Does Toyota have quality problems?

[Anewman]

The money from GM and Ford comes to the US. For Toyota it goes to Japan.

You might want to check out some these facts about the difference between domestics and the imports and their effects on jobs.

I have heard that song b4, and I have read Levelfieldinstitute propaganda as well.

I was just pointing out that implying that a Camry is made in Japan is not accurate and neither is saying that a "FORD" Focus is built in the USA.

It is also easy to say that Toyotas money goes to japan, take this thread about Camrys. Dont they have the BIGGEST auto plant(employee wise) in the USA paying their workers $29 an hour making Camrys in KY??

The lines are very gray, this is not 1970 when all Toys and Datsuns came over on a boat and then our money was shipped back on those same boats. If a company employs half a million workers in our country, it is obvious that not all of the money goes back to Japan.

If a company is building more and more plants with good paying JOBS here in our country, while our "AMERICAN" car makers are announcing job cuts and plant closures only to open new plants in other countries... How long can we keep singing that same old song???

 

[tarzanman]

I have heard that song b4, and I have read Levelfieldinstitute propaganda as well.

I was just pointing out that implying that a Camry is made in Japan is not accurate and neither is saying that a "FORD" Focus is built in the USA.

It is also easy to say that Toyotas money goes to japan, take this thread about Camrys. Dont they have the BIGGEST auto plant(employee wise) in the USA paying their workers $29 an hour making Camrys in KY??

The lines are very gray, this is not 1970 when all Toys and Datsuns came over on a boat and then our money was shipped back on those same boats. If a company employs half a million workers in our country, it is obvious that not all of the money goes back to Japan.

If a company is building more and more plants with good paying JOBS here in our country, while our "AMERICAN" car makers are announcing job cuts and plant closures only to open new plants in other countries... How long can we keep singing that same old song???

The US Camry's are made in KY and the US Focus is made in Wayne, MI. The non-US versions of vehicles made for most manufacturers are in other countries. So, no matter what happens in the US, as markets in China, Eastern Europe and South America grow their industry volumes, plants will continue to be built in other countries. US industry volumes have been flat for years. GM, Ford and Chrysler, along with Toyota have plants all over the US. Toyota is planning on building their 8th plant in the US. GM and Ford have many more than that. There is no doubt about that.

I am not sure about the $29 per hour in KY. Is that a skilled trades wage? If that is the line wage for workers, they must have a pretty long waiting list to get jobs there.

 

[GeorgeG]

We're on our third Toyota Camry and I doubt it will be our last. We've had Fords, Chevys, Chryslers, etc. and they were all still good cars (and trucks) two or three decades ago, but something changed.

Using the Camry as an example, they are a nice, reasonably priced, and very reliable car... period. That's all it really takes to win the market.

Every so often we hear about how the American car companies want the government to weigh the scales in their favor. That's not the proper way to compete. Figure out what Toyota is doing right and do it as good or better. That's what free enterprise is. I think most Americans would like to spend their money on American products, but they work hard for their money and expect a decent product in return. Make a better car or stop whining.

 

[tarzanman]

We're on our third Toyota Camry and I doubt it will be our last. We've had Fords, Chevys, Chryslers, etc. and they were all still good cars (and trucks) two or three decades ago, but something changed.

Using the Camry as an example, they are a nice, reasonably priced, and very reliable car... period. That's all it really takes to win the market.

Every so often we hear about how the American car companies want the government to weigh the scales in their favor. That's not the proper way to compete. Figure out what Toyota is doing right and do it as good or better. That's what free enterprise is. I think most Americans would like to spend their money on American products, but they work hard for their money and expect a decent product in return. Make a better car or stop whining.

I think that the US autos would just like a more level playing field. Legacy health care costs for them are no where near GM, Ford or Chrysler. Japan's national healthcare helps take care of that. Currency manipulation of the YEN doesn't really help the US autos either. Free enterprise works fine in a free enterprise system. But we don't have one of those.

