24 Votes

Is It EVER Going To Stop? Feds Launch Probe Of Toyota Tundra Safety Issues

Agent009 submitted on 10/7/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:51:30 AM

44 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.detnews.com

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday opened a preliminary investigation into corrosion on 218,000 Toyota Tundra pickups -- the latest safety issue to dog the Japanese automaker.

In a notice on its Web site, NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation had opened a preliminary probe into corrosion linked to spare tires and brake lines on 2000 and 2001 model year Tundras.

The government said it has "received 20 reports on the subject vehicles that relate to spare tire separation and brake system failures as a result of severe frame corrosion."

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

There are photos and then there are AutoSpies.com photos!

AutoSpies.com is ranked number one on Google search for auto shows

Read Article

Is It EVER Going To Stop? Feds Launch Probe Of Toyota Tundra Safety Issues

About the Author

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
— Agent009 (View Profile)

User Comments

So much for toyota qaulity!
— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 10:10:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I guess Its Toyotas turn.
— bfghemicuda (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 10:29:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Only Toyota could make a frame so rusty it messed with the brakes. Haha but seriously now... with all these issues who is gonna buy a LF-L? I'd be soo scared of the floor mat sticking in a super car, and having the carbon fiber tub vibrate to pieces once it hits high speeds because they messed up a protective frame coating. </sarcasm>
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 10:48:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The LF-L or A , whatever - is Toyota competing against the European super cars and they should stay away from that segment too. The car will be expensive and probably fine, but it's a waste of time. Those aren't the cars that normal folks drive or can afford.
— g2ok (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 10:57:10 AM | | Votes: 1

Obviously, Toyota isn't building the LF-A for "normal folks" to buy, and it wont be marketed to them. So in your mind that means they shouldn't build it at all?
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 1:45:59 PM | | Votes: 4

Toyota still has quality if you stick with the smaller models.
The US made Camry, Tacoma are still great. The Tundra-Seq. are really for the last century (mpg-wise) and they should get back to the smaller trucks. To me this is like Apple saying they are going to make Windows based PCs for the business market. Doesn't make sense. The Tundra should not be a part Toyota's market and dropped.

This is a very process driven company and they tend to focus on continual improvement. Hino is the industrial truck division for Toyota and I'm hearing some good things about them from local businesses.
— g2ok (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 10:53:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I bet the minute 009 read this article, he was foaming at the mouth to create another negative Toyota thread here.

— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 11:39:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Not really, I do see this quickly turning into an Audi 5000 scenario.

Tacoma rust issues
Mini van doors falling off
Tundra rust issues
floor mats sticking under gas pedals.

The press will feed on this and Toyota becomes a symbol (undeserved I might add) of everything wrong with foreign cars. It happened with Audi even after they were cleared of all wrong doing and the case was proven to be dramatized.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 1:24:06 PM | | Votes: -2

— Invisible:

> I bet the minute 009 read this article, he was foaming
> at the mouth to create another negative Toyota thread here.

Exactly. At the same time, Agent009 does not mention even a word about, say, Ford Focus rust issue, which has affected the entire mk1 range.

http://www.google.com/search?q=ford+focus+rust

People on each and every forum, while generally recommending this very good car, warn themselves about checking carefully whether the car has not been affected before purchase.

— Agent009:

> Toyota becomes a symbol (undeserved I might add) of everything
> wrong with foreign cars.

That's exactly what you wish to happen to them. Thus such articles.
— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 3:57:41 PM | | Votes: 4

toyota should stick to building forklifts. atleast they don't have floor mats, rusty frames,braking axles and rusting brake lines that can kill people. lol!!
— carguy68 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 11:43:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

While Toyota makes acceptable cars, I am surprised there are so many "car guys" that get bent out of shape over the brand. A Toyota is nothing more than a fair weather commuter. They do not currently offer an enthusiast model. Until they offer one again, I fail to understand the hype.
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 12:31:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

They do have fervent fans...
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 1:25:08 PM | | Votes: -2

"They do have fervent fans..."

- Followed closely by Audi Fans.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:52:41 PM | | Votes: -1

Toyota = Who really cares?
I am so over it. They make boring cars with poor quality materials. My friend bought a new Camry and you should see the poor execution of the interior. Nothing matches up and fits. There are gaps and too many different types of cheap plastic.
Lexus - for goodness sakes they still have tape decks in 2 of their models
— fatandsassy (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 12:47:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

My buddy has a '98 Cherokee with a cassette deck. I asked him if anyone still makes cassettes. His response was to pull over; told me to get out and walk. LOL!
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 1:59:37 PM | | Votes: 0

I don't think people realize how common it is for manufacturers to screw up in the production process. You think Toyota engineered all these problems to happen in the design process? Not. This is still less than the number of issues that GM still has. GM still has new cars being recalled. The Traverse was just recalled for brake issues. The doom and gloom picture that all of you are painting is simply wishful thinking against an automaker you despise, which is ridiculous. Mercedes even recalled the current S-Class for mismatched door locks. (oops.)Toyota isn't going anywhere. GM didn't.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 1:42:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Just because others have problems does not excuse these problems. While most will agree that GM sucks as good as Toyota does, at least GM offers some interesting vehicles to complain about.
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:04:31 PM | | Votes: -3

Interesting vehicles to whom? The Camaro alone isn't going to put GM back at the top. Obviously the buying public are more "interested" in the Venza, the Camry, the ES, the RX... and nobody is making excuses, merely pointing out that manufacturing issues are NOTHING NEW.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:13:24 PM | | Votes: 5

Can you think of ANY manufacturer with the exception of Toyota that fails to make a single interesting car?
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 3:40:31 PM | | Votes: -1

Just because something is not interesting to you doesn't mean that it is not interesting for all of humanity. Your opinions on interesting things don't interest me at all.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 4:29:44 PM | | Votes: 4

Very interesting.
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 4:39:18 PM | | Votes: 0

Aren't 8 or 9 year old vehicles supposed to show some rust (or corrosion or whatever)? Considering we don't really know how the drivers used those vehicles, we can't say for sure that the corrosion was not entirely expected. Let's say those Tundra owners were hardcore off-roaders or even construction/agriculture/etc. industry workers. I would expect more undercarriage wear and tear on those vehicles than those strictly used on-road.

