From the article: Why Are Recent Recalls Creating Panic?
I've shared my opinion about the panic that's resulted from recent auto recalls, but that's all it is, opinion. What do you think? Is the media trying to create breaking news because it has nothing else to talk about, or should we truly be in panic-mode until recalled vehicles are fixed? Share Your Opinion
Driver skills and buyer due dilligence
- I agree with guest James - drivers are, in general these days, incapable of handling the situation of when a vehicle part or system fails, which means they should NOT be driving in the first place. Today's vehicles are a million times more reliable than cars of the past, but things break and the driver needs to be ready and expect such things -- not texting, reading the paper, applying lipstick, talking on the phone... etc. As to American vehicle quality, the public needs to wake up and look around. Comments and attitudes like davidarnold1947 are what fuels the myth that American cars are junk. New England winters (salt) are what kills them here, not mileage. Our present vehicles (both Dodges) have over 140K miles each and still going strong. My old man just bought a Ford truck with 175K on it, feels like brand new!
- —Guest Russ
2007 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems
- Accelerator stuck twice causing 2 wrecks. The second one totaled the van. No investigation found problem. Witness agreed van out of control.
- —Guest Bobbie Winkles
Can Toyota's Success Continue?
- I have an opinion on Toyota's chance of success (staying in business in the US). I am retired now, but have experience in both maintenance and engineering. I think Toyota’s chance of surviving their current recall crisis will depend on their finding the cause of the problems, and I’m quite sure they have not yet admitted they found the problem, and certainly not the solution.
- —Guest Bill Steddom
On the Fence About a Toyota Purchase
- My wife and I were planning to buy a new Toyota 4x4 this July. At this point, I'm riding the fence between Ford and Toyota (my experience with GM let's them out completely). I've never cared for Chrysler. The only thing Toyota has going for it, is its ability to hold up after one hundred thousand miles plus. American cars and trucks are just about ready for the crusher after a hundred. We'll probably still go with a Toyota Tundra. Unfortunately, American vehicles are for the most part, JUNK.
- —davidarnold1947
Toyota Recalls
- If Toyota is unable to fix its unsafe vehicles, then it should buy them back, giving the owners what they have invested into the cars or trucks. I've been waiting now for over 2 weeks for a repair notice on my '08 tundra, which has had a sticky gas pedal since I purchased it new. The dealer isn't much help.
- —Guest gmclaughlin
Toyota Recall Issue
- I couldn't agree more; unfortunately, the skills, if you can call them that, of drivers in the US have dumbed down to a point where many people just aren't capable of dealing with anything more challenging than an uneventful commute to work and home every day. New cars do that to a person, I suppose. I've always driven older, often worn-out cars and trucks, and have learned from experience how to deal with just about any vehicle failure or problem that could happen. Most of them are survivable if you learn, before the failure, how to react, don't panic, and do what you've learned to do. I think the key is to learn what to do if the steering jams, if the brakes fail, if the throttle goes to the floor. It used to be we learned, as youths, how to handle those situations, because our first cars were often old beaters that DID those things. As we learned we repaired and improved the cars. Nowadays, the first car is often new, leaving no opportunity to learn these skills.
- —Guest James
Questionable Quality
- Is it possible that Toyota's quality has suffered due to the increased production outside of Japan?
- —Guest Halman
Government Motors favors.
- Toyota has set the reliability standard for the past decade. I drive a '98 Camry with 237,431 trouble free miles on it... it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. My 454 Chevy went through 3 engine overhauls and 4 trannys trying to get to 150k and after 20 years of fixing it, I had to trade it for a rear porch cover. The media is thrilled to have something negative to say about the finest vehicle manufacturer the world has ever seen. Please note they are not reporting the big three's recalls which to their credit is not news-worthy. Rspy
- —Guest Jack
Toyota Recall Issue
- Let's face it, what car company hasn't had a recall or two, or three, or four. Still in all, in my book, Toyota's still number one. I'd like to say something about the people who died when the gas pedal on their Toyota product stuck. Considering the road they were on, and the length of time they spoke with 911, the driver could have kept the wheel in a straight forward position, turned off the ignition just long enough for the engine to stop, then turn it on to the first position. Although the steering would have been stiff, they still could have stepped on the brake gradually and pulled over to the side of the road. The driver of that vehicle should have never been behind the wheel. And the passengers apparently lacked the same amount of knowledge as the driver. They died needlessly. Especially today, on our high speed interstates, if you do not have the ability and knowledge needed to react properly in an emergency situation, you shouldn't be out there among other drivers.
- —davidarnold1947
