AutoWeek op/ed re: Toyota

[Gogar]

While reading my free copy of Auto Week, I saw this op/ed that's sort of related to the Toyota recall thing, and if you haven't read it already, I think it's quite good.

Is Satan controlling your car?

In this post-Tiger Woods media era, as Toyota shovels out equal piles of mea culpas and engineering fixes for possibly sticky gas pedals, NHTSA continues issuing safety recalls for all kinds of vehicles about which the general, hysterical news media seem to care not one bit.

There are about 600 NHTSA recalls a year. NHTSA says that since 1966, it and its predecessor agencies have recalled "more than 390 million cars, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds, as well as 46 million tires, 66 million pieces of motor-vehicle equipment and 42 million child safety seats to correct safety defects." That's safety defects, not paint blemishes or glovebox rattles. That's stuff that could kill you or those around you.

Yet these things only occasionally get any ink.

I'm not saying that sticking gas pedals aren't a problem--if someone proves conclusively that the gas pedals are sticking and that a design flaw is making them stick.

Playing devil's advocate here, I ask: If you crashed your car, wouldn't you rather blame it on a mysterious, satanic sticking gas pedal than on your own dumbass driving? Laying the blame on a manufacturer cover-up is too easy.

My favorite quote on the Toyota troubles was in the Los Angeles Times, insinuating that engine computers are mysterious, possibly evil beings bent on our destruction.

"With the electronic throttle, the driver is not really in control of the engine," said Antony Anderson, a Britain-based electrical-engineering consultant who has testified in sudden-acceleration lawsuits. "You are telling the computer, will you please move the throttle to a certain level, and the computer decides if it will obey you."

No, you muttonhead, the computer does what it is programmed to do. Gar-bage in, garbage out. And at this stage, no one knows if Toyota computers got garbage in.

My main point is that there are dangers in almost all cars, almost all the time. A random sampling of recent safety recalls reveals a crazy mixed bag. Check it out at Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation. Plug in your own car, and see if it is trying to kill you. Here is a handful I scooped up from the NHTSA grab bag o' vehicular mayhem:

-- A-pillar trim pieces on 2010 Acura MDXs could fly off when the side airbag deploys in a crash, "increasing the risk of injury to the driver and/or front-seat passenger."

-- 2010 Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Nitro, Jeep Liberty and Commander, as well as 2009 and '10 Dodge Ram trucks, might have improperly formed or missing brake-booster input-rod retaining clips. "This could result in brake failure without warning, which could cause a crash."

-- Some 2006-09 Volks-wagen Jetta driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox and creates "a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists."

-- The passenger-side airbags on 2010 Land Rover Range Rovers might not work at all, "increasing the risk of injury."

-- A fatal fire in a Honda Fit resulted in a recent recall of more than 500,000 Fits worldwide.

In a PR guy's dream, no one seems to care about any of the above. Yet in the perfect storm of Pulitzer Prize-seeking media, slow news days and an engine computer that might be controlled by Satan, Toyota is taking a huge smack in the reputation.

Highway safety investigations should be done on a more scientific and less hysterical basis, considering the huge number of safety defects on so many vehicles that are rolling down the highway right now. Look out! Driveshaft at 12 o'clock!

[Gogar]

Oops sorry I was aiming for OT and missed.

[TechnoViking]

Great article.

As I posted in another thread, I drove a Chevy Citation in high school. They had a recall for an issue that would make the car do a 180 in the rain or wet surface (Bolded below). I experienced this one personally, and can attest it was spooky. I'm sure people died because of it. But back then nobody had to testify before congress. They just fixed the cars and moved on.....



Used 1980 Chevrolet Citation Recalls
Recall ID # 79V092000 - STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS - Get Details
Recall Date: APR 05, 1979
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 10751
Recall Date:
APR 05, 1979

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
THE LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS AT THE REAR CONTROL ARM LOCATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED INTO THE STRUCTURE. SOME OF THESE BARS MAY HAVE BEEN PULLED DOWN FROM THE BODY DURING SHIPMENT WITH RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE OR FUEL LINES. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT MAY ALSO RESULT.

