Autoblog

Ford faces class-action lawsuit for selling vehicles without brake override systems

Zach Bowman — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

A total of 20 Ford customers are suing the automaker in a class-action lawsuit for selling vehicles "vulnerable to unintended acceleration." According to Reuters, the suit names 30 models built between 2002 and 2010 with electronic throttle control systems but without a brake override system. Those include the 2004-2012 F-Series pickups and the 2005-2009 Lincoln Town Car. Adam Levitt, a partner with the law firm of Grant & Eisenhofer says the plaintiffs in the case want "to be compensated for their economic losses by having overpaid for cars that contained defects." Levitt contends that the plaintiffs would not have bought their vehicles or paid less for them had they known there was no brake override system in place.

Ford began installing brake override systems in its vehicles beginning in 2010. In response to the lawsuit, Ford has pointed to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that indicated that unintended acceleration is mostly caused by driver error, saying in a statement that, "NHTSA's work is far more scientific and trustworthy than work done by personal injury lawyers and their paid experts."

Belville et al v. Ford Motor Co. will be heard in US District Court in the Southern District of West Virginia.

Ford faces class-action lawsuit for selling vehicles without brake override systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai announces standard brake-override for all models

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 05 May 2012 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Hyundai

Always looking for ways to one-up its Japanese competitors, Hyundai has announced that a brake override system will be standard equipment on its full line of vehicles, starting this month.

Truth be told, every 2012 Hyundai model save for the Elantra Touring already had a brake override system fitted. So why the announcement, and why now? Well, other than just tweaking Toyota, whose unintended acceleration problems led to widespread recalls, a Congressional investigation, and prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to propose requiring brake override systems on all new cars, the announcement likely has more to do with the end of Elantra Touring production than it does with anything else.

The old Hyundai i30, on which the Elantra Touring was based, has been redesigned, and reviews of the new model have already started showing up on foreign automotive websites. We won't get our version of the i30, dubbed Elantra GT here in the U.S., until later in the summer.

We'll be driving the GT in June and we promise to issue a full report, though we're going to try to avoid testing this new technology.

Continue reading Hyundai announces standard brake-override for all models

Hyundai announces standard brake-override for all models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 May 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #278

Dan Roth — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Government/Legal, Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Design/Style

Dart pricing, non-retro Mustang, Impala SS, brake override mandate

Episode #278 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Zach are joined by David Kiley of Autoblog and AOL Autos to chat about Dodge Dart pricing, the next Ford Mustang shying away from retro styling, Chevrolet quietly developing an Impala SS, and a NHTSA proposal to mandate brake override systems. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #278:

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Fiat 500
2012 Volvo C30 Polestar
2012 Volvo XC70 T6
Long-Term 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Runtime: 01:34:50

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Autoblog Podcast #278 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AP: Seven insurance companies sue Toyota over unintended acceleration-related claims

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Can't say we didn't see this one coming... According to the Associated Press, seven insurance companies* are suing Toyota in California court for damages in excess of $230,000. We suspect that figure could rise, as it's derived from just 14 of the alleged 725 total accidents the insurers claim Toyota is at least partially at fault for.

The suit reportedly alleges that Toyota is at fault for accidents blamed on unintended acceleration because the Japanese automaker failed to equip its vehicles with a brake override system that would electronically force the engine to return to idle if both the accelerator and brake pedals were pressed at the same time. After the recall hubbub first began, Toyota announced that all of its future models will come with this technology.

For its part, a Toyota spokesperson unsurprisingly responded that "any allegation that a vehicle-based defect is the cause of unintended acceleration in this or any other complaint is completely unfounded and has no basis." In December of 2010, Toyota agreed to settle a high-profile case in California regarding unintended acceleration in a Toyota Camry for $10 million, though it never admitted any wrongdoing. Four people were killed in that accident.

In October of 2010, Allstate filed suit against Toyota seeking $3 million in compensation as a result of 270 claims of sudden acceleration.

*The seven insurance companies bringing forth this suit are: American Automobile Insurance Co., Fireman's Fund Insurance, National Surety Corp., Ameriprise Insurance, IDS Property Casualty Insurance, Motorists Mutual Insurance and American Hardware Mutual Insurance.

