Toyota found to keep tight lid on potential safety problems

[divideandconquer]

Toyota found to keep tight lid on potential safety problems

A Times investigation shows the world's largest automaker has delayed recalls and attempted to blame human error in cases where owners claimed vehicle defects.

By Ken Bensinger and Ralph Vartabedian
December 23, 2009

During a routine test on its Sienna minivan in April 2003, Toyota Motor Corp. engineers discovered that a plastic panel could come loose and cause the gas pedal to stick, potentially making the vehicle accelerate out of control.

The automaker redesigned the part and by that June every 2004 model year Sienna off the assembly line came with the new panel. Toyota did not notify tens of thousands of people who had already bought vans with the old panel, however.

It wasn't until U.S. safety officials opened an investigation last year that Toyota acknowledged in a letter to regulators that the part could come loose and "lead to unwanted or sudden acceleration."

In January, nearly six years after discovering the potential hazard, the automaker recalled 26,501 vans made with the old panel.

In a statement to The Times, Toyota said that there was no defect in the Sienna and that "a safety recall was not deemed necessary" when it discovered the problem in 2003. The company called the replacement part "an additional safety measure."

A peerless reputation for quality and safety has helped Toyota become the world's largest automaker. But even as its sales have soared, the company has delayed recalls, kept a tight lid on disclosure of potential problems and attempted to blame human error in cases where owners claimed vehicle defects.
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http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-secrecy23-2009dec23,0,557792,full.story

I hope car shoppers give American cars a chance since Toyota has proven to be evil.

[rcrush]

1. I have an 08 prius and they arent being very clear about this gas pedal problem.

I've read online that its either a problem with some stupid floor mats or its actually a faulty gas pedal. I called the local dealership where I bought the car and they said it was a bunch of nonsense and I didnt need to worry about it.


I dont know who to believe.

[Zoeisright]

2. It most likely is a faulty gas pedal.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-recall26-2009nov26,0,3295310.story

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-consumer-safety-advisory-102572.aspx

And your Prius is on the list. Call the dealership and ream them out.

[divideandconquer]

3. "I suspect the real problem is that there is something wrong with the electronics in the engine,"

"I suspect the real problem is that there is something wrong with the electronics in the engine," said Joan Claybrook, a former NHTSA chief and a consumer activist.

Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the consumer group the Center for Auto Safety, believes that the acceleration problems extend beyond the vehicles that Toyota recalled and that the brake override system should be applied to all Toyotas.

"There have been six defect petitions and investigations into floor mats on vehicles not covered by this recall," said Ditlow, who estimated Toyota's cost for this recall at more than $250 million
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