I like the make a better car and stop whining. That is what it all comes down to for the most part. GM and Ford are definitely coming around.

 

[basas]

I honestly believe you can get a great car, or one with non-stop problems from any company. I know we have had both sides of the spectrum for car companies across the board. Just for example, we bought the same type of car (a Town and Country) with someone else. Ours has been nearly problem-free (and now has nearly 150,000 miles on it), but the other one has been in the shop every other week. Luck of the draw I guess...

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We travel a lot and have always purchased Ford vehicles. We have gone through three vans and a Taurus.... putting at least 60-80,000 miles on them before we traded them off.

Regular maintenance and no major issues.

We looked recently at Toyota products and just felt that the interior was cheap feeling. I don't know how else to explain it.... that is just how we felt.

We ordered a loaded Ford Edge and hopefully it will be here within the month!

 

[honeymom]

We have an excellent Toyota Sienna that has not had major problems (have had it for 7 years). However, our Honda Accord is even better.

 

[Planogirl]

My company is moving to South America so it's safe to say that I couldn't care less whether a company is "American" or not. I do care whether companies employ American workers though and it appears that Japanese automakers employ plenty.

By the way, I currently have a Mitsubishi with just under 120K miles. I've had no problems and couldn't be happier. Before that I had the last decent T-Bird made before the current overpriced version. That was a good car. We've also have several GM cars, all trash, another good Mitsubishi, a good Nissan and decent Fords. What does this mean? Not much to me, except for maybe the GM's.

 

[Anewman]

We looked recently at Toyota products and just felt that the interior was cheap feeling. I don't know how else to explain it.... that is just how we felt.

No need to explain it, it is a very valid reason to buy(or not) a car.

I just dont like the old "you are not supporting America" line when somebody buys an import, that used to be accurate but the gap has closed. I feel that one has more than supported the US when they buy a product that puts half a million Americans to work.

The Irony is that I currently drive a Dodge(2004 Durango limited Hemi) and I am so happy with it that I am planning on upgrading to a 2007 this spring, my only point is that where it was made was the last consideration that went into the purchasing decision. I would not have purposely purchased a piece of junk just because of where it was built, I purchased it because I felt it was a great car.

 

[powellrj]

dh and I drove company cars for years which were usually a Camry and a Taurus so thats still what we usually buy. DH likes my Camry because he says its rides better and is quieter. I do think the Camry rides better than the Taurus, but we still own 2 Tauruses, so they can't be that bad!

I thought it was interesting that Ford announced yesterday its bringing back the Taurus. I forget which car its replacing. I guess there are several of us Taurus drivers still out there!!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm on my third Toyota and I will probably buy a 4th. The only thing I have ever had to do to any of them was regular maintenance/wear and tear kind of stuff.
3 of the 4 were made by American hands in factories in Ohio and Kentucky. There's a good amount of Toyota money keeping American families working.

 

[golfgal]

We have had Toyota's in our family since 1972 and have never had a problem with any of them. We have also had Fords, Dodge, GMC, Chevy and have had issues with every single one of them. Sometimes they are somewhat minor like door panels falling off for no reason but it is still time in the shop. We spent more in repairs on our Mercury Villager then we have on all of our Toyota's COMBINED.

There is NO reason US automakers can't up their quality control standards to match Honda and Toyota. They just won't for what ever reason. Until the US makes a car as reliable as Toyota or Honda they are always going to lose out to them.

Our last Toyota is 18 years old and still going strong--we sold it 2 years ago but the man that bought is still driving it and it STILL hasn't needed a repair.

 

[RC Fan]

It seems like most of the car topics on the CB inevitably end with this 'buy US or you are not supporting our economy' argument. I don't know all the technicalities, but I do know there are a quite a few Japanese factories on North American soil. So it seems while we are contributing to the Japanese economy, the Japanese economy is also contributing to our economy.

While I am a big fan of Japanese car manufacturers, I certainly wouldn't say that their cars are perfect. My current Subaru has had some issues, but overall has been a great car for me. I would definitely buy Japanese again.

