A few random thoughts

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich) 03/04/2020 at 20:22 • Filed to: Toyota, The most unreliable minivan in the world, Unless you count the ProMaster as a minivan, SUV, Crossovers

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The other day I finally got around to taking the Civic in for the passenger airbag recall. This is the third airbag I’ve had replaced under the whole Takata thing. At least it wasn’t too inconvenient to get it done. I feel sort of bad for the dealership having to deal with all the recall work, as I’m sure it’s not as profitable as regular shop work. I guess as long as they get something out of it, and it keeps them going.

While dropping off/picking up the car, I looked briefly over part of the new car lot, and came to an interesting realization (or at least I was reminded of a previous thought). People seem to be buying/driving SUVs and crossovers in droves. Why? I think it comes down to feeling empowered. People want to feel empowered with what they drive. They want power, but they also don’t want to have to park the USS Yorktown every time they put it in reverse. The SUV/crossover craze kind of makes sense. Most of them, at least from what I can tell, seem to have a higher seating position compared to a car. Even if it gives a false sense of security, people seem to like it. I can understand that.

Also, it seems like I have purchased the most unreliable “reliable” Toyota in the history of mankind. A few months back, we had the rear main seal, power steering rack, and power steering pump replaced on the 2008 Sienna. To put it lightly, it wasn’t cheap. The repairs were closely coming as high as the initial purchase price. (I mean, we did buy it from an elderly couple, who was the original owner, but still...). For a vehicle that has ~220,000 km on it, I’m not exactly pleased with Toyota’s so called “reliability”. Maybe just their vans are crap?

The reason I say this is I came home the other day, and Mrs. BaconSandwich says “I have some bad news”. The van was making a popping noise. I took it out for a quick spin, and was only able to get it to “pop” once. It sounded like it was coming from the passenger side. If I had to guess, I’d guess it was a CV joint, or something else suspension related.  Until I can replicate it reliably, though, that’s just a guess.

This thing as turned into a money pit. I am hoping to make it last another 8 years or so, then replace it with something electric.

... and because of the expenses on the van, I’m also hoping to make my car last longer. The Civic has actually been pretty good in terms of repair costs. I think the most expensive job I’ve had to do on it has either been the timing belt and water pump (which I’m due for another soon), or replacing the struts.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > BaconSandwich is tasty. 03/04/2020 at 20:49

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I have always had a theory that, overall (barring any engineering failures or known issues) reliability is basically a crapshoot across all the manufactuers

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BaconSandwich is tasty. 03/04/2020 at 20:57

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Wow, you footed the bill for the rear main seal? Must have been a hell of a leak.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/04/2020 at 21:32

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It was getting there in a hurry. It would leave visible spots of oil on the road. Given this is supposed to be the family hauler, and we want it to last a long time, we figured it was necessary.  I also didn't feel like buying a new (to us) van, because at least with this one, we knew the history.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > BaconSandwich is tasty. 03/04/2020 at 21:48

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Aren’t later Siennas known to be a bit of a PITA for issues? Or so I thought I’d heard somewhere. People give them hell for being an FCA product , but the now-ancient Grand Caravan seems to be pretty damn decent reliability-wise. I know several people who swear by them and have had almost no issues!

sony1492 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 03/04/2020 at 21:58

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Tbh that dosent sound like much failure, reliability (at least in my mind) isnt about how perfect something works, but how long it can go while continuing to complete its task. A failed seal and bad powersteering system arnt clumped as unreliable the way you would bad vvt, failing ignition switches, failing transmissions. Etc. The rear main and a failed powersteering pump aught to be expected at that age along with a good amount of suspension work, the rack failure is odd though.

Not to be rude but I’m curious how the rack was bad, did it go because the powersteering pump failed first and it developed play internally?

A thing about SUVs is being able to see things in traffic, Though people might not consciously think of it, its probably why the height feels good. Naturally we want to know about our immediate environment. Also SUVs are practical as far as hauling away things we shouldn't be buying such as 60" TVs and anything that isnt chicken bakes at Costco

BaconSandwich is tasty. > sony1492 03/04/2020 at 23:44

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It wasn’t so much that the rack was failing, as it was leaking on the passenger’s side. I suspect what happened is the seal on the power steering pump started to go, dripping fluid onto the passenger side boot on the steering rack. That eventually disintegrated, and dirt got in the seal. It was a matter of time before it started gushing, and between it and the pump, we were losing fluid.

It could definitely be worse, as far as expensive repairs.  It could be a Mercedes Benz R class. :P

BaconSandwich is tasty. > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/04/2020 at 23:45

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That could very well be the case! My brother has a 2006 Sienna, even in the same color. I think the only major repairs he has done are struts and brakes, but those are pretty much consumables over a long enough period of time.