Toyota and Goodyear sued over Runflat tires

[Bakemono]

http://www.nyse.com/interface/jsp/NH...sdowjones=true

A class-action lawsuit filed Monday against Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.TO) and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) alleges the two companies sold "defective tires" to certain buyers of Toyota's popular Sienna minivans.

The suit, filed by a pair of New York Law firms on behalf of Stanley Monk and other buyers of the Sienna, claims "run-flat" tires produced by Goodyear under the company's Dunlop brand wear out after approximately 10,000 miles of use, Roger Bernstein, an attorney representing the class, said. He said the Dunlop tires need to be replaced on a yearly basis, which means they are "defective."

And, of course, some people cant resist the chance to take shots at Toyota's quality reputation. GM did it in September, and D-C is doing it now (as if they have room to talk about quality)

On Oct. 24, DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX) communications Vice President Jason Vines, launched a criticism on Chrysler Group's media Web log, or blog, that said Toyota has recalled 2.2 million vehicles in 2005 for various safety and quality issues. The company's recall count has increased significantly compared with previous years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Cap'n

[RningOnFumes]

when i had my taco, i couldn't wait for the tires to be worn enough to need replaciing...i wanted wider tires... i thought it was just my driving habits but i did replace them at around 15k. But the subject is the sienna run flats...loll...so i have no input

as for DC...it was a matter of time. As toyota climbs higher and higher, the whole company will be put under even more scrutiny than the past.

[rolla-XRS]

Ugh! Well they're probably right about those Sienna 8-passenger AWD run-flat tires. They are a POS. I've heard someone refer to them as "Dunflops". No one's very happy about it - good news is that the liability will fall on Goodyear's head for making and selling crap.

Goodyear should be shot for once again making sheit tires.

[Bakemono]

And Goodyear should shoulder the blame. Toyota didnt make the tires, but the no spare thing is kind of a bonehead move.
Yes, the tires can run for 50 miles at 50 mph with no air in them but still, they should put a spare in the vehicle, even if it sacrafices some cargo or passenger space.
Cap'n

[rolla-XRS]

Yeah the spare tire was dropped to add the 8th seat.
So back to 7-person mini-vans we go.

Wait a sec...how does an 8-passenger vehicle qualify as a mini-van? Isn't that a mini-bus?

Thank god Toyota and Goodyear are being sued. Toyota should instead use PAX runflats made by Michelin (found on the Honda Odyssey)

Lexus uses Bridgestone runflats, which are also defective. But they offer Dunlop runflats as an option. (a little better but not as good as regular tires.)

There should be a law suit against Toyota/Lexus and Goodyear. I hope Toyota won't get bankrupt from all these lawsuits. They sold alot of Siennas with run-flats.

[Bakemono]

I think you will see Goodyear shouldering the majority of the blame. Toyota didnt make the tires, Goodyear did.
Also, its not a safety isssue, is a durability issue, so proving that the tires are defective may be a tough case.
Cap'n

[xpeed]

To me, I think the American Companies are trying to use dirty methods to monopolize car sales from foreign companies, like Toyota because they know that Toyota is already going to take the top seat, and they're afraid. Let them do they dirty tricks, the numbers will still increase while they're busy with their lawsuits accusations, Toyota will probably think of better ways to make their cars better, while the American companies worry about pulling Toyota down and not focus on how to make their cars better than Toyota.

This lawsuit is great because Toyota will probably find a better tire company that has better run-flats. This will be good for all consumers and make Toyota more attractive than the current one. (Siennas w/ AWD or XLE or Limited)

[84Cressida]

What a crock. I hope Goodyear falls for making thier shitty tires. Toyota isn't the one who should be blamed, it should be Goodyear because they made the tires. Chrysler taking shots at Toyota? Excuse me while I laugh hysterically.

[epinionator89]

I think Goodyear should recall the tires and replace them with a different type. Either that, or Toyota can use a different brand.

Off-topic: I don't get it. Domestic companies always talk badly about Toyota but you don't hear Toyota talking badly about them. I think someone's jealous of Toyota (*cough* D/C and GM *cough*).

[Bakemono]

Originally Posted by epinionator89

I don't get it. Domestic companies always talk badly about Toyota but you don't hear Toyota talking badly about them. I think someone's jealous of Toyota (*cough* D/C and GM *cough*).

Toyota doesnt need to. Theres an old saying in Bushido: "A warrior with true strength never needs to fight because his strength is so apparent to everyone around him that no one would dare challenge him". Toyota is the world's greatest car company and everyone knows it. Thats why you see everyone taking shots at them.
Toyota's sales and the overall financial health of their company says all that needs to be said.
Cap'n

[epinionator89]

I was trying to say that Toyota is smart to not fight back and bash domestic brands. The energy that could have been used to say "They have worse reliability" etc etc etc is instead put into improving their own vehicles.

Sorry that it sounded like I thought Toyota should fight fire with fire.

[Bakemono]

Not at all. As I said, Toyota is letting their vehicles do the talking and that is as it should be.
Cap'n

[ShawnM]

Every companys run flat tires have a short life span. Thats just one of the draw backs of run flats. Another thing that most people dont realize is once the tire is driven on with low or no air in it, it has to be replaced even if it looks fine. Personaly, I just dont see the point. Id much rather have a normal set of tires that will last me at least 60K miles, and a spare. Im not too lazy to get my ass out of the car and change a tire.