Answering all those people who asked, “Shouldn’t the Justice Department be the ones handling the Toyota recall hearings?”, the car company confirmed today that both federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission have already dropped a load of subpoenas on their desks. [More]
toyota
Toyota Bragged About Saving $100 Million With 2007 Floormat Recall
By 2.22.10
You know those scenes toward the end of James Bond movies where the bad guy goes on and on about his elaborate plan and what a genius he is? That never happens in real life, right? No, in the real world the bragging is done in “confidential” documents that are never meant to see the light of day… but always do. Just ask the folks at Toyota. [More]
Congress Issues Subpoena For Toyota Recall Documents
By 2.19.10
Shortly after Toyota chief Akio Toyoda accepted an invite from Congress to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform next week, committee Chairman Edolphus “Ed” Towns of New York and Ranking GOP Member Darrell Issa of California issued a subpoena to Dimitrios Biller, the car giant’s former National Managing Counsel in the U.S., for “all documents relating to Toyota motor vehicle safety and Toyota’s handling of alleged motor vehicle defects and related litigation.” [More]
Toyota Boss Accepts Invite From Congress, Unsure Of What To Wear
By 2.18.10
Setting up what is sure to be a thrilling showdown like something out of a Highlander movie, Toyota’s President and CEO Akio Toyoda has decided to accept Congressman Ed Towns’ formal invitation to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. [More]
Toyota's Toyoda Gets Formal Invite To Appear Before Congress
By 2.18.10
In the weeks since it was announced that the U.S. Congress would be holding hearings on the current massive recall of Toyotas, the car giant’s president, Akio Toyoda, had been saying “Thanks, but no thanks,” to the idea of appearing before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. And then yesterday, he softened a bit, saying he would consider attending the hearing if given a formal invitation. Well, Mr. Toyoda… Ask and ye shall receive. [More]
How Bad Would Another Recall Be For Toyota?
By 2.18.10
As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Toyota look into whether or not complaints of steering problems in 2009 and 2010 Corollas merit a recall, it’s worth investigating both the potential financial and public relations costs for the auto giant. [More]
Toyota Boss Slams Brakes On Speaking To Congress
By 2.17.10
Even though there’s been talk of issuing a subpoena to Toyota President Akio Toyoda, compelling him to speak before Congress, the big boss at the recall-happy car manufacturer has decided to let others do the talking for him. [More]
All Future Toyotas Will Have Override System To Cut Engine Power
By 2.17.10
According to Reuters, Toyota announced today that it would add a brake-override system to all future cars. The system would cut power from the engine when the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time. [More]
Toyota Throttles Back On Production At Two U.S. Plants
By 2.16.10
With their sales sinking as they deal with the massive recall of 8 million vehicles, Toyota announced today that they are trimming back production at two U.S. factories in an effort to avoid an overstock of unsold automobiles. [More]
Toyota Wants To Kiss And Make Up, Wants You To Keep Buying Toyotas
By 2.15.10
Now that Toyota has almost nearly completed its time in the naughty spot for dumping a few million potentially deadly vehicles on the market, the world’s largest auto manufacturer is looking to make nice. But instead of flowers, candy or poetry, Toyota is making plans to woo you back into their showrooms with increased cash incentives and improved maintenance plans. [More]
Toyota Recalls 8,000 Tacoma Pickup Trucks While They're At it
By 2.13.10
Toyota has recalled eight thousand Tacoma pickup trucks because of possible cracks in the driveshaft. Interestingly, this same part was used in some Ford and Nissan vehicles, but apparently Toyota management said, “what the hell, we’ll recalling everything else–might as well bring this one in too while we’re at it.” [More]
Toyota President Taking Heat For Rescheduling U.S. Trip
By 2.12.10
Imagine you’re a teenager being forced to attend a family get-together the day after you totaled your parents’ car while doing donuts in the school parking lot. Awkward, right? Now, imagine you did that to around 8 million cars and you’ll have some understanding of just how tense the room will be when Toyota president Akio Toyoda makes the rounds stateside in a few weeks. It’s almost enough to pity the guy. No, wait… it’s not. [More]
Honda Dealer Tricks Toyota Owners With Fake Recall Notice
By 2.11.10
Reader TheLoneGoldfish sent us this very sneaky mailing from an area Honda dealer. “Attention Toyota owners: Important Recall Information Enclosed,” the envelope declares. That important information: a letter noting that hey, this would be a really great time to trade in their Toyota for a Honda! [More]
Learn To Love Your Messed Up Toyota With This Parody
By 2.11.10
Funny or Die wants to help Toyota out of this awkward situation it’s found itself in, so the site has posted a helpful video of a cheerfully steely spokeswoman who likes to point with both hands. It’s like she’s shooting good news in your face! Pow pow! And really, it’s true that you can have an awesome garage party without ever needing to take your Toyota on the road, so maybe you should stop being so pessimistic. Video below. [More]
Consumers Are Shockingly Uninterested In Buying A Toyota Right Now
By 2.10.10
Kelley Blue Book says that they’ve commissioned a new survey showing that consumers who were considering a Toyota before the recall party started are now much less interested — and the effect seems to be growing. As each week passes and Toyota recalls more cars, people are thinking about buying… Fords? [More]
Toyota Recalls More Than 400,000 Cars For Faulty Brakes
By 2.9.10
Hey! The rumors were true! Toyota is recalling more cars! This time they are hauling you back to the dealer for a braking problem that is affecting several of their hybrid models — including the 2010 Prius, the Sai, which is not sold in the U.S., the plug-in version of the Prius, and the Lexus HS250h. They are also recalling 7,300 Camrys for a completely different problem. [More]
Report: Toyota Will Recall 270,000 Prius Hybrids Over Brake Problems
By 2.5.10
The Associated Press is reporting that a top Japanese business newspaper (that we don’t understand because our Japanese reading comprehension really sucks) says that Toyota will recall 270,000 Prius hybrids over complaints about “inconsistent” braking. Consistently being able to brake, of course, is something you tend to want in a car. The braking problem is unrelated to the floor mat and the “sticky pedal” issue. [More]
Here's The Repair Process For Toyota Accelerator Pedals
By 2.3.10
The Providence Journal of Rhode Island filmed a service director at a Toyota dealership fixing an accelerator pedal. If you own one of the recalled models, Consumer Reports’ Cars blog recommends that you learn the warning signs of pedal trouble and get to a dealership as soon as possible if you notice any of them. [More]
