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Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Vows To "Make Better Cars"

Brett Emison — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:24:32 GMT

Bloomberg has reported that, on the heels of a 4.2 million vehicle recall for accelerator problems, Toyota has vowed to "make better cars."

Nov. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. plans to fix accelerator pedals on 4.26 million vehicles in the U.S., its biggest recall, as the world’s largest automaker works to fulfill a vow to “make better cars.”

The company will also install automatic brake systems in some vehicles after drivers reported cases of sudden acceleration, the U.S. Transportation Department said yesterday. The recall covers eight models, including Camry, Lexus and Prius cars and Tacoma and Tundra trucks.

Toyota’s recall, at least the third involving more than 100,000 U.S. autos in the past two years, dents a reputation for vehicle quality established in surveys including those by researcher J.D. Power & Associates. Toyota wrested the global sales crown from Detroit-based General Motors Co. last year.

“More recalls may follow,” said Koji Endo, managing director of Advanced Research Japan, a Tokyo-based equity research company. “Toyota has common parts and platforms across many models, so a defect found in one component has a broad impact.”

Why is Toyota only installing "smart brakes" in some of its vehicles? Don't all Toyota drivers and passengers (not mention other innocent drivers on America's roads) deserve the same level of safety? Why has it taken Toyota so long to install a smart brake system when other auto makers have had it for years? And now, why do only some Toyota cars get this critically safety feature?

An analyst at IHS Global Insight may have the answer:

“The frame issue with the Tundra and Tacoma is an obvious defect,” said Aaron Bragman, a product analyst at IHS Global Insight Inc. in Troy, Michigan. The “unintended acceleration issue is far more nebulous, however. Given the court of public opinion, Toyota has to respond.”

This so-called auto expert says that Toyota's rust problem is an "obvious defect", but that the sudden acceleration is "nebulous." Really?? Tell that to the families of those killed by this "nebulous" defect. Tell that to those who have been paralyzed by this "nebulous" defect. Tell that to the thousands of people who have had their Toyotas take off and accelerate out of control.

This is a prime example of what is wrong with car companies today. A defect that creates rust is obvious... while a defect that actually kills people is "nebulous".

Many actual auto safety experts are convinced that Toyota's recall does not go far enough and more sudden acceleration accidents will occur.

I have been tracking experts who have repeated said (for example, here, here and here) that Toyota's recall is not enough and will not fix the underlying sudden acceleration problem.

After ignoring the accelerator problem for more than 5 years, Toyota is continuing to ignore the problem in many of its models.

According to Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies:

These new fixes may allow the driver to better control a runaway Toyota, and are important steps toward controlling the SUA problem. But Toyota’s latest recall does nothing for owners of problem models excluded from the recall.

Until Toyota finally creates a solution that actually fixes the problem, all Toyota drivers must be prepared. You can learn how to stop your vehicle if it experiences the sudden acceleration problem at this post.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

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Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

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Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

Brett Emison — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:01 GMT

It appears that Toyota has denied its sudden acceleration problem for more than 5 years. Toyota's recall for floor mat problems is not the end of the story and the company needs to do more to protect its customers and the motoring public.

In March 2004, the Center For Auto Safety reported about sudden acceleration problems in 2002-03 Toyota Camrys and Solaras and the 2002-03 Lexus ES 300.

WASHINGTON -- A relatively new technology, the electronic throttle, is a leading suspect in a wave of claims that some vehicles unexpectedly accelerate out of control. Government investigators are looking at 2002-03 Toyota Camrys and Solaras and Lexus ES 300s to determine if they are defective. More than a million cars are in service. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun a preliminary investigation of the latest claims. It is gathering about 37 complaints of sudden acceleration by owners of the Toyota and Lexus cars. The complaints include 30 reports of crashes. They involved injuries to five people; one of them was seriously hurt.

According to AutoSafety.org, by the year 2000, there had been more than 22,600 reported complaints of sudden acceleration.

