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by Site Manager

1.      Toyotas Manufactured in North America  

While the benchmarks of quality against which all other vehicles are compared on this site are those set by the products of Toyota Motor Corporation, I continue to encounter anecdotal evidence that suggests a rather sizable  difference between Toyota motor vehicles made in North America and those made in Japan. These anecdotes include alleged repairs, repair frequencies, criticisms, and reservations regarding made in North America Toyotas which I have never heard attached to made in Japan Toyotas. However, (1) I still have no hard data that such a difference exists, (2) if you call Toyota's U.S. national customer service center, you may be able to get the representative to reassure you that North American suppliers must meet Toyota standards, (3) all adverse remarks to date (September 22, 2001) concern Toyota motor vehicles that were made in North America prior to 1993, (4) many of the persons who have expressed complaints with their North American made Toyota still judge it to be a remarkable vehicle relative to other North American made vehicles they have owned, and (5) many who have expressed such complaints have admitted that their complaints are relative to Toyota's vaulted reputation. In any case, it seems prudent for a consumer with made in Japan Toyota experiences to purchase a made in Japan Toyota or Lexus.

Update: A front page article in the August 4, 2004, issue of the Wall Street Journal reports that Toyota Production System masters - steeped in the philosophy of endless continuous improvement, loyalty, dedication to task, and attention to detail - are in very short supply in its North American manufacturing  plants, due to a very rapidly growing global demand for Toyota products. It notes that by one early ownership complaint survey, the Toyota Camry fell from 1st place (fewest complaints) among North American models in 2000 to 8th place in 2004. This suggests - maybe, in combination with prudence, demands - that those with made-in-Japan Toyota product experiences best stick with made-in-Japan Toyota products. (See AOI August 2004 article "TPS Masters in Short Supply in Toyota's North American Manufacturing Plants, Reports WSJ.")

Further Update: Toyota's North American technical center is reported to have been responsible for developing the Camry sedan, the Solara coupe, the Avalon sedan, and the Sienna minivan for the North American market. With regard to the Camry, the Wall Street Journal, in an August 4, 2004, front page article, reported that the model fell from first place in its 2001segment to eighth place in its 2004 segment, in the J.D. Power initial quality survey results. Furthermore, the average of the 1995-1999 Reliability Percentrank averages for these four models is .78, while the same average for the remainder of the Toyota line is .90.

Also, Toyota plans to expand its North American development and engineering activities for made-in-North America products. (See AOI August 2004 article "Toyota Plans to Expand Its Michigan Development and Engineering Activities: Bad News for the North American Consumer?")

2.      The Saturn SL Sedan, SW Wagon 

On page 15 of the 2001 Auto Review is discussed the credibility of the anomalous jump in the Reliability Index Value for the Saturn SL Sedan, SW Wagon. Here we present more data casting doubt on the credibility of the Reliability Index Values of this model after this anomalous jump. First, we define Reliability Index Values for individual years. We perform the same count as set forth in the Methodology page; however, we do it for a single year rather than a pair of years. To keep the same range in the Reliability Index Values, from -1 to +1, we divide by 12, rather than 24, as the number of trouble spots for 1 year is half that for 2 years. Second, we observe that the left most column of the eight columns in a Consumer Reports reliability table gives the trouble spot values for vehicles that are roughly 7-8 years old, the actual age range depending upon when Consumer Reports stopped accepting responses to its questionnaire and when the model year began and ended. We use this column to define RIV(7-8) to be the Reliability Index Value of a model year computed using this left most column. Similarly, RIV(6-7) and RIV(5-6) are defined using the second from left and third from left columns, respectively. Third we present the three charts that appear below.

