Government and Toyota Join Forces to Investigate Unintended Acceleration in Vehicles

Strategic Insights -

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has enlisted the help of NASA and the National Academy of Sciences to investigate the cause of Toyota's recall of over 8 million cars worldwide due to sudden acceleration problems. The Transportation Department's secretary, Ray LaHood, has stated that the involvement of outside experts will provide a comprehensive review of potential electronic ties to unintended acceleration in Toyotas. A separate study by the National Academy of Sciences will examine unwanted acceleration and electronic vehicle controls across the auto industry, aiming to identify the root cause and recommend safety measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • NASA scientists with expertise in electronics will collaborate with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study potential electronic ties to unintended acceleration in Toyotas.
  • The study, expected to take 15 months, will be conducted by the National Academy of Sciences and will review acceleration problems and recommend safety measures for vehicle electronic control systems.
  • The academy study will examine unwanted acceleration and electronic vehicle controls in cars throughout the auto industry.
  • Toyota has attributed the problem to sticking gas pedals and accelerators that can become jammed in floor mats, but consumer groups contend that electronics could be the culprit.
  • Dozens of Toyota owners who had their cars fixed in the recall have complained of more problems with their vehicles surging forward unexpectedly.
  • Regulators have linked 52 deaths in Toyotas to crashes allegedly caused by accelerator problems.

Statistics:

  • Over 8 million Toyota vehicles have been recalled worldwide due to sudden acceleration problems.
  • Six million of the recalled vehicles are in the United States.
  • The two studies together will cost approximately $3 million.
  • 52 deaths have been linked to crashes allegedly caused by accelerator problems in Toyotas.
  • The National Academy of Sciences study is expected to take 15 months to complete.

Sources:

  • (AP) Washington (WASHINGTON AP)--NASA and the National Academy Sciences are joining the government effort to figure out what cause the sudden acceleration
  • (AP) Washington (WASHINGTON AP)--The Transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, has stated that the involvement of outside experts will provide a comprehensive review of potential electronic ties to unintended acceleration in Toyotas.
  • (AP) Washington (WASHINGTON AP)--The National Academy of Sciences is an independent organization chartered by Congress.