Toyota Recalls 30,000 Scion tCs

Airbags in 30,000 2005 and 2006 Scion tC coupes can accidentally deploy, according to a Toyota recall announced today. The company has received reports of 17 incidents where the seat-mounted and side curtain airbags deployed when the door was slammed too hard while the ignition was on or up to 90 seconds after the ignition was turned off. Faulty sensors are to blame, and Scion dealers will replace them at no charge. Luckily, there have been no accidents or injuries related to the recall. While only 20% of Scions produced contain the faulty sensors, all tC owners should contact their service department to find out if their vehicle is affected, and Toyota will issue a recall notice in the mail next month.

[Toyota Recalling Some Scion tCs Because of Side Airbags, Chicago Tribune]

Comments

awwww, toyota crumbles some more, so much for that "bullet proof reliability"....

TOYOTA HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL SINCE IT CRITICALLY ACCLAIMS TOP SCORE RELIABILTY RECORDS. THIS ADDS TO ANOTHER RECALL AFTER JUST HAVING THE CAMRY ON THE LIST FOR A PROGRAM MALFUNCTION, AMONG THEIR OTHER CARS. THEY NEED TO BE PATIENT WHEN RELEASING THEIR NEW AUTOS.

I'd rather deal with Toyota on a dozen recalls than I would with GM or Ford. What is Toyota's sales up by? 15%? 20%? Meanwhile Ford lost $5.8 billion just in the third quarter alone. That tells me that the recalls are having no effect on their ability to sell cars and trucks. I'm sure Ford and GM would love to have the same problem.

If this was an American Manufacture's car it would be on the front page of every newspaper

What ever, A recall for a Japanese car is inconvenient at best, but being stuck with a "durable" American car often ends up in being stuck in dangerous situations, like by the side of a highway. Get what I'm saying?

Just a comment about japanese cars.
I have a 1994 Mercury Marquis that I bought, It had 100,000 miles on the O.D. when I bought it. %It now is appoaching 200,000 miles. Only problem I have had is two window regulators. Otherwise the car has been trouble free, plus I get between 22 and 25 miles per gallon. Not bad for a car with a v-8 and seats six plus can carry their luggage.
Wow , what service. Where are the japanese auto lovers now. Bet They got mud on their faces.

Hey, by the way, I only paid 2500 dollars for it. The paint job is flawless, except for a few dings on the front bumper, even after 12 years. Eat your hearts out Toyota owners.

You have allowed Motor trend, Car and Driver and all the auto magazines that praise Foreign cars, that are owned by the foreign companies to cloud your judhement.

Where are you all going to be when you send all your money to Japan, China: etc. when they come to take over, because they have all the money.
Are you going to blame the U. S President for the serious trade deficit that our country faces.
Are you going to blame him for not buying enough American goods while you drive away in your Toyota's Honda's Hyundai's :etc ?

Chuck, unless you have stock in Toyota, your comment is silly. A recall is a recall is a recall, no matter what company. Toyota builds cars with defects too, and they should be held accountable. Instead, those of us in the know can read about SOME of the the recalls on sites like this, while the GM and Ford recalls are on the Local news for days. That is a fact here in Houston.
The Tc has been recalled before for something related to safety. Whats next, are the wheels going to fall off? Better yet, if they did would anyone care?

Perhaps I'm missing something in the thread but I don't see how Chuck's comments are silly (as being claimed by Sulli). Maybe Sulli does not comprehend the inherit message which I believe 'Chuck' is saying is that with explosive growth there will be quality related issues. Being that it's Toyota everyone will assume that the necessary adjustments will be made. On the other hand if it was a Ford or GM they would more likely want to delay addressing the issue at hand or sweep it under the carpet all together.
In my car buying experience that has stretched over 30 years, Jap cars have much less recalls than Ford or GM. In fact I've found that Japs will address issues prior to them becoming a recall. It's called being proactive, however I think your average car buyer would simply call it doing the right thing.

David, I believe your interpretation of Chucks's comment is a lot more insightful than the actual comment. He basicly said that Toyota could build crap (not saying that they do) and he'd still be on board, and I think that is silly. I understand completly that the bigger the numbers the more chance for problems- and I never stated otherwise. All I stated was that the Big 3 ( I didn't mention Chrysler, but I'll do it now) gets a lot more negative press for recalls than Toyota.