 

These charts present several aspects that cast doubt on the last two Reliability Index Values of the Saturn SL Sedan, SW Wagon in Table I and the last two Reliability Index Averages for the Saturn Line in Table I and Table II. First, from Chart I we see the anomalous jump in reliability from the 1991 model to the 1992 model.. Second, from Charts I and II we see the anomalous improvement in reliability for the 1992 model from when the 1992 vehicles were 6-7 years old to when they were 7-8 years old. Third, if we use the graphical depictions of the RIVs for the 1991 model found in Charts I, II and III and the two graphical depictions of the RIVs for the 1992 model found in Charts II and III as reference, we see no basis for anticipating the RIV(7-8) for the 1992 model depicted in the Chart I. Fourth, if we use the graphical depictions of the RIV(5-6)s for model years 1991, 1992 and 1993 and the RIV(6-7)s for models years 1991 and 1992 as reference, we see no basis for anticipating the RIV(6-7) for model year 1993 and the sizable jump in the RIV(6-7) from model year 1992 to model year 1993. Fifth, both the larger than anticipated RIV(7-8) for model year 1992 and the larger than anticipated RIV(6-7) for model year 1993 were occasioned from the responses to the same questionnaire distributed by Consumer Reports in 1999. This suggests that the anomalously high Reliability Index Values are a result of the sample of that year, and to site manager this suggests puffing, or worse, by a group affiliated with Saturn, its suppliers, or its dealerships. In any case, until such time as the RIVs for the Saturn SL Sedan, SW Wagon stabilize, it would seem prudent, in deciding whether to purchase a new or used Saturn SL Sedan or SW Wagon, (1) to use the model's Table I Reliability Index Value for 1991-1992, -.25, rather than its two succeeding values and (2) to use the Saturn line's Table I and Table II Reliability Index Average for 1991-1992, -.25, rather than its two succeeding values.

3.      The Saturn line

I have visited several sites devoted to shared experiences by auto owners, but the one that describes the most egregious conduct by company and dealerships is entitled Information on New Saturn Reliability. If a visitor is considering the purchase of a Saturn product, Auto on Info site manager suggests reading the web pages on this site and then contacting the dealerships and company, by written correspondence (the site provides both the e-mail and the post mail addresses of Saturn customer service), to enquire as to how they recollect the facts. If 1/5 or more of what is alleged by the O'Neils regarding their Saturn and the conduct of the Saturn dealerships and Saturn's customer service is unrebutted or stands on the balance of the evidence, site manager suggests selecting a motor vehicle from another line and another manufacturer.

4.      The Honda and Acura lines

Site manager recommends that prospective Canadian and north central U.S. consumers contemplating the purchase of a Honda or Acura vehicle review the Canadian Automobile Association's reliability data. This organization's vehicle ownership survey results suggest that the reliability of most Honda models may be a more distant second to that of a corresponding Toyota model, at least in more northerly climates, than what the data on this site and in Consumer Reports suggest. To access the tables containing the individual vehicle ratings per the frequency of repair data, click here to be taken to the CAA’s web page from which a pdf file containing the tables may be downloaded. 

5.      The 2004 Nissan Armada and Nissan Titan and Other Newly Engineered Models to be Offered between 2004 and 2007

In an April 28, 2004, article entitled "Hyundai Up, Nissan Falls in Quality Study," Reuters reports that per the results of the J.D. Power "Initial Quality" survey, the number of complaints per 100 vehicles sold by Nissan North America in the United States rose to 147 in 2004 from 135 in 2003. This, by itself, should prompt a goodly amount of concern. In addition, in a May 17, 2004, article entitled "Nissan: The Squeaks Get Louder," Business Week cites instances that suggest that the jump in complaints and the corresponding fall in Nissan's standing among major North American automobile sellers from 6th place to 11th place are reflective of broader quality problems.  These cited instances, together with the jump in complaints, should prompt the exercise of considerable precaution in the purchase of a new vehicle in the Nissan line, primarily a new vehicle of a newly engineered model. Both articles mention the Titan pickup, the Armada sport utility vehicle, and the Quest minivan as disappointments.

More generally, as several auto manufacturers, especially the Big Three, are planning the introduction of a slew of new models between 2004 and 2007, the current problems of Nissan customers may be precursors to greater-than-usual headaches for buyers of Big Three vehicles of newly engineered models.

