Toyota fearing loss of quality and reliability status

While everyone is raving about Toyota being the most reliable car in the world, Toyota is fearing the loss of that status. Recently in a reliability survey conducted by Warranty Direct, Toyota held spot number three, below Honda and Mazda. The survey was based on 450,000 cars from 33 automakers and showed which cars suffered the least mechanical faults. Now an internal study is showing that Toyota is concerned that a rise in recalls and customer service campaigns could hold back growth.

A chart showed that recalls rose dramatically for Toyota in 2005 and 2006. “Design issues” was the main cause for this due to a ”high project workload.” Toyota had not comment on the report and said the report is a “planning document” that looks at challenges for Toyota in the next five years.

Many analysts have been picking on Toyota since its been predicted on passing GM as the number 1 automaker in the world.
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flozel1 - 2/9/2007 12:40:23 PM

+4 Boost

These guys better get their act in gear or they'll turn into another GM or Ford. I understand they're a business and as such have to produce and sell as many vehicles as they can. But personally, I won't trade status for growth.

james_may - 2/9/2007 3:02:29 PM

+1 Boost

everyone car makers trade status for growth any day now

AUDIMAN4 - 2/10/2007 12:57:28 AM

-1 Boost

I hope Toyota falls. I think with the increased pressure from Hyundai, and now Honda desperately wanting that number 1 position, will continue to threaten Toyota.

Down with Toyota!

d1sinfo - 2/9/2007 12:52:24 PM

+4 Boost

I want more than one study. Are these American made Toyotas?

IamEvilHomer - 2/9/2007 1:25:36 PM

+1 Boost

that is most of the toyotas in the usa

they are made in Japan and put togeather in america. Kind of like IKEA/ Don't blame America for this

KoruKinshi - 2/9/2007 2:56:47 PM

+1 Boost

Say it ain't so, Toyota!!! Get back in the game!

d1sinfo - 2/9/2007 3:13:50 PM

+2 Boost

I am not blaming America. I do wonder about American assembly of foreign vehicles (statics regarding quality, reliability).
I also tend to not like most American market specific vehicles, although that has nothing to do with craftsmanship and assembly.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/9/2007 6:36:37 PM

+3 Boost

What's with the caps?

And, I'm pretty sure Hondas have always beeen more reliable than Toyotas.

woood - 2/11/2007 8:10:36 PM

+1 Boost

honda Can never ever pass Toyota. Its Impossible. Just look at their respective product lines and its self explanatory.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/11/2007 11:43:34 PM

0 Boost

Not in sales, but that's not what we were referring to, were we?

IF Honda had a lineup as massive as Toyota's, they would easily sell more. They're surprisingly close now, especially when you'd consider Toyota's some ten extra model lines.

Need4Speed - 2/9/2007 6:06:51 PM

+1 Boost

I knew it...I knew it! Nostradamus predicted that the world was gonna end when Toyota started suffering quality problems! Quick run to your families and tell them that you love them...these are the end of days!

S4cabriofoxone - 2/9/2007 6:37:33 PM

+1 Boost

And then they'll drop down to #2?

That's contradictory.

rom64 - 2/9/2007 6:36:53 PM

0 Boost

Recalls from Toyota won't tarnish the brand's image or even the company for that matter, but let's just hope recalls don't make it to Lexus because that would do more damage. Lets hope it doesn't.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/9/2007 6:37:11 PM

0 Boost

Oh, when you rise, you have to fall eventually.

Look at Volkswagen. More recently- look at GM!

Lexus - 2/9/2007 7:33:27 PM

-1 Boost

I hope Toyota take this problem that they are having with their vechicles seriously. If not, they could end like the big 3. Come on Toyota...it took you several decade to built that reputation, so don't screw up now. Their several reason why I bough a Lexus IS350 you from you. First it was the reliability, and the designing.

Lexus - 2/9/2007 7:40:59 PM

-3 Boost

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I remember about two decade ago, Honda was the number #1 Japanese brand from Japan. And than Toyota took the number #1 spot from Honda with it successful sales of the Corolla and Camry.

But if anything happen to Toyota, Honda will likely take the number #1 spot for most realible. But let hope Toyota correct this problem soon. Come on Toyota I know you can turn this around. Show those Toyota hater that you have master the art reliability. Prove them wrong, and shut everyone up.

Agent63 - 2/9/2007 7:45:05 PM

+1 Boost

The fact of the matter is Honda beat Toyota in that survey. Even Mazda beat Toyota in that survey. It's a problem Toyota should be worried about and should be up and on it trying to fix it before it's too late.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/9/2007 11:28:56 PM

+1 Boost

The Civic made Honda massively successful during the fuel "crisis" back in the '70s, and it kept going into the '80s and '90s- and now.

LOL, "the most successful Japanese brand from Japan."

I should get grammar lessons from "Lexus."

Lexus - 2/9/2007 7:47:15 PM

-4 Boost

Wow! that alot of freakin money $$$$$$ Toyota are profiting from. I wonder how much their CEO made? and how do they sleep at night?

If I was one of Toyota/Lexus CEO, I will sleep with a bag full money and lot of pretty girls of course;) LOL :)

Lexus - 2/9/2007 7:51:29 PM

-3 Boost

Yeah, Toyota need to fixed the problem and do it as quickly as they can. I bought the Lexus IS350 for several reason: reliability, designing, and the price. Toyota you need to take this very seriously, if not, Honda will over take you.

Lexus - 2/9/2007 7:53:25 PM

-3 Boost

opp! I post the Wow$$$ on the wrong post, moderator please remove that one.

Thank you

Lexus

trd1 - 2/9/2007 11:36:23 PM

0 Boost

wow, honda is a peice of crap. honda will never pass toyota in anything. im tierd of seeing all these honda ricers driving around everywhere.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/11/2007 11:45:06 PM

0 Boost

Well, Will, eventuality could be tomorrow... or it could be in twenty years. For Toyota, the latter is likely. But you know the same thing will happen to them that's happened to GM- and some Korean or Chinese company will surpass them. Those who rise, must fall.

lexusis350 - 2/10/2007 12:42:39 AM

-1 Boost

Well, it is hard to beat Honda. They're the greatest car manufacturer afterall. But third isn't bad, considering how many different brands there are.

lexusis350 - 2/11/2007 2:08:55 AM

0 Boost

How is Honda not the greatest in the world? Just because they don't sell the most doesn't mean they aren't the greatest. Those are two separate categories.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/11/2007 11:46:27 PM

+2 Boost

lexusis350, I didn't know you liked Honda. I thought you'd have a blind Toyota bias.

LexusAdmirer, you see the world through a Toyota-colored lens. Look past that and you'll see that frankly, Honda makes better cars than Toyota. If their product lines were similar in size, Honda would easily surpass them.

lexusis350 - 2/13/2007 12:28:50 AM

0 Boost

Oh, yeah, S4. I respect Honda more than any other brand out there, including Toyota and Lexus.

Threepoint1415926 - 2/11/2007 8:21:44 PM

+4 Boost

Makes you wonder if the bean counters are taking over? This is what tarnished Mercedes quality image. Back in the day when I bought my 400E, the article I read said "you know it will last a long time because it's a Mercedes." When I bought my E430 more recently the neighbor said "I heard those cars break down all the time." Of course, I've never had one problem with it but perception is what counts. It's the case of my friend's mother's roommate's son's car was a disaster syndrome. It's hard to get that quality image back once it's lost even if one makes a quality product.