Quality!Japan-vs-US built Toyota's

[bzizziv8]

I traded my 2000 Tundra access cab 4X4 on a 05 4Runner Sport 4X4 and I must say that compared to the Tundra the 4Runner is
better built.My Tundra in the first 18 months had lots of major problems,auto transmission went bad,brakes needed updated twice,TSB on rear brakes,TSB on trailer wiring harness,fuel guage
sending in tank went bad,02 sensors and exhaust manifolds on both sides needed replaced,antenna rattled and needed replaced,seatbelt retractors needed replaced.Thank god it was all fixed under warranty.So far Zero problems with the Runner after 7K it seems like a much tighter packsge.

 

[iFORCE]

welcome to the 4runner family. I'm quite sure that you won't have nearly half of the problems that you did with the tundra.

Japan > USA.

 

[Koz]

Welcome, the more you drive the Runner, the more you are going to love it.

Koz

 

[boston_kevin]

welcome to the 4runner family. I'm quite sure that you won't have nearly half of the problems that you did with the tundra.

Japan > USA.

So who makes the trannies for Tundras? Is it the US or Japan? I thought Japan made the trannies for these trucks. I don't know about Japan vs US for quality, but overall, Japan does seem to have a higher quality.

 

[sharp4runr]

The 4Runners are now made in the Tahara plant and that is apparently one of the most state of the art manufacturing plants that Toyota has.

WHile the Tundra is made in the US in Texas (I think).

 

[CGY_LTD_V8]

I haven't had any issues with my Toyota. Actually, our family has never had any problems with any of the Toyota's/Lexus' we have had. I guess thats why we keep buying them! Our vehicles seem so flawless when compared to my step-bro's BMW. its alway seems to have something wrong.

 

[cpayne5]

My cousin, a Honda/ Kawasaki mechanic, swears he can tell where a bike was built just by tearing it down. Advantage Japanese, I'm sorry to say.

 

[UoD]

Hands down ... the Japanese plants produce much better vehicles. This is evident with any brand. My old 96 Acura 3.2 TL was one of the last ones that actually came from Japan (even had the shipping papers with it...). Never ever had a problem with that car. Then they started producing them in the US (Maryville Plant in Ohio I think) shortly after .... and thats when the problems came. Two of my friends had newer TLs (00's I think?) that had nothing but problems.

I hate to say it, but US car quality sucks ....

Japanese > USA

I don't buy a car unless its VIN starts with a J

 

[trd2001]

My dad had an 04 Camry SE that was built in US. He traded it in since it was in the shop more that he drove it. He bought a new Camry that was built in Japan, and he has not had one issue. It took a while to find an XLE V-6 with the Vin starting with a J.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Japan vs. USA


I am sure that there will be many who argue for either side, but it is how well a vehicle is built - not where it is built that is important.

Anyhow, the only way to tell the point of assembly is to look at the VIN plate. If the VIN begins with a "J" then you have a Japanese-built car. A "1" or a "4" indicates the USA, and a "2" means that the vehicle was assembled in Canada. "W" is Germany and there is a "5" on some cars....but I have not a clue what that number means. Oh, "3" is Mexico!

My 4Runner came from Japan and my '02 Sentra was made in Mexico. Both are good vehicles (so far).

 

[seancgn68]

Hands down ... the Japanese plants produce much better vehicles. This is evident with any brand. My old 96 Acura 3.2 TL was one of the last ones that actually came from Japan (even had the shipping papers with it...). Never ever had a problem with that car. Then they started producing them in the US (Maryville Plant in Ohio I think) shortly after .... and thats when the problems came. Two of my friends had newer TLs (00's I think?) that had nothing but problems.

I hate to say it, but US car quality sucks ....

Japanese > USA

I don't buy a car unless its VIN starts with a J

Had a '00 TL from Marysville, nothing but problems, plus poor fit and finish. Had an Integra from Japan before that, best car I ever owned. Although I have only had the 4Runner a few months, there is no question it is a superior vehicle compared to friend's Tahoe's and Explorers. It is sad to say, but it is the truth. Japan = better quality.

