Drivers of some vehicles modified as part of the Toyota gas pedal fix, are telling federal regulators that the changes may not have resolved the uncontrolled acceleration issues with Toyota vehicles.
According to the National Highway Transportation Authority (NHTSA), investigators are contacting Toyota drivers who are complaining that the fix, meant to solve problems with sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles, is not working. Toyota Motors Corp. officials said last week they had been made aware of the reports by U.S. authorities.
Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles since September 2009 due to problems with unexpected, sudden acceleration. The NHTSA says at least 52 people have been killed in crashes caused by Toyota gas pedal problems.
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Learn MoreDuring the first wave of Toyota recalls in September, Toyota officials blamed the problem on thick floor mats that could jam under the pedal. However, the Japanese automaker later recalled millions more vehicles when it was discovered that, in some cases, the gas pedal itself was getting stuck without the floor mats. Consumers and some critics say they believe the problem is actually an electronics issue, but Toyota has dismissed such claims, saying that its own investigations have shown no sign that the acceleration problems are electronic in nature.
More than 60 people who received a gas pedal fix for their Toyota vehicle say that they are still experiencing unintended acceleration. However, most of the reports are unverified.
“If it appears that a remedy provided by Toyota is not addressing the problem it was intended to fix, NHTSA has the authority to order Toyota to provide a different solution,” the NHTSA said in a statement to news agencies.
The Toyota gas pedal problems have been associated with dozens of accidents and a number of serious and fatal personal injury claims. The incidents have touched off a wave of Toyota product liability lawsuits, including several wrongful death claims, and a number of Toyota class-action suits.
Later this month, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will decide whether to consolidate all federal lawsuits against Toyota into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), where the cases will be centralized in one federal court for pretrial litigation.
Last month Toyota became the target of probes by both federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Both federal investigators and the SEC are looking into how the company reacted to complaints about Toyota accelerator problems, and are questioning whether the company attempted to cover up or downplay the seriousness and number of incidents being reported.
Photo Courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielctw/ / CC BY 2.0
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4 Comments
StevenJanuary 6, 2015 at 12:56 am
2007 Toyota Matrix: I had a major scare this morning. As I am pulling out of a Dunkin' Donuts' parking lot, I can clearly see traffic is coming. So (naturally), I apply the brakes to slow down and stop ... but the car (although trying to slow down) instead speeds up. The harder I press on the brake, the faster the motor is revving. Finally I take my foot off everything and slam down on the brake [Show More]2007 Toyota Matrix: I had a major scare this morning. As I am pulling out of a Dunkin' Donuts' parking lot, I can clearly see traffic is coming. So (naturally), I apply the brakes to slow down and stop ... but the car (although trying to slow down) instead speeds up. The harder I press on the brake, the faster the motor is revving. Finally I take my foot off everything and slam down on the brake again. When the car finally stopped, it was totally blocking off one lane of traffic and had narrowly missed plowing into the passenger sliding door of a minivan that swerved to avoid me. The worse part (besides traumatizing the driver of the minivan) is that I cannot explain why this happened. It has to be a case of driver error, but how? Might I have had my foot on both the brake and gas pedal at the same time? Or was the 'Genuine" Toyota floor mat involved somehow? In any case, I honestly don't know what happened. I've replayed it over an over again in my mind. I swear my foot was on the brake. Note: I am not looking for "something for nothing." I am a 60 year old male and a loyal Toyota owner (having owned and/or currently owning a 1991 Camry; a 1999 Avalon, a 2003 Corolla, a 2004 Corolla; a 2005 Sienna and a 2007 Matrix.) This event scared me something awful. I actually was on my way to a Toyota dealership to have an oil change, and had stopped at the Dunkin' Donuts to purchase a coffee to drink while while the car was being serviced. The dealership immediately mentioned the carpet/mat when I told them of the incident.
FlorMarch 26, 2010 at 10:42 pm
My 2010 Highlander Hybrid is the best car I have ever driven and yet, it could hurt me badly, and other people as well, in a heart beat--maybe my last! . Why do I have to take this chance? Why do I have to feel this stress? When I was on the market for a safe car, I didn't choose to get into this mess. I'd like to return the car and get my money back. Regretfully.
justinMarch 16, 2010 at 6:06 am
i have a 2009 tacoma and frequently drive long distances with my family of 5 (myself, wife and 3 kids). after reading the info on the toyota recall page, i am 'supposed' to receive a letter at some point this year... i am afraid to drive my family in this vehicle and would much rather get rid of it. i have been a toyota owner for 12 years but am not willing to take the risk. any advice on getting [Show More]i have a 2009 tacoma and frequently drive long distances with my family of 5 (myself, wife and 3 kids). after reading the info on the toyota recall page, i am 'supposed' to receive a letter at some point this year... i am afraid to drive my family in this vehicle and would much rather get rid of it. i have been a toyota owner for 12 years but am not willing to take the risk. any advice on getting out of my lease and giving this back to toyota would be much appreciated. if any one has any insight in doing so, please advise. thank you.
SaraMarch 9, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I am the owner of a 2009 Toyota Prius. Am I automatically part of one or more of the class action suits filed on behalf of Prius owners? Any answers are greatly appreciated!!