Toyota denies unintended acceleration issues on Tacoma

Viknesh Vijayenthiran June 10th, 2008

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author June 10th, 2008

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December 31st, 1969 A number of Toyota and Lexus models have had their owners complain about unintended or sudden acceleration problems including popular models such as the petrol-electric Prius, the top-selling Camry and the Lexus ES range. Some of the cases have caused safety and regulatory bodies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate the matter. Now, Toyota’s Tacoma pickup is receiving complaints in the U.S. because of the same unintended acceleration defect. A total of 432 customers have reported unintended or sudden acceleration in their vehicles, resulting in 51 crashes and 12 injuries. Toyota has responded by stating that its Tacoma is not defective and that many reports were "inspired by publicity," reports the Detroit Free Press. Federal regulators are still considering whether to upgrade the NHTSA investigation launched in February, which currently covers more than 775,000 Tacomas sold between the 2004 and 2008 model years. A new investigation could force Toyota to issue an expensive recall for the Tacoma, and raise questions about sudden-acceleration claims that both safety regulators and carmakers have blamed on driver error for years. Unlike most of its rivals, which haven’t experienced substantial sudden-acceleration complaints, the Tacoma relies on an electronic drive-by-wire system pedal system that uses computer controls instead of a direct physical connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle. Toyota says its system is designed to report an error in case the accelerator pedal and throttle are mismatched and that initial testing conducted by both the carmaker and the NHTSA have revealed no problems.

Toyota denies unintended acceleration issues on Tacoma

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A number of Toyota and Lexus models have had their owners complain about unintended or sudden acceleration problems including popular models such as the petrol-electric Prius, the top-selling Camry and the Lexus ES range. Some of the cases have caused safety and regulatory bodies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate the matter. Now, Toyota’s Tacoma pickup is receiving complaints in the U.S. because of the same unintended acceleration defect.

A total of 432 customers have reported unintended or sudden acceleration in their vehicles, resulting in 51 crashes and 12 injuries. Toyota has responded by stating that its Tacoma is not defective and that many reports were "inspired by publicity," reports the Detroit Free Press.

Federal regulators are still considering whether to upgrade the NHTSA investigation launched in February, which currently covers more than 775,000 Tacomas sold between the 2004 and 2008 model years. A new investigation could force Toyota to issue an expensive recall for the Tacoma, and raise questions about sudden-acceleration claims that both safety regulators and carmakers have blamed on driver error for years.

Unlike most of its rivals, which haven’t experienced substantial sudden-acceleration complaints, the Tacoma relies on an electronic drive-by-wire system pedal system that uses computer controls instead of a direct physical connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle. Toyota says its system is designed to report an error in case the accelerator pedal and throttle are mismatched and that initial testing conducted by both the carmaker and the NHTSA have revealed no problems.

Tags: Safety

Posted in: 2008, Toyota, News, Tacoma

By Raptor #1, Posted: 6/10/2008

It wasn't me, officer, it's that damn car :)
By MyWheelsOnWalls.com #2, Posted: 6/10/2008

Somebody at Toyota needs to call Audi and ask them what happens when you tell the American consumer their wrong. Although there have been a couple of world wars that quite clearly prove the Germans dont listen.

For those of you who are young or not to close to the industry google Audi 5000. The majority of their instances were in the U.S. and Japan which led the Germans to believe the problem was cultural. It being that both countries have a generation of drivers who were taught to drive an automatic with the left foot for brake and the right foot for the gas/accelerator.

It has further been proven that when the brain is in panic mode and it fully believes that its pushing the brake it will push that brake even harder. Even though later after all was said and done the said foot was on the gas.

So the question becomes do you want to prove you the manufacturer is in the right or do you want to do right by what the consumers perception feels is wrong? In Audi's case they won the battle in court but they did lose the war on the sales floor and that was back before the internet and the incredible ease with which information, rumor, and fact can now spread.

I wish you luck Toyota and I would'nt mind betting your competition is hoping you stay true to form as the Germans did and take the "its them not us route."
By NCyder #3, Posted: 6/10/2008

If Toyota wants to put these "rumors" to rest, then instrument a few of the complainers' vehicles and let them drive around for a year or so. Make sure to record engine rpm as well as most bus messages because my money is on EMC or the whole MAP/O2 sensor/injector software combo. Computers go haywire ... even environmentally hardened ones.
By Gus #4, Posted: 6/10/2008

I don't like the drive by wire in my new Mustang. I prefer the old cable connection. Sometimes it's just not as responsive as the cable connection cars that I have driven.
But I'm sure it's inevitable technology on every vehicle eventually.
By InkMaster #5, Posted: 6/11/2008

whoa, never thought I'd see a riced out Tacoma
by suddenacc #6, Posted: 4/7/2009

this site has some evidence regarding sudden acceleration.
He taped an employee at Lexus..watch the video
http://www.autocoverup.com
By Floormats? Sure. #7, Posted: 10/12/2009

