Consumer Reports rates Tundra 4x4 v8, Camry v6 and GS 430 poorly

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If you recall, the 4th gen 4runner also got low marks when it first came out. There was an issue with the fuel rail that they recalled and it gave the truck low reliability marks.

Honda took the reliabilty award from Toyota this year. Apparently Ford got better marks, but what's that really saying ;)
 
Yeah,
I do recall the fuel rail issue. I bought my 04 v6 against consumer reports advice because I don't use them as my sole source of info. I hope it works out as well for the other vehicles and these are just 1st year teething problems. Still, it is extremely interesting because this type of thing has never hit toyota across so many model lines before.
 
There were several cam shaft failures, on the initial models, that has been addressed. The Tundra will be as reliable as other Toyotas in no time.

Koz
 
Koz said:
There were several cam shaft failures, on the initial models, that has been addressed. The Tundra will be as reliable as other Toyotas in no time.

Koz

Oh yeah, just like the transmission issue on Camrys and ES350 that YOU claimed to be long gone?? Remember this Koz: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29067

Toyota quality has slip the past few redesigns. Although they are still ahead of the pack, the gap is ever getting smaller. Honda is doing quite well.

Is there a problem with the Tundra's tranny??
 
Thai said:
Oh yeah, just like the transmission issue on Camrys and ES350 that YOU claimed to be long gone?? Remember this Koz: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29067

Toyota quality has slip the past few redesigns. Although they are still ahead of the pack, the gap is ever getting smaller. Honda is doing quite well.

Is there a problem with the Tundra's tranny??

Does it make you feel good to reply to my posts when you know I can't respond back without being banned? Are you doing this purposely?

Please don't reply to my posts and I will not respond to yours.

Thanks in advance
Koz
 
Koz said:
Does it make you feel good to reply to my posts when you know I can't respond back without being banned? Are you doing this purposely?

Please don't reply to my posts and I will not respond to yours.

Thanks in advance
Koz

Oh no, i love replying to your silly fanboy posts. :) Are you hurting these days after most of your BS crap been debunked??

What was it that you said...oh yeah, "Tundra is kicking ass and taking names." :D

And looks like i was right about the Camry V6 and ES350 transmission afterall.

Thank YOU for making my day!:p
 
Thai said:
Oh no, i love replying to your silly fanboy posts. :) Are you hurting these days after most of your BS crap been debunked??

What was it that you said...oh yeah, "Tundra is kicking ass and taking names." :D

And looks like i was right about the Camry V6 and ES350 transmission afterall.

Thank YOU for making my day!:p

Thai, you seem to have some sort of axe to grind with Koz, and I don't understand why. Koz usually has good and fair input on this board, as good as anyone else.

If he's a "fanboy" well what's wrong with that? I thought this was a forum for Toyota 4Runners. Aren't fanboys allowed here? Nobody here has perfectly accuate information all the time. Give him a break.
 
Ehn, they seem to be getting a little silly and singling out those 20 Tundra 5.7's that had the cams replaced immediately. They don't recommend the V6 Camry's, but the exact same engine package is ok in the Avalon, Rav4, Highlander, and at least 3 Lexus'? Ok....LOL. Same with the "V8 Tundras," which would include the 4.7L V8, which is in no less than 7 other models with no problems, including 4Runners.

Given that ambiguity, I wouldn't worry about it...they're just having fun picking on #1. Civics had some semi-widespread wheel bearing issues, don't see them not-recommended. Why? Because they're still one of the best cars you can buy....just like th Toyotas.

The "initial" type surveys vary a lot as well....say, Subaru sprang up from waaaay down the scale last year, more than can be realistic with few model changes. The VDS surveys are usually a better indication IMO. The only thing you can really count on is Land Rover being the worst....
 
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juneau92 said:
Thai, you seem to have some sort of axe to grind with Koz, and I don't understand why. Koz usually has good and fair input on this board, as good as anyone else.

If he's a "fanboy" well what's wrong with that? I thought this was a forum for Toyota 4Runners. Aren't fanboys allowed here? Nobody here has perfectly accuate information all the time. Give him a break.

Did you say "fair" with a straight face when talking about Koz?? :D

It's not that fanboys are not allowed here...it's the way Koz has presented (or MISrepresented) info in the past. It's OK that you don't understand why i have an "axe" to grind with Koz. Koz knows why and that is what is important.
 
juneau92 said:
Thai, you seem to have some sort of axe to grind with Koz, and I don't understand why. Koz usually has good and fair input on this board, as good as anyone else.

