Audi went through it in the '80s. Jeep went through it a couple years ago. Other makers have been accused of it, and now it's Toyota's turn: the NHTSA is considering investigating Tacoma pickup trucks from 2004-2008 due to claims of unintended acceleration. In one instance, a man said he turned off his cruise control to exit the freeway, and the truck surged on him, forcing him to dodge a few vehicles -- even as he had his foot on the brake pedal.
Toyota says there is nothing wrong with the Tacoma's drive-by-wire system. The trucks that have been inspected have not shown the error codes Toyota would expect if the throttle and accelerator pedal were out of whack. The company wrote to the NHTSA and said, "Toyota believes that it is likely that many of the consumer complaints about the general issue of unwanted acceleration ... as well as many of the complaints about this subject that have been received by Toyota, were inspired by publicity."
We can't comment on the claims of unintended acceleration, as we have no idea if they are true or publicity driven. But we can wonder out loud why the brakes suddenly don't work. No matter what a car does -- even at full power -- the brakes should still do their job. After Audi's debacle, the NHTSA conducted a 2-year investigation of the issue and found nothing wrong with those cars, and everyone who sued Audi lost in court. Perhaps the folks in Tokyo should make time for a call to Ingolstadt.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
psarhjinian @ Jun 10th 2008 2:08PM
Hey, maybe it's those darn floor mats! Oh, wait, cruise control, yeah...
Just about every one of these incidents, from the original Audi 5000 to the recently Renault Vel Satis has said the same thing: the cause can't be found, and that the brakes will still slow the car down. Having been in the car with a driver whose panic reaction was "Cover both eyes, stomp both feet", I can see Toyota's point.
The question that needs asking: Was the guy charged/injured/involved in an accident? If so, blaming the car is pretty traditional way of _not_ saying "I dropped my cell phone and was reaching for it" or "I don't know how to use my cruise control and pressed Accel instead of Cancel".
Red @ Jun 10th 2008 2:16PM
I was just thinking the exact same thing in regards to the Audi. That said, this practically killed them when 60 minutes did the piece. There are far more problems and concerns with Toyota that get buried under the surface than there should be. It's a wonder more people haven't done anything about it.
Aprime @ Jun 10th 2008 2:18PM
Well, I've had a floor-mat related accident during one Winter.
I was in heavy traffic and ice had formed over it, my foot slipped on the accelerator while I wanted to brake.
This is why you should be driving with rubber mats during winters, kids.
"I don't know how to use my cruise control and pressed Accel instead of Cancel"
lol, I don't even understand the complaints over some cars not having a cancel button, just press the on switch or brake pedal and it does the trick... Just like with your computer or light interrupter, you only need one button -_-.
But we'll see about that, I'm curious to know, as part of this truck's production is at NUMMI and NUMMI seems to be having a bad record with cars as of late (look it up).
Red @ Jun 10th 2008 2:31PM
Well, I didn't meant that, lol. I was speaking more specifically about things like the Prius' advertised fuel efficiency vs real world results. 15 years ago there would've been a class action lawsuit. Now? People just deal with it.
MarcT @ Jun 10th 2008 2:53PM
For the millionth time, Toyota, like every other mfr, is legally mandated to post and advertise the EPA mileage numbers. Now that the EPA is underestimating the Prius's mileage (45 on hwys, no way, u'd have to be towing bricks uphill to get mileage that low), Toyota has to advertise that number. Nice try, conspiracy theorist.
mroverlord @ Jun 11th 2008 1:13PM
Sorry there guy, but we have a FLEET of Prii here at work, and they are barely eek out the 45 they are rated for.
As my boss stated, he would rather have a TDI Jetta. He'd get the same economy, and at least it would get out of it's own way and not feel like a golf cart.
Matt @ Jun 10th 2008 2:09PM
theres a simple solution to this 'problem'
its called a clutch pedal, it disengages the engine from the drivetrain
Tim @ Jun 10th 2008 2:13PM
I don't think people that can't discern the brake pedal from the accelerator are going to do much better if you throw in a third pedal.
Torrent @ Jun 10th 2008 2:14PM
Or a better solution is to like, not buy one.
Or if you have one, sell it.
No really.
Benfolio @ Jun 10th 2008 2:21PM
Unless the master cylinder fails.
Ken Stamper @ Jun 10th 2008 2:31PM
+1
bakka @ Jun 10th 2008 2:47PM
Matt try telling that to all the idiots out there!
GOOD LUCK!!!
TwinTurbo3000GT @ Jun 10th 2008 2:14PM
i'm sure its just another case of hitting the wrong petal. Happens very often, actually. Mostly to the elderly.
"I hit the brake but the car accelerated instead."
Sorry granny, it's just not possible.
Alex @ Jun 10th 2008 2:16PM
DBW...
why can't we just stick with the good 'ol throttle cable?
it works... it's responsive. it does what you tell it too.
Derek @ Jun 10th 2008 9:20PM
+1000
RIck @ Jun 10th 2008 2:18PM
Oh no, not again. The fools (and lawyers) are seeing $$ again.
Menice @ Jun 10th 2008 2:21PM
you all know
"Christine" was on last night on cable....
i'm just saying...
Benfolio @ Jun 10th 2008 2:22PM
"why can't we just stick with the good 'ol throttle cable?"
"STICK" being the operative word here.
DKB_SATX @ Jun 10th 2008 6:06PM
I don't think the occasional sticking throttle cable has anything to do with the advent of DBW. It's all about managing emissions and satisfying Americans' demands for a torquey feel with smaller engines by setting a more aggressive tip-in, or using the DBW to compensate for turbo lag.
MarcT @ Jun 10th 2008 2:25PM
"Toyota believes that it is likely that many of the consumer complaints about the general issue of unwanted acceleration ... as well as many of the complaints about this subject that have been received by Toyota, were inspired by publicity."
The last three words are the most important here. I'm glad Toyota finally had the balls to say it. A bunch of lemmings out there. They hear a couple complaints, then figure that all their bad driving habits must be someone else's fault.
Ive done this one plenty of times.... Im in cruise, and want to disengage it. So i put my foot on the gas, not the brake. OMG, It's Toyota's fault that I'm accelerating.
Idiots. Audi was proved to be in the clear, and so will Toyota. I cant believe people still buy into this.
I actually had a colege prof tell me her Audi had unintended acceleration. Apparently, it jumped forward from park in her driveway. Did no one tell her that when an automatic is shifted from park to drive it goes forward? Without your foot anywhere near the gas pedal. The first time I drove an auto (having learned on a stick) I was shocked by this movement too. Im jst glad I wasnt parked in front of a wall. But hey, I didnt blame Oldsmobile. Idiots, all of 'em.