Toyota Suspends Sale of Second Aussie Model

Toyota’s reputation for building reliable cars is continuing to crumble with news today of yet another engine problem, this time with officials in Australia holding back sales of the V6-powered RAV4 SUV. The latest problem surrounds an issue with regard to models equipped with Toyota’s 3.5L global V6. Officials claim the cars were pulled because the engine was not operating “as smoothly as would be expected”, and there appears to be an issue with its electronic management.

Since the issue does not affect vehicle safety it doesn’t constitute an official recall but it’s got senior management back in Japan worried about further quality problems. Only last month, Toyota had to withdraw sales of the high-performance TRD Aurion sedan because of reports of an engine failure.


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kpaxx - 10/30/2007 10:38:37 AM

+1 Boost

Toyota had to withdraw sales of the high-performance TRD Aurion sedan because of reports of an engine failure.

jimmyjump - 10/30/2007 12:22:41 PM

+4 Boost

We don’t know what the issue is but Toyota had the good conscience to make this announcement without being forced into it via a recall or excessive complaints. No one wants to deal with the negative publicity of quality issue but how they are handled is a true indication the corporate conscience of a company.

Toyota is not infallible just like all the other companies. They can make mistakes just like anyone else. Their corporate culture or DNA is the best of any of the automakers I have worked with. Right now I believe they are experiencing growing pains from rapid growth. They recognize this and have slowed down development which the impact of this has yet to be seen.

Agent009 - 10/30/2007 1:11:25 PM

+2 Boost

Well you may need to care, because in case you don't know these are the same problems the other manufacturers have always experienced.

When it happened to them is was labeled as inferior engineering by the the same fans that are now defending this as the correct thing to do for Toyota.

In the last 10 days Toyota has asked for over 1,000,000 cars back worldwide not counting this.

But to listen to the fanboys it isn't a factor? That logic escapes me.

Shredmo - 10/30/2007 3:02:20 PM

+1 Boost

Oh, how cute! What we have here is an idealist. Most sane people demand results, not excuses. Even Toyota knows this. When you stop selling a car because the enginge is not operating correctly, that is in fact an engine problem.

no1listensanyway - 10/30/2007 2:09:46 PM

+3 Boost

"It all falls down"

toolatetorace - 10/30/2007 10:53:04 PM

+3 Boost

Toyota was never forced to make a recall? Come on now. . They kept sweeping the sludgy engines under the carpet and chastising thier owners for not being a quality Toyota owner . A class action suit then made them fess up . Yes , lately Toyota is having their coat hangers rattled and plenty of dirt has been falling off them.