Consequence:


Remedy:
LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS WILL BE WELDED AND BOLTED IN THE PROPER POSITION WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Potential Units Affected:
10751

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 79V090000 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS - Get Details
Recall Date: APR 05, 1979
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 4382
Recall Date:
APR 05, 1979

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE AND BRAKE PIPE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAN RESULT IN RUBBING CONTACT WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS OPERATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PIPE CLEARANCE TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PIPE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION.

Consequence:


Remedy:
THE CLUTCH CABLE ROUTING WILL BE REVISED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITHOUT CHARGE.

Potential Units Affected:
4382

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 83V018000 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - Hide Details
Recall Date: FEB 24, 1983
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 239799
Recall Date:
FEB 24, 1983

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PREMATURE REAR WHEEL SKID DURING BRAKING. REAR WHEEL SKIDDING IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR ON A WET OR SLICK SURFACE.

Consequence:


Remedy:
DEPENDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TYPE AND THE BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE OR REPAIR, AS NECESSARY, CERTAIN FRONT BRAKE COMPONENTS, AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLES. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND LININGS WILL BE REPLACED WITH PARTS THAT USE A MATERIAL WHICH GREATLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF REAR WHEEL SKID. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE FRONT BRAKES ARE TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE PARKING BRAKE COMPONENTS WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, FOR KEEPING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHILE MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN NEUTRAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN PARK, ARE MET.

Potential Units Affected:
239799

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 79V091000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS - Get Details
Recall Date: APR 05, 1979
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 4626
Recall Date:
APR 05, 1979

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
FUEL HOSES MAY BE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED AND CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE BOOT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE ROTATING BOOT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE FUEL HOSE, RESULTING IN FULE LEAKAGE.

Consequence:


Remedy:
IF PROPER CLEARANCE IS NOT PRESENT, THE METAL FUEL PIPE WILL BE REFORMED UPWARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Potential Units Affected:
4626

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 79V098000 - SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS - Get Details
Recall Date: APR 17, 1979
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 23725
Recall Date:
APR 17, 1979

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING MAY HAVE A LARGER THAN DESIRED INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE LOWER COIL WHERE IT RESTS ON THE SPRING SEAT. THIS COULD ALLOW THE SPRING TO BE FORCED OVER THE LOWER SPRING SEAT DUE TO SUSPENSION FORCES.

Consequence:


Remedy:
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITHOUT CHARGE.

Potential Units Affected:
23725

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 81V095000 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTSIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE - Get Details
Recall Date: AUG 10, 1981
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTSIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 47371
Recall Date:
AUG 10, 1981

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DURING HIGH DECELERATION BRAKING. THE PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PROPORTIONER VALVES IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Consequence:


Remedy:
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM PROPORTIONER VALVES AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL NEW VALVES.

Potential Units Affected:
47371

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 79V073000 - SEATS - Get Details
Recall Date: MAR 22, 1979
Component: SEATS
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 35
Recall Date:
MAR 22, 1979

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "ANCHORAGE OF SEATS". THE LOCK BAR IN THE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER TO MAINTAIN THE SEAT IN A LATCHED POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT MAY BE REDUCED.

Consequence:


Remedy:
BOTH FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Potential Units Affected:
35

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 79V221000 - STEERING:RACK AND PINION - Get Details
Recall Date: OCT 17, 1979
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 161225
Recall Date:
OCT 17, 1979

Model Affected:
1980 CHEVROLET CITATION

Summary:
THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT HIGH MILEAGE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT TO BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE CONSIDERABLE "FREE PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence:


Remedy:
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED TYPE OF STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Potential Units Affected:
161225

Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Recall ID # 79V220000 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES - Get Details
Recall Date: SEP 25, 1979
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Model Affected: CITATION
Potential Units Affected: 224892

Read more: 1980 Chevrolet Citation Recalls, Notices & Car Safety Reports - Motor Trend Magazine