On the other hand I have tried the new GMC Sierra, and loved it! Unfortunately the build quality seems to be decreasing with each new generation of the vehicle.

 

[honeymom]

Re: the interiors feeling cheap. We picked our Sienna minivan, because at the time it was one of the few minivans to offer a leather interior and sunroof. People always compliment the interior of our van when they get in for the first time.

 

[deelam]

okay, I have a 2002 Camry. What does this recall me to me. My car seems to run fine. I really want to get another year or 2 out of it. Then I was thinking of giving it to my niece. I just love not having payments. What about the recall, should I contact my dealer?

 

[Deb & Bill]

okay, I have a 2002 Camry. What does this recall me to me. My car seems to run fine. I really want to get another year or 2 out of it. Then I was thinking of giving it to my niece. I just love not having payments. What about the recall, should I contact my dealer?

You should automatically get something from Toyota. I know I received something about the sludge problem with Siennas (I've never had any problem with that, though) without doing anything.

 

[ZachnElli]

I disagree that Toyota's problems don't make big news. In 2003 we bought a Toyota Sienna (the newer version) and there was a big recall on them a short time later. It was the gas tank and it was a big problem. It made news. My van had its gas tank replaced very easily and they gave me a loaner for the day. Recently, like in the last 2 weeks, they just announced another big recall from Toyota. It was the news and I took note because my DH has a Toyota Tundra. It was on the national news. I figured this was just another if you buy Japanese cars you aren't supporting American workers thread. My Toyota was built in Indiana.

 

[Trish Bessette]

After years of hardships with my Dodge Shadow, Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler LeBaron & Ford Explorer (which was a nightmare) I have finally bought a new Toyota Camry. So far, so good Since I put 30K miles on a year I NEED a car that is reliable. From what I hear of other Toyota owners this is what I should try. I'm hoping it works for me.

However, DH last GMC Sierra pickup truck we say it turn 200K miles before we sold it! Great truck!!

 

[m&m's mom]

I love my Camry - but not happy w/ it last week.
I am on my 4th Toyota in 18 years. I have a 2005 model.
Last Wednesday I was coming home from work on an extremely busy freeway in Dallas and right in the middle of driving on 50+ mph - the car just died! Zero power. My hazard lights would not even come on. I was a sitting duck. Several people have been killed in this part of Dallas on the highway. To make a very long story short, turns out I lost 100% of my battery capacity. Very odd to me for that to happen while I was driving w/ no warning.
Oh yeah, I am 1000 miles out of warranty. Got a new battery and then the check engine light comes on. It has been in the shop for 3 days trying to get some charcoal filter for the gas tank installed.
So.... usually happy w/ Toyota but not at this exact moment.

 

[wdw4us2]

I am so tired of reading posts that unequivocably state that Japanese cars are better quality than those manufactured in the USA. Yes, the US automakers manufactured many low quality vehicles from the mid 1970's - late 1980's. I don't feel this is the case now.

We have owned GM vehicles exlusively for the past 20 years. We have not encountered the problems that others keep mentioning here. None of our vehicles was involved in a recall. Among the vehicles we currently own, one is a 1993 Chevy Silverado truck with over 130,000 miles on it. We've never had a problem with it. We also do preventive maintenance on our vehicles before it's called for. We take care of our vehicles so they last a long time.

Plenty of people are happy with their imported autos. I have never wanted to own one. I just wanted to let everyone know that there are quality autos that are manufactured in the US and we enjoy supporting US automakers. I don't care if my Chevy is assembled here, in Canada or Mexico. It consists of mainly US manufactured parts and the profits go to US owned companies.

BTW, I read an article last year (I wish I could find it now) regarding the sale of new US manufactured vehicles abroad. Evidently, the restrictions imposed on US auto exports are much more severe than those the US places on vehicles it imports into the US resulting in a serious trade deficit between US automakers versus foreign automakers.