Regulators launch inquiry in Corolla /Matrix

[lucerne06]

NEW YORK - Federal regulators have launched an investigation into complaints of engine stalling on certain Toyota Corolla and Matrix models, the latest in a series of safety issues facing the Japanese automaker.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last week it had received 26 complaints of engine stalling on 2006 Corollas and Matrixes equipped with 1ZZ-FE engines. Some complaints said vehicles stall randomly while driving, including on highways and in intersections, according to the Transportation Department agency.

In addition, some have complained about restarting the engine or recurring stalls following an engine restart. NHTSA said it is looking into the frequency, scope and safety consequences of the possible defect.

 

[Nick R]

Hahh.... Somehow I can't help but feel a bit smug for all the toyota owners who thought they were buying perfection.

 

[Steve S]

Still better than any G.M. I have owned. Toyotas quality has dropped like a rock. Just like BMW and Mercedes. They are all living on their reputation while making big bonus' for the management.

 

[heypete]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Hahh.... Somehow I can't help but feel a bit smug for all the toyota owners who thought they were buying perfection.


26 complaints out of how many Corollas and Matrices on the road today, with no mention of how those 26 vehicles were maintained or what kind of fuel they used?

Even if it was a factory defect, the 2006 vehicles are still under many of their warranties (including the powertrain warranty), so it shouldn't be a huge problem.

That said, I have to wonder why Toyota doesn't offer longer warranties -- Hyundai offers a 10 year powertrain warranty, while Toyota's is only 6 years. Seems kinda silly for a company that prides itself on reliability...

 

[nfs480]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Still better than any G.M. I have owned. Toyotas quality has dropped like a rock. Just like BMW and Mercedes. They are all living on their reputation while making big bonus' for the management.


Back when I was a little kid and my parents owned an Oldsmobile Cutlass and a Chevrolet Nova I thought stalling was part of how cars normally worked. Which explains why those were the last GM vehicles they ever owned (now Honda Accord, Civic, CR-v and Ridgeline are their current vehicles)

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: nfs480
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Still better than any G.M. I have owned. Toyotas quality has dropped like a rock. Just like BMW and Mercedes. They are all living on their reputation while making big bonus' for the management.


Back when I was a little kid and my parents owned an Oldsmobile Cutlass and a Chevrolet Nova I thought stalling was part of how cars normally worked. Which explains why those were the last GM vehicles they ever owned (now Honda Accord, Civic, CR-v and Ridgeline are their current vehicles)

How long ago was that? You Toyota guys are staring to sound like GM guys.
Oh what maintenance was done, it was only 26 cars. If a GM guy says that you get the standard "Oh GM sucks it was their fault" There have been recalls for less cars at GM if safety was an issue. Stalling is a safety issue.
Must be a fluke you know, well because it is a Toyota.
Sucks to be on the other side dosen't it.

 

[nfs480]

About 10-15 years ago (i'm 20)

 

[Hermann]

1.5 years into my 2008 4-cyl Tacoma owners experience. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. The truck is not made of as high of quality materials as my 1991 Toyota PU, and not screwed together nearly as well. (UAW-USA made vs Japan made in 1991) But it has handled every task I have thrown at it. It is light years ahead in creature comforts, has tons more power and cruises the interstates with no effort. Nothing has broke, fallen off or failed. It uses no oil, almost always get 24 or 25 MPG if I use 20wt oil. Overall I am pleased with my purchase, and would recommend one to anyone interested.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: nfs480
About 10-15 years ago (i'm 20)

The Nova had to be old and what style Cutlass.
Are you talking about the Nova that was a Toyota Corrolla?
GM got the 80's Nova off a Toyota line.

Edit: It had slightly different styling.

 

[mikered30]

This has been a problem, well since 2006 on the toyota boards. About once a month, there is a post about how the car just shut off, usually in traffic with no warning. It is the faulty ECU/ECM, they fail at a much higher rate on the 06 1zzfe engines with auto transmissions.

Codes read are P2716 and PO60X and most of the problems are cars made in NUMMI and ECUs made by Delco. Codes fall under federal emissions warranty of 8 years or 80K miles and Toyota has several TSBs out on this serious issue. If you are out of warranty, new ECU costs $700.

 

[nfs480]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: nfs480
About 10-15 years ago (i'm 20)

The Nova had to be old and what style Cutlass.
Are you talking about the Nova that was a Toyota Corrolla?
GM got the 80's Nova off a Toyota line.


I'm not sure at all about the Cutlass, but I do know the Nova was an 86 off the Toyota line (probably why my dad won't buy Toyota either). I remember that car wouldn't start if it was below freezing, my mom had to pick him up from work all the time in the winter.

 

[ls1mike]

700 bucks? Holy cow. That thing is pricey. I think when I bought the spare ECM for my WS6 it was 280 bucks new.

 

[river_rat]

Originally Posted By: Hermann
1.5 years into my 2008 4-cyl Tacoma owners experience. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. The truck is not made of as high of quality materials as my 1991 Toyota PU,

But if it was built the same as a '91, you'd already have rust holes in the sides. LOL
I like my '07 4 cyl. but I did have a wind noise in the windshield that they fixed.

 

[Herz]

I have a few complaints about my 07 corolla with 60k miles.

cheap plastic interior that looks horrible.

engine wise it is good.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: defektes
I have a few complaints about my 07 corolla with 60k miles.

cheap plastic interior that looks horrible.

engine wise it is good.


And non-existent brakes. Brake pedal feels like a sponge on every 03-08 Corolla I've seen.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: lucerne06
NEW YORK - Federal regulators have launched an investigation into complaints of engine stalling on certain Toyota Corolla and Matrix models, the latest in a series of safety issues facing the Japanese automaker.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last week it had received 26 complaints of engine stalling on 2006 Corollas and Matrixes equipped with 1ZZ-FE engines. Some complaints said vehicles stall randomly while driving, including on highways and in intersections, according to the Transportation Department agency.

In addition, some have complained about restarting the engine or recurring stalls following an engine restart. NHTSA said it is looking into the frequency, scope and safety consequences of the possible defect.



Now that the US Govt is in the car business they have to make these things up to try to cripple their competition. This is total horsehockey. Next they will be investigating Ford.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
And non-existent brakes. Brake pedal feels like a sponge on every 03-08 Corolla I've seen.

You know just about every Japanese car I ever drove no matter how new or what had spongey/springy brakes. I've never heard anyone make mention of it, but I always noticed it ad didnt care for it. Seems like unless a Toyota stops running or takes off and crashes and burns, no one notices anything wrong with them.

 

[The Critic]

Not every one. The newest Accord and Camry have decent brake pedal feel.

The G37S with the six-piston brakes feel terrible as well. The BMW 335i isn't much better. It's pretty disappointing when a Chevy Malibu has better brake pedal feel than two sporty sedans.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: mikered30


Codes read are P2716 and PO60X and most of the problems are cars made in NUMMI and ECUs made by Delco. Codes fall under federal emissions warranty of 8 years or 80K miles and Toyota has several TSBs out on this serious issue. If you are out of warranty, new ECU costs $700.


LOL the irony that Toyota's problems are tangentially to blame on GM through Delco/Delphi. I have to say though the Delphi generally makes good parts.

 

[mechanicx]

Yeah the 09 Accord's is better but I'm going back 20 years and just about every Japanese car I seen had the springy break pedal, and all American cars I've seen has had a firm one. I've never really heard anyone mention it before, but Isure noticed it and didn't like it at all.