By Michelle Jones
Frustrated Toyota Fortuner owners say they are battling to resolve their vehicles’ handling problems on gravel roads and continue to have problems communicating with dealers.
Some are so unhappy they are considering taking legal action against Toyota SA.
Fortuner owners have for months complained on online forum 4×4community.co.za about their vehicles “fishtailing” or “wandering” on gravel roads.
Toyota SA said in September stability control mechanisms and specifically developed tyres were to be fitted to new model Fortuners in an effort to avert handling problems.
The new tyre had a harder sidewall and changed belt angle to perform better off-road, said Toyota SA spokesperson Ferdi de Vos.
But as a result there would be a harsher ride and more noise on tar roads.
Before the Fortuner was launched, Toyota’s research showed the vehicle would be used predominately as a city vehicle, 90 percent on road and only 10 percent off-road.
“Therefore Toyota specified the vehicle with tyres that were more suitable for on-road than off-road conditions,” said De Vos.
Continental General Grabber 265/70/16 were the original tyres fitted on the Fortuner.
If an older model Fortuner owner wanted to replace the tyres, Toyota SA would work out who was liable for the cost according to a formula taking into account factors such as tyre wear at the time of replacement.
This would be negotiated between the dealer and owner, said De Vos.
A few members of the forum complained they had received unsatisfactory service from their dealers who appeared not to know the details of the handling problem.
But De Vos said dealers were aware of the process to follow and Toyota was confident that if customers adhered to the process, they would receive good service.
“All Toyota dealers have been informed of this tyre specification and have received a bulletin outlining the process to be followed if a request for the new spec tyre is received from a concerned owner.”
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.
Toyota SA said it had not approved any suspension systems for fitting to a vehicle once it had been bought, although it recognised that Old Man Emu systems were the best to choose.
Toyota would not be responsible for these costs as they were not approved parts.
Some forum members, since changing their tyres and upgrading their suspension systems, had not experienced the handling problem.
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.”
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.
This article was originally published on page 4 of Pretoria News on November 04, 2008