Toyota builds crap cars. My 1991 Toyota Corolla looks like a piece of shit. It gots some big rust holes in the door and i couldn't open the fuel filler door. I had to break it in order to fill up my Corolla. And you call that legendary quality? I see way more Toyotas on the junkyard than any other car. Then I had a 1996 Toyota Camry last yera. Its engine was burning oil and this one also had that same fuel-release door problem. After that, I started looking at Toyotas that I see on the road, and I have seen that tha majority of 1992-1996 Toyota Camrys got the same problems mine had. I don't know why someone doesn't issue a recall about them already? This is a serious problem. It needs to be adressed.

The Toyota Prius is another slow ass car. It doesn't even get that high EPA-posted mileage. It gets 36 mpg highway. My friend gots one and he aint satisfied. The EPA needs to put real-world gas mileage on thet Prius. I'm not saying on all cars, but especially the Prius.

Yeah, Toyota builds 'crap' but some how they are setting new sales records. Ignorance is bliss.

And to the David-Sulli-Chuck thread....I don't see where 'David' claimed Toyota could build crap and people would still buy it as 'Sulli' is claiming. No need to be jealous of Toyota's success. Even if it is coming at the expense of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. If they can't compete so be it.

Paul and everyone else, just to be clear- I am not defending the Big 3 at all. Nor am I condemning Toyota. Also I never said that "Toyota could build crap and people would still buy it"- if you actually read my post, I actually stated that I don't think they do. And as for the comment about what chuck said- read the first line of his post. He put it in black in white- that is not something that I "interpretted". Lastly, as far as being "jealous" of Toyota, thats taking things a little far. I have nothing against Toyota- I've owned them in the past, along with domestic and European brands, and I'd be driving a Camry Hybrid right now if I weren't very curious to see how the Altima Hybrid turns out.

I find the bickering quit funny, however I felt the need to chime in. I went over the 'conversation' and Sulli does say, "He basicly said that Toyota could build crap...".

Now for Sulli to claim he didn't say that I would agree. He typed it instead. Case closed. (I'm a state judge and a car fanatic so I feel I am more than qualified to chime in and render a decision)

Keep up the fabulous work!

?

Toyota really does build crap cars. I don't care about their sales records because take a walk through Victory Auto Junkyard and see for yourself who really builds crap cars. Its TOYOTA!!!!! NOT NISSAN!!!!!! NOT HONDA!!!!!

As a matter of fact, HYUNDAI is NOT Japanese!! It's KOREAN!! ITS UNRELIABLE!!!

Sounds like someone has a personal issue with Koreans and their products. You're ranting and raving borders on irrational. Yes, the first mid-80s Hyundais had quality problems. They were still learning. That was 20 years ago. The progress Hyundai has made is nothing short of revolutionary. JD Power and many, many other independent sources have consistently praised Hyundai's vehicle's. Steadily increasing sales also prove the public is embracing Hyundai. If they really build such terrible cars as you say, they would have gone out of business many years ago.
Ultimately, everyone has their own opinions about Japanes, American, European, and Korean cars based on their own experiences. Don't take it so personally.

Toyota and Honda's reliability is going down because people are buying them like crazy because of the fact that both of those car makers have top notch gas mileage and because they are building to many cars to fast and have to many cars in their lineups, theres more reasons then just that but im saying what i know. GM at least is trying to make their cars more reliable and from what i hear they doing a good job of it. GM still has a long way to go before they match the reliablity Toyota had. M3 is right Hyundai is increasing in reliablity i hear it all the time and read it all the time.

Toyota left a bad impression of itself on me a couple years ago. With more recalls than any Japanese auto manufacturer, it’s really, really, really, a shame that Toyota is in the same pit as Ford. It’s not an increase in production that is causing this because there are other auto manufacturers who have increased production, but their products are reliable just like they have been before. I will never buy a Toyota EVER AGAIN after personally experiencing Toyota’s cost-cutting abilities.