More than five years ago, Toyota and NHTSA identified the electronic throttle as the most likely source of the sudden acceleration defect. However, Toyota continued -- and continues today -- to dismiss concerns about its throttle control system and has looked only at the floor mat issue.

Four years later -- in June 2008 -- the Detroit Free Press and the Motor Authority reported that Toyota had dismissed additional customer complaints that the popular Toyota Tacoma pickup truck had been experiencing the same sudden acceleration issue as other Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Now, Toyota's Tacoma pickup is receiving complaints in the U.S. because of the same unintended acceleration defect.

A total of 432 customers have reported unintended or sudden acceleration [problems] in their vehicles, resulting in 51 crashes and 12 injuries. Toyota has responded by stating that its Tacoma is not defective and that many reports were "inspired by publicity," reports the Detroit Free Press.

In 2008 -- like in 2004 -- Toyota refused to take the sudden acceleration issue seriously. Instead of fixing the known problem in its vehicles, Toyota publicly accused its own customers of trying to cash in on Toyota's negative publicity.

By October 2009, Toyota was forced to finally acknowledge sudden acceleration problems in the following vehicles:

2007-2010 Toyota Camry
2005-2010 Toyota Avalon
2004-2009 Toyota Prius
2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007-2010 Toyota Tundra
2007-2010 Lexus ES350
2006-2010 Lexus IS250
2006-2010 Lexus IS 350

In October 2009, Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, was forced to publicly apologize for the tragic death of an American family who were killed when their Toyota vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control. This tragedy was recorded by 911 as the passengers desperately tried to slow or stop their out of control Toyota vehicle.

As the Detroit Free Press reported:

TOKYO — Toyota’s president said it was “extremely regrettable” an American family died in a crash in which a floor mat in one of the Japanese automaker’s vehicles is suspected as the cause.

"Four precious lives have been lost," Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda said Friday. "I offer my deepest condolences."

***

That crash killed California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, 45 — who was driving a Lexus, a Toyota luxury model — and three family members on State Route 125 outside San Diego.

The vehicle was traveling at more than 120 mph when it launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames.

Despite more than 5 years of documented sudden acceleration problems in Toyota and Lexus vehicles and the tragic death of a family of four caught on tape, Toyota still has refused to accept any responsibility or acknowledge any defect:

Toyoda said the company was still deciding what action it would take and did not acknowledge any vehicle problem during his appearance at the Japan National Press Club.

He apologized for any worries customers may have.

“I feel sorry that people who are driving Toyota and Lexus cars believing in their safety are now feeling uncertainties,” he said.

Toyota has ignored customer reports of the sudden acceleration problem for more than 5 years. Despite this growing safety concern, Toyota announced today, November 6, 2009, a third-quarter profit of nearly $250 million. In the last 90 days -- while its cars were running out of control -- Toyota made a profit of nearly $3 miller per day. Toyota also increased its sales projection to more than 7 million vehicles for this year.

Langdon & Emison is aware of more than 2100 reported instances of Toyota sudden acceleration. Instead of listening to its customers and fixing the extremely dangerous sudden acceleration problem -- a problem Toyota has known about for more than 5 years -- Toyota is raking in money and placing even more dangerous cars and trucks on American roads. Toyota needs to take these complaints seriously and fix the millions of dangerous vehicles on our streets and highways.

You can learn more by reading these previous reports on Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

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Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

____________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

One Killed in Lincoln, Nebraska Train Crash

Brett Emison — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:01:01 GMT

NBC affiliate, WOWT has reported that one person was killed when an Amtrak train struck a car at a railroad crossing on the west side of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Police say one person was killed when an Amtrak train struck a car at a crossing on the west side of Lincoln.

Capt. Jim Thoms says the collision occurred at 5:57 a.m. Thursday.

He says the street will be closed for several hours. There was no word yet on the cause or on the identity of the victim.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the person killed in this tragic collision. This train crash is a tragic reminder of the dangers of railroad crossings.

There have been several tragic railroad crossing crashes in recent months -- many due to defects and problems with the crossings themselves.