6.      General Motors

For those who think that a mule becomes a thoroughbred, or even a horse, buying a GM-engineered vehicle from the Chevrolet, Saturn, Pontiac, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick, or Cadillac line seems okay. For the rest, not may be best. (See AOI March 2004 article "General Motors' U.S. 2003 Recall Numbers: A Bottomless Pit and a GM Defense?," July 2004 article "General Motors' Recalls Remain Gargantuan in First Half of 2004," August 2004 article "General Motors Safety Recalls Keep Rolling On," January 2004 article "Do General Motors' Pickup Trucks and SUVs Make a Grotesque Noise?," Mini-Survey No. 54 "GM's Piston Slap - Engine Knock," July 2003 article "Does GM's Cadillac Division Think that the Market for the Worst of the Worst is Boundless?" March 2004 article "Toyota Dominates List of Best Cars and Trucks; General Motors Dominates List of Worst Cars and Trucks," May 2004 article "General Motors Quality Drops Again," May 2004 article "Reworking Reality: Does General Motors Put Lipstick on Pigs?," Table I-MVRGH, and Table II-MVRGH.)

7.      The Engine Sludge Problem

Consumer Reports lists, in its August 2005 issue, on page 49, the following products as having enhanced likelihood of developing sludge in the engine:

Products of Volkswagen AG
	1997-2004 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo Audi A4
	1997-2004 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo Volkswagen Passat
Products of Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG
	1998-2002 2.7L V-6 Chrysler Concorde
	1998-2002 2.7L V-6 Chrysler Sebring
	1998-2002 2.7L V-6 Dodge Intrepid
	1998-2002 2.7L V-6 Dodge Stratus
Products of Saab Division of General Motors Corporation
	2000-2003 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo Saab 9-3 convertible
	2000-2002 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo Saab 9-3 hatchback
	1999 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo Saab 9-3 Viggen
	1999-2003 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo Saab 9-5
Products of the Toyota Motor Corporation
	1997-2001 3.0L V-6 Lexus ES300
	1999-2001 3.0L V-6 Lexus RX300
	1997-2001 3.0L V-6 Toyota Avalon
	1997-2001 3.0L V-6 Toyota Camry
	1997-2001 2.2L 4-cylinder Toyota Camry
	1999-2001 3.0L V-6 Toyota Camry Solara
	1999-2001 2.2L 4-cylinder Toyota Camry Solara
	1996-1999 2.2L 4-cylinder Toyota Celica
	2001 3.0L V-6 Toyota Highlander
	1997-2001 3.0L V-6 Toyota Sienna

Consumer Reports states that all but the Chrysler Group have extended the new-engine warranty to 8 years. The Chrysler Group, it states, deals with the problem on a "case-by-case basis."

For current owners, oil change receipts are important for persuading the manufacturer to foot the bill for a new engine. For second-hand buyers, oil change receipts should be acquired from the sellers and subsequent oil change receipts should be kept.

For those who purchase a used Toyota or Lexus product with the intent of owning it for an additional 20 or more years and 400,000 or more miles, these may be less than prime prospects, even though the frequency of oil sludge in the engines of Toyota's above model-years is currently small.

For more information, see the article "CR Cars: Sludge: Jumping through Hoops to Make a Case," Consumer Reports, August 2005, p. 49. To subscribe to the Consumer Reports magazine via Amazon.com, click Consumer Reports.

8.      Blazing Fords

A Ford cruise control deactivation switch may have caused more than 520 Ford motor vehicle fires. Currently, about 750,000 2000 Ford pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles are under recall for replacement of the cruise control deactivation switch and about 3.7 million 1995-1999 and 2001-2002 Ford pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles are under investigation for possible recall. However, NHTSA officials have stated that as many as 16 million Ford vehicles have the same or similar cruise control deactivation switch.

The following table provides a brief chronology of events pertaining to Ford's deactivation switch and reported fires.

9.      GM's Corroding Brake Sensors and Runaway Pickups and SUVs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating some of General Motors Corporation's pickup trucks and SUVs for a corroding brake sensor. See "General Motors Vehicles Hit with Another Safety Investigation: NHTSA to Investigate 1.3 Million GM Pickup Trucks and SUVs for Corroding Brake Part," Auto on Info, May 2005 and "Don't Drive That GM Pickup or SUV," Auto on Info, May 2005. To view a Quick Fix solution to GM's corroding brake sensor and runaway trucks, click here.

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