I owned 2 Toyotas and at first, when I bought them, they seemed so immaculate. After a couple of months of ownership, they started going bad. One time, my 2001 Camry completely stalled in traffic and this disabled all the safety features it had and good thing that everyone saw what happened, because if they didn’t and I got injured, I would sue Toyota. The engine completely stalled and after cranking it a few times, it didn’t want to turn back on. I took it to the mechanic to have it checked out and he said that the Computer Module “blew up.” What kinda car is this?? It only had 45,000 miles on it. This was one of my first cars. After this, I was driving my other Toyota, a 1994 Toyota Camry LE, and the engine started burning oil. This Camry had 89,000 miles and I was so mad that day that I did not know what to do with these two cars that have imitated to me that they were good when I test- driven them.

The reason why I bought Toyotas was because I saw their ads posted everywhere, so I thought that this must be a quality auto company. I was TOTALLY MISLED by TOYOTA!!!! TOYOTA HAD FAILED ME!!! I WILL NEVER-EVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN!!!

In fact, I have JUNKED BOTH of my TOYOTAS, yes, I junked them because they were both total crap cars. I figured that it I sell them or trade them, that the problem they had will haunt the next owner. Any car, virtually any car, at that mileage performs better than those SUCK ASS TOYOTAS DID!!!

Toyota has completely failed me, but however, my Honda didn’t.

I drive my Honda everyday to work and it is so vigorous and immaculate in every way. I just love the car. It’s cute, gets 45mpg, way more than my FAILURES did!! My 1990 Honda had 105,000 miles on it at the time of the purchase, but handles like a new car!! No engine burning oil and no malfunctions!!It’s far more responsive and doesn’t need any services, except for oil; changes and tune ups that all cars need, including the Toyotas!!! But it didn’t need anything else!! Where are Toyota fans now?? Probably jealous about their Camry for being a SUCK ASS CAR!!!

To this day, my Honda has 250,000 miles on it and I got 2 more Hondas. A Prelude and an Accord!! They’re all flawless and make a Mercedes look like a Kia!!

My ownership of Hondas will be infinite and I plan to take my Hondas all the way to their 400,000 mile marks because my Honda Accord is a 1986 (HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY ACCORD!!!) LX-I hatchback and it has 300,000 miles and it’s a jewel!! My Prelude has 190,000 miles and is a 1994!! No engine burning!! My Hondas have hound good homes.

I’m sorry Toyota Lovers if I broke your hearts, made you cry or upset or anything of that matter!! Toyota had failed me and I have experienced it. I’m not defending anyone and I’m not jealous of anyone.

Toyota had failed me. These days, I only trust Honda/Acura and Nissan/Infiniti. I do not trust Mitsubishi that much because I have seen that their engines also bur oil quicker than the other 2 I mentioned above. Toyota has a bad reputation. That’s all I got to say. Peace;)

As from my experience, I have seen a lot of Hyundais at the junkyard, so don't take it too personally Hyundai lovers. I know that hyundai sucks no matter what all these media in favor of them have to say.

Toyota Corolla Model 2000 is a bad one! The National Toyota doesn't care about their failure to fix the problem. My car has a left wheel noise that Toyota accused being from a a bearing problem... They change it onces,but they never solved the noise problem. Don't waste your time thinking the Toyota care about their old cars.. The lession learned was not buy their car anynore. I am happy with my HONDA now.

How about some English lessons for you illiterates?
Toyotas are not that bad...most of you ignorant boys and girls don't look after them...you just drive and drive and drive until something goes wrong...and this is because most of you don't even know that the tires must have air in them and that the engine must have oil in it. Yes, folks, even the best cars are designed to burn some oil; it's normal. But you folks who do not realize that will let the engine run low on oil and, miraculously, this will ruin an engine.

By the way, my 2001 Honda Accord EX with 141000 miles has been nearly flawless. (Engine and SRS computers were both replaced under warranty. The SRS computer went bad at 39000, but Honda Cars of Concord repaired it under warranty anyway. Maybe Honda actually values their customers since Honda is such a DRIVERS' CAR!!!) I'll motor on, with a close eye on those things I have to watch for. You folks can drive on wondering why your cars break down.

