Some facts requested by the many knowledgeable members

[Intrepidation]

So the running concept I have for my project involves a lot of facts about japn Inc. in refrnce to their less-than-perfect quality.

This is the text I have for the poster so far:

There is a Myth that Japanese vehicles are more reliable and superior to American vehicles.

• Did you know in 2006 Toyota recalled more cars than it sold?
• Did you know that the new Tundra’s 5.7L V8 has had exploding camshaft issues that
• result in catastrophic engine failure?
• Did you know the Tundra is the only pickup not to get a 5-star crash test rating?
• Or how about Honda’ recall of 2007 Civics because their wheel could potentially fall off?
• Perhaps Nissan’s recall of it’s 2.5L Altima due to engine fires?
• Did you know the Toyota FJ Cruiser is suffering from fractures in the unibody?
• Did you know Buick tied with Lexus for JD Power and Associates best overall quality?

There are many American cars that will easily do around and more

than 200,000 miles on their original drivetrain. I know...I own two of them.

Looks like the Myth of superior Japanese quality is just that.

What other facts are there...and please correct me if I made any mistakes with the ones I listed.

Also...be sure to dig up some dirt on the Camry...my instructor owns one and reading about this stuff made her nervous...i want to throw in some facts about it too. :AH-HA_wink:

Thanks guys!

[Drew Dowdell]

I would throw in the number of recalled vehicles for effect. It's one thing to say that the civic was recalled for the potential of the wheels to fall off. It's completely another to day 900,000 Civics <made up number> have been recalled.

[CaddyXLR-V]

So the running concept I have for my project involves a lot of facts about japn Inc. in refrnce to their less-than-perfect quality.

This is the text I have for the poster so far:

There is a Myth that Japanese vehicles are more reliable and superior to American vehicles.

• Did you know in 2006 Toyota recalled more cars than it sold?
• Did you know that the new Tundra’s 5.7L V8 has had exploding camshaft issues that
• result in catastrophic engine failure?
• Did you know the Tundra is the only pickup not to get a 5-star crash test rating?
• Or how about Honda’ recall of 2007 Civics because their wheel could potentially fall off?
• Perhaps Nissan’s recall of it’s 2.5L Altima due to engine fires?
• Did you know the Toyota FJ Cruiser is suffering from fractures in the unibody?
• Did you know Buick tied with Lexus for JD Power and Associates best overall quality?

There are many American cars that will easily do around and more

than 200,000 miles on their original drivetrain. I know...I own two of them.

Looks like the Myth of superior Japanese quality is just that.

What other facts are there...and please correct me if I made any mistakes with the ones I listed.

Also...be sure to dig up some dirt on the Camry...my instructor owns one and reading about this stuff made her nervous...i want to throw in some facts about it too. :AH-HA_wink:

Thanks guys!

The sludging issues affecting Toyota V6s, which affected all vehicles with that engine, which included the Camry. Wasn't it something like 3.3 Million engines potentially affected?

[Drew Dowdell]

* Did you know in 2006 Toyota recalled more cars than it sold?

* Did you know that the new Tundra’s 5.7L V8 has had fracturing camshaft issue that result in catastrophic engine failure?

* Did you know the Tundra is the only pickup not to get a 5-star crash test rating?

* Or how about Honda’ recall of 2007 Civics because their wheel could potentially fall off?

* Perhaps Nissan’s recall of it’s 2.5L Altima due to engine fires?

* Did you know the Toyota FJ Cruiser is suffering from fractures in the unibody?

* Did you know Buick tied with Lexus for JD Power and Associates best overall quality?

* Did you know that the 4-cylinder engine in the Toyota Corolla, Camry, and Rav4 has a common and notorious sludge problem that Toyota initially refused to acknowledge and blamed the problem on poor maintenance by the owners?

* Did you know that Honda has a secret warranty extension on the transmissions in the Acura TL, Honda Odyssey, and Honda Accord to cover frequent problems up to and including catastrophic failure?

[Dsuupr]

There is some great information on honda and their exploding transmissions. Try;

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/...ansmission.html

http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/forumdisplay/f-58.html

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=33622

http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/showthread.php?t=275628 (many others available on this site)

Also check out about the new tundra bed issues at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U6KmwB2LyY (more fun to watch than anything else)

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/aos/432841382.html

As I remember more I will pass it on.

