Just seen on the news, Toyota are recalling 6.4 million cars, for five different faults including a faulty cable that will stop the drivers air bag deploying and faulty seat fitting that can cause the drivers seat to move forward in a crash.

That's really a combination I wouldn't be too keen on, a crash that throws you at the steering wheel then an air bag that fails.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...A380AR20140409

 

At least they are honest about it, I wonder how many car companies are out there that know about these problems and do nothing...

 

Some of the German manufacturers (not mentioning any names!) simply will not admit there is ever a problem and refuse to issue recalls over what are, sometimes, very poor quality issues.

 

Ford, with the Firestone shod Explorer for example.

They ran the numbers behind closed doors and made the morally reprehensible decision to not recall the cars on the basis that yes, there would be accidents, and a few people would probably die, and Ford would be sued for this....but this would cost less than a full recall.

Toyota are to be applauded.

 

Yeah - Government Motors is mentioned in the same report.

I guess it's a feature of over-complicated cars and churning out too many pointless model variations; insufficient component-testing.

 

Given the use of Systems Thinking in the Toyota production process, I'm really surprised so many faults appear to be creeping through.

 

Trying to find some public domain data I can post.

Best I've come across so far is a bit yank centric but...............

http://time.com/#45235/gm-recall-model-interactive/

http://www.statisticbrain.com/automo...ll-statistics/

 

Or do what Aston have done
Issue a recall based on faulty materials (pass the cost and buck to supplier) when it is poor fitment in the factory

 

Gets fairly complicated when you start looking at supplied parts.

Example we issue a request to a supplier and ask them to design us a component against a set of criteria (think a piston.....cylinder bore diameter, gudgeon pin diameter etc.) we evaluate that design. We evaluate their process too. That means any issue probably has a divided responsibility between us and the supplier. There are some standard formulae used to share the responsibility.

Aston can't push it all the way of the supplier

 

N47? Vot Problem? Nein!

Toyota should be applauded. Top customer service as usual.