I bought my 2007 yaris being its first year in the US market. I was nervous but it had the same engine introduced all over the world since 1999 with great reports. So I bought it purely for that.
First model year: Are you skeptical?
- Thread starter Popinski
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I agree. I leased a '97 Explorer Sport -- first year with 4.0 SOHC. It had 3 minor recalls within the first year.
I have 2005 Legacy GT(turbo) wagon, first year of 4 th generation Legacy and also first turbo engine in Legacy since 1994.
It has had two problems covered by part specific extended warranty (failed wheel bearings-mine 95k miles) and ecu relay issue.
However the major problem is a banjo bolt screen in front the turbo oil inlet that if owner elect to use elongated oil changes, it clogs starving turbo of oil. In some case if car is not shut down shortly after failing, the turbo breaks apart and introduces metal fragments to oil pan and bottom end of engine needs replacement.
I am thankful I just use 3000 mile dino oil changes since new although it turns out to be every 6-7 weeks for us. Subaru originally specified 6month/7500 miles oil changes with dino normal. They reverted to severe interval of every 4months/3750 miles on this model and all current turbo engines.
It has had two problems covered by part specific extended warranty (failed wheel bearings-mine 95k miles) and ecu relay issue.
However the major problem is a banjo bolt screen in front the turbo oil inlet that if owner elect to use elongated oil changes, it clogs starving turbo of oil. In some case if car is not shut down shortly after failing, the turbo breaks apart and introduces metal fragments to oil pan and bottom end of engine needs replacement.
I am thankful I just use 3000 mile dino oil changes since new although it turns out to be every 6-7 weeks for us. Subaru originally specified 6month/7500 miles oil changes with dino normal. They reverted to severe interval of every 4months/3750 miles on this model and all current turbo engines.
I always, always, always avoid first model year vehicles... in fact, I try to only get vehicles near the end of that particular production run of engine/transmission/body style.
Let somebody else bear the teething pains.
Let somebody else bear the teething pains.
It makes sense that first year vehicles might have more problems. I wonder if that could be proven statistically.(Time to call Mythbusters 
)
I'm getting a new vehicle this fall and have two all new vehicles on my radar...'11 Kia Sportage (new last month) and the Nissan Juke(not here until October).
)I'm getting a new vehicle this fall and have two all new vehicles on my radar...'11 Kia Sportage (new last month) and the Nissan Juke(not here until October).
I bought my car in the first model year. 2004 Mazda 3, 2.0L made in April 2004.
Not 1 recall on my particular build, and the car has been flawless for 80k.
Contrary, Mazda just released a recall on 2007-2009 Mazda 3's for the power steering system failing due to rust in the system. These model years were at the end of the first generation 3, which some here claim to be the best option. I've seen plenty of issues with late models and early models. If a car comes out that I really want to own, I'll buy it, just like I did in 2004.
Not 1 recall on my particular build, and the car has been flawless for 80k.
Contrary, Mazda just released a recall on 2007-2009 Mazda 3's for the power steering system failing due to rust in the system. These model years were at the end of the first generation 3, which some here claim to be the best option. I've seen plenty of issues with late models and early models. If a car comes out that I really want to own, I'll buy it, just like I did in 2004.
I wonder what causes problems on later models and not first year models? Do they change part suppliers or something? I know 90's Elantra's, they changed sensor manufacturers and the sensors went berserk on the third year of the model.
Kestas
Staff member
Popinski, after a new model is introduced, the manufacturer tries to find ways they can cut costs in parts, design, and manufacturing. They do this, in addition to dealing with the new model problems that crop up, usually through warranty returns.
The auto manufacturers have a standing rule that every single part replaced under warranty comes back to the company and is available for inspection.
The auto manufacturers have a standing rule that every single part replaced under warranty comes back to the company and is available for inspection.
I would avoid any first MY of a vehicle like the plague...
There is usually no doubt that the very last MYs of a model are the best because all the possible bugs have been worked out and the cost cutting elements have been ironed out as well...
Any model that is three years old will be very trouble free.
Generally speaking.
There is usually no doubt that the very last MYs of a model are the best because all the possible bugs have been worked out and the cost cutting elements have been ironed out as well...
Any model that is three years old will be very trouble free.
Generally speaking.
