Anyone Plan on keeping Their Toyota beyond Ten Years Read here

[JP4RNR]

Toyota's policy on replacement parts has changed. Toyota only produces parts for a vehicle now for 10 years and so a 2006 would have parts availiable until 2016. The parts manager at 5 different dealers confirmed this for me.

It used to be that the formula for determining how long parts were made avaiiable was based on how many units of a particular model was produced and how many are still on the road.

Also Toyota probably figured the majority of owners probably trade up every 4-6 years. How many owners keep a car for 10 years or more?

Does this raise any concerns to our fellow forum members?

 

[HeavyD]

It does for me. I have a 23 yr old F150 and I bet my wife a $100 that the 4runner would last 20 yrs.

I tend to drive my cars/trucks until the wheels fall off. Luckily my last 4 vehicels were GM products so I got to trade every 5 yrs

 

[drake3]

My '93 4runner is still going very strong at 160K miles while it sits right next to my '06 sport in the garage. While you are correct in assuming people will trade before the 10 year anniversary (even sooner with leases), I personally like to keep an old car around to drive. My '06 has only seen rain on 1 long getaway trip. I love having it detailed, waxed and ready to go whenever a nice day comes along. So, that is why I like have 2 cars - 1 old, 1 new in the garage. I have done this for the past 11 years.

I would be interested in seeing what parts this affects as I could not imagine not finding my older oil filters at the dealership any more.

It will definitely open up a need for aftermarket parts.

 

[Spider5]

Supply and demand will also govern. If the dealer wouldn't do it someone else will fill the void.

 

[JP4RNR]

You will probably never have a hard time finding parts related to general maintenance(oil filters,air filters plugs etc). But lets say you own your Toyota beyond ten years and have a minor collision and need a new front grille. If the grille has been discontinued by Toyota chances are you will have to look to a salvage yard to get a used replacement. I am sure there will be many parts that will be availiable after market, but the majority of parts that are proprietary and specifically the computers and electronics parts is what I am more concerned about.

The Irony if you will, of Toyotas lasting so long is that by the time you need a part Toyota will have discontinued the part.

 

[pat161]

But even if they stop making new parts after ten years would they purge parts dept. of any left over parts. I'd think some parts would be available longer simply because they made more than they sold. Seems pretty stupid though considering they built their reputation on vehicles that last a long time. Perhaps this means the newer Toyotas are not engineered to last as long as older models? And that is not to be a jerk, just an observation.

 

[HeavyD]

I agree that someone will fill the void for our 4Runner parts.

I have no problem buying maintenance parts for the fore mentioned '85 Ford F150 but Ford stopped making model specific parts for it along time ago.

There are scores of aftermarket sources and here in Texas the salvage yards are full of that generation of truck.

I think I'll win the bet.

 

[JP4RNR]

But even if they stop making new parts after ten years would they purge parts dept. of any left over parts. I'd think some parts would be available longer simply because they made more than they sold. Seems pretty stupid though considering they built their reputation on vehicles that last a long time. Perhaps this means the newer Toyotas are not engineered to last as long as older models? And that is not to be a jerk, just an observation.

Of course any parts that were not sold would continue to be availiable until supplies ran out. For example, let's use an obscure part, Toyota probably does not sell a whole lot of glove compartment doors for the 4Runner and so those would probably be availiable for quite a while after 10 years.

Now on the other hand let's say you need a new drivers side seat frame, based on the issues with these parts those are likely to be unavailiable before glove boxes in the future.

 

[Casper]

ill never get rid of the 4runner.

It and my GTO have nearly the same miles (within 1000 of each other) and while the GTO has been in the shop for nearly a month in the time i've owned it (since august) the 4runner hasnt been in the shop for anything other than Sulfur TSB for a day. All in all the 4runner has only visited the dealer like 5 times for a total of a week.

This thing is going to outlast everything i ever own.

 

[charlier180]

Of course any parts that were not sold would continue to be availiable until supplies ran out. For example, let's use an obscure part, Toyota probably does not sell a whole lot of glove compartment doors for the 4Runner and so those would probably be availiable for quite a while after 10 years.

Now on the other hand let's say you need a new drivers side seat frame, based on the issues with these parts those are likely to be unavailiable before glove boxes in the future.

With all due respect I believe that you may be mistaken in believing that Toyota will keep unsold parts around until the supply runs out. As Toyota introduces more new vehicle models with new parts they will need more space in their parts depots. Why would Toyota spend the money to expand or build new depots to store the new parts when they could simply scrap the older parts which have little demand or sales potential??? It may be cheaper for Toyota to destroy the old parts and write off their cost than to expand/build warehouses.

BTW, when it comes time for Toyota to clean out their warehouses do not be shocked if they simply destroy the old parts. Given legal liability issues and parts warranty issues Toyota may decide it less costly and more prudent to destroy the parts instead of selling the old parts to another company for re-sale. This is exactly what Volkswagen of America has been doing with their old, obsolete parts.

IMHO, This decision is all about controlling the warehousing costs of Toyota parts.

 

[JP4RNR]

With all due respect I believe that you may be mistaken in believing that Toyota will keep unsold parts around until the supply runs out. As Toyota introduces more new vehicle models with new parts they will need more space in their parts depots. Why would Toyota spend the money to expand or build new depots to store the new parts when they could simply scrap the older parts which have little demand or sales potential??? It may be cheaper for Toyota to destroy the old parts and write off their cost than to expand/build warehouses.

BTW, when it comes time for Toyota to clean out their warehouses do not be shocked if they simply destroy the old parts. Given legal liability issues and parts warranty issues Toyota may decide it less costly and more prudent to destroy the parts instead of selling the old parts to another company for re-sale. This is exactly what Volkswagen of America has been doing with their old, obsolete parts.

