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8&*3L²UGLQGG $0 CONTENTS

Key Documents ...... vii Part Three Introduction 1980–2008: WHO CAN YOU TRUST? ...... 111 Definitions of Terms ...... 117 MOTOR MADNESS ...... 1 Safest Used ...... 127 Part One Small Cars ...... 129

DEALS ON WHEELS ...... 9 BMW ...... 131 Top 10 Safety and Reliability Problems ...... 15 Cooper ...... 131 CHRYSLER 136 Four Decades of Lies and Litigation ...... 25 ...... Why Smart Canadians Buy Used ...... 27 Caliber ...... 136 Choosing Safe “Wheels” ...... 34 Neon, SX 2.0, SRT4 ...... 138 141 Reliable, Cheap, and “Green” Buys ...... 35 ...... DAEWOO/ 142 When and Where to Buy ...... 38 ...... Buying With Confidence ...... 39 Aveo, Aveo5, Lanos, Wave ...... 142 Don’t Pay Too Much ...... 40 Optra (Forenza), Optra5 ...... 145 FORD 147 Financing Choices ...... 47 ...... Dealer Scams ...... 49 Focus ...... 147 GENERAL MOTORS 154 Private Scams ...... 52 ...... Summary: Pinching Your Pennies ...... 53 S-Series, L-Series, ION ...... 154 HONDA ...... 159 Part Two Civic, Insight, Civic Hybrid ...... 159 Fit ...... 168 JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE 55 HYUNDAI ...... 171 ...... Accent ...... 171 Warranties ...... 56 Elantra ...... 174 How Long Should a Part or Repair Last? ...... 59 ...... 178 Contact the Right People ...... 62 Rio, Rio5, Spectra/Sephia, Spectra5 ...... 179 Warranty Rights...... 67 MAZDA ...... 183 Psst…“Secret” Warranties Are Everywhere ...... 70 Mazda3, Mazda5, Protegé ...... 183 Free Recall Repairs ...... 78 MERCEDES-BENZ ...... 189 “Black Box” Data Recorders ...... 81 Smart Fortwo ...... 189 The Art of Complaining ...... 83 NISSAN ...... 192 Getting Outside Help ...... 85 Sentra ...... 192 Using the Courts ...... 92 Versa ...... 197 Key Court Decisions ...... 95

8&*3L²UGLQGG $0 SUBARU ...... 200 Large Cars ...... 302 Impreza, Forester, WRX ...... 200 CHRYSLER ...... 304 Legacy, Outback ...... 205 SUZUKI ...... 210 300, 300C, 300M, Charger, Concorde, Aerio, Swift, Swift+, SX4, Esteem, Intrepid, LHS, Magnum, SRT8 ...... 304 FORD ...... 311 Verona ...... 210 ...... TOYOTA/GENERAL MOTORS ...... 213 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis 311 Corolla, Matrix/Vibe ...... 213 TOYOTA ...... 223 Luxury Cars ...... 315 Echo, Yaris ...... 223 VOLKSWAGEN ...... 226 ACURA ...... 319 Golf, Rabbit, Jetta, Cabrio, Eos/Diesel RL ...... 319 Models ...... 226 TL ...... 321 AUDI ...... 325 A3, A4, A4 S-Line, A6, A8, S4, S6, Medium Cars ...... 235 TT Coupe ...... 325 BMW ...... 332 ACURA ...... 236 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 1.6 EL, 1.7 EL, CSX ...... 236 ...... CHRYSLER ...... 239 M Series, Z Series 332 FORD/LINCOLN ...... 342 Avenger, Sebring ...... 239 FORD ...... 243 Continental, LS, Town , Zephyr/MKZ ...... 342 Sable, Taurus, SHO ...... 243 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 348 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 248 Bonneville, Grand Prix, Impala, Catera, CTS, Eldorado, Seville ...... 348 Intrigue, LeSabre, Lumina, Malibu, DeVille, DTS, STS ...... 355 INFINITI ...... 361 Malibu Hybrid, Monte Carlo, Regal ...... 248 .... HONDA ...... 260 G20, G35, G37, I30, I35, M35, M45, Q45 361 KIA ...... 368 Accord, Accord Hybrid ...... 260 ...... HYUNDAI ...... 267 Amanti, Magentis 368 LEXUS ...... 371 Sonata ...... 267 MAZDA ...... 270 ES 300/330/350, GS 300/350/430/ 450h, IS 250/300/350, LS 400/430/ Mazda6, 626 ...... 270 ...... NISSAN ...... 274 460, SC 300/400/430 371 MERCEDES-BENZ ...... 379 Altima, Altima Hybrid ...... 274 ...... TOYOTA ...... 280 B-Class, C-Class 379 300 series, 400 series, 500 series, Camry, Solara...... 280 E-Class ...... 383 Prius ...... 288 NISSAN ...... 387 VOLKSWAGEN ...... 293 Maxima ...... 387 New Beetle ...... 293 TOYOTA ...... 391 Passat ...... 297 Avalon ...... 391 VOLVO ...... 397 C30, C70, S40, S60, S70, S80, V40, V50, V70, XC70, XC90 ...... 397