If he's a "fanboy" well what's wrong with that? I thought this was a forum for Toyota 4Runners. Aren't fanboys allowed here? Nobody here has perfectly accuate information all the time. Give him a break.

"BINGO"

I'm no Fanboy, I just feel like MANY other consumers, all over the world, that Toyota makes the best (and the most reliable) cars/trucks on the market. If that's the definition of a Fanboy, yes that is me.

There are 2 reasons why CR moved Toyota from 1st to 5th in their ratings.

One, several newly redesigned models have had some initial problems that have been addressed. This happens all the time. It happened with the 4th gen 4Runner and the last gen Tacoma. Obviously, time has proven that these vehicles DO have the best reliability in their class. I'm sure the vehicles that caused the currant rating drop will also be rated recommended and reliability will also be rated high in their class. I'm not a betting man, but I would be willing to bet on that!

Second, CR has taken a great deal of criticism (for a lot of years) about Toyota and Lexus ALWAYS being rate top of the class. This year they were able to show they rate vehicles based on data and save some face!

The main problems Toyota had with these redesigned vehicles was the NEW six speed trans (FWD) and the initial camshafts in the NEW 5.7 V8 Tundra. Again, these problems were addressed.

Everyone and their sister will line up to throw $hit on Toyota (including some people that you think would know better), for any reason, because they ARE number 1. (It
 
CR re. Vehicles

I have been a subscriber to Consumer Reports for over twenty years. (yeah, i am an old fart) I read their reviews and use their finding to help me when I purchase new products. That being said, when it comes to vehicles and the like, they are just one of many sources I review before making a purchase. (When it comes to electronics like computers and especially audio equipment, I take their findings with a grain of salt!).

Toyota/Lexus has had some recent issues that have tarnished their perceived "bulletproof" reliability to some small degree. The new 6 speed transmission in the Camry/ES350 is a case in point. This two-part problem is part mechanical and part software related. Of course when you read enthusiast forums, the comments are usually skewed very much towards the negative experiences. Of course beiing one of the biggest selling vehicles doesn't help either.

My wife has a Camry V6 XLE. We bought it in May 2006 and she has approximately 13,000 miles on it and we have not had one problem except for having the manual rear window shade (a usless option) replaced the first week. The transmission is one of the smoothest I have experienced. I actually try to make it flare but to no avail. Of course my experience is anecdotal, but real nonetheless. The care is very powerul and still gets great gas mileage. The rear seatroom along with the reading lamps and reclining seats make a very hospitable environment for four or five on a long trip. We would buy it again in a heartbeat. Compared to previous Camry models (and especially my 1992 Camry which is still going at 195,000 miles), the interior plastics do seem to be of lower quaity. Of course I have noticed this on many other brands and models as well.

So while Toyota is experiencing some quality issues as of late, I am confident that they will address these in a very timely manner. Unlike many of the domestic manufacturers, their learning curve is much sharper! (As an aside, watch how fast the Koreans are learning)
 
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OK, so 2007 model (new car) reliability is important but any major defects will be covered by warranty and the most important thing IMO is longer-term reliability.

Sure, Ford has improved the reliability of some of its 2007 models, but in 2009 I bet a 2007 Fusion has some major oil leak and is generally falling apart. Meanwhile a Toyota will still be rolling along fine, just like Toyota's always do.

Look at VW... I have so many friend with VWs that are greeat for two years then promptly go belly up. A friend just had to have a new tranny put in a 2005 Golf after about 40K miles.
 
Look at VW... I have so many friend with VWs that are greeat for two years then promptly go belly up. A friend just had to have a new tranny put in a 2005 Golf after about 40K miles. [/B]

VW is a good example of how things change. My go to work car is a 1987 (built September 1986) with over 240,000 miles. It's 21 years old. It still runs great. Back in the mid 80's, Toyotas and Hondas just didn't last as long as VW's. VW's had good, basic engineering.
Today, I wouldn't buy any VW. They're great driving machines, but the build quality is gone.
Toyota could go down the same road if they're not careful. I feel Honda has already regressed (the Pilot being Honda's worst effort in recent years....too much cost-cutting....)
 

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