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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

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

____________________________________________________________________

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

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.

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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

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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

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.

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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

Toyota Recall: Unanswered Questions

Brett Emison — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:55:57 GMT

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

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Toyota announced in September that it would recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States for problem that caused thousands of it vehicles to suddenly accelerate out of control. The recall involved some of Toyota's most popular models, including the Camry, Prius and the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks.

Toyota said it was still working with officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find a remedy to fix the problem and said owners could be notified about the recall as early as next week.

Toyota has continually said its sudden acceleration problem was related to floor mat incompatibility only. However, safety regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") sharply criticized Toyota for misleading the public about Toyota's sudden acceleration defect.

Toyota has known about the sudden acceleration issue since at least 2004. More than five years ago, the Center for Auto Safety reported that Toyota's sudden acceleration problem may be caused by an electronic throttle control in Toyota vehicles. However, Toyota has repeatedly refused to even consider the possibility.

Why hasn't Toyota done a full investigation of its electronic throttle control system? If the unintended acceleration problem is cause only by floor mats, why are customers without floor mats in their vehicle experiencing the same problem?

Toyota is on track to place more than 7 million vehicles on the road this year. Toyota has ignored this problem for far too long and needs to fix it before its too late.

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

Toyota Accelerator Recall: Potential Fixes Discussed

Brett Emison — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:48:15 GMT

The Detroit Free Press has reported on talks between government regulators and Toyota regarding potential fixes for the Toyota sudden acceleration problem.

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Federal regulators and Toyota Motor Corp. are discussing whether the automaker needs to fix gas pedals or floor pans in millions of recalled vehicles instead of blaming floor mats, which the automaker had maintained was the source of unintended acceleration cases.

The talks are the result of new evidence from safety tests and allegations in some lawsuits, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has received more than 400 complaints about acceleration problems that include several fatalities.

While this is a nice first step -- and only after 5 years of ignoring the problem -- Toyota's tepid response is highly disturbing. Toyota still flatly refuses to investigate any potential malfunctions of its electronic throttle control.

Toyota continues to deny that electronic technology was a factor in any reported case of unintended acceleration, said spokesman Mike Michels.

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.

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

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements on Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Brett Emison — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:39:12 GMT

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

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The Los Angeles Times has reported that federal safety regulators have sharply criticized Toyota for claiming safety officials had found "no defect" regarding Toyota's sudden acceleration problem.

Toyota and Lexus vehicles have come under scrutiny as hundreds of customers have complained to the company and to federal safety regulators that Toyota and Lexus vehicles will suddenly accelerate out of control. In many instances, the drivers are left with little or no control and are unable to slow or stop the vehicle.

Federal safety regulators have sharply rebuked Toyota Motor Corp. for issuing "inaccurate and misleading" statements asserting that no defect exists in the 3.8 million vehicles it recalled after a Lexus sedan accelerated out of control in San Diego County, killing four people.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a statement Wednesday that the recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles do have an "underlying defect" that involves the design of the accelerator pedal and the driver's foot well.

Toyota has attempted to persuade owners of its vehicles that the sudden acceleration defect was limited to the gas pedal's interaction with the floor mat and was unrelated to other factors, such as Toyotoa's electronic throttle control system. Toyota also posted a video statement to dispute news reports that unintended acceleration may be related to these other factors.

Toyota's "inaccurate and misleading" comments prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") to issue a sharp rebuke.

"Safety is the No. 1 priority for NHTSA and this is why officials are working with Toyota to find the right way to fix this very dangerous problem," the statement said. "This matter is not closed until Toyota has effectively addressed the defect by providing a suitable vehicle-based solution."

The statement is an unusual public upbraiding of an automaker by the regulatory agency, according to auto safety experts, and threatens to dent Toyota's credibility just as it seeks to assure customers that its vehicles are safe.

NHTSA's public rebuke of Toyota and Lexus did not surprise John Claybrook, a former head of NHTSA. "The agency never says there is no defect . . . . New information can come to light that there is a defect," Claybrook said.

Safety expert, Sean Kane, head of Safety Research and Strategies confirmed that "Toyota was trying to say it has a clean bill of health from NHTSA, when it does not."

In NHTSA's investigations, the safety regulators found that Toyota's brakes would lose most of their power and effectiveness when the throttle is fully opened -- an event called "brake fade". Additionally, NHTSA found that the Toyota and Lexus push button ignition systems could add risk in sudden acceleration events.

Toyota has continued to focus solely on the floor mats alone and has refused to make a full system evaluation -- including an examination of the electronic throttle control system. Toyota's refusal to look at all possible causes of its unintended acceleration problem is troubling. Toyota and Lexus owe it to their customers -- and other members of the driving public -- to ensure that this deadly safety problem is fixed -- and fixed quickly. Toyota's refusal to look at all possible causes has unreasonably delayed finding a solution. Too many have died already.

You can learn more about the Toyota and Lexus sudden acceleration problem 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