8&*3L²UGLQGG $0 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 487 Sports Cars ...... 407 Escalade, ESV, EXT, Denali,Suburban, FORD ...... 411 Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL ...... 487 ...... Mustang, Cobra 411 HONDA ...... 494 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 418 CR-V...... 494 ...... Corvette 418 HYUNDAI ...... 498 MAZDA ...... 425 Tucson ...... 498 ...... MX-5 (Miata) 425 LEXUS ...... 500 RX 300, RX 330, RX 350, RX 400h ...... 500 and Vans 429 TOYOTA ...... 507 ...... RAV4 ...... 507 Minivans ...... 429 CHRYSLER ...... 433 Pickup Trucks ...... 512

Caravan, Voyager, Grand Caravan, CHRYSLER ...... 513 Grand Voyager, Town & Country ...... 433 Ram ...... 513 PT Cruiser ...... 437 FORD ...... 519 FORD ...... 441 F-Series ...... 519 Freestar, Windstar ...... 441 FORD/MAZDA ...... 525 FORD/NISSAN ...... 445 Ranger, B-series ...... 525 Villager, Quest ...... 445 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 529 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 449 C/K, Sierra, Silverado ...... 529 Montana, Montana SV6, Relay, HONDA ...... 536 Silhouette, Terraza, Uplander, Ridgeline ...... 536 Venture ...... 449 NISSAN ...... 538 HONDA ...... 453 Frontier ...... 538 Odyssey ...... 453 TOYOTA ...... 542 KIA/HYUNDAI ...... 458 Tacoma ...... 542 Sedona, Entourage ...... 458 Tundra ...... 548 TOYOTA ...... 462 Sienna ...... 462 Appendix Vans...... 468 FORD ...... 470 BEGINNERS AND BEATERS Econoline Cargo Van, Club Wagon ...... 470 (OR “MINOUNES”) ...... 553 GENERAL MOTORS ...... 473 Acura CL, Integra, RSX ...... 553 Express, Savana ...... 473 Chrysler Crossfire ...... 554 Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle, Taurus, Taurus X, Thunderbird, Cougar ...... 555 Sport-Utility Vehicles ...... 477 Jaguar S-Type ...... 556 CHRYSLER ...... 479 General Motors Camaro, Firebird, Allure/ TJ Wrangler ...... 479 LaCrosse, Cobalt, Pursuit, Lucerne, G6, FORD/MAZDA ...... 483 Alero, Grand Am, Park Avenue, Sunbird, Escape, Tribute, Escape Hybrid ...... 483 Sunfire, Cavalier, Astra, Aura, Sky, Solstice ...... 556

