I would like to document my concern regarding the failure of the charcoal canister in my 2002 Toyota Corolla. This seems to be a common problem and I have seen quite a few people complain about the same on the internet. Regardless, I feel that a part so non descriptive shouldn't cost over $500 to replace. Secondly Toyota motor company insist that the part would be covered for a recurring failure only if it is replaced at the dealer, where the costs are 2/3rds more than a normal service shop such as midas. Toyota should not advertise on reliability if parts fail at 50000 mark and that to becomes so expensive to replace (including labor). I see this is a wide spread problem and I would appreciate if there a recall is initiated on this part and replacements done by the manufacturer.

- Nashua, NH, USA

I am writing regarding an issue with my 2002 Toyota Corolla. I recently had to replace an emissions control device in my car, a charcoal canister due to it being clogged. I am concerned that this may be a wide-spread problem because on the day that I had my car repaired, I met another person at the Toyota service station with the same issue and who also had a 2002 Toyota Corolla. However, fortunately for her she was still under warranty so she did not have to pay for the repair. The warranty for this part is 3 years or 36,000 miles. Unfortunately for me, I was at the 38,000 mark on mileage and so I was out of warranty. Before I had the car fixed, I contacted Toyota customer assistance center at 800-331-4331 (reference #: 200309021930) and after a bit of back and forth, they informed me that they would good will the part to me since I was right out of warranty, but I would have to pay for the labor. As a side to this story, Toyota North in mt. Kisco (where I purchased my car) labor fee to replace this part is a $90 diagnostic fee plus 1.5 hours labor adding to a total of about $225. After shopping around, I found that Toyota city in mamaroneck (located within the same county as Toyota North) labor fee for the same job is $90 total. Obviously, I opted to go to Toyota city to have the part replaced. My concern is how many clogged charcoal canisters had to be replaced in the 2002 model of a Toyota Corolla. I did contact the U. S. department of transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and filed a report regarding the failure on this part and hope that others would do the same. Overall, I don't think people are aware that they can file a report on this type of vehicle part, as they do not think it is related to a safety concern. I would like to get the message out to all Toyota owners that it is very important to file a report on any auto part that fails regardless of the fact that it is covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

- Putnam Valley, NY, USA

Purchased car on 9-4-2001, no smell at all. Fuel pump goes bad and is replaced after 20 days owning car at 300 miles. After pump replacement I noticed very bad rotten egg smell. Took it to dealer for diagnostics and said nothing wrong with car, but it could be the fuel. It was advised to use 5 different fuels. Fill tank 3 times using each fuel until the car burns the gas that does not smell. They all smell and people as myself are getting sick riding in the car. The small happens at least twice a day with no set time. Some orders are light in smell then a strong smell that will force you out of the car. I have asked many owners of the same type of car who get gas at the same station I do if there car smells and everyone said no. I have contacted the dealer and a district tech from New York, and they have told me that they will not look at the car anymore and we have to go to arbitration. There phone no. Is 310- 618 4000. Something does not add up. Only one visit, the car still stinks, I feel sick driving it, no second visit to dealer, field tech brushing me off, and go to arbitration after one dealer visit. I want this investigated by your department, and I think it also my be time for law enforcement also.

- Oaklyn, NJ, USA