Bring Em On In!...Again?: Toyota Recalls 220,000 Highlander and Rav4 Models

I don't think the idea of a special service campaign is to bring more cars into the shops. If that is the case, then Toyota's customer satisfaction policies are completely jaded, but that isn't the case if they were just announced as having the highest customer retention by J.D. Powers. What I do know from having worked on the corporate side of the auto industry is that the domestic car companies recall vehicles only when the government mandates the recall, where as the special service campaign is a voluntary recall to be proactive to its customer base. Toyota and Honda are notorious for their proactive approach in the oem supplier world, too. I would rather have a proactive approach to safety issues than a reactive one (think Ford Pinto). I think the common person doesn't understand the difference though, which is what causes the damage to companies like Toyota and Honda when a SSC is announced.

I don't think there is much damage to the image. Afterall Toyota has had some recalls lately but the customer retention figures for car brands were released this week by JD Power. Of course Toyota products are at the top (Toyota is #1, along with Lexus, Honda and BMW).

Why do you keep mentioning "customer retention figures"?

I don't think any of us truly care. Why would I buy my car based on whether or not people come back to it? I'll come back to it based on whether or not I like it! If I don't, I'll get something else next time!

Oh I do it just to irritate you. Would you prefer I talk about sales, customer satisfaction, dealership performance, depreciation, or profitability instead of customer retention. . . because it really doesn't matter in the US because you're beloved Audi fails on every measure. Just because you are a statistical irregularity (in loving your Audi) doesn't mean everyone does.

You, much like most Toyota and Lexus buyers, can't even afford an Audi.

Since when is being ranked third respectively in highest resale considered poor depreciation?

You drive a Japanese copycat that tries to be everything it's not, and thrives off of easily disprovable reliability ratings.

And MercBasher, I DON'T CARE. You're a biased fool who's either trying to, A) Simply insult my car for no other reason than because you're envious, or B) You think people actually care about these figures and will buy a Toyota because of it.

And I really don't care at all. I like my car a lot. What makes you think Audi "failing" at all of those things will make me like it less? What is your objective- to make me buy a Camry?

Toyota is just being cautious and recalling them anyway, since the light malfunction is not a hazard whatsoever. I can imagine other automakers not even issuing a recall because its not a driving hazard.
I think toyota is just being responsible.

I beg to differ...Toyota is recalling this because the "check engine" light went off....HELLO!! I'm sure Toyota received complaints from the dealers that people were bringing in their cars and nothing was wrong with them. A recall is a recall..regardless if it's American or Japanese.

'responsible' would be to build the vehicle w/o this BS problem. Toyota with another recall - nothing new.

This could be a very biggie, why...

Where I live a vehicle will not pass inspection if the check engine light is on. Now it doesn't say exactly what the problem is but if the light were to go on and stay on it could lead to many unexpected and unnecessary costs to someone going in for a simple inspection.

No Fair!!!! I am usually the one to report this stuff!

Since you Toyota guys are always touting the great deal the Toyotas are. Why does it make sense that the recalls are just part of that great deal? A loose mirror or a recall is basically the same thing. An unexpected trip to the dealership, and a waste of time.

If recalls were included in the JD Power surveys you would see a whole new ball game this year in reliability. But then again that means JD Power would actually have to be factual.

'check engine' light:One of the the least complain u can do for a 4-6 year old vehicle.

And see Toyota is even ready to fix this.

BTW i feel,Toyota is showing a little too much care here.We believe and know u Toyota,so don't prove everytime to us that u r the most coustomer satisfactory company in the World.


JUGNU----->THE CARMAN

LexusHater you are dumb. Its just the light of the check engine not the engine dumbass. Now go to the corner and play with our hot wheels.

I'm sorry, but even Toyota cannot afford to slip on quality..with the Koreans and the American's on the horizon, Toyota need to do everything it can to maintain it's leadership.

Well, well, well what do we have here? - it's a Toyote recall.

You see whenever a manufacture gets big they always lose quality and I would say we can expect more recalls from Toyota.

Oh, shutup! This doesn't even count....it's fixing a light for god's sake!!!! Now tires shredding while your driving, thats a safety hazard.

You thought Toyote was flawless, but now you're finding out what happens when a company gets to big for it's britches.

That's right!

220,000 out of how many total models?

220,000 out of how many total models made?

my bad bout the double post, can you delete posts?

Even more recalls.

^And?

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallmonthlyreports.cfm
to get a good idea of who is really recalling the most cars, and the seriousness of the recalls, including suspensions breaking leading to crashes (BMW), engine stalling leading to crashes (Chrysler), winsdhield loss (Ford), airbags not deploying (Audi), headlights and tailight malfunctions (Infinit). thats just a sample form the last couple months.