8&*3L²UGLQGG $0 Hyundai Azera, Tiburon ...... 560 General Motors Caprice, Impala SS, Mitsubishi Lancer, Galant, Eclipse, Spyder...... 561 Roadmaster, Brougham, Fleetwood ...... 571 Porsche 911 Carrera, Boxster ...... 562 Honda CRX, Prelude ...... 571 Volkswagen Phaeton ...... 562 Mazda MX-3 ...... 572 Acura RDX, MDX ...... 563 Toyota Celica, Supra, Tercel, Paseo ...... 572 Chrysler Aspen ...... 563 Audi Fox, 4000, 5000 ...... 573 Ford Edge, MKX ...... 563 Chrysler Cricket, Omni/Horizon, Volaré/ GM Acadia, Enclave, Outlook, VUE, SRX, Aspen, Charger, Cordoba, Mirada, Aries, H2, H3 ...... 564 Reliant, Lancer, LeBaron, Laser, Talon ...... 573 Chrysler Jeeps ...... 565 Fiat ...... 574 Land Rover...... 565 Ford Cortina, Pinto, Festiva, Fiesta, Bobcat, Mazda CX-7, CX-9 ...... 565 Mustang II, Aspire, Contour, Mystique, Mercedes-Benz M-Class ...... 566 Escort, Lynx, Tracer ...... 574 Porsche Cayenne ...... 566 General Motors Vega, Astre, Monza, Firenza, Subaru Baja ...... 567 Cimarron, Allanté, Catera, Citation, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser ...... 567 Skylark, Omega, Phoenix, Fiero ...... 574 Volkswagen Touareg ...... 567 Hyundai Pony, Stellar, Excel, Scoupe ...... 575 General Motors Astro, Safari ...... 568 Mercedes-Benz 190E ...... 575 Mazda MPV ...... 568 Nissan 300ZX ...... 575 Acura Vigor, Legend ...... 570 Saab 900, 9000, 9-3, 9-5 ...... 575 Chrysler Dart, Valiant, Duster, Scamp, Volkswagen Beetle, Camper, Fox, Scirocco, Diplomat, Caravelle, Newport, Corrado ...... 576 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, Gran Fury, Volvo 240 Series, 700 Series ...... 576 Stealth, Prowler ...... 570 Ford Maverick, Comet, Fairmont, Zephyr, Tracer, Mustang, Capri, Cougar, Thunderbird, Torino, Marquis, Grand Marquis, LTD, LTD Crown Victoria ...... 571

8&*3L²UGLQGG $0 KEY DOCUMENTS

Lemon-Aid is a feisty owner’s manual that has Introduction no equal anywhere. We don’t want you stuck with a lemon, or to wind up paying for MOTOR MADNESS repairs that are the automaker’s fault and are covered by secret “goodwill” warranties. 2003 Toyota surging condition TSB ...... 3 That’s why we’re the only book that includes 2002–05 GM repair or credit many hard-to-find, confidential, and little- TSB ...... 8 known documents that automakers don’t want you to see. Part One vii In short, we know you can’t win what you can’t prove. DEALS ON WHEELS The following charts, documents, and ser- Lost-lasting vehicles chart ...... 10 vice bulletins are included in this index so Speed-control system recall chart ...... 17 that you can stand your ground and be 1995–2004 GM engine intake manifold treated fairly. Photocopy and circulate and gasket TSB ...... 21 whichever document will prove helpful in New-vehicle cost chart ...... 28 your dealings with automakers, dealers, ser- Used-vehicle cost chart ...... 28 vice managers, insurance companies, or Average auto insurance rates by capital government agencies. Remember, most of cities graph ...... 30 the hundreds of summarized service bulle- Insurance premiums comparison chart ...... 31 tins outline repairs or replacements that Top 10 most stolen vehicles chart ...... 32 should be done for free. Top 10 least stolen vehicles chart ...... 32 1999–2006 Smart Car crashworthiness chart ...... 35 Sample interest rates chart ...... 48

Part Two JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE Used-car expressed warranty exclusions sample ...... 58 Reasonable part durability chart ...... 60 Used vehicle complaint letter/fax/email sample ...... 63