There were reports in New Jersey of railroad crossing signal malfunctions that caused warning lights to go off when no train was present. These malfunctions lead to train collisions.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad (BNSF) was fined $4 million for lying to a Minnesota court and attempting to cover up its role in a tragic train crossing crash that killed four people.

Missouri, Illinois and California all part of the top 10 deadliest states for railroad crashes.

You can learn more about how to protect yourself at railroad crossings at by visiting our railroad safety blog or web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Focuses On Wrong Problem

Brett Emison — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:06:10 GMT

There have been a number of reports regarding the Toyota sudden acceleration recall since it was announced yesterday, the day before Thanksgiving. The experts at Safety Research & Strategies have an excellent analysis of why the Toyota recall will not fix the underlying acceleration problem.

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Get out the Saw, Hammer and Computer

Toyota’s fix, which is expected to start in January, will first cut the length of the accelerator pedals until replacement pedal assemblies become available several months later.

According to NHTSA, Toyota will also install a brake-to-idle algorithm on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as an “extra measure of confidence.” This design, found in other manufacturers’ vehicles with electronic throttle, including Audi, BMW and VW, will bring the engine to idle if both the brake and the accelerator pedals are applied. A significant number of motorists who experienced frightening SUA events reported that no amount of braking would stop the vehicle once it took off.

SRS President Sean Kane said Toyota’s long-awaited fixes are welcome, but the recall doesn’t include some of the well-known problem vehicles, such as the 2002 – 2006 Camry / Lexus ES which also have electronic throttle controls. Nor does Toyota’s recall include all models that the company claims have experienced floor mat interference unintended acceleration incidents.

“Do floor mats cause unintended acceleration in Toyotas, yes. But floor mats don’t explain many of the incidents. The good news from this recall is that regardless of the cause of unintended acceleration, the brake override remedy will likely bring a measure of control to drivers and prevent crashes” said Kane. “Brake overrides should be standard failsafe design on any vehicle with an electronic throttle.”

After ignoring this problem for more than five years and then lying to the public, Toyota appears to finally be doing something, but it doesn't look like it is doing enough or doing it soon enough.

More than 5 years ago, the Center for Auto Safety identified the electronic throttle control as the most likely source of the sudden acceleration defect. However, Toyota continues to public deny the possibility.

These new fixes may allow the driver to better control a runaway Toyota, and are important steps toward controlling the SUA problem. But Toyota’s latest recall does nothing for owners of problem models excluded from the recall.

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

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Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

____________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

____________________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

____________________________________________________________

Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Semi Truck Overturns; Spills Hydrochloric Acid In Kansas City, Missouri

Brett Emison — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:10:43 GMT

Several news organizations, including the Kansas City Star have reported an overturned tractor trailer spilled hydrochloric acid in the northbound lanes of I-35 on the Paseo Bridge in Kansas City, Missouri.

A semi overturned this morning in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 on the Paseo Bridge, forcing the closure of the bridge.

The north and eastside of the downtown loop is also closed. Emergency crews freed the driver and he was taken to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Emergency crews were concerned about the leaking chemical and a cloud of fumes that were blowing to the east. The semi was carrying about 4,500 gallons of hydrochloric acid, according to Battalion Chief Joe Vitale.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, short-term exposure to hydrochloric acid may cause “eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation and pulmonary edema in humans.”

Hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in water. Hydrochloric acid, which has several industrial uses, is highly corrosive. In spills -- like the eighteen wheeler spill in Kansas City -- concentrated hydrochloric acid forms acidic clouds or mists. Both the acid cloud and the solution itself have a corrosive effect on human tissue, with potential damage to respiratory organs (lungs and trachea), eyes, skin and intestines. If combined with oxidizing chemicals, such as bleach, a toxic chlorine gas is produced.

Residents and motorists in North Kansas City should avoid the area where the spill occurred. Emergency responders are currently working to clear the site of the collision and to mitigate the effects of the acid cloud.