 

[SWUtah]

The 4Runners are now made in the Tahara plant and that is apparently one of the most state of the art manufacturing plants that Toyota has.

WHile the Tundra is made in the US in Texas (I think).

The Lexus GX470 and the 4runner are both made in that plant. It is the top rated quality automotive plant in the world and has been for years. It is also the most automated automotive plant in the world. They also build the Lexus LS 430 in that plant. This is the only plant that has ever been awarded the Platinimun award for quality and its won this award several years in a row.

 

[abin]

So, there is a management issue in US factory when they use same engine, tranny, parts as being used in JP factory. ie. US factory need to hire JP managers.

US had better airplanes and bombs during the WWII to defeat JP.

 

[Gromulus]

Japan vs. US

Interesting observations and opinions. My employer is an automotive OEM supplier to several manufacturers, Toyota being our largest customer.

Our parent company sells to Toyota in Japan and we sell to Toyota in North America. In our case, the supplied product is virtually the same - only manufactured in different parts of the world. Quality standards are the same for both domestic and imported components.

Currently, the Tahara plant in Aichi is arguably the highest quality automotive plant in the world. The Kyushu plant has also won the JD Powers Platinum award twice in the past few years (2000 and 2001),

The Tundra is manufactured in Indiana (TMMI). The "new" Tundra will be manufactured at the newly built San Antonio, TX plant starting in late 2006. This will eventually be Toyota's largest assembly plant in the world, although initial production will be under capacity. There is also talk of perhaps eventually building the 4Runner here as well. Toyota is still optimistic about the light truck market and will have excess capacity at TMMI as well. There have been some "un-Toyota like" issues with the current Tundra model (and similar Sequoia) that I would not expect with the new model. Toyota had a learning curve with full-size trucks.

Toyota, like most Japanese transplant companies in the US (ours included) has "dual management" set-up for most areas: American and Japanese. In many cases there is much overlap in responsibility. The Japanese deal with the Japanese workers, suppliers, and customers and we deal with the Americans. The goals are the same.

Based on my experience, I believe in general NA manufactured vehicles are very close in quality to the imported units. Personally, I still own a '92 Camry. This was the first model year of that 3rd generation. It was manufactured in Georgetown, KY (TMMK) and is still running strong at 175K miles. Very few problems in 13 1/2 years of ownership. I can only hope my 2004 4Runner will give the same exemplary service. Actually, I had a Japan produced '85 model small truck that was not as trouble-free as my Camry.

I will agree that Toyota/Lexus are the best built vehicles on the road. (Honda is in second place IMO)

 

[dareames]

My lemon...

I agree with everybody about Toyota being better built than other makes and even that Japanese made Toyotas are better than US made. However, they are not perfect. My 05 4Runner that I bought in January this year has turned out to be a lemon. I'm going to get it replaced with an 06 4Runner. The history of the problems can be found at the link below.

4Runner Lemon

Doug

 

[hoss]

quality blues

boo frickety hoo
be happy you can afford a genuine vehicle that will
turn 350,000km

 

[wm69]

I agree that Japan stuff is almost always better built. Their quality control is just better over there. Having said that I have a 93 accord that was built in Ohio (I wanted one from Japan but not an option as all the coupes were from Ohio). 220K and has never been in the shop for anything other than routine maint and a radiator (hairline crack on the tank up top). Still gets 34mpg and doesn't use a drop of oil, still on the original clutch. I was still pleased to hear my wife's 01 4runner was made in Japan. IMO lot less chance of getting a lemon from over there.

 

[JRisner]

It hard to say who is better, japan uses mostly the same standards as us. If i was looking for a major difference in would be something that a person would have total control over such as body fit...but whos really to say.

 

[iFORCE]

what manufacturer has 0% defects? NONE. It just depends on how many percent are we talking about.. and how many cars they sell.