unsafe. Frankly i don't think it's just the mat and i do think negative press and economics is the only thing that will get get them to fix the actual problem-money talks-whether it's huge lawsuits or people not buying their cars.