Feds investigate Toyota electronics for unintended acceleration
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Not long after the dust seemingly settled on the investigation of the faulty pedals and floor mats causing unintended acceleration in millions of Toyotas, a new report is suggesting that the U.S. Department of Transportation is now looking into a possible electronics-based problem as another possible source of unintended acceleration. The unofficial investigation stems from the several cases of apparent unintended acceleration that have been documented without floor mats or pedals at fault.
Although the D.O.T., nor the National Highway Safety Transportation Safety Administration have formally launched an investigation into the possibility of a third source of unintended acceleration causes in Toyota vehicles, an anonymous source within the D.O.T. has reportedly confirmed that the third cause is in fact being considered.
Leftlane reported on January 15th that a Toyota Avalon owner had experienced unintended acceleration without a floor mat installed, and even managed to get the vehicle to a Toyota dealer with the vehicle still pegged at wide open throttle.
Upon arriving at the dealership, a Toyota mechanic was able to test the accelerator pedal’s range of movement with no affect on the throttle being applied by the engine. This incident seemed to have displayed the type of occurrence that is now reportedly being investigated.
The news that federal officials are looking into other possible causes for unintended acceleration may spawn new meaning to the quote Leftlane reported in a separate story earlier today, “We’re not finished with Toyota and are continuing to review possible defects and monitor the implementation of the recalls,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
When asked about the possibility of vehicle electronics playing a role in unintended acceleration cases, John Hanson, a Toyota spokesman, said he knew little about the expanded federal investigation.
Brian Lyons, a safety and quality communications manager for Toyota said, “We will continue to cooperate fully with NHTSA on all vehicle safety issues.”
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