| As Japanese automaker Toyota gets ready to | | | | time and time again that it is the leader in the |
| become the world's largest automaker, more and | | | | production of quality vehicles. |
| more units are being recalled. Recently, the | | | | According to Toyota, no accident related to the |
| automaker announced that they would be recalling | | | | discovered problem has been reported. The |
| 34,400 Lexus units in the United States due to | | | | automaker further announced that new fuel pipes |
| potential cracks in the fuel pipes. | | | | will be used to replace the old ones on the |
| This is the most recent setback that the | | | | vehicles that they will recall. A cracked pipe line is |
| automaker has faced this year. For months, | | | | a very potentially harmful problem that could lead |
| Toyota which has been known for its reliable | | | | to serious accidents. |
| vehicles has recalled hundreds of thousands of | | | | Although recalls have been announced by the |
| vehicles due to varying mechanical problems. As a | | | | automaker, they still managed to sell more |
| result of their recalls, the reputation of the | | | | vehicles for this year. This shows that consumers |
| company is being put at risk. New studies are | | | | trust Toyota's product even with the massive |
| showing that Toyota and Lexus has both dropped | | | | recalls. Consumer Reports even went as far as |
| in the rankings when it comes to perceived | | | | rating Toyota's V6 Camry and the V8 Tundra |
| reliability of their vehicles. | | | | below the industry average. Jim Lentz, now the |
| The latest recalls involve 2006 model year | | | | head of Toyota's US division, called that an |
| versions of the Lexus GS 300, IS 250, and IS | | | | embarrassment for the automaker. |
| 350 in the United States. Apart from the vehicles | | | | Experts though have an explanation regarding the |
| being recalled in the United States, the Japanese | | | | massive recalls. With Toyota experiencing |
| automaker also announced that they would recall | | | | increased demand year after year, they are |
| 215,020 vehicles in Japan including certain Lexus | | | | forced to react immediately. This means that |
| models. Cars built between December 2003 and | | | | their assembly plants are not ready for the |
| December 2005 is the subject of the recalls. | | | | massive demand which in turn results to sub par |
| Lexus has always been at the top of the rankings | | | | quality of parts being produced. Still, many |
| when it comes to consumers' review of their | | | | consumers trust that Toyota will be able to cope |
| reliability. In several studies, the luxury division of | | | | immediately and return to manufacturing quality |
| the world's second largest automaker has shown | | | | vehicles and auto parts such as Lexus radiators. |