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KEY DOCUMENTS viii 1995–2004 GMredesigned upperintake 2000–05 Ford waterleaksTSB 2000–05 2006–08 Honda engineoverheatingor 2006–08 Future orphanedmodelschart Value of optionsbymodelyearchart Honda paintpeelingTSB 2003–05 1997–2003 GM rust perforation1997–2003 GMrust TSB GMroof replacement TSB 2005–06 Low-speed crash repair costschart NHTSA collisionratings chart transmission delayed Chrysler 2002–04 2003–04 GM lossofcoolantTSB 2003–04 2006 Honda waterpumpcracks TSB GMfueltankvalvefracture 2001–04 2005 GMfueltankfillercapTSB Dealer recall responsibility document 1998–2000 Chrysler clockspring Chrysler 1998–2000 2001–05 Honda automatic 2001–05 Ford2007–08 tire valvestem Ford AC2002–06 compressor leaks 1996–2003 GMengineoilorcoolant 1996–2003 2002–04 Chrysler delayedgear Chrysler 2002–04 SMALL CARS Secret warranty claimsletter/fax/email Best andworstresidual valueschart YOU WHOCAN TRUST?1980–2008: Three Part manifold andgaskets TSB leaking TSB engagement TSB TSB replacement TSB transmission TSB inspection TSB TSB leak (intake manifoldgasket) TSB engagement TSB sample ...... 166 126 126 128 167 152 152 116 116 157 153 141 114 115 115 113 64 76 76 79 74 75 77 73 2007 Hyundai windshieldwaterleak 2005–06 Toyota2005–06 grillecoverTSB 2001–04 GMdieseloilleakTSB 2001–04 GMpaintedroof separation 2008–09 Ford2005–09 waterleaksTSB Toyota2004–09 waterleaksTSB Nissan rear suspension 2002–05 2001–02 GMfree dieselinjectorsTSB 2001–02 Ford fuelinjector 2008–09 Toyota2003–06 waterinfootwell 2008–09 GMrear brake noiseTSB 2008–09 2003–07 Honda brake pedalproblems 2003–07 2007–09 GMclunknoiseTSB 2007–09 2006–08 GMenginecoolantleaks 2006–08 MEDIUM CARS 2004–08 Ford2004–08 erratic fuelgaugeTSB PICKUP TRUCKS GMoilleaksTSB 2003–10 SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLES Toyota2004–08 brake padwearTSB MINIVANS ANDVANS Used carssamplechart sports SPORTS CARS Ford aluminumbodypanel 2000–07 LUXURY CARS TSB TSB replacement TSB replacement TSB area TSB TSB TSB corrosion TSB ...... 408 266 492 492 424 467 279 524 524 225 393 354 257 347 221 535 535 178 417 $0 Introduction MOTOR MADNESS

GM: It’s Worse Than You Thought What critics don’t understand is that the best thing GM has is its dealer force. You kill the dealers if you kill such well-entrenched nameplates as Pontiac and Buick, and you kill GM. It’s that simple. GM seems to be in a state of organizational chaos. Where will it end?

JERRY FLINT FORBES MARCH 25, 2005 The Death of Detroit 1 The chaos is still there, Jerry.

Chrysler and General Motors are dying from self-inflicted wounds caused by unreliable, poor-quality products, chronic mismanagement, and the loss of the public’s trust.

Ford, the only Detroit automaker that didn’t take a government bailout in 2009, is in better financial shape than Chrysler and GM only because it sold money-losing Jaguar and Land Rover several years ago to Indian automaker Tata Motors for about a third of what it had originally paid. Now Ford is desperately trying to unload Volvo to Chinese interests, as that division’s sales continue to decline and customer complaints rise.

