Toyota takes a mud bath

Well, a sludge bath really. Oil sludge is a term, which was pretty much unknown in the automotive industry not many years ago. The problem did exist, but typically only in extreme cases of service negligence, an uncommon situation at a time when more people believed in the strict 3,000 mile oil change interval.

"Sludge" refers, of course, to the solid mass of gunk that inhabits the engine and all of its intricate components and crevices after being subjected to more operation, changes in temperature, friction, etc...then they can feasibly tolerate. The gel that forms no longer  has the physical capacity to lubricate properly leading to premature wear of parts, clogging of critical channels, and component breakdown, sometimes in a very sudden or catastrophic nature. It is not uncommon to hear stories where a check engine light came on and the car experiences significant, if not total power loss.

The reason the sludge issue has become such an area of contention and controversy is varied. For starters, there is no general consensus in the industry on a single cause of the problem. Automakers point the finger at a lack of regularly observed service and maintenance and owners are quick to show that they often completed maintenance and oil changes exactly as described and recommended by the manufacturer. Strangely, the oil manufacturers themselves have managed to keep a low profile through this whole episode.

Manufacturers are competing more and more on total ownership costs and therefore, have led a bit of a crusade to wring in maintenance costs. One method has been to stretch out the recommended intervals vet ween oil changes. part of the problem with this is that there is a difference in the length of acceptable active duty between conventional motor oil and synthetic blends, which have a much lower incidence of the sludge issue. Many owners, dealers, etc... interpreted new intervals in a way where the time/mileage was stretched out and maybe a lower quality conventional oil was used. Under the right operating conditions, the car may be ripe for sludge buildup.

The problem is widespread enough to bring on an enormous blame-game as it affects a significant number of vehicles from Chrysler/Dodge, SAAB, Toyota/Lexus and Volkswagen/Audi. The problem is that once a engine has been affected, it is almost always a write-off as bad sludge (as opposed to the good stuff) can't simply be flushed out. It adheres to the engine's internals like a thick tar, typically requiring a costly (and complicated from a warranty, distribution, cost standpoint) engine replacement.

One company deep in the muck is Toyota, which is, of course, known for both the reliability of their vehicles and handling of product problems. The company recently settled a class action lawsuit (never a good sign) involving the sludge issue covering some 3.5 million vehicles. Included in these are:

VEHICLE MODEL YEARS
Camry 4 cyl. 1997-2001
Camry 6 cyl. 1997-2002
Camry Solara 4 cyl. 1999-2001
Camry Solara 6 cyl. 1999-2002
Sienna 6 cyl. 1998-2002
Avalon 6 cyl. 1997-2002
Celica 4 cyl. 1997-1999
Highlander 6 cyl. 2001-2002
Lexus ES 300 1997-2002
Lexus RX 300 1999-2002

Under the terms of the settlement, owners are entitled to some additional support, though it should be noted that Toyota did extend the warranty period in which customers could address the issue. Until the settlement, however, dealers would handle the situation in an inconsistent manner, often still blaming the customer.

• Owners of damaged vehicles have eight years plus 120 days from the original purchase date to file a complaint.
• If Toyota denies the claim, owners can appeal to a judge-appointed third-party administrator: J. Robert Ates, a New Orleans lawyer.
• Customers who have already made repairs may be able to recover the costs.
• Only those who elect not to participate in the settlement can sue Toyota individually. The deadline for that choice was Dec. 31, 2006.
• The settlement is transferable to future vehicle owners.
• The car only needs to show evidence of oil sludge. It is not necessary for the owner to have made repairs during the claim period.
• Damages that can be recovered include loss in value of the vehicle and incidental costs, such as rental cars. Past lawyers' fees, mental anguish and bodily injuries are not covered.

The sludge issue arose from a combination of factors including engine design, timely adoption and interpretation of the synthetic oil/extended oil change intervals, and in some cases service negligence. With so many factors, it is especially difficult to establish a scapegoat. To see if your vehicle is susceptible to the problem or to see if you are entitled to additional product support, click here for a good sludge resource. 

Regardless of which brand or model you drive, it is a good idea to follow the recommended service and maintenance guidelines and keeping a record of all completed procedures.

Comments

[toyota]

Hi! I too want will share the reasons in occasion of Toyota car. The first car was toyota corolla, volume of the engine 1.5, good car, but very weak engine. Car economy class. Car toyota camry, volume of the engine of 2.0 litres. Excellent car, but it would be desirable even more powerfully! Now I go on car toyota Surf, the engine diesel! That is necessary for me! 1KZ! COOL!

[kia]

Hi!!! I agree with an idea of the author and I think that the industry will please us still with novelties. At me all over again was toyota camry now I wish to buy KIA What model better?

[rudiemods]

That's a really cute !!
I am new to your blog and found it very
refreshing and informative.

[mudd]

very interesting blogs huh! i learned a lot and it gives me a lot of sense! really! nice post!

-sidney-