IOL, one of the largest newspaper groups in South-Africa, today reported
that Toyota Fortuner owners may be taking Toyota to court over the
Fortuner handling problems which have caused quite a few people to roll their cars.
Toyota SA spokesperson Ferdi de Vos, had the following to say in the article:
But he stressed that the original tyre, which met all technical and
quality requirements, was still the best option for owners who drove
mostly on tarred roads.
Considering that Toyota advertise the Fortuner on their website by placing the car out in the bush for a photo shoot,
and then goes on to say
“Toyota SA felt they had been open about the issue and had “gone to great lengths to assist concerned owners”.
“We have done so as a gesture of goodwill, and therefore fail to see any reason or grounds for legal action,” said De Vos.“,
I think it should come as no surprise that the article concludes with
But other members were not satisfied with the explanation of tyres and
suspension responsible for handling problems and had mentioned getting
together to sue Toyota for all damages and expenses incurred.
Said one members’ post on the forum: “It may also be possible for all
complainants to join in a class action civil claim to force Toyota to
take reasonable preventative steps.”
November 9th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Hi Guys,
I just bought a brand new 2009 3.0 D4D. To give you a bit of history; my previous car was a Audi A4 2.0T DTM (170kw Limited Edition). This cars handling was out of this world… The handling was exceptional to every extent you could think.
Well after a few years and almost 100 000km on the clock I had to make a plan. With my wife riding horses and I being a bit of a Superbike freak I had too look for something a bit more rugged. My first thought was to buy the Fortuner…
Since I bought it about 2 weeks ago I have taken it to the extent where most people driving this sort of car would dream about. I was trying to see what the posts on the internet was all about with the cars handling flaws. From my experience going through sharp corners and long fast corners at almost the same speed as with the Audi I can comment as follows:
It’s a SUV with a difference, its made for the bush and to be as rugged as a Pick-up
The corner handling is brilliant, the steering not…
Its not the sort of power steering one would expect on a top heavy car, It does not auto adjust to speed and if it does its not doing a great job of it.
The tires on the new car is brilliant, don’t know about mileage yet but traction is brilliant
Suspension is still a bit stiff as one would expect from a new car (no comments yet)
Overall there is four words for this car: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY and on top of this it’s a car you could own for 20+ years. To conclude my statement: Go buy one, you will not make a mistake!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Thanks Johan
You seem to confirm what other people are saying; the new car is fantastic when it comes to handling. I am really pleased that you wrote to tell us about it, as people ask me about the new car.
KC
May 14th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Have also experienced the same problem. My dealer is also handling this issue on my behalf. I agree with a previous comment made in that if this happened in the States the vehicles would be recalled for fear of a s%@t storm of legal battles. It mortifies me to hear that people are spending thousands of rands out of their own pockets to remedy what in fact is a design flaw on the part ot TSA.
TSA seem to forget that we carry our prized posessions in their vehicles - OUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES - they are irreplaceable.
Where did the catch phrase “everything keeps going right” go to - out the window with their conscience maybe??
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Hi Shaun
Thanks for the post. From my personal experience, and yours, it certainly seems that the replacement suspension sort out the problem.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
My future father in law bought a 3.0 D4D Fortuner in 2007, and from the start it didnt feel comfortable over corragations, or a series of fast small bumps.He then fitted a ironman suspension kit, and it seems to be better.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Michael
What problem are you experiencing regarding saving of the site? I am not 100% sure what you are trying to do. Unfotunately for Toyota, they have no control over my site, so there is something else wrong.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Hi Michael
Thanks for your post. I think you understand my and other Fotuner owner’s frustration. In stead of trying to sort this problem out, Toyota prefer to pretend that nothing is wrong with the car. From all the feedback I have read on the internet, It seems the problem can be sorted out by spending R25000 on new tyres and shocks. So, you could get a fantastic car, if you spend sone of the discount sorting out Toyota’s mess.
You should send the Toyota dealer your email; maybe they will join their customers for a change, and also be unhappy with the way Fortuner owners are treated
Enjoy your Tuscon
December 14th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Advert in newspaper 13 Dec 08. Toyota franchise, Strand, selling Fortuner at discount of
R62 000.
I could not wait for tomorrow to snap up this bargain, thinking it is the bad economy giving the discount.
Logged on to your site & now see that Fortuner is a potential deathtrap.
Think I will settle for a Tuscon.
In USA when there is a problem, the manufacturer recalls products for repair.
In RSA the manufacturer shows you the finger.
I am trying to save your website but am unable to do so. I wonder if Toyota is exerting their muscle to block you instead of attending to their problem.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hi Marius
I have spoken to Ferdi de Vos from Toyota, and we have an agreement that I will forward all information I can get from my readers, on to him. Hopefully by getting all the detail to one source, we can sort this problem out.
Go to http://kapteincaprivi.com/2008/11/09/feedback-form-for-your-toyota-fortuner-problem/ to fill in the short form.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I’m driving a Toyota Furtuner 4×4 and am very happy, but since I’ve got it in Jul 08 brand new I experienced the suspension issue as if the car may roll and also found it to have a lot of cabin noice. Toyota dealerships indicated that is the type of tyres but surely it is more to do with the suspension. The least that Toyota SA can do is to replace the shock absorbers to prevent ant court case against them.