Quote:
Originally Posted by Ro_Ja
You have a point and I agree with you. It's not a Lambroghini, Bugatti, or LFA. In fact, it actually reminds me of the days when cars were made by hand (in this case, they are if two different techs are installing the fenders on each side by hand) and the tolerances varied from car to car. Plus, it gives the car a little distinct character.
However, this isn't just an issue of a few errors in manufacturing tolerance that slipped by. There's an actual TSB out for the issue which means Toyota has acknowledged that panels may be noticeably out of tolerance on more than just a few cars, and mine happens to be one of those. I'm not asking for a whole new car or any ridiculous compensation. I'm only going through this because I'm curious if there are any options for a little finessing or tweaking so that the panels sit correctly on the car.
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The TSB is more likely just for confinement. They can find the number ranges of when and who was on a certain shift. I don't think most people on this forum have a clue based on comments on how their car was put together.
I find it very hard to believe that Toyota/Scion quality gates would let such large number of cars thru. There is 4 quality gates before those cars get shipped out
1. AI (assembly inspection) looks at fits, finish overall finished car
2. VP (vehicle performance) headlamps adjusted, computer & steering set, and engine is run up to about 70mph so if something is going to pop out of the engine it will happen in a closed garage type setting as well as to clean out any small engine debris
3. CS (customer service) this line has all lines from body repair, paint, plastics, assembly repair etc.. Last people to see the car before it heads to the water test.
4.SI (shipping inspection) when the car is driven off cs line it heads into the water shower as it comes out SI will inspect for water leaks (window perimeter front and back doors and luggage.
Random cars are pulled off daily for Audit checks & water tests
Audit will go over the entire car and highlight any area with issues example:
Most people know about the water in the (Combi) lights "tail lights" and we also know its not on every car. This is because a certain amount of cars got thru with issues that the quality gates could not pick up on due to time. Some people had it show up after their first wash others have had no issues and others over time now have a problem.
The water test random cars are pulled off and put under a heavy shower condition. At the end of a 30 minute cycle the car is then inspected for water leaks in all door perimeters, luggage and interior if that car is clean then there is no reason to believe there are any issues. It sounds weak but remember during this time there are cars going thru a shower test as well not as heavy but are still being sent thru a ver heavy rain test.
I have read many posts about people complaining about things they consider abnormal. The attention these cars actually receive and what people think they should receive are two different worlds.
The cars are built by humans who work like robots there is always room for error.