Toyota Recall

Certainly gives new meaning the the phrase "Moving Forward". I seem to recall a somewhat similar incident involving Audi, in the eighties, which was ultimately determined to be driver error, IIRC, though as precaution all later model cars were equipped with a brake interlock mechanism to prevent gear shift movement prior to depressing the brake pedal. Toyota's issues, depending on whom you believe is, either a computer glitch or poor pedal placement, possibly both, with a potential cover up by the company, since inter-departmental emails seem to indicate a knowledge of the problem some months before the complaints become an issue. Apparently, all unintended acceleration cases involve incidents where the car is already in drive, obviously negating the brake interlock as an issue. One AP report states that given the number of models involved, a payout of as small as $500 could ultimately cost the company billions, not including those who chose to opt-out of the CAS. As of March 2010, ... Read more

Don't believe everything you hear. Driver error seems to have been part of the problems.

It makes you question the quality of the toyota brand; however, is this recall going to really shape the rest of 2010.

Toyota weathered the storm and the oil leak in the Gulf has put Toyota on page 10.

recall every car unless owned by an african american. i am 14 years old and understand what is going on and think brown people deserve to drive a toyata

If you count cars as an important factor in everyday life, which they are for most people, than this is a fairly significant event. For years Toyota was known has one of, if not the most reliable auto-maker. When they failed to respond to the complaints from their customers (knowing it might cost them millions) they did what many of us do when we have significant problems, pushed it aside and hoped it would go away. Well of course it blew up in their face. Recently they did call out a couple people who said their new Prius had the same brake and accelerator issues and had caused accidents. Toyota responded with seemingly significant evidence to these new recent crashes, that the customer was indeed wrong. They have of course admitted to the real problems and are working towards fixing them... but I think they were right to cut people off from trying to attach every driving mistake they make to the real issues at hand.

I own a Corolla 2010 and Toyota usually does a voluntary recalls whenever necessary. Even the last time I was at the service there was an recall on the piston and they did it without much details. But the scariest part is that the Gas pedal didn't popup. Still its not clear whether this is something they know already and trying to avoid for cost measures. But the most convincing one is the Prius 2010 problems (Hybrid). It looks like they are aware of this issue and they fixed it in the newer sold cars but didnt care of the old ones until its on news.

Significant if you own a Toyota. I drive an American make.

Aside from the auto bailouts, this is probably as big a story as you can get in the automobile industry. Toyota has sold itself on the quality of its autos for as long as I can remember, and this will definitely hurt their long term reputation, while also crushing their short term profit. Ford and the other auto companies have to be loving Toyota's problems right now.

I'm saying, "Very Significant" to the Toyota people as well as to their hopeful competitors. Means nothing to me... I drive a Crown Vic.

I see this as sort of a Toyota-sponsored economic stimulus program, where the #1 auto maker in the world subsidizes the replacement of gas pedals and computer software at thousands of dealerships throughout the world. It will cost them more than $1 billion, which sounds like a lot of money but probably isn't that much to Toyota given their sales and cost structure. In the history of automobile recalls, this particular one might affect a lot of vehicles but the problem seems pretty rare and minor to me. For U.S. car manufacturers to be gloating about it is ironic, given that a year doesn't go by where a whole series of recalls happen to their autos -- or should happen. It's usually not front page news like in this case. As usual the most dangerous part in a Toyota, or any car, is the one that sits behind the steering wheel.

It is a pretty big event given Toyota rarely has mechanical issues with their superior vehicles. They went with a different supplier of the parts and got burned.

One of the most popular car brands in the world has suffered a significant setback with news that it has had to initiate a massive recall of several models due to a defective gas pedal. Some commentators believe that this came about because of Toyota's recent cost-cutting measures designed to improve profitability, which lead to inferior production. If that is indeed the case, then it can be fairly stated that they have failed to heed the lessons of history. It is particularly poignant for Toyota and other Japanese automakers, who gained their market dominance because the American auto industry began to sit on their laurels in the 1970's, producing sub-par and unsafe vehicles. Now just a few decades later, the Japanese seem to be making the same mistake. The beleaguered American auto industry could benefit from these developments, so long as they make much needed capital investments in new plants and production.

Crazy how one of the most top rated automakers in the world can screw up something a simple as a gas pedal.

Considering the sheer number of vehicles involved, and the fact that production and sales of several models were shut down, make it quite significant.

I guess it has to score a three because it certainly has been in the news cycle for a tangible period of time. But the American domestic automakers have made a few squeaks at Toyota's temporary misfortune. Pretty funny to me. It's like listening to the high school stoner (soon to be dropout) calling out the college-bound kid for failing a test during the third quarter of his senior year of high school. Detroit wants me to abandon Toyota for one recall? Really, fellas. . .begging is so unmanly. . .

Nope, not 'Total Recall' all you Arnold fans. This is Toyota Recall. I think this is highly significant in that Toyota is so popular worldwide, especially here in the USA. I think their reputation is permanently damaged but I give them a lot of credit for taking responsibility. Since I drive a 1997 Toyota, I think the last surviving plant worker from that assembly line has long since passed away, so I'm okay.