Defect Investigations
Out to lunch with Diana Foote: Car troubles bring back haunting memories
By Diana Foote
March 10, 2010
Here in Vero Beach, my mother-in-law drives a 2008 Toyota Avalon.
Reports of sudden, unintended acceleration pushed our family to demand immediate service, even before she received a recall letter. Toyota graciously complied.
I have a history with sudden acceleration that has haunted me for 18 years.
Floor mat problem sparked 2000 Toyota recall in U.K.
U.S. chief Lentz cites weaknesses in information sharing
Neil Roland
Automotive News | February 23, 2010
WASHINGTON — Toyota Motor Corp. recalled its Lexus IS 200 in the United Kingdom for floor mat entrapment almost 10 years ago without informing U.S. highway safety regulators.
"We didn’t do a very good job of sharing information across the globe," Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., conceded here today at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Toyota to Provide Additional Services to New York Customers Affected by Recent Recalls
NHTSA Launches Probe into Timeliness of Three Toyota Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced that it is using its statutory authority to obtain documents from Toyota to determine if the automaker conducted three of its recent recalls in a timely manner. Federal law requires all auto manufacturers to notify NHTSA within five days of determining that a safety defect exists and promptly conduct a recall.
"Safety recalls are very serious matters and automakers are required to quickly report defects," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Lawmaker: Toyota knew of electronic defects
Lawmaker: Toyota knew of electronic defects
Neil Roland
Automotive News — February 15, 2010 – 12:01 am ET
Lawmakers preparing for hearings on Toyota Motor Corp.’s speed-control problems are reacting with skepticism to the company’s long-standing denials of any electronic defects in its vehicles, based in part on internal 2002 and 2003 documents that have come to investigators’ attention, a key congressman said.
Consumer Advisory: NHTSA’s Advice to Toyota Customers
Safety is our number one priority at the Department of Transportation. We’re going to continue to hold Toyota accountable and continue to investigate every possible cause of these safety defects, to make sure there are no other problems. We’ll make sure Toyota is doing all it has promised to make its vehicles safe.
The paper trail: As complaints grew, oversight remained lax
Hans Greimel
Automotive News | February 8, 2010 – 12:01 am EST
TOKYO — Federal investigators had just bought a 2007 Lexus ES 350 and were running it through a battery of tests at the government’s Vehicle Research and Test Center in East Liberty, Ohio, when they noticed something funny with the electronic throttle control.
Energy & Commerce Committee Requests More Information on Toyota Recall
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak today requested clarification regarding several recent statements made by James E. Lentz, President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, regarding the automaker’s recent recall announcements. The Committee is seeking clarification of Mr. Lentz’s statements in light of information shared by Toyota officials during a January 27, 2010, meeting with Committee staff.