Driver error found to be main cause in sudden acceleration problems for Toyota...
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fairfax Station, VA. Formally Long Island :(
Driver error found to be main cause in sudden acceleration problems for Toyota...
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=19026
Good news for Toyota I guess.
Driver error cited as cause of fatal crashes in 74 of 75 cases
Toyota, once lavished with praise for its reputation for quality and reliability, took more than a few blows to the chin earlier year when it began to recall vehicle due to concerns of sudden acceleration. The company began recalling many of its popular models – including the Camry, Tundra, Corolla, Highlander, and RAV4 – to replace “sticky” gas pedals.
However, after examining data from 75 fatal crashes which were blamed on “sudden acceleration” due to faulty electronics, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has come to the conclusion that only one incident was not related to driver error. The incident in question is the high profile crash involving a CHP officer driving a 2009 Lexus ES 350. The vehicle accelerated uncontrollably due to improperly installed floor mats which trapped the accelerator pedal. The crash resulted in the death of four people including the officer.
The NHTSA concluded that the other 74 crashes were a result of driver error -- specifically, drivers were mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal, according to the Wall Street Journal.
"In spite of our investigations, we have not actually been able yet to find a defect" with Toyota's electronic throttle control said NHTSA associate administrator for enforcement, Daniel Smith.
"We're bound and determined that if it exists we're going to find it. But as yet, we haven't found it."
The NHTSA hasn't completely cleared Toyota, however. The agency still notes that improperly designed floor mats and sticky accelerators that were slow to return to the idle were to blame for some crashes. Toyota itself acknowledged these finding back in January. However, phantom electronic gremlins causing Toyota vehicles to suddenly lose their minds appears to have been tossed out of the equation.
The sudden acceleration drama resulted in the U.S. Department of Transportation fining Toyota $16.4 million for deceiving officials about the widespread nature of stick accelerator pedals. There are also over 100 pending lawsuits against Toyota regarding sudden acceleration.
Toyota, once lavished with praise for its reputation for quality and reliability, took more than a few blows to the chin earlier year when it began to recall vehicle due to concerns of sudden acceleration. The company began recalling many of its popular models – including the Camry, Tundra, Corolla, Highlander, and RAV4 – to replace “sticky” gas pedals.
However, after examining data from 75 fatal crashes which were blamed on “sudden acceleration” due to faulty electronics, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has come to the conclusion that only one incident was not related to driver error. The incident in question is the high profile crash involving a CHP officer driving a 2009 Lexus ES 350. The vehicle accelerated uncontrollably due to improperly installed floor mats which trapped the accelerator pedal. The crash resulted in the death of four people including the officer.
The NHTSA concluded that the other 74 crashes were a result of driver error -- specifically, drivers were mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal, according to the Wall Street Journal.
"In spite of our investigations, we have not actually been able yet to find a defect" with Toyota's electronic throttle control said NHTSA associate administrator for enforcement, Daniel Smith.
"We're bound and determined that if it exists we're going to find it. But as yet, we haven't found it."
The NHTSA hasn't completely cleared Toyota, however. The agency still notes that improperly designed floor mats and sticky accelerators that were slow to return to the idle were to blame for some crashes. Toyota itself acknowledged these finding back in January. However, phantom electronic gremlins causing Toyota vehicles to suddenly lose their minds appears to have been tossed out of the equation.
The sudden acceleration drama resulted in the U.S. Department of Transportation fining Toyota $16.4 million for deceiving officials about the widespread nature of stick accelerator pedals. There are also over 100 pending lawsuits against Toyota regarding sudden acceleration.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: TX Med Ctr
Huh? Is this for real? If so it deserves a big WTF.
Even given the average amount of stupidity in America I really don't see how you mistake one pedal for another. Perhaps all the Congressmen and Senators they own got to the NHTSA.
Even given the average amount of stupidity in America I really don't see how you mistake one pedal for another. Perhaps all the Congressmen and Senators they own got to the NHTSA.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
Before I read the article I knew the incident with the CHP would be the 1 case. 
Maybe Toyota should start a driving school for their car owners...since this is a non-issue for every other brand.
Maybe Toyota should start a driving school for their car owners...since this is a non-issue for every other brand.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 922
you give people way too much credit... many drivers are dumber then a box of rocks.
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From: Greenville, SC
What the hell man! People can't possibly be this stupid. Something smells fishy...
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Greenville, SC
However, I do agree that some of the worst drivers in my area seem to be behind the wheel of a Toyota.
Last edited by Silverado C-10; Jul 13, 2010 at 06:58 PM.
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From: Shelton, WA
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From: Ontario
The think I don't get is, if there's truly no defect with the Toyotas and it's just driver error, what was the deal with the multiple recalls they had? I guess I understand the tie wrap floor mat fix, but what about the sticky linkages and possible electronic gremlins? Was Toyota just trying to placate the media by fingering a phantom issue so it looked like they were doing something?
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
I guess I should have clarified that statement....
There aren't enough issues with any other brand that a MASSIVE recall is issued along with large class action lawsuits, and hearings in front of Congress.
With that said, why was there a recall in the first place to put a shim in the petals and to correct the floor mats? Why doesn't any other brand come close to this many "driver errors"?
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
ProudPony came here years ago with articles about how Toyotas were accelerating into things as soon as drivers put the car in 'D'. 
Good for Toyota I guess, they'll be back in the public's good graces in no time.
Good for Toyota I guess, they'll be back in the public's good graces in no time.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
If 74 people stomped on the wrong pedal in their Chevy (sorry, Chevrolet
) or their Ford, nobody would notice -- it's only 74 people.If Chevy or Ford first got the attention of the national news media by ending the life of a police officer and his family, it'd be a different story.