Over the past five years, Ford’s quality has been significantly better than what we have found with Chrysler and General Motors models. Furthermore, except for Volvo, the company’s model lineup and dealer body look quite solid. The only future problem we can see is Ford’s reliance on imports from its European factories to fill the gap for fuel-efficient small cars. In the past, Ford’s European imports, like GM’s, were, in the Freya Svensson got warranty help from Ford and its Volvo words of Pulitzer Prize-winning division only after she sang about her Volvo XC70’s engine Los Angeles Times car columnist and transmission failures in Swedish, while wearing a Viking Dan Neil, “crap-grenades.” helmet. (Follow her Nordic saga at RusmackedVolvo.com.)

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INTRODUCTION • MOTOR MADNESS 2 vehicle quality andreliability. Fiat scored inthebottom ofmore quarter than20brands inthethree countriesin Dave Sargent, vicepresident ofautomotiveresearch atJ.D. Power and Associates. France, andtheU.K.—particularly intermsofvehiclequality andreliability,” says Fiat is“belowaverage ineachofthree markets thatwemeasure—Germany, the United Kingdom. The respondents hadownedtheircarsforonlytwo years. Associates’ 2008Customer SatisfactionIndex studies forFrance, Germany, and 25 yearslater, thatperception hasbeenconfirmedbylowscores onJ.D. Power and the public’s perception that Fiat stoodfor“Fix itagain, Tony.” Now, more than fled theU.S. andCanada intheearly’80s. The company couldn’t overcome warranteesstranded withworthless andrust-cankered, unreliable carswhenit You remember Fiat? It’s theItalian carcompany thatleftdealersandowners Chrysler/Fiat quality:Anoxymoron believe thatFiat couldcutthatdownto13modelsbynextyear. had32separate modelsforsaleinNorth America.Chrysler analysts Industry Group models.production andthenumberofChrysler Asrecently as2007, quality control andtheuseofFiat platformsandcomponentstocutthecostof In anutshell,Marchionne successisanimprovement in saysthekey toChrysler profitable enterprise. press conference, Marchionne a announcedhisfive-year plantomake Chrysler tant andlawyer. LastSeptember, inaneasilyforgettable eight-hour snoozerofa byFiatand isnowrun CEOSergio Marchionne, a57-year-old Canadian accoun- willnotsurvive. TheChrysler company hasfewnewproducts andfewerdealers, were madebyGM. to livewitha20percent market, where fourdecadesagohalfofallvehiclessold and Asia.AsfarasNorth American salesare concerned,theautomaker willhave moniker. However, mostofthecompany’s customerswillbeoffshore inEurope Cadillac, Daewoo, GMC,andOpelderivativemodelssoldundertheChevrolet Despite allofthisuncertainty, General Motors withsomeBuick, willlikely survive old—20 yearsolderthantheaverage Pontiac owner. sells abouttwice asmany