[Source: Associated Press via AOL Autos | Image: David McNew/Getty]

AP: Seven insurance companies sue Toyota over unintended acceleration-related claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By the Numbers: Your statistical chance of dying in an unrepaired recalled Toyota

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Lexus, Toyota

Lexus Safety Experience - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has recalled and fixed over five million cars. The entire Toyota and Lexus lineup will feature the company's new Smart-Stop brake override system for the 2011 model year. Yet the automaker still faces criticism that it builds unsafe vehicles. Will driving an unfixed Toyota lead to your death? Not likely.

According to The Detroit News, a panel of experts was recently dispatched to study the causes of sudden acceleration. In its research, the panel found that the current risk of dying in a traffic accident is rated at 1.05 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled. If you drive a Toyota that's part of the sticking pedal recall and hasn't been fixed, the rate rises modestly to 1.07 deaths. Statistically speaking, that's one Toyota recall-related death for every five billion miles of driving. Toyota has fixed over 60 percent of the vehicles in the recall and they don't appear to be slowing down.

We've heard many a borderline-hysterical comment from readers stating that they would rather walk than risk driving a vehicle made by Toyota. If you do that, statistics suggest you are 19 times more likely to die. Mile for mile, the risk of walking alongside the road is that much higher than driving on it. Just sayin'.

Gallery: Lexus Safety Experience

Photos by Drew Phillips/Copyright 2010 (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The Detroit News]

By the Numbers: Your statistical chance of dying in an unrepaired recalled Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Toyota

Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Toyota's Higashi-Fuji technical center is part proving grounds and part engineering center. But unlike most facilities, Higashi-Fuji includes an array of engineering and research offices employing over 3,000 employees, and an assortment of non-track test facilities.

The Higashi-Fuji campus opened back in 1966 and has grown to encompass nearly 2.7 millionsquare feet of facility floor space. We were given the rare opportunity to visit the facility where we witnessed one unique crash test, tried out one of the world's most advanced driving simulators and sampled an assortment of new safety features, including a brake override system, enhanced pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection and updated ABS calibrations for the Prius. Make the jump for the full report.

Gallery: Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center

Continue reading Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analysis: Company offers aftermarket brake override for Toyotas

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 09 May 2010 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Toyota

With all the news reports about issues with unintended acceleration in Toyotas in recent months, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company stepped up with a purported solution. Santa Barbara-based Solutions Group Inc. is now marketing a device called the Decelerator, which they claim provides a brake override to prevent the car from taking off on the driver.

We spoke with Sean O'Neil, the CEO of the Solutions Group, to learn more about the Decelerator. The device is another box of electronics that can intercept and modify signals to the engine throttle body from the electronic control unit (ECU). Installation is straightforward. The wiring harness from the ECU to the throttle body is unplugged and connected to device, which is then plugged into the ECU. A second connector goes to the brake pedal switch. The brake pedal input provides the 5 volts needed to power the Decelerator.

Inside the Decelerator is a micro-controller and some firmware that sits idle until the brake pedal is pressed. While the brake is off, there's no power and the pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal to the throttle body is simply passed through unmodified. Read on to find out what happens after the brake is applied.

[Source: Solutions Group Inc]

Continue reading Analysis: Company offers aftermarket brake override for Toyotas

Analysis: Company offers aftermarket brake override for Toyotas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 May 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM will have brake override on every automatic transmission vehicle by 2012

Zach Bowman — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, GM

If there's a silver lining in the rash of unintended acceleration claims that have popped up against Toyota as of late, it's that manufacturers from around the world are beginning to think about incorporating brake override systems in their products. General Motors has just announced that all of its vehicles with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control will boast an "enhanced smart pedal" by 2012.

Essentially, the unit will reduce engine power in the event that both the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed simultaneously. We're having a hard time envisioning an event that would cause us to stand on both pedals at the same time, but hey, it takes all kinds. Hit the jump to check out the press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM will have brake override on every automatic transmission vehicle by 2012

GM will have brake override on every automatic transmission vehicle by 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Consumer Reports makes the case for brake override for all

Chris Shunk — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Toyota

Click on the image above to watch the video after the jump

We've seen demonstrations that show how to stop a vehicle experiencing unintended acceleration before, but this newest video from Consumer Reports demonstrates just how crucial a brake override function can be in stopping a throttle gone wild. CR engineer Jake Fisher lines up a pre-recall 2010 Toyota Avalon and a post-repair Camry to compare and contrast the amount of time it takes to bring a vehicle at full throttle to a stop. Hint: There's a big difference.

