[G. Stolyarov II]

This is good news from a responsible company. It also shows that government regulations are not necessary to force companies to respect consumer safety. Companies like Toyota-- concerned about their profitability-- will take adequate and often generous measures on their own. See Dr. Belew's blog at PanAsianBiz

[JamesP81]

What do you think?

I agree 100%. I'm replacing my vehicle sometime early next year. I'd buy a used toyota if they weren't so expensive.

[RKV]

Having owned 4 Toyotas I can tell you that this behavior is typical - and one reason why I am a repeat customer. US car companies take a lesson. BTW significant fractions of several Toyota models are made (and assembled) here in the US, so the problem is not with American workers.

[P-40]

when you turn the steeling wheel and drive real slow into a curb, it can break something in the steering mechanism.

Did the company say if there is a way you can do this and suffer some perceived injury? Nothing serious...just something to sue over. :)

[RedhairRedhair]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1620709/posts


I still love my Toyota!

[Chi-townChief]

The Japanese government kicked Toyota's ass so many times in the past that they restructured their whole safety response program.

[1Old Pro]

When a car has a known problem or defect the company should fix it and not just a "safety" issue. I may not buy another BMW after the current problems that plague the E36. The HVAC unit has a one penny capacity that blows after 5 years forcing the owner to spend $500 on a new unit. The catalytic converter goes after 10 years forcing the owner to pay $2000 to get the car to pass inspection. The water pumps all go after a few years because of a plastic impeller. and on and on, really bad quality from BMW.

[norwaypinesavage]

"What do you think?"

I think that every automotive company doing business in the US is bound by federal law to repair safety related defects.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Second recall I "recall" on the Prius. There was one last October, too.

[jebeier]

What, we're supposed to praise Toyota for puting a weak steering mechanism into production?

[eraser2005]

I think its a good thing anytime a car company owns up to an error and does a recall...

That said, in my experience, Toyota is TERRIBLE at owning up to their mistakes. I've had quite a few problems with my Toyotas that have been widespread, and Toyota never recalled them or even would cover repair costs. Some of them have even led to class action lawsuits to try to force Toyota into coverage. That is not the sign of a company doing the right thing....

I find it interesting that we praise Toyota for this and curse GM or Ford when they do the same. Shouldn't ALL efforts to correct problems be seen in a positive light and all denials of problems be seen as a negative?

[RobRoy]

That is the second article I've seen that ended with the "what do you think?" sentence. Noticed it's the same source.

What I think is that it is a loaded question.

[Beckwith]

I have never owned a Japanese-made vehicle and if the Japanese made Bentleys and sold them for a dollar I still wouldn't buy one.

I'm still miffed about Bataan.

[PRO USA1776]

Dude give me break, I am a graduate student in Manufacturing at kettering university. I am also a field grade US Army Acquisition Officer. I love how everyone talks about china and other asian countries. Wake up, the communist chinese are not our friends! If you think that buying cheap products from China-Mart is a good thing, you need to read a few more econ. books. What we need is more innovative companies less gov regulation, a can do american attitude. We also need pragmatic consumers and politicians. Since when do we consumers need more dollar stores?

[A CA Guy]

Al Gore said we all need new Cuban car boats due to global weather, so these Toyotas are useless for our wet future.