vehiclesasdoesBuick,whoseaverage owneris70years open, despitethefactthatPontiac brand draws amuchyoungercrowd and supplier Magna, and stillintendstoshutdownitsPontiac divisionandkeep Buick its ownoffertosellOpel/Vauxhall toabusinessgroup headedbyCanadian auto and sellSaabtoSpyker intheNetherlands. Additionally, GMhasjustreneged on Saab andSaturndivisionsalsotookahike, leadingtoGM’s decisiontocanSaturn penalty paidtoFiat forabsolutelynothing. In November 2009, buyers forGM’s purchase Fiat, gotcoldfeet,andbacked outofthedeal.Result: a$2billion(U.S.) There’s alotthatdoesn’t make sensewithGeneral Motors. In 2005,GMoffered to $0 8&*3L²UGLQGG automotive issue, Chrysler’s quality reputation isjustasbadinNorth America. In its2009annual “Fiat hasareputation ofhavinghadquality issuesovermany years,” Sargent says. deception. Beatty willconfirmtheauthenticity ofthesebulletinsandput anendtoToyota’s Neither Toyota CEOAkio Toyoda norToyota Canada managingdirector Stephen because ofafaulty computermodule. Asimilarbulletincoversthe2007Camry. that hasn’t beenrecalled, andpointsoutthatthecarcansuddenlyaccelerate company’s carsandtrucks. runaway The bulletincoversthe2003Camry, avehicle knowledge ofthedefectdatingbackto2002andlinkscar’s electronics tothe The Toyota bulletinbelowisasmokinggunthatproves Toyota hadprior Confidential document vehicles forathird “fix.” they canbepersonallycharged withcriminalnegligenceandforced torecall their officials admittohavingpriorknowledgeofthedefectoritselectronic causes, Company executives are indenialtosave theirskinsandmoney. If any to “creeping floormats” and“sticky accelerators.” rejected allegationsthatthedefectwaselectronic, preferring tolimittheproblem the suddenunintendedacceleration problem affectingmost ofitslineupand At congressional hearingsheldlastFebruary, Toyota deniedearlyknowledgeof Denial, deception,anddeflection that lesson. their vehiclessuddenlyaccelerating outofcontrol needsome jailtimetolearn and Canada whocovered uptheirknowledgeofaccidentsanddeathslinked to When youmessup, youshouldfessup, andToyota executives intheUnited States Toyota’s “Throttle-Gate”: TheTragedy ofUnintendedAcceleration nameplates performedbelowaverage. and Associatesstudymeasuringinitialquality innewcars:All three Chrysler Chrysler, Dodge, orJeep. hasperformednobetter inthelatestJ.D. Chrysler Power INTRODUCTION: 2003 Camry ECM CALIBRATION UPDATE: 1MZ-FEENGINESURGING BULLETIN NO.: DATE: EG008-03 MAY 16, 2003 ENGINE CONTROLMODULE: surging duringlightthrottleinputatspeedsbetween38–42mph[61–68km/h] withlock-up(LU)“ON.” condition. TOYOTA ENGINECONTROLS—LIGHTTHROTTLESURGINGCONDITION Some2003modelyearCamryvehiclesequippedwiththe1MZ-FEengine mayexhibita Consumer Reports PowertrainControlModule(PCM)calibrationhasbeenrevisedtocorrect this recommended 166models—notoneofthema $0

