Toyota unintended acceleration and recalls, Part 2

[kaisen]

Well, things get interesting. Originally it was the floor mats, then it was worn out pedals, now it affects new un-driven (un-worn) models and Toyota announces a sales freeze and plant shutdowns....... what's the scoop? What do you think?

Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Recall January 2010: Voluntary Safety Gas Pedal Recall / Toyota

Toyota Temporarily Suspends Sales of Selected Vehicles

TORRANCE, Calif., January 26, 2010 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily suspend sales of eight models involved in the recall for sticking accelerator pedal, announced on January 21, 2010.

“Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company,” said Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter. “This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.”

Toyota announced it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats. There is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

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

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.

Due to the sales suspension, Toyota is expected to stop producing vehicles on the following production lines for the week of February 1 to assess and coordinate activities. The North America vehicle production facilities affected are:

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)
• Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)

No other North American Toyota vehicle production facilities are affected by the decision to stop production.

The sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats. Approximately 1.7 million Toyota Division vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions.

[Crowbob]

Just a couple days ago I was backing down my driveway with my foot on the brake and the car (2007 FJ Cruiser) accelerated! I almost spun out going backwards, downhill on ice. I instinctively thought I had my foot on the accelreator and made the abrupt adjustment-but my foot was already on the brake pedal, no question. I thought to myself, "Huh. That was weird." Now I see all this recall stuff.

[KNS]

Drive-by-Wire throttle not everything it's cracked up to be. I'm sure they'll sort it out but it's going to hurt in the mean time.

[legion]

Originally Posted by KNS

Drive-by-Wire throttle not everything it's cracked up to be. I'm sure they'll sort it out but it's going to hurt in the mean time.

Yep. And they're trying to cover it up with a lame floor mat/accelerator pedal excuse.

[nynor]

i'll keep my mechanical throttle actuation, thank you very much.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by KNS

Drive-by-Wire throttle not everything it's cracked up to be. I'm sure they'll sort it out but it's going to hurt in the mean time.

I do not for the life of me see the upside. Give me a throttle cable any day. I want a direct mechanical connection to both the throttle AND the brakes. And the transmission too, for that matter.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by legion

Yep. And they're trying to cover it up with a lame floor mat/accelerator pedal excuse.

Remember the thread where everyone was calling the cop that died an idiot?

Well now we know, don't we?

[Aurel]

One day, my accelerator cable got stuck at WOT on the 911...a little scary but no big deal, just hit the brakes and shut the ignition. I can't imagine it being worse on a Toyota. What a world of pussies we live in...

[m21sniper]

LOL, maybe the 'brake by wire' system failed.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Aurel

One day, my accelerator cable got stuck at WOT on the 911...a little scary but no big deal, just hit the brakes and shut the ignition. I can't imagine it being worse on a Toyota. What a world of pussies we live in...

Same thing happened to me in my 951 once. I'd just put the intake back together and was taking her for a test spin. After she was warmed up, I decided to go WOT. The problem was when I went to shift to 2nd it bounced off the rev limiter instead of dropping. I kept the clutch pressed in, turned off the ignition, and coasted to a stop. When I popped the hood, I saw that I had rotated a hose clamp so that the throttle cam stuck on it. 2 second with a screwdriver and it was fixed.

Now from what I gather on the Toyota's, it takes pressing the ignition button for 2 seconds continuously to turn the ignition off. That could be 2 seconds too long.

Yes, you can also shift into neutral, but that wouldn't be my first instinct.

[gt350mike]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Remember the thread where everyone was calling the cop that died an idiot?

Well now we know, don't we?

ABC Nightline just played the 911 call from the passenger that was in the vehicle of the trooper's car moments before they died. I don't understand even though the operator told them to turn off the car call, it appears that he didn't do anything. If anyone had the presence of mind to do something in that situation, you would think that a trooper could handle it.

Anyway you slice it, the problem isn't going to be fixed by tossing the floor mats in the trunk.....what a freaken stupid recommendation by Toyota. They would have been better off not saying anything.

[m21sniper]

You have to hold the button in for 3 seconds. He was probably jabbing at it, and of course, NOTHING would happen.

[daepp]

Nothing I have heard in any way explains why the trooper didn't either shift to neutral or just cram on the brakes.

[legion]

This is an example of where Japanese culture and U.S. culture differ.

In Japan, companies will routinely hide problems so as to not bring shame on themselves. I fully expect the CEO and several top executives to quite because they have shamed a great company.

I recall when Mitsubishi had a problem a decade ago with rampant sexual harassment at the plant here in Normal. They denied the problem, and even gave workers a day off, a free bus ride, and a free lunch to go up to Chicago to protest in front of the court where the case was being tried. It was only after the court decision was rendered that many of the executives were recalled to Japan and meaningful changes were at the plant.

I have also long suspected that Toyota would issue "secret" recalls an quietly fix known problems with cars when they were in for other service. This would had the benefit of burying problems AND making people think the cars were extremely reliable.

U.S. companies, by contrast, tend to issue recalls quickly in the post-Pinto era. They tend to believe it is better to be seen as doing something about a problem because they have already been burned for stonewalling and ignoring.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by nynor

i'll keep my mechanical throttle actuation, thank you very much.

And stickshift. Take the car out of gear or press the clutch; problem solved.

[kanadary]

i don't think many of the toyota models come standard here anymore. have a hard time getting one in the 90s can't imagine it would be easier now

[The Gaijin]

They were pretty stand up on the SUV rusty frame issue. But this is way bigger.

Dad's Honda truck has an electronic throttle - no problems, but I just dont like it.

It is all on/off, on/off, on/off in very small increments.. Tough to be smooth.

[jyl]

I've never understood why stepping on the brake isn't the immediate, instinctive reaction to a stuck throttle, be it mechanical or electronic.

Well, good for Ford, which pleases me.

[flatbutt]

my '06 Taco is unaffected by this...whew!

[Tim Walsh]

Originally Posted by jyl

I've never understood why stepping on the brake isn't the immediate, instinctive reaction to a stuck throttle, be it mechanical or electronic.

Well, good for Ford, which pleases me.

Wide Open throttle == no vacuum for the brakes. No vacuum == needs more effort. More effort needed == Sheeple think the brakes are broken. VAG actually got this one right. My '05 GTI is DBW. As soon as you hit the brakes, the ECU sends an idle signal to the throttle. Annoyed the crap out of my when I was autocrossing it since I couldn't left foot brake.