About japanese car I have one thing to say my 1969 Datsun 510 is running like a champ.Another than that I also own 5 Datsun 510's 71,72,73,68 all of them have been driven really HARD!My 69 has the abuse than any of my Datsuns.She is bone stock.I wish the 510 was still being made however, I do own a 69 toyota corona is run well but I love my Datsuns

"I'd rather deal with Toyota on a dozen recalls than I would with GM or Ford. "

There's a smart consumer. (Sarcasm) So, you admit that basically, you pick the Toyota because of personal preference, not because they're any more reliable, dependable or well-built than American cars. I'd rather not deal with recalls - as I have not with EITHER of my two last Fords. Plus, I have good looking cars with nicely styled interiors that I definately wouldn't have had if I got a soulless Toyota or an overpriced, overhyped, underrefined Scion.

As for the praise heaped on Honda for doing repairs under warranty, are you owners of Japanese cars THAT deluded that you think this is something to be praised? Seriously. Big deal. They respected the warranty! As much as you might think this is something special, because it was a Honda dealer or whatever, all they did was the same thing an American manufacturer would do. But then again, it's only a guess since I never had the computer die with less than 40,000 miles on the odo. Your other comments about "having to watch" for things prove that your "driver's car" (LOL!) is NO BETTER than ANY American car. (As for "driver's car" - if you think that about a Honda, you've never driven a BMW.)

No one needs to tell me that a BMW is better than a Japanese car. They suck ass!! They leak oil at low mileage, so in your face!!!

To Jim:

Seems as if you’re having personal issues with the Japanese

“So, you admit that basically, you pick the Toyota because of personal preference, not because they’re any more reliable, dependable or well-built than American cars.” So you’re talking basically about yourself, that you pick the American cars because of personal preference, not because it’s more reliable, dependable than the Japanese cars.

You also mention “my two last Fords.” Well, I got a ? 4 u, smart ass wanna-be. Your last 2 cars were Fords. So what went wrong, since you claim that they’re more reliable?? (Ha, ha, ha, ha!!) What do you drive now?? If they’re so good, then why did you leave them?? You also claim that you “have good looking cars with nicely styled interiors that I definitely wouldn’t have had if I got a soulless Toyota or an overpriced, overhyped, underrefined Scion.” Boy, do you need a spell checker!!!! Well, you don’t know how these cars look because you’re too obsessed with that American car of yours that you should marry. Toyotas come with nice interiors and they are refined as well. As for you claiming a Scion to be “soulless” what do you mean by that?? Are you saying that young people are “soulless”? Because if you are, Scion is a car division basically for young people and can be modified easily, unlike your Ford, which is for senior citizens. You’re taking things a little too far. You don’t know anything about these cars.

As for Honda, they go by their word. Since you claim it as “As much as you might think this is something special, because it was a Honda dealer or whatever, all they did was the same thing an American manufacturer would do.” First, it’s not “or whatever.” It’s a Honda dealer. A “whatever” would be a Ford, because I’ve owned many cars in the past and based on my experience, when I took my Ford to the dealer to get the oil gasket fixed on my Ford Escort, the dealer took the car for a week, and when I came back, they said they found nothing wrong with it. But the problem was still there. So I had to take it to the “whatever” place to get the stupid, cheap a**, unrefined Ford with an ugly a** interior fixed at my local mechanic for $600. I went through all the hassles and had my car gone for a week. Honestly, this Ford Escort spent more time at the shop than it did with me. Also to mention, my Ford had only 10,000 miles when the computer module died. So, now who’s more reliable?? The verdict: The Japanese cars.

As referring to Kevin’s comments about “having to watch” basically what he’s saying there (since there are dumb people who don’t get the true meaning of two words, I’ll have to translate) is that you have to take care of your car meaning that you have to change the oil regularly and tune-up the car in order for your car to run. This refers to all cars. As for “driver’s car” you caught his comments wrong. A driver’s car is a car that runs well with only simplest maintenance being done to it and that it runs well without spending a lot of time at the mechanics. As for you stating that “your ‘driver’s car’ (LOL!) Is NO BETTER than ANY American car” you’re directly ignorant about the truth. No one is proving that a “driver’s car” has to be watched for. You’re proving that on your BMW that it has to go in the shop more that Japanese cars do. You’re just taking things a little too far.