Or is the argument that Toyota should somewhat understand how their vehicles will be used and build them to support that use. In otherwords, spray on some heavy-duty undercarriage sealer or simply dip the frame in something that will take the abuse/corrosion. Same for the fuel/brake lines and anything else under the vehicle (spare tires or whathaveyou).

This should definitely get Toyota thinking.
— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:21:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Does the picture above look like an 8 or 9 year old frame to you?
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 3:03:23 PM | | Votes: -3

Considering this news is regarding the 2000-2001 models, yes, it is an 8 or 9 year old frame.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 3:08:56 PM | | Votes: 3

Yes. The picture above looks quite possibly like an 8 or 9 year old frame.
— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 3:43:05 PM | | Votes: 4

These 20 people complaining could have been using their truck to load unload boats in salty water! Hence the accelerated rust. Afterall, these complaints originated in Boston and they could be using them in the bay.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 4:51:22 PM | | Votes: 4

You guys obviously missed the point... frames that rusty are usually at least 25+ years old now.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 5:47:51 PM | | Votes: -1

Likely steel and iron from China.
— topneuro (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:25:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Actualy it came from Japan. It came from one of the many differnt Japanese companies that are partners with Toyota. Toyota makes sure the do as much businese as posable with only thier Japanese partners, using foreign companies is the very last resort.
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 7:45:21 PM | | Votes: -1

Japan has to import all its resources...
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 11:35:58 PM | | Votes: 2

Where are the Toyota Fanboys?
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:50:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Someone deboosted me. LOL!

Probably a Toyota Fanboy that doesn't have anything to say.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 2:54:12 PM | | Votes: -5

During the mid '80s and all through the '90s, Toyota enjoyed extraordinary, blistering growth. The brand was virtually bullet proof and most consumers were willing to pay more for a Toyota.

Today, looking at the behemoth that is now Toyota, top heavy with over two dozen plus models in the U.S. it's easy to see how cracks in the manufacturing process can start to take shape. It can start for example, with something simple like poorly designed floormat clips, allegations of cover-ups, recalls for this or that and then consumer perception issues take over from there.

Inevitably, this is what was also GM's undoing. This is what any automotive brand should fear, becoming too big and losing focus on what got you there.
— acronis (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 3:50:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

When it rains it pours.
— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 5:16:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Everyone fell victim to the daily flame-baiting grind of this website. Notice how this story of F-150 airbags also being investigated by the Feds didn't make headlines here.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-nhtsa-investigating-ford-f-150-airbags-mazda-rx-8-clutc/
— John_Stossel (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 5:47:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

acronis,

So faulty airbags and clutches on Ford F-150s is less of an important story to you because... ?

Oh right, because not as many people hate Ford on this website as they do Toyota.

Carry on.
— John_Stossel (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 9:21:12 PM | | Votes: 2

"Everyone fell victim to the daily flame-baiting grind of this website. Notice how this story of F-150 airbags also being investigated by the Feds didn't make headlines here." - John_Stossel

John,this is not the only website that is reporting this news. And it is big news because it involves the largest automaker in the world!

The Headline Story is about complaints made by owners of Toyota Tundras to NHTSA regarding spare tire separation and brake system failure.

The risk of an airbag separating while you're driving or preventing you from stopping your vehicle isn't likely to happen.

— acronis (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 7:37:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

This is more believable than the floormats.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2009 10:12:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

John_Stossel are you a rep for Toyota? I ask this question because you're spinning the safety issue reported by owners of Toyota trucks as something of a non-issue?

If you are a rep have the cojones to provide full disclosure and please don't try to minimize in any way the seriousness of this safety issue by offering up dishonest and distracting non-issues.

Show some respect for yourself and think before you post tripe!
— acronis (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2009 12:48:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Why is it that whenever someone uses logic on this website, that person gets accused of being an insider?

You want me to spell out everything for you like a child, so I will. I think the rust issue on the Tundra is bad and unacceptable. Now, in no way am I spinning this story as a non-issue. If anyone is ignoring anything, it is you along with all of this website regarding the fact that the NHTSA, the same people launching THIS probe, are also launching a probe into the airbags and clutch of the Ford F-150.
— John_Stossel (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2009 1:23:24 AM | | Votes: 2

NO ITS NOT GOING TO STOP BECUASE THESE ARE THE FACTS:

Toyota is well on its way to becoming the Japanese GM. I dont think Mr. Toyoda can do anything to stop it either.

1. You guys at Toyota are out of touch.

2. You guys at Toyota have been having too many recals lately.

3. You guys at Toyota are losing marketshare slowly but surely to Hyundai VW and Ford.

4. You guys at Toyota take the rest of the market for granted. You take it so for granted, youre still using the same commericals from the late 90s (They look like they belong in the late 90s rather) to advertise new models.
— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 7:10:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Add your Comments

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]

Email Me When Someone Replies To My Message

Is It EVER Going To Stop? Feds Launch Probe Of Toyota Tundra Safety Issues

About the Author

User Comments

Add your Comments

Submit an article

Photo Galleries

Cars

Autoshows

Latest Articles