Toyota is one of the most popular car manufacturing companies worldwide. Serving as one of the leaders, the company reported more than ten million vehicles sold. The last nine years have seen the company listed as the number one retail brand.
But popularity doesn’t make them infallible, and issues with Toyotas are well-documented. Car maintenance is always crucial, but there are a few issues you should anticipate with Toyota. Read on for seven of the most common Toyota issues.
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1. Brake Problems
One of the most common issues to have with a Toyota is the brakes. This is especially the case in the Toyota Corolla, but many vehicles made by Toyota will suffer from this problem. The Corolla itself has had two separate recalls since 2000 due to brake issues.
Most of these issues have been solved in newer models, so you may not have much to worry about. Still, bring it to one of the best auto repair shops you can find to make sure the brakes are working. You don’t want to find out the brakes are faulty when you’re on the highway.
2. Suspension Issues
Suspension issues are also one of the most common Toyota problems. The suspension’s front struts and anti-roll bar both have a habit of failing quicker than other parts. Sometimes, these parts can fail in as quick as a year, depending on how you treat your vehicle.
One of the best ways to see that this is the case is by taking your vehicle on a test drive. A faulty suspension often leads to a very notable clanging issue while driving, especially at bumps. If you fail to notice and already own the car, this isn’t too awful to repair expense-wise.
3. Faulty Water Pumps
One of the newer Toyota problems to crop up is a faulty water pump. This is, again, more common with the Toyota Corolla than other lines, but still, something to keep in mind with all Toyota vehicles. You can tell if this is an issue by checking your engine temperature light, but this may fail to turn on.
This problem can cause damage to your entire engine through leaked water and high temperatures. If you see steam coming through your hood, make sure that you get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. Otherwise, you run the risk of a complete engine failure, which can practically total your vehicle.
4. Common Fuel Pump Failures
Many Toyota vehicles have issues with the fuel pump, especially on injection. You’ll notice a jerky acceleration or a failure to accelerate at all from the pump injecting too much or too little fuel into your engine. However, don’t take this behavior as a guarantee that your vehicle has a faulty fuel pump.
Faulty clutches can also cause this problem. You’ll especially notice this if your vehicle revs to a much greater extent than usual before catching. This can cause a wide variety of issues that are likely to lead to an accident, so make sure to bring your vehicle in for maintenance if you spot this problem.
Your vehicle failing to start can also be caused by a faulty fuel pump. It may fail to inject enough fuel to start engine combustion from a clogged or failed pump. Either way, searching “mechanic near me” is likely to find you someone that can fix this simple problem.
5. Oil Sludge in Engines
One of the more long-term issues that you’ll notice can be oil sludge in your engines. Toyota engines are known to have a build-up of sludge. Keep an eye on your oil’s life and perform proper car maintenance, so you know when it’s time for an oil change.
This is primarily prominent in Toyota vehicles from 1997 to 2005. The problem was so widespread that it actually led to Toyota settling a class-action lawsuit in 2007, which covered roughly five million vehicles. Tune-ups can often be all it takes to fix this issue, so keep up with proper car maintenance.
6. Forced Acceleration
If you’ve ever been driving a car and found yourself with forced acceleration, you know it’s one of the most alarming experiences you can have. Many Toyota vehicles have suffered from forced acceleration over the years. Even slamming on the brakes can sometimes fail to have the effect needed, especially in traffic.
However, it’s important to state that this isn’t always the fault of Toyota or the vehicles. Toyota has stated that the issue can be a pedal getting stuck on a floor mat that’s been moved or replaced. Gas pedals may get stuck as well, which can often be a manufacturing issue.
That said, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center once investigated the issue at the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NASA concluded that the issue of floor mats, as Toyota had claimed, was likely the issue. The other explanation was that operators of the vehicles simply pressed the wrong pedal.
7. Poor Air Conditioning Conditions
The last issue to cover is that Toyota vehicles sometimes have issues with their air conditioning. Specifically, many users have complained about a musty, moldy scent.
This is an issue that can be fixed with tune-ups and proper car maintenance. As far as Toyota problems go, it’s far from as drastic as failed clutches or forced acceleration. Still, a Toyota mechanic or general service location is likely to be able to remedy this issue. At ATL Columbus Total Car Care we offer Dealership quality work at an affordable price.
Common Toyota Problems
Despite there being a common list of Toyota problems, the manufacturer is still reputable and well-loved. It’s likely that you’ll be finding yourself behind the wheel of a Toyota at some point, so keep these issues at heart. Most can be fixed with car maintenance, so don’t fret if you see any of them.
For more information on Toyota problems and vehicles in general, contact us. Feel free to explore our informative blog as well!
