More Toyota problems, this time with the Corolla and steering

[Bubba1]

And, on a side note, this is the PERFECT opportunity for Nissan do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, remarkable...

Sadly, there's nothing interesting slated for introduction any time in the next few months, and that's too bad.

I agree. Also, with Nissan investing so much into equipping so many of their new US cars with CVT's, I'm worried something will go sproing with them.

[hachiroku781]

Sadly this happened to me in my toyota. I got a flat then bam, Unexpected veering into the next lane. I think toyota should recall Mr2's from 1986 because when they get flat tires they decide to change lanes.

[AZhitman]

Do you know how fast a modern processor can perform this operation? Almost instantly. It can be done in an imperceptible amount of time.

Cool it, Beavis - I ain't arguing with you.

I don't disagree with ANY of the engineering discussion here, and there's no question that electronics are FAR more efficient, lighter, cheaper and easily maintained than a hydraulically-assisted system.

My point was, they suck from a driver standpoint at this point in time. I drive 7-9 different vehicles on a monthly basis, and each has a different feel - The only one I have with EPS is the only one that really feels "disconnected".

I have no doubts they'll make great progress on the feedback (IF consumers demand it... they won't). But by then, I anticipate our worst fears will be realized: No physical connection between your hands and the front tires. Throttle linkages went away a long time ago - No one said a word.

smaller & cheap cars to have power steering problems in auto crosses

Certainly not limited to small or cheap or autocross - My G35, despite a SECOND added PS cooler, boils the fluid at every track day, even on some not-so-technical road courses... The S13 did it at the last drift event (which hampered it more than the G, given the tight layout and 255mm front tires)...

[Eikon]

I bought (well - leased actually) and 09 Corolla for my wife to use as a daily. We're 20 months into the lease and she's got 20k miles on it.

Here's my opinion on the car and Toyota as a whole:

We have a J car... It was built in Japan so the VIN starts with a J. So, no recall on the accelerator pedal. However, I'm not a huge fan of the drive by wire or electronic throttle system. My beef with it is that it seems twitchy... With a regular cable throttle, you have total control, you can ease into the throttle very smoothly. It seems like the electronic throttle control goes from 0% to 5% with no in between.. it sort of jerks a tad every time you touch it. Not a huge deal, but annoying if you are driving long distances without using cruise.

My biggest issue with the car.. THE ABS SUCKS!!!! I seriously wonder if mine is defective. Any sign of slippage and it completely shuts off your brakes it seems.. I bet I could lock up the tires and stop much shorter than when the ABS engages... drives me nuts! It's just way too strong. I swear it's the ABS that is going to cause an accident because it won't allow the car to stop. GRRRR

Other than that.. great car!

I think Toyota is getting a bum rap. I think they have a higher standard of quality than most, and many of the recent recalls have been ones that other car manufacturers wouldn't have even done because they don't have as high standards. Now, clearly the safety issues with the accelerators and brakes need to be dealt with, but some of the other things didn't deserve as much attention.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Yeah...as I was saying with the E-Throttle...problems in electronic steering today are mainly a software problem. The engineering is sound but manufacturers refuse to program a "twitchy" steering system into their cars. They would much rather go the conservative route.

[Red coupe]

Cool it, Beavis - I ain't arguing with you.

And I am not arguing with you.

You said:Quote »I don't think the electric would keep up better - I think it'd lag more (just a guess, I'm no engineer).

Sensors have to "interpret" the torque applied to the steering shaft (from each end - road and wheel) and decide, based on a predetermined algorithm, how much additional torque to apply.[/quote]I was just pointing out that a modern processor could do that NO PROBLEM. No reason for there to be any kind of noticeable lag there.

My point was, they suck from a driver standpoint at this point in time. I drive 7-9 different vehicles on a monthly basis, and each has a different feel - The only one I have with EPS is the only one that really feels "disconnected".

My point was it only sucks because the manufacturer decided to make it that way. You can hardly count only one car as being THE example of how it is used. Like I said, the MR2 had electronically assisted power steering, so did the NSX (or a manual rack)Would driving both of those cars, then driving a 98 camry justify saying "hydraulic systems cause a disconnected feeling because the other electric assist cars I have driven didn't feel like that" make sense?

The Cube is... a Nissan cube. Its a modern economy vehicle meant for toting passengers around. Is isn't that hard to believe that Nissan just put a crappy steering system in there. For some reason it seems to be what the average, non enthusiast buyer wants.

There are tons of hydraulic systems designed to have that numb feel...yours is just an example of the same result being designed with a different system.