[Intrepidation]

Good stuff...keep e`em coming..also specific number would be great!

[Screaming Trees]

Edmunds inside line is appearantly saying good things about the new CTS. Although it's only opinion, I thought it might help

Performance Pudding, Wherein the Proof Is Found

By Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor Email | Blog

Date posted: 09-25-2007

Forget everything you thought you knew about the Cadillac CTS sedan. While you're at it, rethink what you've come to expect from Cadillac and even General Motors, too. The 2008 Cadillac CTS is that good.

Cadillac has stopped trying to be German, something it is not. Instead it has rediscovered itself and produced a uniquely American sport sedan without peer. That's a bold statement for sure, but name another American car like the 2008 Cadillac CTS

Link to full article

Edited October 1, 2007 by Screaming Trees

[Camino LS6]

The FJ problem isn't a "unibody" fracturing, the FJ is a body on frame vehicle. It would be more accurate to say that the FJ has an issue with the inner body structure cracking.

[Intrepidation]

The FJ problem isn't a "unibody" fracturing, the FJ is a body on frame vehicle. It would be more accurate to say that the FJ has an issue with the inner body structure cracking.

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

Is there a good link for information regarding the sludge issue along with the vehicles it effects and engines? Also did they recall or settle or what?

Oh and a list of quality awards for GM, Ford, and.or Chrysler would be great.

Edited October 3, 2007 by Dodgefan

[Newbiewar]

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

Is there a good link for information regarding the sludge issue along with the vehicles it effects and engines? Also did they recall or settle or what?

Oh and a list of quality awards for GM, Ford, and.or Chrysler would be great.

dont forget to mention

GM has the most fuel ecconomy in Full Size trucks, Full Size SUV's and cars with 400 or more hp...

also GM has the most vehicles to choose from that gets over 30 mpg...

also GM has the top 2 plants for quality awards in north america...

Honda and Toyota i think are the most accident prone in their factories (need facts to back that up... cause i dont know the statistics, ive just heard bad things)

dont forget the honda recall that their transmissions would roll away in park...

or that Ford hasnt recalled any 2007's this year?

GM's trucks have the highest re-regeister rate (percentage) of any truck in the last 25 years... (meaning they arent non operational, or junked)

you could venture down the invention list if you want... but thats really unfair

you could put something about the IIHS has deemed the new Tundra (unsafe to drive) undriveable over speeds of 40 mph due to vibrations in the mirrors and entire body... it is quoted to be so bouncy one person cant have a conversation with the person in the passenger seat...

you could mention the fuel ecconomy dispute about prius...

or horsepower dispute in 2006-2007 year... camry lost some 20 hp without changing their engines... sounds like a real honnest company

dont forget the unintentional acceloration

or when hybrids get into accidents, they wont saw them open to get you out due to fear or electricution (or atleast when they were first on the market)

or the prius, battery needs to be replaced if you go on vacation for more then 2 weeks... bet they didnt tell you that, and its not covered by warranty

[Sixty8panther]

or when hybrids get into accidents, they wont saw them open to get you out due to fear or electricution (or atleast when they were first on the market)

Still true today... they are not allowed to be worked on by any bodyshop other than a Toyota delership.

or the prius, battery needs to be replaced if you go on vacation for more then 2 weeks... bet they didnt tell you that, and its not covered by warranty

Woah, is this true? The battery packs cost like $6,000

[loki]

an unbiased person would see "nothing humans design is perfect"

oh well... rub it in the foreign biased peoples faces!

[Intrepidation]

an unbiased person would see "nothing humans design is perfect"

oh well... rub it in the foreign biased peoples faces!

The point I'm trying to make is that no car company is perfect, and that American cars are just as good or better than Imports...anyway, it's all facts so I don't mind if comes off as rubbing it in their faces

[chevelle454]

I read that in 2006 Toyota recalled every vehicleline it sold in the world for some type of issue at least once!

