Recalls fall but Toyota sees increase

[cincygoblue]

Among Big 3, Ford is only one to report a rise; Toyota's figures more than double through Nov.
Jeff Plungis and Christine Tierney
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...512020337/1148

WASHINGTON -- After a record-breaking year for safety recalls in 2004, the auto industry has improved dramatically in 2005 -- with the notable exception of quality stalwart Toyota Motor Corp., whose recalls more than doubled.

According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota's recalls jumped to 2.2 million through November, compared with 1.1 million for all of 2004.

The recalls at Toyota, the fourth-leading manufacturer in the U. S. market with a reputation for quality-built cars and trucks, stand in sharp contrast to an overall decline in industry recalls.

Following a record 30.8 million vehicles recalled last year, only 16.6 million have been recalled through November. At this point last year, 27.7 million vehicles had been recalled.

The industry is on pace to recall fewer vehicles than in other recent years as well. The average number of annual recalls during the previous 10 years, 1995 through 2004, is 19.3 million vehicles a year.

Toyota's 2005 recalls were driven up by two recalls in particular:
A steering-linkage problem covering 978,000 1989-1995 pickups and 1990-1995 4Runner SUVs. A ball-joint repair for 768,000 4Runner, Tacoma and Sequoia light trucks dating back to 2001.

Toyota officials say the government is more aggressive in requiring companies to report potential safety issues under the TREAD Act, the law Congress passed following the Firestone tire recall. Toyota, like other companies, also has become more proactive about fixing what used to seem like minor problems.

"We're fallible," said Dennis Cuneo, senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America. "We take those opportunities to try to find the root causes, get to it and fix it."

Another factor driving up recalls: An increase in common parts used among different car and light truck models. As a result, a problem part that might in the past have had an impact on a few thousand vehicles can now lead to a recall of more than a million vehicles.

Among Detroit manufacturers, only Ford Motor Co. has seen an increase in recalled vehicles this year, 6 million through Nov. 17, up from 5 million for all of 2004.

General Motors Corp. has recalled 4.1 million vehicles through Nov. 17, down significantly from 10.8 million for 2004. DaimlerChrysler AG has recalled 749,000 vehicles in the United States this year, down from 5.8 million in 2004.

Toyota is grappling to ensure its big expansion plans do not undercut its reputation for quality. Besides the steering linkage and ball-joint problems affecting trucks and SUVs, Toyota suffered an embarrassing recall of its heralded Prius hybrid in October, when consumers complained that a software glitch could leave them stranded on the road.

[asim]

The media needs to exploit Toyota's recalls more.

[BobLikesBunnies]

deep pockets

[turbotoad]

This doesn't surprise me much, and frankly is a bunch of hoopla about nothing. Toyota is gaining market share and producing many more vehicles than they ever have. This along with the pressure to quickly bring these new vehicles to market will result in an increased risk of design problems and/or production (supplier or in-house) issues.

Meanwhile GM has been losing market share and as a result, reducing production numbers. Additionally GM has backed off on a few release dates of new vehicles to make sure the product was "ready" before ramping up production volume on them. Recalls have been slightly reduced because of this.

In the grand scheme of things I don't think this will negatively affect Toyota. Not unless these recalls continue to increase over a number of years. Heck, it would take hundreds of thousands of Toyondassans literally blowing up in the streets to shake many peoples faith in the almighty import gods.

[Buick61]

This article has already been posted. There are two pages of discussion on it here: Toyota sees 100% increase in number of vehicles recalled

Please consolidate.