“As for ‘driver’s car’- if you think that about a Honda, you’ve never driven a BMW” as you stated, YOU NEVER-EVER DRIVEN A HONDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A HONDA IS A DRIVER’S CAR!! A BMW isn’t and here’s why. I also had a BMW and it’s engine leaked oil at around 30,000 miles. The car was fairly new and it was leaking oil. What kinda car is that? And you call that a “driver’s car” (LOL!!!!)?? That’s worse than an Accord, Altima, Camry, or Galant. You’re condemning Japanese cars on irrational.

Do you hate the environment? Because Japanese cars are fuel-efficient and produce a little amount of emissions. Seems like it.

As for a “soulless” car, that would be an Oldsmobile because those cars are ancient.

“If you can find a better built small car than a Toyota... buy it!”
–1978 Toyota Celica Ad

I chose this statement as my point. If you think you can buy a better car than a Japanese car, then buy it, but be ready to deal with a whole lot of issues after you drive it away from the dealership.

I’ve come to this conclusion:

You’re condemning Japanese cars because you can’t afford to buy one. You think the parts are expensive just because the car is good quality. You think that because you’re only into BMW’s and based on them you think that it’s the same for other cars, cars that are a BETTER STANDARD OF DRIVING!!

A CAR WITH A SOUL: NISSAN ALTIMA!!!

That’s all I gotta say for now. Peace out. :)

As for M3 and his comment on Hyundai, the reason why Hyundai didn’t go out of business many years ago is because someone stronger, with more power is standing behind Hyundai and that is GM. There is no way that you can get a car for an extremely cheap price to have quality material in it and a big warranty. I got a word for you: that warranty is a piece of shit. It doesn’t cover anything. No wonder they have to have such a big warranty, because the car needs one. The warranty sucks ass. They wont do anything under it to the car. Nothing is repaired. So why have a car that sucks with such an amazing warranty when the warranty don’t help at all?? No point to the warranty.

Well lets start the true facts.Amercan manufacturing in the auto industry. Henry Ford said it 'You make more money off of the car after it is sold than at the sale it self'That being said. The 70's & 80's Where evedent of that same thinking. Then the japanese came with there reliable small cars. It took multiple sales loses for the americans to wake.See the japanese cars & trucks where at 14 thing gone wrong per 100 cars & trucks.The americans where at about 25 TGW'S per 100 cars & trucks. Since then which by the way is 20 years ago.The american manufacturers GM,FORD&CHRYSLER. They have improved 12 points over the years.Bring them down to 13 TGW's.That is amazing way to go American work force & engineers. Where as the japanese counter parts have improved also to the from 14 to 11. So yes the japanese are still slightly better than the americans.We have improved with our and I do mean OUR quality and productivity. Can,t wait to see the next ten years.OH and by the way. There is a over half a million recall on your Sequias & The NEW TUNDRAs. It apears they don,t steer very well.But I guess you don,t need to unless your dealer is straight ahead.lol

OH by the way 96 Taurus 200,000 brakes 2 times.That is it for that one.03 F-250 80,000 never seen the shop.03 Escape 120,000 one injector & one set of brakes. 96 escort 260,000 3sets brakes slight oil leak still runing back and forth to school. So kiss my amercan buying toe. Thought I was going to be crude . I'll leave that up to you japanes lovers. Oh and who ever said they don't see the recalls of the japanese on news & the papers is correct.

American cars also have steering problems. If Toyota has problems, that don't mean all Japanese cars have problems.

Hey smilly don't be so ignorant.I was simply pointing out that the japnese that you obviously are in bed with. Your like a battered woman even if they keep hitting you you still go back.Idiot! Thank god they have counciling for the batered women. We can only hope that there will be something some day for you people that can't get the 70s & 80's out of your thick sculls. Wake up AMERICA!

Oh yea what I was pointing out was that there is documented proof that there is a massive recall on your beloved Toyotas. Which by the way held of the report for 2006. Reason? So they looked better on paper than the AMERICANS for there total recalls in 2006.So they didn't report them until 2007.They are still up to there old trick of lies & deceet. The sooner we wake up to the fact the better off we will be.Again don't get me wrong they build a good product.But don't put them up on a pedistal.

Guys,
This is NOT A MESSAGE BOARD. Try to elevate the discourse or don't bother commenting. This site is to help car shoppers and owners with relevant current information about all models. This is not a place to discuss American vs. Imports. That's a tired argument and there are plenty of other places to have it.
Thank you.

