First the Problem Was Toyotas That Won't Stop. Now It's Toyotas That Won't Go

[RamboLiberal]

Source: ABC News

Toyota Motor Corp., which just announced a recall of more than 4 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles for sudden acceleration, now faces an investigation from U.S. regulators into complaints of random stalling.

According to a document released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week, the agency is investigating more than two dozen complaints from drivers alleging their cars stalled while underway, including while on a highway or at an intersection.

The investigation affects nearly 400,000 Corolla and Matrix vehicles from model year 2006. NHTSA says it is investigating whether there is an "Electronic Control Module (ECM) malfunction resulting in engine stall while driving." The ECM is the electronic "brain" that controls a host of vehicle functions, including the throttle. Safety advocates suggest problems with the ECM may also be at fault for problems with sudden acceleration.

"The Electronic Control Module routinely causes unintended consequences, and this appears to be just another potential problem with the ECM," said safety analyst Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies. "Any time NHTSA opens up an investigation, it's not good news for the automaker."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/problem-toyotas-stop-now-toyotas/story?id=9268936

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Maybe Toyota's ECM is the Windows of automakers.

[Vincardog]

1. Anyone betting on industrial espionage?

[Mopar151]

2. No,

Bet on the intransigence and inertia epidemic in multinational corporations. I was the "recall man" in a GM dealership backalong - I recall one on the Chevy 4-cyl Monza where the motor mount would sag and lock up the steering!
And I remember all those little problems that the zone rep would buy off out of warranty to keep things quiet and prevent a recall...

Personally, I despise "drive by wire", for several reasons - like the 1-3 second delay in throttle response at times, and the "jack-rabbit" starts when you are trying to feather-foot on snow.

[madrchsod]

3. like mopar said...it`s the computers

the failure rate on 4-5 million parts is 1-2% then there`s going to be a big problem. if it`s more than 2% it`s a disaster for toyota....another problem is where the bits and pieces of the computers were made.
my daughter has this problem everyday at the plant she works at.the asian or indian parts are shit.

hell... i hate cable throttles. give me a good mechanical link to the carb!:rofl:

[Mopar151]

4. I could'nt agree more!

And we're not alone.
This is what the pro's insist on





Note the spherical bearing rod ends, and the needle bearing pivot. SMOOOTH - not a hint of a bind. All the return spring tension comes right back to the pedal, so it is nice and linear. I retrofitted one of these linkage kits to my friend's vintage racing Corvette in place of the cable, with excellent results. The "sticktion" in the cable would flex the firewall at the pivot enough that he was only getting about 5/8 throttle.

[tilsammans]

5. Uh-oh. I have a 2006 Matrix . . .

. . . and recently, the computer conked out. Luckily, it was under warranty, so it didn't cost me anything.

I bought a Toyota mostly because of the brand's reputation for reliability. I had one for nine years that was THE best car I've ever owned.

Already, the Matrix isn't up to that level of quality. Not even close.

[Mopar151]

6. Where are all the Toyota loyalists?

The ones that swear Toyotas never rust, never quit, I won't drive anything else, how dare you question my predujices?


Did we lose them after the "falling spare tire" recall? The Tundra buybacks? The slave labor scandal? Or did they figure out that Toyota is just another car company?

[vadawg]

7. yup they are just another car company, but they have my loyalty when it comes to buying

last 5 vehicles have all been toyotas and will be buying another one in the new year. Whether you like it or not people are loyal to the brands they like and they buy what they like...

[Mopar151]

8. I find the quasi-religious fervor amusing...

And you won't like your next 'Yota as well as the past ones - or so my friend the Toyota dealer mechanic tells me.
You probably won't like their cheapskate approach to stuck throttle protection either - but both of the devices used in NASCAR and similar racing are patented, and well known to be American, so they are VERY likely to be ignored. I can't wait to talk to Tim O'Neil to see what he thinks of a device that negates the advanced winter driving techniques he teaches.

[vadawg]

9. lol and its so unlike your own quasi religious fervour against toyotas

im pretty sure i will be as happy with my next toyota as i have been with the last, and ill continue to tell people i love it and recommend it as well. same as you will do with whatever cars you like... see isnt it great that we can have a choice on what we want to drive...

[quiller4]

10. My husband worked for years at a Toyota/Ford dealership. That is one of the

reasons we drive Fords.

[Mopar151]

12. You obviously missed some of my posts.

I was a GM dealer mechanic when the X-body (Citation) was introduced - I know peices of crap when I see 'em. 14 recalls per car on some early ones. And Chevettes? You wanna talk shitboxes - there's one for you!
It's blind loyalty in the face of facts I don't like...I am quite partial to old Fords, but I'll be the first to tell you how to fix them so they don't strand you in East Jockstrap. Honda makes some very nice cars - but their miscalibrated odometers in Accords is a stroke of evil genius - effectively shortening the warranty and exaggerating fuel mileage.
And I can go on... but when you look at a large financial commitment with the bilnd fervor of a Browns fan, I can only shake my head.

[Odin2005]

11. BWAHAHAHA!!! Suck it, Toyota apologists!