US News & WOrld Report: Are Toyota Black Boxes Reliable?

[Omaha Steve]

This is for those that were defending Toyota info from their proprietary black boxes. That info was used when the NHTSA issued an early report in Toyota's favor about a week ago. If there is a software problem or electronic interference the brake applied won't be recorded!

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/100823-Are-Toyota-Black-Boxes-Reliable-/

By Jamie Page Deaton

Posted: Aug 23, 2010 10:12 a.m

The preliminary findings of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into unintended acceleration in Toyotas found that most of the cases were due to driver error. To reach that conclusion, the agency relies on Event Data Recorders (EDR), or "black boxes" on the affected cars. Now, the reliability of those EDRs is being called into question.

The Washington Post reports that "long-standing reservations about the reliability of the data -- some of which have been voiced by none other than Toyota officials -- raise doubts about how much the safety agency can rely on them to determine the cause of the crashes."

The Post points out some cases where it appears the EDR malfunctioned. In one, the EDR shows a Toyota Tundra pickup crashed while going 177 miles per hour, which is faster than the truck is capable of traveling. In another crash, the EDR showed that two seatbelts were in use, a fact that witnesses and occupants of the car dispute.

FULL story at link.

[ecstatic]

1. I've decided to stay away from Toyotas/lexuses, period

The company shows absolutely no responsibility for the deaths they have caused.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Kick