Hey I was just pointing out the facts the the media won't. And the fact is don't have blinders on when you are looking for AMERICAN COMPANY OWNED VEHICALS. WE are just as good and in some cases better.

Hey Jerry! how about going an F---- yourself. Stop blaming the Japanese vehicles all the damn time!! It is not the Japanese vehicles reason why American made cars suck. As for you saying that fAmerican vehicles are even better than foreign vehicles, that is wrong. You're the one who is blind and American cars are the ones to be blamed for Global Warming. stop making big engines that just consume gas, but don't have power. then you claim them and say they're better than foreign cars. That is not true.

Japanese cars are good for environment? Maybe, but, what happend when the batteries of those hybrid cars over your lifetime? The japanese automakers have a plan what to do with those compounds?
25% of environmental damage of a car starts on the assembly line. There is the kick on the balls of hybrid cars. The owner needs to drive 15 years with this kind of car to over the damage to the environment caused on assembly line.About the high mileage of the japanese cars , is just GM/Ford put on the market the compact cars of your european parts.
Almost modern cars are reliable, because the technology and more quality on another mechanical parts. So a 30000 car recall is a thing to worry about. This is the proof of the asians cars lost their virginity.

No car is perfect but, after my beloved '88 LeBaron convertible was vandalized badly, I got an '04 Sebring Touring convertible. I researched everything & waited 4 yrs to get a good price & for the numerous recalls to be fixed. Before it had 2K miles on it, it died on my three times in traffic, almost causing someone to run into me one of the times. Now it just idles roughly most of the time. The cruise control speeds/slows up to 9 mph, almost getting me rear-ended a few times on the freeway before I realized the car was slowing down. I just never know what it's going to do when I set the button. Many times it feels like someone hit the gas - even sends the gas pedal down fast. It will also change gears after it's been set a while even on a flat road, making it feel like someone hit the brakes. The transmission & computer don't seem to get along. It's rather jumpy when resuming speed after slowing down a bit or backing up, stopping then moving forward.

It came w/ moisture developing in the right rear light, air leakage & occasionally a little water dripping in & onto the leather interior. This was made way worse by a dealer. Now I can't even wash the car w/o quite a bit of water dripping in. The wind noise, which I didn't have before, is unbearable at even 40 mph. There's now an oil leak by the driver tire & a squeak developing at the driver window. It only has 13K miles on it after 2 1/2 yrs. The service depts don't even so much as write that you've come to see about a problem. Most times, after they find it's under warranty, will tell you to come back when they're not so busy. That's bites you in the tail later. And when are they never not so busy w/ all those warranty repairs?

I LOVED my '88 & never had a lick of trouble w/ it - not even wind noise or water leakage from the top (which Chrysler didn't make...hmmm) but I have a love/hate thing for this 04. It's classy looking & pretty, the controls & styling are nice & it's easy to handle. I wanted it so bad for 4 yrs & am SOOOO mad Chrysler let me down. My new name for them is Chrapsler.

So I'm looking to buy another car. Is Toyota's quality this bad & their warranties this worthless? I'm looking at the '07 Solara SE, Scion tC & Honda Accord EX coupes as well as Subaru Baja.

I don't know why, when a manufacturer has no problem w/ something, they go & change it anyway. Constant changes are causing a lot of problems. They should know what does & doesn't work by now.

By the way, if you think you have a lemon, you might as well just get a lawyer. Many "consumer protection" or lemon law agencies, by default, are on the manufacturer's side (despite the "consumer protection" label) & you will be battling them along w/ the manufacturer, who sends legal counsel after you. Somehow, they get to tell the agency (even their judges) what to do, which is as little as possible along w/ trying to make you out to be a liar. It is a huge battle & you can't get lawyer's fees paid if you go thru the consumer agency even if you win. You could if you get a lawyer & win.

I'm very PO'd at the Big 3 as I desparately want to buy American but, with school & work, I can't afford to be left on the side of the road while they & their stockholders make billions. I guess that's the American way.

