Pitting Alloys

[kites - phil]

hey all,

My father has owned from new, a toyota Celica 1.8 (just standard - normal). It came with the standard 5 spoke 16" alloys. Within 30,000 miles, they all pitted and corroded with paint flaking severely - eminating from the central perimeter ridge (basically where paint coverage would be vey thin.

Toyota duly replaced these under warranty, and exactly the same thing has happened after a further 30,000 miles. They are clearly of an unstaisfactory quality and certainly not fit for purpose. However, Toyota seem to think that wheels with a lifespan of 30,000 miles is completly acceptable.

Has anyone else suffered this with their wheels? if so what happened?....

also, I'd urge anyone with these wheels to have them inspected and replaced under warranty asap - for a different design of wheel - the design fault has clearly not been rectified.

Phil.

[Ken N]

I believe that this is a problem with a number of Toyota models and not just the Celica. Certainly, the wheels on my Celica were blistering when I traded it in at 2.5 years old and I have heard of a lot of people complaining about their ones. Those that have had them replaced under warranty have ended up with wheels that have corroded pretty quickly once again.

Yes, you would expect the wheel to last longer than the tyres wouldn't you!

[Ken N]

On this very same forum, there was a thread (last post 22/3/05) about problems with alloys on Celicas. There is also a current thread in the Hybrid Forum. Whatcar ( http://www.whatcar.com ) has reader reviews that have brought up this issue.

[chris202]

It is a problem , everyone knows about it - most ditch the wheels and buy a better set ! try celica-club , this issue is raised almost every week .

[Ken N]

I can't agree entirely with you crismillencolin. I am not so sure that everybody does know about the problems with alloys and hence the number of threads that come up on the issue. I doubt also whether many people who buy a new car under warranty, do so with the intention of discarding the wheels because they are sub-standard (I believe fitting non-standard alloys may affect your insurance premium also, depending on what you fit and your insurer).

There is a common myth that it is the salt that is causing the corrosion. On my car however, it seemed to be originating via internal blisters, which suggests a metal problem.

[Fizz]

Toyota alloys are well known on these boards to flake but outside of these forums it obviously be less known.

I totally disagree that alloys are only suppose to last for only 30k! The chap who said that at the dealership was telling a porkie!

I would defo take the alloys back and demand a refubed set in return if not a new set.

There are quite a few memebrs on here who have done the same and am sure they will reply in due course.

Regards

Fizz

[kites - phil]

Hello again...to go into a little further detail:

The dealer as mentioned replaced the wheels under warranty as it obviously a fault. Having looke closely at the wheels, there is a centre circumference ridge (between face and rear of wheel) and the paint / laquer coverage there in my opinion is the cause. It happens to all four wheels, and has happened twice to two different sets of brand new wheels (not kerbed or abused) and so suggests a design fault.

I have raised the issue with Toyota GB with many letters back and forth they have dismissed this fault down to age. Which to me suggests that they accept the lifespan of the wheels to be 30,000 miles.

As I drive a 10 year old Alfa 155 with mint condition alloys - I find their wheels as supplied to be of sub-standard quality and certainly not fit for purpose.

Has anyone on here or know of anyone who has successfully dealt with this issue with Toyota?....

My next step is trading standards as Toyota wont entertain.

[Ken N]

Phil, I've sent you a PM, but I am not sure if I accidentally deleted it (let me know if it has gone missing).

[kites - phil]

Phil, I've sent you a PM, but I am not sure if I accidentally deleted it (let me know if it has gone missing).

got it fine Ken,... good advice and thanks.

[GIDDLEPIN]

The MKIII Roadster is renowned for these alloy wheel problems, mine is now on the fourth set due to this pitting fault. The last set was replaced under the 12 month parts warranty as my 2002 model has now run out of the manufacturer’s warranty.

One of the replaced sets began bubbling after only four months and if the fault persists while this set are covered (which I'm sure it will) they will also be replaced.

This is not an isolated problem associated with the Roadster as I am sure the same applies throughout the range, I think they get away with the majority of cases because people think that it is 'Normal' wear and tear.

After all this time I would have thought that the problem would have been resolved but it might be a similar situation to the Pinto fuel tank failures that Ford USA had many years ago; cheaper to settle on a relative minority than to do a full recall. <_<

Les