There is a perception that japanese autos are better.....?

Question

Just wondering if anyone could tell me how many toyotas had been recalled through July 20th 2006
HINT its over two million
(SOURCE automotive news James B Treece article)

The majority of Subarus are manufactured in Japan however a small amount are assembled in the US.

Answer 1

This is just for the month of July 800,000

July 19, 2006
Toyota

Toyota has now recalled almost 800,000 vehicles in July, including 8,500 Prius hybrids as well as some Lexus hybrids sold in the U.S. The Japanese automaker is recalling 418,570 vehicles globally, including 150,000 cars sold in the U.S. and Canada because of a faulty crankshaft sensor.

The recall includes 8,500 Prius vehicles and 26,200 Echos in the U.S.

Last week Toyota recalled 367,594 SUVs, including hybrids, in the U.S because of loose clips in the floor carpet cover that might cause the accelerator pedal to stick.

The vehicles involved in that recall are the Lexus RX 330 and Toyota Highlander SUVs from 2004 to 2005 model years, and the Lexus RX 400h hybrid and Highlander hybrid SUVs from the 2006 model year.

Earlier in July, Toyota recalled 24,200 vans in Japan.

The three July recalls are the latest in a string of problems at Toyota raising doubts over whether the automaker can maintain quality standards amid booming sales.

The Prius recall for a faulty cranshaft sensor does not involve any hybrid components and Toyota will replace, free of charge, the crankshaft position sensor on recalled vehicles.

Toyota warned owners that the connector for the crankshaft position sensor may become disconnected causing the vehicle to stall. The automaker initiated the recall along with NHTSA.

Toyota said there have been no reported cases of accidents or injuries related to the recalled vehicles.

Toyota reports that because of "improper molding of the resin body of the crankshaft position sensor, engine oil may penetrate the seal and enter the connector" in the recalled vehicles.

"In addition, the shape of the locking tab to secure the sensor's wire- harness connector may be improper. In this condition, the oil may expand due to heat from the engine and deform the connector, as well as create pressure on the locking tab, causing the crankshaft position sensor to become disconnected."

If the crankshaft position sensor becomes disconnected while the vehicle is being driven, the engine will stall and will be unable to restart, according to Toyota.

Toyota will notify owners of the involved vehicles of the recall later this month. Owners are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair upon receiving notification.

Last year, Toyota's recalls in the U.S. more than doubled as the number of recalls industry-wide registered a slight decline.

Toyota says it is working to maintain vehicle quality, even as it increases production to meet worldwide demand for its vehicles.

Answer 2

I own a 2000 Subaru: my car was recalled once for an oxygen sensor replacement (easy fix but meh.) I've also had to replace the transmission, the alarm system is broken down so i can only lock the doors by hand, and none of the interior lights work. Never again would I buy a Subaru (they are made in the USA by the way.) I'll buy my next car made in a German or Japanese manufacturing plant.

Answer 3

How many houses have toyotas burned down? Zero.

How many houses have F-150's burned down? About 20 in Florida. That's because they have a glitch in the cruise control that caueses the truck to burst into flames SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SHUT OFF!!!!

If you have ANY doubts as to how superior the Japanese makes are, just go out and drive old cars. 5 -10 years old with 100k or so miles on them.

It is also important to note that NOBODY HAS BEEN KILLED BY a TOYOTA problem that needed a recall. There's a lot of blood on the hands of GM, Ford, and Chrysler due to faulty design.

And European cars are garbage. They are at the bottom of Consumer Reports ratings....Mercedez is DEAD LAST.

Answer 4

If you knew anything about cars, you'd know it depends heavily on which type of car, which price range, and a **** load of other variables. As well, Toyota would obviously have the largest recalls because it's the richest auto company in the world, and from this you could conclude that Toyota had the largest number of cars in production as well. I believe BMW is second in terms of wealthy car companies. Japanese cars are perceived as better because most new and advanced technology is coming out of there. Nissan & Infiniti really stepped up their game too. Toyota's been more of the same. Honda's still the best for price, and the Acura counterparts are great for affordable luxury or pseudo-sports cars.
Honda Civic, Acura RSX, Nissan Altima, Infiniti G35... etc...

Answer 5

I work on cars all the time and all imports are crap.
Even german cars are crap. They require alot more maintenance then any other make of car and they still dont last anylonger, what a waste of 60k or more. I've owned alot of makes of vehicles and now I will own nothing but a FORD.I have a 90 mustang with over 200k miles runs like a top and has 350 hp, and gets 28 mpg on the highway. what could be better. I also own an explorer and a focus. If you take care of them they last forever and just think my explorer doesnt need spark plugs for 100k miles tranny fluid and gear oil is 150k miles it has the v8 and i get 24 mpg highway

Answer 6

In 2005, Ford announced more than 380 million recalls.
Spring 2004, GM recalled more than 400 million of their pick up trucks, 1999-2000 model.

These are just a portion of their recalls.

Answer 7

Japanese vehicles are far better than American cars. Check resale values, Consumer Reports, and ask around - it's a fact.

Look into the details of the factory recalls: Most all Japanese recalls are for extremely minor, non-safety, non-engine related items. Recalls like noisy ball joints, plastic clips, wind noise, etc. Most American car recalls are functional problems - wiring, engine parts, etc.

Answer 8

That is true, but being in auto business for last 20 years I do agree that in general Toyotas and Hondas are more reliable.
Japaneses cars rarely have problems with electrical / electronics,
engines are very good, plus they have smart design and built simplier, which makes them very easy to work on.

Answer 9

as far as German cars go this is my personal experience with a 60,000.00 Mercedes Benz C32 AMG it has 31,000 and has had over 10,000 worth of warranty work preformed.

Answer 10

foregin cars are for lazy people. people that have no business driving a car cause hell they can't even change thier own oil. these cars mechanically are sound for a long time, but the bodies fall apart extremely fast. and as far as them being simpler........ that is b-u-l-l-s-h-i-t!!!! those god damn engines run for a long time but you have to be a rocket scientist to repair them