A check engine light coming on...not so life threatening, yet pro-active Toyota once again proves they would rather solve a problem than ignore it.

Great job Toyota.

You forgot transmission problem(MB), weak roof(ford) the list goes on and on for european and american car makers.

anyone remember the mercedes one that covered like all clk c and e class models? something to do with side airbags going off on the wrong side, i think.

Spies please kick off this Lexushater from here.

Anybody agree with me ??

JUGNU

ive been trying to ignore the troll, doesnt seem like many people pay him much attention. Insecure little kids who seek attention tend to lose interest quickly when they dont get any. Ive probably already said too much. Just this alone will keep him amped up for a week.

lexus hater is just stupid. i may not like toyota, but clearly by their sales figures they don't suck.

Come on. This is great that TOYOTA takes car of it's customers. Still in Europe TOYOTA's are the most reliable cars. I prefer a company who takes care of it's customers.

WOW really well Toyota recalled its Fj cruiser because of its tire that mite make the vehicle loose control and crash!! Now hm and u guys were bashing ford like hell. And when abt 160000 tundras didnt comply with safety regulations for children then? and the list goes on so please STOP BASHING OTHER COMPANIES! Shoot man you guys are really bias and hypocrites. Admit toyota has slipped up more then ever in its history this year
so all of u SHUT UP

You're right it has slipped up, it sales are up, it dominates the customer retention leagues, its profits are up everything is looking up.

Ignore this recall, it isn't an actual recall because Toyotas don't have recalls, ever.

BTW, MANY people PAID MONEY to reset the check engine light before. So this is a bigger deal than some Toyota fans want to admit to.

Isn't the Highlander a Camry station wagon?...if so, then this recall may very well effect Camry's too and that would be a lot of cars comin' back to the dreaded service department.

lol

Yippee. You are funny.

You all are getting a little too happy here.

Also, this is a serious safety issue. A Toyota driver is very likely to freak out when they see the "Check Engine Light" light up for no reason, this will lead to extreme panich, the driver will sverve and potentially cause an accident.

extreme panick.

WTF I have to check the Toyota TIS for this recall because I haven't seen any recall for DTC's on these vehicles.It will probably have to do with the EVAP system,and they will probably make me fix all that come in,since I'm a wizard when it comes to DTC's!!
A DTC can also be caused when people change their air filter on the early model Highlanders,the hose on the back of the intake box disconnects and people forget or don't know to reconnect it,thus causing a engine light,I have seen it happen to Jiffy lube boys alot!!!
There is no substatude for a real Toyota/Lexus factory trained technician!!

Of course, everyone is making excuses about the Toyota recall...

This is a bad omen. Toyota's perfect record has been shattered this year, many times.

Perhaps Hyundai will be the next big thing?

. . . and perhaps Audi will be saved by Porsche. At least Porsche knows how to make money!

Audi is the most profitable brand in the Volkswagen Group.

They EASILY surpass Lexus's figures. So easily that it's sad of you to compare them.

I again ask why you do this. Do you think I should buy a Camry? You've turned into another raving fanboy. I used to half-respect you, but my respect is gone, because you take a stab at me every chance you get.

And you think it gets to me. LOL! Oh no, people don't come back to Audi! They're gaining sales, but those people will all leave! And this affects my life in such a huge way!!!

ITS JUST A FALSE ALARM.....WOOT

Toyota isn't perfect. No company is. Amazing that so many posts in this thread are flaming other members and Toyota.

Grow up, guys.

BTW, Lexus (Toyota) should check out the braking on the new Lexus LS 460. It has, quite possibly, the worst braking of any passanger vehicle on sale today. A real embarassment for such an expensive vehicle with so many so called safety features. Lexus should do a recall for saftey reasons.

chewy, I just read C&D and youre right about the LS460 taking a lot of road to stop and we all know we have to stop or we could drive off the side of a mountain and smash into the rocks and tear the car into little bitty pieces.

The Lexus also has a small trunk or boot for the Brits.

You see I'm a real estate agent and I need a trunk that will hold at least 20 signs for when I'm doing an open house.

Wow, I get de-boosted for asking a question.......wow

You actually had a good question as well.

Yeah. I wasn't being sarcastic or anything. I simply wanted to know the percentage of the total number of those models 220,000 is.

CR is biased BS! And I own a toyota! The older toyotas made in Japan were better quality because they take great pride in there product,in north america we don't have the same winning additude towards work.CR once claimed a ford car in the 90's as top reliable pick only to wind up worst pick in one year.I don't believe Toy is much better than the rest!

I agree with truckmen, Japanese vehicles built in Japan are a totally different story for quality.

Just like you can't put a Japanese design studio in California and design good looking cars.