Hi,
Popinski - I must admit I agree with you in a general sense
Most new vehicles today are however much better engineered than ever before considering the production numbers involved
An evolutionary model is perhaps the least likely to suffer serious problems
Some I have been involved with from "both sides of the fence" (initial Engineering and end User)as as follows:
BMC
Mini 1959 (gearbox, body, brakes) - My first serious Enginering task.
Sadly many issues remaimed "alive" for many years due to a lack of (Leyland) money for refinement
Heavy truck axles - (I won't state brands)
German
Leaf location issues including loosing parabolic pack
NA
Lack of dynamic stability with air bag suspensions (roll overs etc)
Heavy truck engines
MB V Series - Cooling, high oil consumption, low power development etc etc
Heavy Truck chassis
IVECO - Cracked rails, cabin structures
I could go on as there have been many many more in my life
CAD is only as good as the experience of the Engineers using it
Modern production techniques are truely a work of art but again they are not fool proof
Sadly much development work still commemces with the sale of the first in the series!!! Then it is only as good as the selling Dealers in the first instance
Sorry for the rant!
Popinski - I must admit I agree with you in a general sense
Most new vehicles today are however much better engineered than ever before considering the production numbers involved
An evolutionary model is perhaps the least likely to suffer serious problems
Some I have been involved with from "both sides of the fence" (initial Engineering and end User)as as follows:
BMC
Mini 1959 (gearbox, body, brakes) - My first serious Enginering task.
Sadly many issues remaimed "alive" for many years due to a lack of (Leyland) money for refinement
Heavy truck axles - (I won't state brands)
German
Leaf location issues including loosing parabolic pack
NA
Lack of dynamic stability with air bag suspensions (roll overs etc)
Heavy truck engines
MB V Series - Cooling, high oil consumption, low power development etc etc
Heavy Truck chassis
IVECO - Cracked rails, cabin structures
I could go on as there have been many many more in my life
CAD is only as good as the experience of the Engineers using it
Modern production techniques are truely a work of art but again they are not fool proof
Sadly much development work still commemces with the sale of the first in the series!!! Then it is only as good as the selling Dealers in the first instance
Sorry for the rant!
After my experience with a brand new 2000 Ford Focus, I will never buy a vehicle in its first model year.
It wasn't a bad car but had way too many recalls. It seemed like they were monthly and parts were always back ordered, which made getting into the dealer a pain. The dealer couldn't knock out the dozen recalls at once because of parts availability.
It wasn't a bad car but had way too many recalls. It seemed like they were monthly and parts were always back ordered, which made getting into the dealer a pain. The dealer couldn't knock out the dozen recalls at once because of parts availability.
Kestas
Staff member
Was the Civic a first year model overall, or just in the US? Some models are introduced in the US some time after they've been marketed elsewhere.
As a former FoMoCo tech, I absolutely agree about avoiding new models/powertrains. I can remember the sheets of recalls for the first year of 4.6 FWD Continentals, the recalls on the Contour/Mystique, Ford 7.3, and 6.0 diesel and the list goes on.
With rare exceptions Ford NEVER gets the intro year powertrains tight. Customers always end up with recalls and programs eating up their time.
With rare exceptions Ford NEVER gets the intro year powertrains tight. Customers always end up with recalls and programs eating up their time.
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Back in the day, American models were perfected over their years of production.
For example, the early Aerostar was mediocre at best, while the later ones were about as good as any vehicle gets.
Our '97, the last year for the van, was built in May of that year, pretty deep in the model run, and has been a great machine from new.
Another good example would be the Citation-bred GM front-drive A bodies.
By the 'nineties, these were about as reliable a car as you could buy.
I suspect that first model year glitches are not as common as they once were.
Development, as well as consumer expectations, are probably more advanced now than they were twenty or thirty years ago.
For example, the early Aerostar was mediocre at best, while the later ones were about as good as any vehicle gets.
Our '97, the last year for the van, was built in May of that year, pretty deep in the model run, and has been a great machine from new.
Another good example would be the Citation-bred GM front-drive A bodies.
By the 'nineties, these were about as reliable a car as you could buy.
I suspect that first model year glitches are not as common as they once were.
Development, as well as consumer expectations, are probably more advanced now than they were twenty or thirty years ago.
Cars of today are much better fresh out of the gate than in years past as far as "new model teething issues". I've had a few 1st model year cars and they were good cars. I had bought a new 2001 Olds Aurora 4.0 and was a great car and so is my current 2008 Cadillac CTS - both of these being totally new models.
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