[Newbiewar]

quote (Newbiewar @ Oct 3 2007, 02:41 PM)

or the prius, battery needs to be replaced if you go on vacation for more then 2 weeks... bet they didnt tell you that, and its not covered by warranty

Woah, is this true? The battery packs cost like $6,000

GM gave that information to the dealership... i've never seen it anywhere else to confirm it... but thats a little something GM gave us to pull out of our sleeve...

its in the manual of the prius... that it must be started at least once every 2 weeks... and its neglect and voids the warranty...

heres what it says at consumeraffairs.com

Toyota Prius Battery Problems

Advertisement

Thiettranh of Concord CA (9/21/04):

I am the owner of a Prius 2001. When I decided to purchase the Prius in July 2001, I believed I made a right choice. Everything went okay until Friday, July 8th, 2004, I drove my Prius as usual on freeway 680. After the Monument exit, I stopped at Costco Wholesale on Monument Blvd. to pump gas. On the way home, the car suddenly lost power on Port Chicago Highway, a busy street close to my house. I was panic-stricken for a second for not knowing what happened! Right away, I pushed the warning light on, so the traffic around would recognize my car in hazard!

I could not control the speed at the time. The car became heavy and moved very slowly, around 10 to 12 miles per hour, no matter how I pushed the accelerator. At the same time, the battery icon warning light was on with the word �Main� indicating there was a problem with the �main battery�. In such way, I moved slowly and cautiously my Prius with hazard warning signal on, heading home. By the time I got to my house, it was about 7:00PM, I called Toyota station where I have had my Prius checked periodically but there was no service reception after hour.

I came to Concord Toyota on Monday, July 11th and reported the incident. A Service Advisor of the Company had my car towed to Concord Toyota Dealer and reassured me that the main battery may be fixed without charge since my Prius�s main battery may not be mature enough to have problem. Concord Toyota got it fixed within few days. Toyota service agent called July 13th 2004 to let me know that I had to pay $520 for a problem he named �the sensor.� I inquired him a bit on the problem of loosing car power that I encountered on the street leading to the warning signal of Main Battery. Just a week later, I received a second Toyota Notice on the recall for fixing Prius�s main battery (the first notice was the recall for fixing the vibration of steering wheel.)

This time, with the Toyota notice, Concord Toyota conducted the inspection at no cost, because I already paid $520 for the real problem that happened to me on the street couple weeks ago! From the incident on 7/8/04, I have the following question: I believe the incident of loosing vehicle power during performance, which illuminated the Master Warning Light, and Hybrid System Malfunction Warning Light happening to my prius on July 8th 2004 was related to Toyota Notice for Potential Problem that I received lately.

Troy of Forest Hill MC (5/2/03):

I bought a new Toyota Prius March 15. I was shocked and alarmed to read on page 8: "If you do not use the vehicle for a long time (2 weeks or more), the hybrid vehicle battery and auxiliary battery will discharge and their condition is liable to decline. Therefore, in order to make up for discharging, charge them once in every two weeks for about 30 minutes by starting the hybrid system with all electrical components turned off."

I called Toyota. "Joel" informed me that if we did not charge the battery as per the owner's manual every two weeks as required by the manual and any problem developed, that would be deemed negligence on our part and the warranty would be voided. Frankly, I consider this to be fraud. We were never given a single item to read, there is nothing in the advertising and no salesman disclosed, etc., any information at all relating to the necessity to have the battery on the car charged for at least 1/2 hour every two weeks or the warranty would be voided.

We are about to retire and, hopefully, take many long trips with the intention of leaving this car locked in our garage. One of the things that made us even angrier was that "Joel" told us it was "our fault" for not reading the manual before buying the car. Toyota didn't give us a manual in advance; and the requirement to charge the battery every two weeks is in none of the brochures or other materials available before purchase.

As strongly as we feel about protecting the environment, we would NOT have purchased a Prius had we known about this problem. I get stopped all the time in parking lots, etc., by people who never saw a hybrid asking how we like it. When I mention not being able to take a two-week vacation without hiring a car sitter, they thank me for letting them know and state they would not buy the car under those circumstances. Not a single person, not one out of at least 15 such encounters.

Yvonne of Monson MA (4/22/02):

I have a Toyota Prius 2001. I have been stuck with it twice in less than a month. Went out to my car after work and had no power. My car was dead. Toyota wants me to take the car back (which is still under warranty) and then a technician will be out some time in May. They will not give me another car...want me to wait and if it breaks down again, have it towed in again!

How can a car manufacturer get away with telling you that "Oh well, we can't find a problem, so take it back until it breaks down again." I'm still paying on the lease and it's under warranty. I was told that I can only speak to customer service reps and no one else at Toyota will speak with me.

