02.07.10
Can Toyota Rebound?
Toyota Motor Sales recalled 3,800,000 cars in Nov. 2009 so it could change gasoline pedals, carpets plus software to handle what has been reported as sudden quickening issues. Auto dealers were doing changes to the gas pedals by withdrawing inches from the bottom so the throttle pedal wouldnt be trapped by the floor mats.
Toyota has followed up that recall with an additional recall including abrupt and unbeatable acceleration on January 21, 2010. That day Toyota proclaimed a recall of approximately 2,300,000 cars that involved
‘05-’10 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
‘09-’10 Corolla
2010 Highlander
‘09-’10 Matrix
2009-2010 RAV4
‘08-’10 Sequoia
‘07-’10 Tundra
Reported by a USA item with the title “100 Toyota drivers filed complaints before recall”, “she would become one of more than 100 drivers, according to a USA TODAY search of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints database, who over the past few years have had their Toyota vehicles take off when they weren’t expected to.”
If drivers think this acceleration issue is solitary to Toyota, they are erroneous. Reported by the USA piece, “Jake Fisher, senior engineer at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center, says unintended acceleration is not a problem unique to Toyota. He pored through NHTSA’s database of complaints for 2008 and noted that every manufacturer faced similar complaints. Sometimes, the issue is driver error, he says. But sometimes, there are defects. Toyota accounted for about 40% of the 2008 unintended acceleration complaints, Fisher says. “This could happen to anybody, but Toyota was over-represented,” he says. “But the underlying message of this whole thing is that, while there are instances of this in Toyotas, it’s still very rare.” The sudden acceleration concerns are not entirely a Toyota Motor Sales worry, but Toyota does bear the most significant part.
Toyota has released a issuance, “Our investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. They also provided instructions on how to handle the situation if the acceleration issue occurs If your car begins to accelerate uncontrollably, immediately move the shift lever to neutral and firmly apply the brakes. Do not pump the brakes. And dont worry about the engine on modern vehicles, they have rev limiters to prevent damage. Once you have brought the car to a safe stop, turn off the engine.”
Toyota Motor Sales does not have a solution to deploy, and more notifications are awaited. Toyota has reported that it and the producer of the accelerator pedal, CTS, are working on a solution, but nothing of substance has been discharged as yet.
For more details an in-depth piece on this state of affairs from a third party read Consumer Reports report about the Toyota recall.
You can also remain advised on Toyota Motor Sales announcements at Toyotas recall page.
For finding new cars try CarLocate.com.
