Defect Alert- Sudden Acceleration Problem in Toyota & Lexus Models
As ABC News is reporting, owners of Toyota cars are rebelling over a series of more than 200 accidents caused by sudden acceleration.
Safety analysts have discovered more than 2000 instances among Toyota models such as the Camry and Prius, and various Lexus models, where cars were surging up to 100 miles per hours without warning. The manufacturer was constantly blaming the problem on floor mats, saying the mats are getting stuck under the pedal, but drivers are rightfully skeptical. There was a national recall regarding the floor mats, affecting many vehicles.
NHTSA , The National Highway Traffic and Safety Adminstration , has conducted six investigations on sudden surges in Toyota models since 2003 and has not found any defect in the electronics system, and yet the instances keep occurring.
If you find that you are experiencing this problem, do not ignore it. Contact your dealer immediately and make sure you address it with your service advisor. Even if they claim they have no solution to the problem, make sure you receive a repair invoice illustrating that you have attempted to get this addressed under your manufacturers warranty. If you are in New Jersey and Ohio and cannot get this problem fixed after one repair attempt, contact us immediately as the Ohio Lemon Law and New Jersey Lemon Law both only give the manufacturer one attempt to fix a problem which could cause serious bodily injury or death. If you live in any other state, please contact us via e-mail or call 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) after you have three repair invoices for this problem. We are already handling cases on this issue and will be happy to help you in any way we can.
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November 8th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
First and foremost, it’s tragically obvious there has not been nearly enough thought to all the necessary fail-safe and safety override modes designed into these “drive-by-wire” automotive systems. The Germans at least had the good sense to make their engines go to idle mode if their systems were presented with the conflicting inputs of throttle and brakes applied at the same time (”smart pedal”). (The Toyota system does not do this. Shame on Toyota — as well as the NHTSA who apparently “approved” of this!) As far as “keyless” ignition system designs go, an across-the-board “standard” is needed immediately. The dashboard “switch” should probably have at least three positions: “Off” (as in — turn the engine ignition AND electric fuel pump systems both off — right now); “Idle” (to bring engine power down – but not fully off – to allow for the power steering and brakes to continue to function); and “On or Run.” To have to “hold” the start-button in for ” three seconds” during an emergency situation is beyond any safety design rules I believe could or would ever be allowed for production and placed into widespread use by the driving public……
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
This is some very useful post I also have a blog, On the Lemon Law and Car Defects. To my knowledge Toyota was recalling all floor mats for the 2007 Camry Models. Studies showed the mats were responsible for some accidents.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I bought a 2000 Lexus GS300 certified pre-owned in 2005. In 2007 I experienced the now famous sudden acceleration problem and I took it to the dealer immediately. I was on a side street going 30-40mph. I accelerated to pass a car stopped on the side, but it kept accelerating. Went to 5RPM without the pedal. I was trying to slow down-so I slammed the brakes and hand brake – stopped before hitting cars- and I put it in “park” while the RPM was revving at 5-6. So I tuned off the engine.Lexus tested it overnight and said they could not “reproduce the problem” therefore can only blame the mats. It did not happen again until Jan 2010…now driven by my daughter in college. She was on the highway and depressed the pedal all the way down. Then it kept accelerating. She panicked but at least she knew I went through this 2.5 yrs before. She stomped on the pedal and finally the car stopped accelerating. Again, no accident. I wonder why it happend only 2 times in the 5 years of ownership? It can’t be the mat. We removed it after the first incident. I called Flow Lexus in Greensboro again and they insist the 2000 GS300 is not part of the recall. They said again..it’s the mats. In 2007, I had this problem way before it became public and I was brushed off as being the only one they had heard of with this issue.