WS Journal: US Agency Continues To Receive Reports Of (Fatal) Toyota Crashes

[Omaha Steve]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100526-714990.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesAsia

By Josh Mitchell Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--U.S. regulators continue to receive reports of fatal crashes caused by Toyota Motor Corp. (TM, 7203.TO) vehicles that accelerated out of control, even as regulators say Toyota appears to have put in place appropriate fixes to potential car defects.

Complaints of sudden acceleration in Toyota cars now cover 89 deaths from 71 crashes, according to data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week. That's up from 52 deaths in a tally released in March. Some of the incidents are from as early as 2000.

The agency stressed the incidents haven't been substantiated and are under investigation.

Regulators say it isn't unusual for complaints to increase once auto makers conduct a recall.

Toyota has recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles globally since last autumn due to sudden acceleration and other problems.