[AZhitman]

Makes sense - I'm certain the electronics will have caught up (IF buyers demand that "feel" - they won't) before too long.

[Red coupe]

Makes sense - I'm certain the electronics will have caught up (IF buyers demand that "feel" - they won't) before too long.

lol, they don't need to catch up.

Like I said, systems that worked well were used in the MR2 and the NSX... and that is just two I can pull off the top of my head.

It's just that random consumers don't care, and if anything dislike it. Part of why Toyota's are so disconnected"Oh my, this car feels like its driving its self!"Its done a lot on newer cars, and most of it is determined by the strength of that torsion rod, not even the hydraulic/electric system because that rod will absorb so many minor fluctuations with out transmitting them.

[AZhitman]

Interesting article....

http://autoelectronics.com/cha...g_eps/

I lol'ed at the last sentence.

[audtatious]

OMG!!!!

http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/i....html

[AZhitman]

[troskinatior]

I really don't care about any of this, I just hope they don't cancel the ft-86 because of this.

[bmike818]

maybe with all this problems with Toyotas, Lotus would use a K20 in their Elise instead of a toyota engine....maybe even a VQ?

[Razi]

Nope, JDM tyte SR20 swap son!

[Ace2cool]

I didn't even know Toyota made lawnmowers.

[szh]

[audtatious]

I didn't even know Toyota made lawnmowers.

I believe that was a joke...

[nissangirl74]

It just keeps coming.... now there's a recall on the Tundra

http://www.thecarconnection.co...Blogs)

People just seem to be searching for stuff to pin on toyota now.

It's really starting to get ridiculous. How can one company really go from being the best in the world to one of the worst almost overnight?

[Jesda]

Its like shaking up a bottle. Eventually, the cap bursts and coca cola is everywhere.

[Red coupe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...edded

A good video with some important information regarding the toyota recalls....

[MinisterofDOOM]

It's really starting to get ridiculous. How can one company really go from being the best in the world to one of the worst almost overnight?

They didn't! It's like I've been saying for years: Toyota has not been the "best" for a decade. People are just too stupid to think for themselves rather than believe advertisements. Toyota's quality did not decline over night. It has been on the decline for the last 8-10 years. They started trading quality for volume and it has finally caught up with them. Up until now, they've been living on their reputation from yesteryear, from the 90s. That has worked because there hasn't been anything significant in the public eye to disagree with the ads claims that they're still the best. It was really only a matter of time until this happened. They have only themselves to blame. They got greedy and traded quality for volume, counting on their excellent reputation to keep them afloat. Well now they have neither quality nor reputation and their sales volume is probably going to take a nice hit to boot. They made a stupid gamble and lost. It makes me laugh.



The scary part is Nissan is on the SAME path. Volume over quality and the CVT obsession are NOT going to be good for Nissan's future. I've been saying THAT for a while, too. It's a good thing Nissan doesn't make anything I'd buy anymore or I'd have to be concerned for their future. As they stand now, I'm prepared to point and laugh just as I'm doing for Toyota.

[Jesda]

It's a good thing Nissan doesn't make anything I'd buy anymore or I'd have to be concerned for their future.

370Z!!!!!! The exception to every Nissan.

[Ace2cool]

370Z!!!!!! The exception to every Nissan.

Yes. This is truth.

[dasoupdude]

See the thing is, toyota's slogan is "moving forward," they never really said anything about stoppjng.

[MinisterofDOOM]

370Z!!!!!! The exception to every Nissan.

I went to pick up my parents' Maxima from the dealer (had some HVAC maintenance done) and there was a 370z convertible in the showroom. Spectacular. I hated the Z32 and Z33 convertibles, but the Z34 looks great topless. Nissan did a great job with the tonneau cover and the haunches.

[wa-chiss]

See the thing is, toyota's slogan is "moving forward," they never really said anything about stoppjng.

"Moving Forward, even when you don't want to"

[AZhitman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...edded

A good video with some important information regarding the toyota recalls....

[MinisterofDOOM]

I listened to the radio for the first time in a while today and heard a Toyota ad talking about how they value "my" trust (guffaw) and how they're working hard to keep that trust.

Quick tip, Toyota:If you value your customers' trust, it's probably best to admit your mistakes when called out the first time. And the second time. And the third time. And NOT blame your mistakes on your customers instead.

[flohtingPoint]

Alot funnier if you remember/know of Ralf's days driving for Toyota F1. Less funny if the previous sentence had to explain it for you.