Toyota ordered the parts for the TSB and today, they are replacing the PADS, shims etc per the service bulletin under warranty.. Just FYI for anyone hearing the brakes squeak when first backing up. Toyota was on the spot on this one, however, I think they should have notified owners rather than waiting for owners to report the problem.
At any rate.. it is being handled and I figure this is a good thing since I have 35,000 miles on the TCH now.. Still think it is a wonderful vehicle and my lifetime average FE is 36MPG. .I am pleased with that for 35,000 miles.
... Toyota was on the spot on this one, however, I think they should have notified owners rather than waiting for owners to report the problem....
Actually, they shouldn't. That is how a 'silent recall' works.
A full recall, notifying everyone, costs a ton of money. Most owners will opt for the part replacement, irrespective of whether their car is 'defective' or not, further driving up the cost. This isn't fair for the manufacturer, since it's possible/probable that not all of the cars from a model year are defective. In addition, the tremendous cost will cause the manufacturer to think twice about going public and issuing a 'full recall'.
The silent recall, on the other hand, will cover the cost for anyone who complains, presumably those that own defective cars. There are going to be a few owners who will end up spending money repairing cars (at private shops) when the same repair would be covered fully by the manufacturer at the dealer, but that should be the exception, rather than the rule.
I've talked to my local mechanic about repairs and was advised to check with the dealer to see if it was covered by a 'silent recall'. Yes, he was an honest mechanic, and not all mechanics would be so honest or knowledgable about the recall, but the economics of the silent recall makes sense.
By the way, if all recalls were 'full recalls' the cost explosion would have to be built into the cost of new cars, so in the long run, the consumer would end up paying for the repair, one way or the other, whether or not the repair was needed.
My take on this issue, silent recall or full recall....
I don't believe this is a recall(able) issue. If I am not mistaken recalls are for safety related issues. A squeak is not a safety issue. My quess is that anyone who is bothered enough by this squeak, will ask the dealer to look into it, and will get the squeak repaired for free under the TSB.
My take on this issue, silent recall or full recall....
I don't believe this is a recall(able) issue. If I am not mistaken recalls are for safety related issues. A squeak is not a safety issue. My quess is that anyone who is bothered enough by this squeak, will ask the dealer to look into it, and will get the squeak repaired for free under the TSB.
You're correct. Recalls are virtually always for safety related issues.
One recent recall example is the all-weather driver's side floormat recall. The issue with this floormat was that it might slip forward and get stuck under the accelerator, causing the pedal to stick, and risk loss of control. I think the real problem was the risk of someone installing it over top of the carpet floormats (which seems very unlikely).
I had this fixed at my last oil change, and I actually wish that I hadn't. The new mat appears to be thinner than the previous one, and therefore the ridges on it aren't as deep, and don't hold as much slush/mess. This is based on my comparison to the passenger side mat (which wasn't replaced). I don't have the original, so I can't compare directly - but it might even have less coverage of the carpet (especially under the accelerator pedal).
One recent recall example is the all-weather driver's side floormat recall. The issue with this floormat was that it might slip forward and get stuck under the accelerator, causing the pedal to stick, and risk loss of control. I think the real problem was the risk of someone installing it over top of the carpet floormats (which seems very unlikely).
I had this fixed ... and I actually wish that I hadn't. The new mat appears to be thinner ... the ridges on it aren't as deep, and don't hold as much slush/mess. ...even have less coverage of the carpet (especially under the accelerator pedal).
You just described, perfectly, the problem with the way our society works.
Company spends years creating something>
Product evolves until it is nearly perfect>
Everyone likes it>
Company sells a lot of the product>
Person finds a tiny glitch (remember the lady who said the coffee was too hot when she spilled it on her lap?)>
Person (usually a lawyer or close friends with one) decides to sue>
Lawyer decides to seek class action status (usually in a consumer friendly location where corporations rarely, if ever, get a fair trial)>
Judge certifies the class >
Product manufacturer is faced with a Hobson's Choice (waste time and money on litigation, potentially losing billions or settle and spend hundreds of millions)>
Either way the prosecuting attorney gets 1/3 of the jackpot (attorney now looks to settle as fast as possible, since he's already won)>
Most companies end up settling to avoid a lengthy trial or a billion dollar verdict with punitive damages that "...will send a message to the corporation">
Attorney takes his jackpot (consumer usually gets little, if any, of the jackpot) and goes on to another (successful) corporation looking for the tiniest of glitches or flaws in their product line>
Attorney conducts a press conference declaring victory for the consumer>
Corporation spends millions recalling and redesigning the product, typically to an inferior state (thus the thinner winter mat, as you describe)>
Corporation, having wasted time and money on a nonsense issue raises the price of the next generation product.>
Conclusion...consumer losses, product is altered negatively, corporation looses, attorney wins (typically $50-200 million or more).
As long as there are successful corporations, there will always be class action attorneys looking for a free ride by taking a bite out of that success.
By the way, the trial lawyers association is one of the biggest and most powerful lobbying groups and typically the largest of political donors (coincidence???)
TSB 07-007 (Rear Brakes) has just been preformed on my '07 TCH (19,518 miles).
Write-up:
Brake Repairs -- Warranty
Brake Squeeking. (sic) Perform TSB
Installed updated brake pads and fitting kit
Had brake noise coming from the rear.
QTY: 1 ea:
Part # Description
04948-06031 Fitting Kit, Disc
08887-80609 Disk Brake Calipe
04466-06090 Pad Kit, Disc Bra
I don't know how much time it took to perform work since I had other warranty work at the same time.
Initially it appeared as if problem had been corrected.
Now, when first moving forward with cold brakes, appears as if right rear brake may not be releasing immediately. Get a grinding/scraping sound for a few seconds after first moving. Problem is that it occurs ONLY when cold, (first thing in AM, going to lunch - while @ work, coming home). Therefore, not reproduceable at shop unless I leave car there for the day. Will take it in in a couple of weeks for investigation.
John
2007 TCH -- Desert Sand, Bisque -- Original Equip: Leather Seats; NAV; Moonroof; Heated Seats
Completed Mods: Moved the side "HYBRID" emblem/badge to trunk lid; Mud Guards (Colored); Back-up Sensors; Door sill protector; ScanGauge II; Front Bra (Clear LLumar); Window Tinting (40 % Charcoal LLumar); Rear Deck Lid Spoiler
Mods in progress: None
Future mods: Rear bumper appliqué, Sliding Center Armrest
Re: Replacement of Rear Brake Pads Per TSB