IMHO, This decision is all about controlling the warehousing costs of Toyota parts.

Charlie, That is an excellent point I never thought of it that way. But oddly enough there are some parts from the 70's era that are still availiable from Toyota albeit not many but some go figure

 

[jrs2]

If I wanted to buy a new truck every 4 -6 years I'd buy a Ford or Chevy or some other POS.

I plan on keeping my 90 4Runner with 190K forever, right along with my 93 MR2 with 220K.

 

[05SportV8]

This is a very interesting topic. It does make you wonder the philosophy of such change in parts production.

I thought that automakers make a good amount of money by selling parts

 

[charlier180]

Charlie, That is an excellent point I never thought of it that way. But oddly enough there are some parts from the 70's era that are still availiable from Toyota albeit not many but some go figure

The parts from the '70s era could possibly be brand new, just made parts. This past summer I needed some parts for my 26 year old VW. When I checked all eight of the VW Parts Depots in North America, the parts were not "obsolete" but showed zero inventory. About two months after I ordered the parts they arrived in brand new condition. It was obvious that the parts had just been made. This has happened to me at LOT when ordering parts for this vehicle.

Two cents considerations:

One: The number of units with similar components. The V8 engine is used in LC, Sequoia, Lexus LX and GX, Tundra and 4R. How many engines/transmissions you guys think are out there by now (or will be out, before it is not placed on any vehicle)?
Car makers are moving more and more into common platforms and common components to lower costs. This means more units of the same, which means more demand for same type of repair parts.

Agreed, parts shared by a number of different models may increase the lifespan of these parts.

Originally posted by 05SportV8 If economic laws are still the same as I was once taught, somebody either Toyota or someone else will supply parts, no doubt about it. In its defect, the used part market will be huge.

Recently, I remember reading how Toyota has been partnering with a number of their parts suppliers to design and develop parts for their vehicles. I suspect that since Toyota is a "partner" and not just a "customer" they control these parts to a greater extent than a normal auto maker. If this turns out to be true, the parts themselves may be legally prohibited from being made for or sold to any other company other than Toyota. Should that actually be the case, the normal "economic laws" may have changed since Toyota would have legal control over these parts and the free market would be outta luck.

Only time will tell if this is true and how the parts availability situation works out for 10+ old Toyotas.

 

[Northof49]

As with most things on the internet....this is likely being taken out of proportion.

Through the aftermarket or Toyota themselves, I _highly_ doubt you will have any problems maintaining and repairing your 4R after 10 years. We own a Chevy that GM stopped building parts for a decade ago, and I can buy parts for that as easily as a new 4R.

The fact that the average owner trades up every X number of years is irrelevant.....unless you crush your 5 y/o vehicle before buying a new one, they're still on the road somewhere :twak:

 

[greasefingers]

As with most things on the internet....this is likely being taken out of proportion.

:iagree: Very well stated.

 

[ovrrdrive]

This is a non-issue in my opinion...

I never buy OEM stuff anyway, and all discontinuing production of them would mean is that the aftermarket stuff would likely drop in price as production increased.

I agree on the blown out of proportion comment.

 

[JP4RNR]

If you keep your vehicle untill the wheels come off like I do it is potentially an issue. For those of you who don't keep your vehicle forever it is a non-issue

Hypothetical situation:

A dissapointed customer(Not necessarily myself as I am not sarcastic)

It's now the year 2018 and my 4Runner has served me incredibly well in the last twelve years. I only did brakes, tires general maintenance. Gee the $35,000 dollars spent was not a bad investment. What? I need a new Throttle Body and ECU. Ok let's go to the Toyota dealer... What the throttle body is discontinued? now what, ok I'll go to Autozone... what you don't have that part either, that's right it's only made by Toyota. Now I'm screwed:bash: Gee now my 4Runner is not repairable guess I'll have to junk it". Let's see $35,000 divided by twelve years..hmm the 4Runner wasn't such a great investment after all as it cost me $2916 per year to operate excluding maintenance and fuel costs. I should have rented a u-haul all of those years at 49 cents a mile :biggrin2:

My point is not every part that Toyota stops producing is going to be picked up by an after market outfit. I am having a simalar issue with my 80's vintage Toyota. For those who keep their vehicle long term it is an issue.

That's All Thank you all for your input

 

[JungleJim]

There is a law in the U.S. regarding how long an auto manufacturer must keep parts available. I forget what the period of time is (Toyota might just be following that law).

How long parts are available also correlates to how many vehicles were sold. I have a 20 year old VW I drive to work. I have no problem getting any part for it. But that vintage was one of the most popular vehicles sold throughout the world at that time (but not here in the U.S.).

I don't think that 4Runner parts will be in as high supply in 20 years as the VW Golf parts are today. Yet I'm sure there will always be a way to get the part you need.

 

[spyne]

There is a law in the U.S. regarding how long an auto manufacturer must keep parts available. I forget what the period of time is (Toyota might just be following that law).

How long parts are available also correlates to how many vehicles were sold. I have a 20 year old VW I drive to work. I have no problem getting any part for it. But that vintage was one of the most popular vehicles sold throughout the world at that time (but not here in the U.S.).

I don't think that 4Runner parts will be in as high supply in 20 years as the VW Golf parts are today. Yet I'm sure there will always be a way to get the part you need.

In the US I believe drive train and other critical parts must be available for 10 years by law. Trim and other misc. non-essential pieces are up to the manufacturer. Sounds like Toyota decided to follow what all of the big 3 US manufacturers have been doing for years. As others have said, if there a demand for the parts either the OEM or some other vendor will meet that demand, if there's little demand, junkyards are your friend.