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_13537453
Toyota president apologizing to Lastrellas for floormats - not unintentional acceleration! Why isn't the recall for the right reason? How many more people, families, children will die before Toyota admits the cause of their death? And how many would ever guess that for push button ignitions, one must hold down the button for 2 full seconds to turn off the engine? Do rental agencies share this important fact? Couldn't the rental companies have included NTSA (or other significant) complaint info. which is readily available to them online, thereby allowing the customer to make a more informed decision and relieving themselves of at least some potential responsibility should a tragedy occur?
By Charlene Blake #8, Posted: 10/12/2009

Mat causing the stuck Toyota (Lexus) accelerator? Hardly! This is yet another way for Toyota to blame the owner. Is there any major vehicle defect where Toyota will not blame the owner? Take a look at the "Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution: Engine Oil Sludge" online petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html. There are over 3,000 petition signatories already yet Toyota says that only 3,200 people had the sludge problem? Gross underestimation? Of course!
Toyota's major safety issues are being blamed on the drivers of its vehicles! This is a low blow by a company! Talk to the owners who have experienced non-deployment of the Toyota air bags (if they are not DEAD!) and see what they have to say about safety issues in Toyotas!
Take a look at the YouTube video entitled "Toyota Engine Oil Sludge" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs7WI2s-CVw which has been up for only a couple of months but has gotten almost 3,000 views. Go to the "Toyota Oil Gel" web site at http://www.toyotaoilgel.com to see what one Toyota owner has put together.
Next, read http://www.uc2.blogspot.com to fine out how one Toyota dealership treats an owner who wished to exercise his freedom of speech rights.
Toyota---SHAME on you for trying to once again incriminate the Toyota owners---and DEAD ones at that!!
By Charlene Blake #9, Posted: 10/12/2009

If Toyota is allowed to get away with this unintentional acceleration problem by pointing the finger at the floor mats, we, the vehicle owners, have a SERIOUS problem at hand! What is the NHTSA doing to protect us---REALLY?!?
It is bad enough to own one of these vehicles, but what about those who have to drive alongside them? How comforting is it to know that a Toyota may go barrelling down the highway at 90+ miles an hour while the owner is helpless in stopping his/her vehicle?
If this doesn't motivate others to take action, I don't know what will! Have you listened to the audio of the family that BURNED TO DEATH in a runaway LOANER Lexus vehicle??? They tried to get 911 workers to help as they experienced the most horrific death imaginable!!
NOW is the time to demand that automakers be held accountable for these serious safety defects! NO ONE at the NHTSA follows up on these voluntary campaigns by the auto manufacturers. Toyota will promise to pull all the bad mats and these cars will go on accelerating and KILLING people! This is UNCONSCIONABLE!
By Floormats? Sure. #10, Posted: 10/14/2009

I knew one of the people who burned that Charlene mentions died horrifically in a rented Lexus. I totally concur with her outrage at the NTSA. I heard the absurd and somewhat unfeeling announcement that THE president of Toyota (Mr. "Toyoda") apologizes for what happened. But he's apologizing for the FLOORMATS! Talk about a smoke screen. He STILL won't admit his innovative new style of acceleraion systems (even in Tacoma's now...and guess what? The same horror stories are rolling in on that and many other faulty designed vehicles.) The family that perished so terribly would want their deaths not to be in vain. Charlene - you sound as passionate as I about this. What can we do?
By Floormats? Sure. #11, Posted: 10/14/2009

THANK YOU to post #6 (above) - that site is right on the mark. Thank God for free speech! God Bless America...that site says it ALL. Thank you so much.
By FYI #12, Posted: 11/3/2009

How any "drive-by-wire" system could not include this simple safety override as an absolutely necessary system in order to gain official approval for production is beyond belief.......!
How incredibly dumb could Toyota have been.....?!!!
October 7, 2009, 12:49 pm Smart Gas Pedals May Solve Floor-Mat Problem
By Christopher Jensen
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/smart-gas-pedals-may-solve-floor-mat-problem/
(excerpts):
Some automakers – primarily European — are using an unusual method to reduce the chances of unintended acceleration from something like a floor mat getting tangled up with the accelerator: smart gas pedals.
If the vehicle is moving and both the gas and brake pedal are being pushed at the same time the computer tells the engine to ignore the gas pedal.
“It is an additional safety feature,” said Thomas Plucinsky, a BMW spokesman. “The brake takes precedence.”
By jeff #13, Posted: 11/6/2009

as a world class automotive technician. This is not possible. Because of the systems default and sensitivity. Also even if it failed at a wide open throttle event the brake pedal will stop the car.
Hear this people. The chance that the brakes failed at exactly the same time the throttle stuck wide open are nearly impossible unless the floor mat is involved. Again the brake will stop the car from any speed at wide open throttle. I have tested this on several vehicles. while driving any car accelerate to 70 ,80, or any speed depress the throttle to the floor and apply the brake pedal and see for yourself that the brakes will overcome the engines power. so enough with the rumors. Hang up and drive and don't text and drive.
By Scott Hewitt #14, Posted: 11/6/2009

Are you lot that stupid to let your overpriced piece of rubbish accelerate out of control to the point of slamming you into another vehicle or something else that'll kill you? Of course you are. Anyone with any brains would instantly work out that something was wrong, put the car into neutral, turn the engine off at the ignition then use the handbrake to stop the car.