This is a second request to keep the thread on topic. Admittedly, there is little to substantively discuss regarding whether or not the LS is affected here, other than possible links. However, if anyone has any further contributions on whether the LS is affected by this issue (which at present time according to publicly available information seems to be no, not directly), please share it.

Otherwise, discussion of the Toyota recalls at large, again, are to go here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...merged-42.html

CSPAN's website usually puts up internet feeds of congressional testimony, I believe you can find it there.

 

Wow. I'm surprised! So...in your own words, what do you think Toyota has done wrong?

 

This is a discussion for the Toyota thread, not one specific to the LS 430. Please continue such discussion there:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...merged-42.html

This is my last request regarding this issue.

 

People, let's be civil here like the moderator Encore888 is saying. Attacking each other does not prove your point. You're being like politicians, not making your own point but rather attack the other's point.

Whatever way, Toyota is on the stand and as long as they open up (or appear to open up) to the hearings, then they'll be fine. I think everyone can agree, Toyota has nto handled the whole situation very well... whether you're a Toyota fanboy or Toyota hater.

 

I watched the whole thing today and I believe there's more to this than toyota is telling. If they come out and say its electronic people will stop driving their cars real quick. Couple good points came out today..resale value is dropping on their products, new car sales are falling like a rock, and insurance companies are thinking of raising the rates for the affected cars.

If it does turn out to be electronic it will cost them billions upon billions. They did announce that for the 2011 camry they will have a brake override built into the computer system. If they dont have a problem why put that in? If your in the market for a camry I think I would wait for the 2011 instead of buying a 2010. Stay tuned to this folks it's going to get better.

I must compliment other car companies for not attacking toyota and trying to steal sales. I guess they figure it could be them next.

 

All Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles will be getting the override. This is for any and ALL cases of unintended acceleration. In the San Diego case, when the floor mat was stuck and very difficult to remove while driving, the brake override could have saved their lives. This is actually an example of an electronic feature which improves safety.

This feature is going on the LS 460 and will be on all LS' going forward.

 

Your correct...if toyota wants to really get out of this mess and save face it would behoove them to retrofit all recalled cars with the brake overide. From what I saw today then plan to reflash some models but not all. I wonder who won't get it and what will happen to those car's resale values.

If GM can use Onstar to stop a car you would think toyota could figure out a switch arrangement retrofitted into the cars to kill the igintion. Sure you lose braking and steering power but at least you can stop the car.

 

I am 3/4 of the way finished WATCHING the c-span hearing from today. I advise everyone to view it. Very interesting to say the least. It is long, but you can fast forward past a lot of the bs & grandstanding. It's amazing how obvious some biases were, when the Congressional ranking members were giving their 5min introductions & opening remarks!

Tomorrow Mr. Toyoda will be on the hotseat. Thanks to encore888 for the referral to c-span. The link is here... http://www.c-spanarchives.org/program/292221-1 BTW----I still haven't heard a mention of the LS. I'm at the 93:00 mark.

 

Geez, as the starter of this thread, I would also like to ask everyone to stay on topic. Can't we all just get along?

In all seriousness, this is an important topic. I started it because I saw the mention of the LS in that news story, and well, I was surprised. The LS has consistently been rated and ranked as overall the best car, bar none. It is also great for low maintenance costs and overall reliability. So, I found it hard to believe that it could have these catastrophic types of problems.

Even as far as these problems go, the reality of our electronic world is that there are people who don't trust things that are even slightly more complicated than an old-style carburetor. They aren't really Luddites, they just aren't well informed and don't trust all the new shiny things. I do believe that the exposure this has received in the media will increase the number of people who feel that their Toyotas are driving themselves, and are "out of control" - just like people believe that it is spirits moving the Ouija board, or the people who sincerely believe they have seen UFOs or ghosts. It is like a mass hysteria of sorts, where hearing about it makes it probable and real to many people. Not to mention the inevitable lawsuit bandwagon that will soon start rolling - and we all know how Americans (sorry, I'm from Canada!) like to jump on that.

I sincerely believe that Toyota's problems (Lexus is legally a separate company now, remember) are similar to issues that every other car manufacturer has. If it is truly an issue with the brake pedal, then the fix the dealers are installing will fix this. If it is a "drive by wire" issue, then there will be a software fix that the dealers will be able to flash in seconds onto affected cars.

Selfishly, I hope this does drive the price of Toyotas (and maybe even Lexus) down a bit, as I intend to buy another one. Nothing that has happened has affected my desire to own these fine cars one bit.

BTW, I did write the very-respected head of service at my dealer today, and he confirmed that there have been no "campaigns" announced for any Lexus vehicle but the ES.

But please, let's keep each other posted on this. Let's all be big enough people to recognize that even though we love our Lexus cars, if it really comes down to a true defect being identified, let's get it fixed and protect our families.

 

Thanks for watching this, I wouldn't have the ability to stay awake that long! Please let us all know if the LS gets any "material" mention...

 

Several have been running promotions specifically targeted to Toyota owners.

LOL Re: this thread, anyone who thinks there was any strong discussion here must lead a very sheltered car forum life.

 

Just finished watching Part 1 of the testimony...and no mention of the LS. Not even a mention of the wipers!

Here is Part 2, with the COO of Toyota on the hotseat! It's over 2 hours long...and I will hopefully find time to watch it tomorrow... http://www.c-spanarchives.org/program/292221-2

 

Unless there's a penalty under the law, none of mine will be getting it. Can't even brake-torque with the stupid override.

 

I dont think the car companies have targeted Toyota so much...but i do believe that some local dealers smelling blood in the water have taken advantage of the sitiuation. It may come back to haunt them. Remember ford was on top of the world with the explorer til the tire issue came up and it ruined them almost overnight. Resale values dropped like a rock and they never fully recovered from that fiasco.

 

I guess it depends upon the definition of "so much" but several have offered "extra $1000 off" specials for Toyota owners.
GM has:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/27/auto...ion=2010012716

Ford has:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/29/auto...ion=2010012918

Chrysler has:
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...the-High-Road/

Hyundai has:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/01/2...ebate-for.html

Not sure if Honda itself has, or if it was just some well-publicized dealers.