The deadly and far-reaching effects of this trucking accident shows how careful truckers and truck drivers must be. Too many people have been injured or killed by semi truck crashes and trucking accidents.

Nationwide, large trucks (known as tractor trailers, semi trucks, eighteen wheelers, diesel trucks, big rigs, or commercial trucks) make up only about 3% of the vehicles on the road. However, they account for far more traffic fatalities. For example, in Missouri, semi truck crashes make up as much as 15% of traffic deaths. In Illinois, tractor trailer crashes cause more than 10% of traffic deaths.

The National Transportation Safety Board ("NTSB") lists the following as some of the most common causes of big rig accidents:

Poor Driver Training

Driver Fatigue (Tiredness)

Speeding

Overloaded Trucks

Oversized Trucks

Brake Failure

Poor Driving Conditions

Driver Inexperience

Failure To Yield The Right-Of-Way

Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol Or Drugs

Aggressive, Dangerous Or Reckless Driving

Mechanical Failure (Or Improper Maintenance)

Defective Parts (Such As Defective Steering Or Brakes)

Truckers and trucking companies must be mindful of each of these trucking accident causes.

Visit our trucking accident web site to learn more about trucking accident safety or trucking accident investigation.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

Brett Emison — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:09:26 GMT

The Los Angeles Times has reported that safety data points to Toyota electronic throttles -- not floor mats -- as the primary cause of sudden acceleration problems.

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Amid widening concern over acceleration events, Toyota has cited 'floor mat entrapment.' But reports point to another potential cause: the electronic throttles that have replaced mechanical systems.

Complaints of sudden acceleration increased after Toyota and Lexus switched their accelerator pedal controls from mechanical to electronic in 2002.

What's The Difference Between Mechanical and Electronic Throttle Control?

Mechanical Throttle Control:

The accelerator pedal pulls a cable that physically opens the throttle valve, allowing the intake of gasoline into the engine.

Electronic Throttle Control:

The accelerator pedal triggers a sensor that signals the vehicle's computer to send gasoline into the engine.

Toyota Continues To Ignore Throttle Problem And Focus On Floor Mats

Eric Weiss was stopped at a busy Long Beach intersection last month when he said his 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup unexpectedly started accelerating, forcing him to stand on the brakes to keep the bucking truck from plowing into oncoming cars.

Toyota Motor Corp. says the gas pedal design in Weiss' truck and more than 4 million other Toyota and Lexus vehicles makes them vulnerable to being trapped open by floor mats, and on Wednesday, it announced a costly recall to fix the problem.

***

Amid widening concern over unintended acceleration events, including an Aug. 28 crash near San Diego that killed a California Highway Patrol officer and his family, Toyota has repeatedly pointed to "floor mat entrapment" as the problem.

But accounts from motorists such as Weiss, interviews with auto safety experts and a Times review of thousands of federal traffic safety incident reports all point to another potential cause: the electronic throttles that have replaced mechanical systems in recent years.

The Times found that complaints of sudden acceleration in many Toyota and Lexus vehicles shot up almost immediately after the automaker adopted the so-called drive-by-wire system over the last decade. That system uses sensors, microprocessors and electric motors -- rather than a traditional link such as a steel cable -- to connect the driver's foot to the engine.

For some Toyota models, reports of unintended acceleration increased more than fivefold after drive-by-wire systems were adopted, according to the review of thousands of consumer complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safety experts say all Toyota vehicles should include a Smart Brake system that will override the electronic throttle when the brake is engaged. Many other manufacturers include this critical safety feature, but Toyota has not yet implemented the safety device. Only after several injuries and deaths from sudden acceleration has Toyota even considered the Smart Brake and, even now, for only some of its vehicles.

"With the electronic throttle, the driver is not really in control of the engine," said Antony Anderson, a Britain-based electrical engineering consultant who investigates electrical failures and has testified in sudden-acceleration lawsuits. "You are telling the computer, will you please move the throttle to a certain level, and the computer decides if it will obey you."

After more than five years of ignoring the unintended acceleration defect, Toyota's proposed solutions will not fix all of the accelerator problems.

