Toyota Sudden Acceleration Recall: Company Vows To "Make Better Cars"

Brett Emison

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Bloomberg has reported that, on the heels of a 4.2 million vehicle recall for accelerator problems, Toyota has vowed to "make better cars."

Nov. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. plans to fix accelerator pedals on 4.26 million vehicles in the U.S., its biggest recall, as the world’s largest automaker works to fulfill a vow to “make better cars.”

The company will also install automatic brake systems in some vehicles after drivers reported cases of sudden acceleration, the U.S. Transportation Department said yesterday. The recall covers eight models, including Camry, Lexus and Prius cars and Tacoma and Tundra trucks.

Toyota’s recall, at least the third involving more than 100,000 U.S. autos in the past two years, dents a reputation for vehicle quality established in surveys including those by researcher J.D. Power & Associates. Toyota wrested the global sales crown from Detroit-based General Motors Co. last year.

“More recalls may follow,” said Koji Endo, managing director of Advanced Research Japan, a Tokyo-based equity research company. “Toyota has common parts and platforms across many models, so a defect found in one component has a broad impact.”

Why is Toyota only installing "smart brakes" in some of its vehicles? Don't all Toyota drivers and passengers (not mention other innocent drivers on America's roads) deserve the same level of safety? Why has it taken Toyota so long to install a smart brake system when other auto makers have had it for years? And now, why do only some Toyota cars get this critically safety feature?

An analyst at IHS Global Insight may have the answer:

“The frame issue with the Tundra and Tacoma is an obvious defect,” said Aaron Bragman, a product analyst at IHS Global Insight Inc. in Troy, Michigan. The “unintended acceleration issue is far more nebulous, however. Given the court of public opinion, Toyota has to respond.”

This so-called auto expert says that Toyota's rust problem is an "obvious defect", but that the sudden acceleration is "nebulous." Really?? Tell that to the families of those killed by this "nebulous" defect. Tell that to those who have been paralyzed by this "nebulous" defect. Tell that to the thousands of people who have had their Toyotas take off and accelerate out of control.

This is a prime example of what is wrong with car companies today. A defect that creates rust is obvious... while a defect that actually kills people is "nebulous".

Many actual auto safety experts are convinced that Toyota's recall does not go far enough and more sudden acceleration accidents will occur.

I have been tracking experts who have repeated said (for example, here, here and here) that Toyota's recall is not enough and will not fix the underlying sudden acceleration problem.

After ignoring the accelerator problem for more than 5 years, Toyota is continuing to ignore the problem in many of its models.

According to Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies:

These new fixes may allow the driver to better control a runaway Toyota, and are important steps toward controlling the SUA problem. But Toyota’s latest recall does nothing for owners of problem models excluded from the recall.

Until Toyota finally creates a solution that actually fixes the problem, all Toyota drivers must be prepared. You can learn how to stop your vehicle if it experiences the sudden acceleration problem at this post.

You can learn more about the Toyota sudden acceleration defect by reading these previous reports of Toyota's sudden acceleration problem:

Toyota Denied Sudden Acceleration Problem For More Than 5 Years

"Inaccurate and Misleading" Statements On Toyota Sudden Acceleration Problem

Toyota Sudden Acceleration: Case Is Not Closed

Safety Group Responds To Toyota On Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Has More Troubles Than Just Sudden Acceleration

You can learn more about Toyota's dangerous sudden acceleration defect at our auto safety blog or by visiting our web site.

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Update: Toyota's Record Accelerator Recall Surprises Unprepared Dealers

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Update: Toyota Recall: Experts Point To Electronic Throttles; Not Floor Mats In Sudden Acceleration Problem

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