INTRODUCTION • MOTOR MADNESS 3 8&*3L²UGLQGG

INTRODUCTION • MOTOR MADNESS 4 The maximumNHTSA fineof$16.4 milliondollarsshouldbelevied because • U.S. Toyota/Lexus officials shouldbecharged withcriminalnegligence, justlike • Here’s whatelseshouldbedone: acceleration growing complaintsstarted in2002. facturer, saysthatit’s madetheaccelerator forToyota since2005,butthesudden The Toyota andLexusrecalls needtobeexpanded.CTS, Toyota’s throttle manu- What needstobedone? towards theautomaker. Toyota They feel“The Way” haslostitsway. Canadian ownersofToyota vehicles, whofeelamixture ofloyalty andanger Press’s accusationandtheFebruary 24congressional hearingsare worrisome to dent Akio Toyoda wastestifying before theHouse OversightCommittee: Press spoke tothe Once theonlyAmerican memberofthecompany’s 30-memberboard ofdirectors, pany’s formerNorth American president andatopToyota executive for36years. What causedToyota tobackslide?Greed andarrogance, saysJim Press, thecom- decade ago. the publicatlarge, a insteadofcoastingonthesterlingreputation itdeserved Toyota mustgettotheroot ofitsfailure toprotect thelivesofitscustomersand denial, deception,anddeflection.It isnotenoughfortheautomaker toapologize. reputation onquality andonputting itsownersfirstwouldslideintoamorass of Toyota andLexuscarownersare puzzledastowhy acompany thatbuiltits drivers are worse. with baldtires orbadbrakes, killsormaimstheinnocent,andthensaysother deflection isnodifferent from or thecriminallynegligentdriverwhodrivesdrunk Money wasindeedsaved,buthowmany liveswere lost?Toyota’s deceptionand $100 milliondollars(U.S.). turned overtotheU.S. Congress, itbragged abouthavingsavedthecompany over acceleration, rollovers, damage. andstructural rust And then,insecret documents American governmentautosafety officialsovercomplaintsofsuddenunintended For thepasteightyears, Toyota hassuccessfullystonewalledCanadian and Transport Canadacaughtintheheadlights brake failures. of Toyota’s delayinrecalling itsvehiclesforunintended acceleration andPrius their Pintos. Ford executives were 40yearsagoinIndiana overtheexplodinggastanksin some yearsago,byanti-family, financiallyorientedpirates. to tellitlikeis.Therootcauseoftheirproblemsisthatthecompanywashijacked, Toyota doesn’twantmetospeakout,butIcan’tstanditanymoreandsomebodyhas DetroitNews onFebruary 24,atthesametimeasToyota presi- $0 8&*3L²UGLQGG used modelsthanonnewversions: Ownerscancheckouttheminivan’s known several years. This iswhy mechanics tobecomeproficient indiagnosingandrepairing newsystemscantake redesigned vehiclescomeon the market. Furthermore, thelearningtimefor Also, are notgenerally parts availableduringthefirstyearortwo newor reasonable priceduetoanabsence ofindependentrepairers suppliers. andparts Trucks Transport Canada andNHTSA officialswhofailedtoactearliershouldbefired. • Transport Canada should setupanonlinepublicarchive ofownercomplaints • Canadian Toyota officialsshouldbecharged withcriminalnegligenceif • Canada’s MinisterofJustice andMinisterofTransport shouldcollectconsumer • All gagorders onsafety settlements reached withplaintiffsshouldbelifted. • Toyota/Lexus shouldsetupatoll-free andonlineinternationalcomplaintdesk • Retroactive Toyota/Lexus warrantees shouldapplyfor10years. • Toyota/Lexus mustagree toinstallbrake override devicesinallfuture vehicles. • models in readers ofmyObservant guideswilldiscoverthatthere are fewerRecommended been taken offthemarket. agentsformany years,by dealersandindependentservice evenaftertheyhave and Pontiac modelscometomind).They canbeeasilyandinexpensivelyserviced sharedtime andusemostlygenericparts withother models (GM’s Oldsmobile Instead, shopforlarge-volume vehiclesthathavebeenaround arelatively long block, like Hummer, Isuzu, Opel,Porsche, Saab, Saturn,Volkswagen, andVolvo. manufacturers havemerged withanotherautomaker orare stillontheauction and with“orphan” vehiclesthathavebeentaken outofproduction orwhose withvehiclesthatusesophisticateddiesel,hybrid, systems true andfueldelivery aren’t them.This isespecially availabletoservice competentmechanicsandparts ifthere toservice mayendupcostingafortune usedcarsandtrucks Low-cost tofive-year-olddriving awaywithreasonably pricedthree- vehicles. thatbuyerssellers report are nowpayingonlyabitmore thanlastyearandare still “cash forclunkers” giveawaypushedusedpricesupbyalmost20percent, but salesdownthisyear,new-car bargains. shoppersare drawn toused-car Lastyear’s When newcarsdon’t market. And sell,buyers with moveintotheused-car “Bargain” Buys nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints). received bycallcentre staffers, like theNHTSA’s intheUnited States( government ofany vehiclesthatare suspectedofhavingasafety defect. Vehicle SafetyAct eration andbrake failure defectsandfailedtowarnthepublicunder Canadian hearings confirm theyhadpriorknowledgeoftheunintendedaccel- posed toCanadians. and engineeringinputanalyzeToyota’s conductandthescopeofdanger and share itslogs. editionbecausenewervehiclescostmore andare ata harder toservice Lemon-Aid New Cars andTrucks (1971). Under (1971). thatlaw, automakers mustquickly notify the Lemon-Aid’s minivanratings are higher onthe Chrysler than you’ll findinthe Used Cars and www-odi. Motor $0

INTRODUCTION • MOTOR MADNESS 5