Independent auto safety experts said that though all of Toyota's fixes would help reduce the problem, it has not gotten to the root cause.

"These incidents are coming in left and right where you can't blame the floor mats," said Sean Kane, president of the consulting firm Safety Research and Strategies. "So they are chipping away at a problem that is widespread and complicated without having to unravel a root cause that could be very expensive."

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Vows To "Make Better Cars"

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Safety Experts Want Toyota Recall Expanded

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Focuses On Wrong Problem

Toyota Recall Won't Fix Accelerator Problem

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

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Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

____________________________________________________________

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: What To Do If It Happens To You

Brett Emison — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:48:02 GMT

There has been a lot of news in recent weeks about the Toyota's sudden acceleration recall because of floor mats and the potential of additional Toyota sudden acceleration problems. I have had several people ask me what they should do if their Toyota or Lexus experiences the sudden acceleration issue.

ABC News and Consumer Reports have put together a helpful video that can help you avoid disaster if your Toyota or Lexus experiences sudden unintended acceleration. You can view the safety video here.

Some important things to know:

Unlike many other vehicle manufacturers, Toyota and Lexus did not incorporate a critical safety feature into their vehicles that shifts the vehicle into neutral when the driver pushes down on the brake pedal. This means that the relatively small Toyota and Lexus brakes do not have enough power to stop the vehicle when the engine is racing out of control. Do not pump your brakes as this will cause your brakes to fail.

Also, you should not turn off your engine. Turning off your engine may shut down the power steering and power braking in the vehicle, making it very difficult to steer or slow the car. In some instances, the steering wheel will actually lock up, making it impossible to steer the vehicle. In vehicles with a power button, it can be very confusing and difficult to shut down the engine during sudden acceleration.

What to do if your vehicle suddenly accelerates:

Because Toyota did not incorporate the critical safety feature that shifts the car into neutral during braking, the driver must manually shift the vehicle into neutral. According to Consumer Reports, if your vehicle accelerates out of control, take these steps:

(1) Put your foot on the brake hard -- slam on the brake.

(2) Shift the car into neutral.

(3) The car will slow and come to a stop while the engine is revving.

(4) Once you are stopped, turn off the vehicle.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Recall: Unanswered Questions

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

Brett Emison — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:27:10 GMT

Chris Weiss of MotorCrave.com has reported that the largest recall in Toyota history -- an attempt to solve the sudden acceleration problem that has plagued Toyota for more than five years -- caught Toyota dealers off guard.

According to industry journal Wards Automotive, Toyota failed to fully inform its dealer network of the pedal and floor modifications needed to repair the accelerator issue before making the recall announcement. Subsequently, confused drivers began contacting their nearest dealer to get a little more info and were met with an unprepared, dumbfounded response.

Toyota originally linked the accelerator problem to certain floor mats installed in Toyota vehicles. However, Toyota's position was quickly rebuked by the safety experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which called Toyota's statements "inaccurate and misleading".

After years of hand wringing, Toyota just last week expanded the scope of its massive recall of nearly four million vehicles in an attempt to finally find the cause of the Toyota sudden acceleration problem. As part of the recall, Toyota announced it would shorted the length of gas pedals and then, finally, replace the gas pedals on 3.8 million Toyota vehicles. Toyota also announced it would install brake override systems on just some of its vehicles as part of the recall.

However, many independent safety experts have warned that the Toyota recall does not go far enough. Toyota is only making these critical safety changes on the seven recalled Toyota models. Many safety experts have said (for example, here, here and here) that Toyota's recall is not enough and will not fix the underlying accelerator problem.

Toyota continues to focus on the floor mat connection even though independent safety experts and crash data suggest the problem runs much deeper and stems from Toyota's electronic throttle controls.

"With the electronic throttle, the driver is not really in control of the engine," said Antony Anderson, a Britain-based electrical engineering consultant who investigates electrical failures and has testified in sudden-acceleration lawsuits. "You are telling the computer, will you please move the throttle to a certain level, and the computer decides if it will obey you."

