At least Toyota Motor Corporation authorizes recalls when a major defect is detected...
...and it is not propped up by U.S. tax dollars.
Posted on 02/18/2010 3:13:54 AM PST by myknowledge
Toyota faces a US investigation into complaints of steering problems in the Corolla, the world's best-selling car, in a fresh setback to the auto giant's efforts to restore trust in its brand.
The Japanese maker, already pulling more than eight million cars worldwide over defects linked to more than 30 deaths, said Wednesday it was looking into the issue and would recall the Corolla if it found a dangerous flaw.
Another recall would deal a heavy blow to efforts by the world's biggest automaker to bounce back from a string of safety issues and criticism that it was slow to recall potentially dangerous vehicles.
The iconic company, whose global expansion pushed it past General Motors in 2008 as world number one, is facing a litany of complaints ranging from unintended acceleration to brake failure and steering problems.
Now Washington has launched an investigation into the 2009 and 2010 model Corollas over the steering issues, a US Transportation Department official said on condition of anonymity.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was expected to officially announce the probe as early as Thursday.
US authorities on Tuesday demanded that Toyota hand over documents to prove it did not drag its feet in recalling the vehicles once it learnt about defects that can lead to unintended acceleration.
The 2009-2010 Corolla is among the models involved in Toyota's earlier recalls to fix that problem.
Up to 500,000 vehicles could be affected by the Corolla steering probe - more if the investigation is widened abroad or beyond the 2009 and 2010 models, according to the US official.
There have been more than 160 complaints to US authorities since 2009 about the steering of the Corolla, the world's most popular car with global sales of more than 30 million since the first version was launched in the 1960s.
President Barack Obama's Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has vowed "to hold Toyota's feet to the fire" to make sure its cars are safe.
The number of complaints alleging deaths related to unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles has surged to at least 34 since the company announced on January 26 it was suspending sales of eight models in the United States.
The company faces dozens of lawsuits in the United States alleging Toyota was too slow to act on the problems. Experts say the legal action could potentially cost the company billions of dollars.
In a bid to prevent runaway car crashes, Toyota announced on Wednesday that it would fit all new models with a system to cut engine power when the driver steps on the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time.
Toyota's president Akio Toyoda is under pressure to face US lawmakers over the safety issues.
But the Toyota family scion, under fire for his handling of the crisis, signalled he would miss a grilling by US lawmakers next week on the mass recalls, sending one of his top North America executives instead.
Toyoda - who is notoriously publicity shy and was criticised for being slow to appear in public after the mass recalls went global - added that he would consider appearing before Congress if formally invited to do so.
US lawmakers will hold three separate congressional hearings in the coming weeks on the Toyota recalls - on February 23 and 24 as well as on March 2.
At least Toyota Motor Corporation authorizes recalls when a major defect is detected...
...and it is not propped up by U.S. tax dollars.
Yeah. Weve become really tough on Toyota now that we own GM.
Why no investigation into the other automakers recalls? There are plenty of them.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/defectmonthlyreports.cfm
Yeah. Weve become really tough on Toyota now that we own GM.<<<<<
Lookout Ford!!!!
Thank you. I knew from the beginning that the prostitute mainstream media (currently owned and operated by the Marxist that lives in the White House) would give bad press on a company that profits annually and doesn't rely on the taxpayer to keep them afloat.
Watch as the US government attempts to hijack Toyota (via new regulations and/or fines) by using these unfortunate recall incidents to their socialist advantage.
How dare you introduce facts into the discussion! </sarc>
My next purchase will be a Toyota or Toyota-make. I hate liberal witch hunts.
The autoworkers union finally gets a shot at Toyota with O’s blessing. I will NEVER buy another GM car.
I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but there is so much “piling on” that this is beginning to make sense to me:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/spl2/obama-toyota.html
Piling on big time. I hope that Toyota is gearing up for a hell of a campaign blitz against the dim party this fall. It’s legal now. again.
I don’t trust anyone in this administration as far as I could throw them.
We are going to look at some Toyotas tomorrow, are we stupid?
I think right now we are looking at the RAV 4’s.
Four drivers in our family = four Toyotas. I won’t buy another make again. I’ll never buy another GM car as long as I live.
Obama’s goons performing a Corollanoscopy.
My son has a Corolla S. On the few occasions I’ve had to drive it, I thought it drove better than any car I’ve ever owned. Very tight steering and solid feel taking corners, etc. It is a great little car. Very fun to drive.
would fit all new models with a system to cut engine power when the driver steps on the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time.There goes the power braking stunt.
Seriously, this sort of "fix" may have unintended side effects. I abhor the "two foot driving" method (right foot for accelerator, left foot on the brake), and wonder if the new design will encourage or discourage it.
That Muslim bastard in the White House is playing dirty pool against his auto companies’ (GM’s and Fiat-Chrysler’s) competitors.
Called killing off the competition. Toyota first, then Ford. Then the gov’t owned (allegedly us, but that’s BS and we all know it) GM rules supreme!
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