[Newbiewar]

should i continue...

well lets see here...

dont forget about the tc's that had the window over the driver shatter all over the driver, and come to realize, it wasnt tempered glass... (owch!)

or the 2007 (2006?) avalon that didnt even have a welded steering yoke...? could disconnect from the road at any time

or all the tundras & sequoias, and a few other models, have suspension problems, that could potentially cause a complete loss of control

or the 2007 camrys with the malfunctioning transmission... forget which gears break but i think your left with like 1st and 4th...?

or of course everyones favorite... how the FU@k do you mess up floor mats?!... my goodness, if that isnt the hardest thing in the world to botch, toyota did it...

I'm sure there is more... but do you get the point yet? sorry i didnt cover all of them earlier, had to get back to work... i'm sure i'll cover more when i have a bit more then a few hours of sleep and some 19 hours awake...

[Intrepidation]

the more the merrier...I'll pick and choose which ones are the best.

[Intrepidation]

Does anyone have a list of innovations?

I have

Chrysler's minivans

Pacifica = first large crossover

GM's mid-gate system

I know there's more..what else?

(I'd like to stick with innovations/industry firsts that are in use today)

Edited October 8, 2007 by Dodgefan

[Brougham-Holiday]

A quote from one of the above links...

"I traded in my Cutlass with over 75,000 miles on it for the Honda. I never had a transmission problem with the Cutlass."

Made my day!

Oldsmobile quality-Feel It.

[Intrepidation]

The 2008 Malibu is the first car in the industry to off 4-cylinder/6-speed combo right?

[Newbiewar]

Does anyone have a list of innovations?

I have

Chrysler's minivans

Pacifica = first large crossover

GM's mid-gate system

I know there's more..what else?

(I'd like to stick with innovations/industry firsts that are in use today)

you mean like...

speed o meter? olds or buick i forget

umm lights that move when you drive? tucker

Nicolaus August Otto invented the gas motor engine in 1876.

In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler invented a gas engine that allowed for a revolution in car design.

Karl Benz was the German mechanical engineer who designed and in 1885 built the world's first practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine.

America's first gasoline-powered automobile was the 1891 Lambert car invented by John W. Lambert.

Eli Olds invented the basic concept of the assembly line and Henry Ford improved it.

Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel-fueled internal combustion engine.

1951 American automobile manufacturer Chrysler Corporation introduces power steering., which they called Hydraguide.

It's 1913 and Mary Phelps Jacob's corset was not the undergarment to wear under her new shear evening gown.

Crash Test Dummies GM developed this test device nearly 20 years ago, to provide a biofidelic measurement tool -- a crash dummy that behaves very similarly to human beings.

The history of the first motorcycles - Gottlieb Daimler and the first practical motorcycle - online motorcycle museum - motorcycle history.

in 1896, Benz designed and patented the first internal combustion flat engine.

The first American car with a gasoline internal combustion engine supposedly was designed in 1877 by George Selden of Rochester, New York, who applied for a patent on an automobile in 1879

In 1895, Selden was granted a United States patent(U.S. Patent 549,160 ) for a two-stroke automobile engine, which hindered more than encouraged development of autos in the United States

The large-scale, production-line manufacturing of affordable automobiles was debuted by Ransom Olds at his Oldsmobile factory in 1902

key developments included electric ignition and the electric self-starter (both by Charles Kettering, for the Cadillac Motor Company in 1910-1911)

The first electric cars were built around 1832 well before internal combustion powered cars appeared.[13] For a period of time electrics were considered superior due to the silent nature of electric motors compared to the very loud noise of the gasoline engine. This advantage was removed with Hiram Percy Maxim's invention of the muffler in 1897

1. The Airbag

The airbag was invented in 1951 in the US by John W Hetrick, a former naval engineer. The key component – a ball-in-tube sensor for crash detection - was then invented by Allen K Breed, and the innovation was marketed to Chrysler in 1967. An experimental fleet of cars with airbags was built by Ford in 1971, and were made available to the general public in November 1973 by General Motors. Despite early problems, the airbag was re-introduced in the 1980s, and has since branched out into new ideas such as the side airbag first offered by the Volvo 850.