Reports have shown that sudden acceleration events increased by more than 500% after Toyota introduced its electronic drive-by-wire system in 2002.

Toyota failed to include a critical safety device -- sometimes referred to as a SmartBrake or SmartPedal -- that will override the electronic throttle and allow the vehicle to slow down during a sudden acceleration event. Many other car makers incorporated this critical safety device when transitioning from mechanical to electronic throttle control. Toyota did not.

Even now, Toyota will incorporate the SmartBrake into only some of its vehicles.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Vows To "Make Better Cars"

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Safety Experts Want Toyota Recall Expanded

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Focuses On Wrong Problem

Toyota Recall Won't Fix Accelerator Problem

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Yaz Side Effects: FDA Warning Letters

Brett Emison — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:19:20 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent several warning letters to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for what the FDA termed “misleading” advertising spots it found “particularly troubling” because they served to “undermine the communication of important risk information, minimizing these risks and misleadingly suggesting that Yaz is safer than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience.”

In the 8-page FDA Warning Letter regarding Yaz dated October 3, 2008 two TV ads were cited as overstating the efficacy of the drug and minimizing the risks and side effects associated with using Yaz. Yaz related lawsuits allege that the warnings were inadequate in fully describing the potential side effects including heart attacks, strokes, gallbladder disease, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. The FDA sent three letters to the makers of Yasmin and Yaz regarding the potential for hyperkalemia in high-risk patients and their failure to clarify that risk.

2003 Yaz/Yasmin FDA Warning Letter

2008 Yaz/Yasmin FDA Warning Letter

2009 Yaz/Yasmin FDA Warning Letter

Yaz and Yasmin have been very popular among young women due to Bayer's "particularly troubling" advertising targeting young women and unconfirmed "benefits" of these birth control pills.

However, these drugs -- Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella -- have been linked to potentially deadly side effects, including heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and gallbladder trouble.

These serious side effects are caused by a key chemical found in Yas, Yasmin and Ocella -- Drosperinone.

Learn more about Yaz and Yasmin side effects and what you can do to if you have taken these birth control pills.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison

Toyota Acceleration Problem: Company Ignores Canadian Customers

Brett Emison — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:17:18 GMT

Canadian source, TheStar.com, has reported that, even though Toyota has sent letters to millions of U.S. customers warning them about floor mat problems resulting in sudden unexpected acceleration, Toyota has completely ignored its Canadian customers.

Toyota began sending letters to millions of U.S. customers three weeks ago warning them about the danger of loose floor mats interfering with accelerator pedals, but the company hasn't yet personally notified thousands of vehicle owners in Canada.

***

But the Automobile Protection Association, which represents motorist interests, said while complaints about the problem are much lower here – even on a per-capita basis – than in the United States, Toyota Canada should still have sent letters like its American counterparts to properly warn all customers.

"They should have done it as a precautionary measure and followed up again later after finding out the cause and resolution," association president George Iny said.

"We're also not convinced that the issue is only one of mats on the listed vehicles. It may be more complicated than that."

Toyota's actions -- or inactions in this case -- says much about its safety philosophy and what it holds most dear, ever increasing profits or customer safety. In the United States, Toyota ignored thousands of sudden acceleration reports for more than five years. In Canada, it is ignoring them still. Even when it finally acknowledged there was a problem in the U.S., Toyota made false and misleading comments to make it seem like the problem was less severe than it actually was. NHTSA finally called out Toyota publicly and Toyota has since issued a retraction.

Toyota's conduct tells me a couple things:

(1) Toyota appears to value money over people's lives.

(2) Toyota ks not likely to fix this problem on its own without facing significant financial and economic consequences for its despicable conduct.

Too many people have been injured or killed because of unintended acceleration while Toyota continues its hand wringing. It's time that Toyota finally fixes this problem.

Until then, all Toyota drivers must be prepared.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

Learn more and become a fan of Langdon & Emison on Facebook.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Emison