Toyota Acceleration Accidents

In January 2010, Toyota Motor Corp. recalled millions of Toyota vehicles in the United States and worldwide due to fatalities and injuries resulting from unintended car acceleration accidents. Defective Toyota gas pedals have resulted in at least 34 reported deaths thus far and 22 reported injuries.  In these cases a common factor involved sudden acceleration of the Toyota, causing the runaway vehicle to become unstoppable and in some cases, unable to brake, placing the vehicle’s occupants in extreme danger.

The recalls were originally blamed on defective floor mats that caused the gas pedal to stick, however, even after the 2009 recall of these floor mats, gas pedals were continuing to stick and cause unintended acceleration. The massive safety recall affects owners of 8.5 million Toyota vehicles worldwide.

Toyota has halted sales of eight vehicle models due to unwanted car acceleration problems. These models are:      

• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2007-2010 Tundra                                         
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2010 Highlander

Toyota is now facing separate probes from the Obama Administration and from Congress. The investigations are focused on the sudden acceleration reported in certain models and the cause of the potentially deadly defect.

The cause of the defect has changed a few times since the floor mat recall in September of 2009. The car maker originally said that defective floor mats that caught the acceleration pedal were the problem. A few months later, Toyota said it was a problem with a defective “sticking” gas pedal. Toyota sent millions of vehicles to their dealerships to remedy both the defective floor mats and the sticking pedal. There is one problem however, there have been reports of unwanted accelerations in cars already fixed by the recall. Now many experts and government officials are saying that neither the floor mats or the gas pedals are to blame, but instead a problem with the electrical throttle system is causing the unwanted accelerations.

The government has renewed an investigation into potential electromagnetic problems in vehicles built by Toyota and other manufacturers. And as consumer groups point to potential electrical problems, the car giant insists the recalls to fix sticking gas pedals or accelerators that can become jammed will address the problem.

The recalls and their aftermath have certainly taken a toll on Toyota’s once stellar reputation.

As consumer complaints soar on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database, Toyota scrambles to keep their reputation intact and regain the trust of their customers. The massive recalls have led to a number of lawsuits against the automaker on behalf of victims killed or injured in Toyota crashes.

Click here for a timeline of the Toyota Recall

Report other automotive defects to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation