Toyota Aurion Problems

Convex mirrors are not unsafe, they just need the driver to take a different view.

The Kia gets The Tick from me, because it’s better value but also because of the excellent suspension work done by Aussie guru and Carsguide friend Graeme Gambold.

Yes, I think it is poor form on Toyota's part not to update the hose on affected cars for free. Definitely have the hose changed, but talk to Toyota's head office people about supplying the hose free of charge, and ask them to pay for the repair.

Wide-view mirrors have become almost universal in recent years but your local mirror shop can probably cut and fit some replacement glass to take you back to what you know. And you're not the first to ask about the vagaries of curved mirrors.

Toyota has advised us "the replacement VVTi oil feed rubber hose material has been changed to improve durability. Only new level hose is available as a service replacement part".

There is enough evidence from the US that suggests there is an issue that needs to be addressed. We have asked Toyota for a response to Manfred's concerns.

Recalls are really only done when there's a safety issue involved, a mechanical problem like the hose on your car is usually done as a service repair when cars go in for service.

The replacement hose addressed the problem, so it shouldn't happen again, but it's not possible to say that it won't. If you feel uncomfortable about it you could get the later oil pipe fitted to your car.

You're not on your own with this issue, it's often reported by Aurion owners, but there is no recall or alert that we could find. Make sure the park brake is correctly adjusted by loosening the cable, adjusting the brake shoes and then adjusting the slack out of the cable.

If it is suspected that the rattle is coming from the engine then inspecting it, and flushing the system could be wise.