The Avalon went first, and at 60 mph with the throttle open, it took over 500 feet to come to a complete stop - nearly four times the distance of a normally operating vehicle. Even worse, when the brakes were pumped, the ability to stop the Avalon diminished greatly. Pump the brake two or three times and CR shows that you might as well be driving downhill on a sheet of ice.

Next comes the Camry, which has been retrofitted with a brake override system courtesy of Toyota's recall. The Camry stops at wide open throttle as though the gas pedal is totally disconnected. The result of CR's little video shows that vehicles equipped with brake override can quickly come to a stop even when the throttle is pegged, making unintended acceleration a non-issue. Hit the jump to watch the six-minute video for yourself and let us know if you think all automakers should adapt this technology in the post-jump comments.

[Source : Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Video: Consumer Reports makes the case for brake override for all

Video: Consumer Reports makes the case for brake override for all originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda reportedly adding brake override systems to all future models

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Mazda

2010 Mazda6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a recent report, Mazda will be installing brake override systems on all of its models in the near future. Whenever that happens, the brake will automatically get priority over the accelerator in a situation where both of them are simultaneously depressed. Nissan already has such a system installed on most of its cars, and Toyota has already pledged to do so. As far as Japan goes that leaves companies like Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Suzuki in the "Undecided" column.

A Mazda spokesman said the company wasn't aware of any unintended acceleration issues with its vehicles anywhere in the world that would necessitate such a system. This really looks to be a proactive move, since the estimated $50-per-car cost of the brake override will be much less hurtful than having to recall an untold numbers of cars... and you'll be paying for it, anyway. The company doesn't have details yet on the specifics of implementation, but it will eventually apply to every car the company sells.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Mazda6

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mazda reportedly adding brake override systems to all future models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota adds more models to list getting brake override systems

John Neff — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:54:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Toyota

While all Toyota and Lexus models are expected to be sold with brake override systems by the end of 2010, there are still plenty in customers' hands that don't have the feature. A brake override system will effectively cut engine power if it senses the brake and gas pedals are being pressed at the same time, a handy feature if you find your car suddenly accelerating.

Until now, Toyota has been retroactively adding the brake override feature only to certain models affected by its recent recalls, specifically the Toyota Camry and Avalon and Lexus ES and IS models. Yesterday the Japanese automaker announced that this list is being expanded to also include the Toyota Tacoma, Venza and Sequoia. This means that anyone who brings one of these seven models to a Toyota dealer for a recall fix, whether it be for the floormat or sticking pedal recall, will also have the brake override feature added to his or her vehicle (except Sequoia owners, who Toyota says will get a letter about adding the brake override feature separate from the recall campaign).

In its announcement after the jump, Toyota claims the brake override feature is not an "integral part of the recall remedy," but rather an extra measure of confidence for its customers. The announcement itself came the day before Congressional hearings on Toyota's pedal problems take place in Washington D.C.

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: Toyota | Image: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading Toyota adds more models to list getting brake override systems

Toyota adds more models to list getting brake override systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Toyota said to install brake override systems in all cars by end of 2010

Dan Roth — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota

From the "things that should probably already be there" file comes the announcement that Toyota will be installing brake override systems in response to recent incidents of runaway cars. Toyota North America president Yoshi Inaba told Automotive News that the system will force the engine into idle if it senses the driver is trying to apply the brakes unsuccessfully.

The Toyota Camry and Lexus ES350 will be the first models to get the new system, with installation beginning this month. Toyota's effort follows on the heels of a massive 3.8 million vehicle recall to reshape and replace accelerator pedals. The automaker is attributing reports of runaway cars on floor mat interference with the pedals, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reportedly remains suspicious of other contributing factors.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

BREAKING: Toyota said to install brake override systems in all cars by end of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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