Remember the mid-80s when the Big 3 got tariffs raised on foreign car imports causing the foreign manufacturers to raise prices? The Big 3 all raised their prices JUST below the imports. They've had a free ride for over 20 yrs & their quality has steadily gone down while they've stuffed their pockets. They need to take those profits & rebuild the quality & thereby the trust consumers have lost in their product & company. Let proud-to-be-American Americans buy great American-made cars again. They should at least be able to compete & not leave their customers on the side of the road.

Try a 2004 Toyota echo has had two complete brake jobs at under 60,000 km. The heck with quality, they are just pumping cars without any quality what so ever. To top it off the dam Warranty does not cover brakes, how crappy is that. I am very disappointed with Toyota Canada. I bought a Toyota because they were supposed to be reliable. The most critical part of the vehicle is not covered, yet they like to charge the 900 dollar price tag plus taxes to fix them. I addressed the issue with TOYOTA canada by calling their free number and guess What? They told me weather the car has 1km or 60,000 the brakes are not covered under warranty. HOW STUPID IS THAT? I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN.

"T's are crap" needs an education. Car companies don't cover brakes and other wear items. They also don't cover brakes rotors. I have only seen a few companies like BMW and Jaguar offer scheduled maintenance like oil and filters included as a promotion. I doubt brakes would be included.

Read your manual. Learn how to drive!
If you hammer on the brakes or ride them they will wear more.
I learned this. I also learned that you can warp your rotors this way too.

Buy a Ford or Chrysler and you will know real crap.

Educate yourself before you post. No car manufacturer is perfect, read Consumer Reports and you will find Toyota and Honda are the top makers.

By the way, oil and filters are not included in the warranty either. If you only had to replace brake pads then you have a perfectly reliable car.

Guess what my initials stand for.

I have a Toyota Matrix w/15k miles. Tires are shot. After searching, I found that this is happening to everyone. They used Continental tires. Everyone who has the problem gets blown off by Toyota. They know about it. Then they say it's the tire company's fault and the tire company says they'll give you a discount on another set of the same horrible tires.

I bought Toyota just so I wouldn't have to worry about this kind of thing. They have jumped the shark. I will never buy a Toyota again.

Consumer reports, the most one sided consumer buying magazine in North America.

Heres how consumer reports (auto anyways not sure about the other products they rate) does its thing, They have 9 independent testers get a car from one of the major car manufacturers. They are supposed to drive and test the car for 2 weeks after which they all get together and discuss there findings. Any car from overseas especially Honda and Toyota skip the 2 week trials and get 5 full round circles (which is the highest rating they can get) and domestic vehicle is driven to such extremes that the testers make them fail in some way to knock points off. (ie. when the pontiac G6 came out consumer reports intentionally drove over broken glass and metal to puncture the tires, etc...)

Its also kinda funny that 6 out of 9 of the automotive testers for CR drive toyatas the other 3 have hondas no biast there I guess.

Personally I have a 01 Pontiac Grand Am GT green metallic the paint is showroom quality the interior is showroom quality 83k miles. No maintenance on the car minus oil changes new tires, brakes you all know the drill. The car before that one was a 94 Pontiac Grand Am 250000 miles before my sister drove it into a tree stump :( that car was in perfect shape no rust no major maintenance minus tune up and oil changes yaddah.

I personally will never buy a Toyata or there other car makers nor will I ever buy a Honda or there other car manufacturers. In Jim's earlier post he had mentioned Toyota has no soul I know what he means by that statement, the car itself is like driving a boulder down the road no style, no fun, no design, no POWER, hence no soul. Its funny whenever I see a Corolla or as I call them Craprolla or a Camry rolling down the road I just laugh and wonder if the person driving even likes the monochromatic dashboard that is so generic its like walking into a sterile room. I for one like to have lines and style and colors that I can look at that make the vehicle asthetically pleasing.

In all fairness though my next car wont be a GM product not because there cars are not quality vehicles but because Mazda has caught my attention with there Mazda 3 5-Door GT edition. I will however miss my Grand Am :( lots of good memories in that car.

Sorry for the long rant just tired of people bad mouthing the Big 3 when there cars are just as good as any foreign car or better and there styling is defintly better then Toyata and Honda, price and incentives too I should say.

Meh your going for a mazda, its just a ford....

Toyota, (like all Asian cars, but worse) make totally souless, uninteresting and more recently horridly styled cars. They are very well made and durable, but they actually irritate me because of their blandness!!!