2. The Safety Belt

Safety belts were invented in the 1800’s by George Cayley, a prolific engineer and pioneer of aeronautical engineering. The belts were introduced first to aircraft by Adolphe Pegoud in 1913 – the first pilot to fly upside down. After the Saab GT 750 was introduced at the New York motor show in the spring of 1958 with safety belts fitted as standard, the practice became commonplace.

3. Immobiliser

Immobilisers have been mandatory in all new cars sold in the UK since 1997. Early models worked by preventing ignition unless a static code in the ignition key was recognised by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) checked to match the vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU). Later models attempted to prevent the opportunity to copy this code by using rolling codes or advanced cryptography. In highly advanced systems, an incorrect code match can even make sue of satellite or mobile phone communication to alert a security firm.

4. Navigation systems/GPS

Typically using a GPS (Global Positioning Service), the automotive navigation system acquires data to locate the user on the unit’s map database. There are a number of claimants as to who first created the system; Alpine claims to have invented the first automotive navigation system in 1981, while Honda claims the first navigation system in 1983, available in the 1990 Acura Legend. The first GPS-based auto navigation system has been claimed by Pioneer in 1990.

5. Anti-lock brakes

First developed in 1929 for aircraft, anti-lock braking systems had been in development by the German firms Bosch and Mercedes-Benz since the 1930s. The first completely electronic 4-wheel ABS system was installed in the Mercedes Benz S-Class in 1978, and was first made standard equipment by BMW in 1986. Since coming into widespread production, the system has made considerable progress, and in some models can now incorporate traction control, brake assist and electronic stability control

6 Cruise control

A centrifugal governing speed control has been used in automobiles as early as the 1910s, with James Watt and Matthew Boulton's Peerless technology, originally designed in for use in locomotives in 1788. The modern concept of speed control was designed by the blind inventor Ralph Teetor in 1945, who was frustrated with his car driver’s tendency to speed up and slow down as he talked. The first car to use Teetor’s system was the 1958 Chrysler Imperial.

7. The Hybrid

With an internal combustion engine and batteries for power, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can be re-charged by connecting to an electrical source. In theory, the conversion from a traditional automobile to a PHEV would contribute considerably to a greener environment, lessening our dependence on petroleum and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although no PHEVs are yet in production, Toyota, General Motors and Ford have all announced their intention to introduce the PHEV automobile.

8. The Convertible

The convertible was in fact the original model for automobiles by default, until in 1910, Cadillac invented the first closed-body car. The popularity of the convertible soared in the 1950s and 60s, then all but disappeared in the US due to the threat of new regulations concerning rollover safety requirements. Although production continued in other parts of the world – most notably in Europe - the resurgence of popularity in the US can be attributed to the production of cars such as the Chrysler LeBaron and Saab 900 in the 1980s.

9. Turbo charger

In 1905, the Swiss engineer Alfred Buchi applied for a patent to his internal combustion turbocharger. The system was initially applied to aircraft engines, and was first used in an automobile in 1952 by Fred Agabashian in the Indianapolis 500, giving him pole position and the race lead for 100 miles. Until the 70s the turbocharger was used mainly for sports cars, until 1976 when Saab developed a turbo engine with the reliability and durability required for everyday use.

10. Windscreen Wipers

The method of moving two vertical brushes up and down on a glass windshield was invented by J H Apjohn in 1903, while the patent for the windshield wiper swinging arm was applied for in 1905 by Mary Anderson. These first windscreen wiper designs are also accredited to the world famous-concert pianist, Jozef Hofmann. The first intermittent wipers were introduced in 1969, and in the late 20th Century rain-sensing windshield wipers appeared on various models, becoming standard on all Cadillacs from early 2006.

Robert Kearns (1928-2005) patented intermittent powered wipers in 1967. He demonstrated the system to Ford Motor Company, which introduced automobiles with intermittent wipers in 1978. Other automakers soon followed.

The electric version(windsheild wiper), attached to the top of the windshield, was created by Bosch in 1926, but was reserved only for luxury models.

Disc Brakes = Corvette

Edited October 8, 2007 by Newbiewar

[Newbiewar]

The 2008 Malibu is the first car in the industry to off 4-cylinder/6-speed combo right?

i think vw already offers one...

[Intrepidation]

i think vw already offers one...

In the Passat?

Edit: Yup...poop

Edited October 8, 2007 by Dodgefan