Toyota Unintended Acceleration Scandal (2009-2010)

Between 2009 and 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation faced allegations that certain vehicles experienced unintended acceleration, leading to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The scandal resulted in the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide and extensive investigations by regulatory bodies, leading to significant financial and reputation damage for Toyota.

Key Models Involved
The recalls covered millions of vehicles globally, including popular models such as:

Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Prius
Lexus ES350
Lexus RX350

Toyota Unintended Acceleration Recall (2009-2010): A Comprehensive Guide
The Toyota unintended acceleration scandal is one of the most significant safety controversies in automotive history. It raised questions about vehicle safety, corporate accountability, and regulatory oversight. Here’s a full-length guide to the topic:

Overview
Between 2009 and 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation faced allegations that certain vehicles experienced unintended acceleration, leading to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The scandal resulted in the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide and extensive investigations by regulatory bodies, leading to significant financial and reputational damage for Toyota.

What is Unintended Acceleration?
Unintended acceleration refers to incidents where a vehicle accelerates without driver input, often due to mechanical, electronic, or human factors. In Toyota's case, the alleged unintended acceleration incidents were attributed to multiple causes, including:

Faulty Floor Mats - Mats that could trap the accelerator pedal.
Sticky Accelerator Pedals - Pedals that became difficult to release.
Electronic Throttle Control Issues - Concerns over software or sensor malfunctions.
Timeline of Events
2004-2009: Early Complaints
2004: Toyota began receiving complaints about unintended acceleration, but they were initially dismissed as user error.
2007: Toyota issued a limited recall for certain floor mats suspected of interfering with the accelerator pedal.
August 2009: Fatal Lexus Crash
A high-profile crash involving a Lexus ES350 in San Diego killed four family members. The crash, attributed to a stuck accelerator caused by floor mat entrapment, intensified scrutiny.
2009-2010: Expanding Recalls
November 2009: Toyota announced the recall of 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S. to address potential floor mat interference.
January 2010: Toyota issued another recall, this time for sticky accelerator pedals, affecting millions of additional vehicles.
February 2010: Toyota suspended sales and production of eight models due to the accelerator pedal issue.
February 2010: Congressional Hearings
Toyota executives, including then-CEO Akio Toyoda, were summoned to testify before the U.S. Congress. The hearings investigated the company's response and raised questions about its safety practices.
2010-2011: Investigations and Settlements
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and NASA were tasked with investigating whether electronic throttle systems contributed to the problem. NASA later concluded that no evidence linked the issue to electronic systems.
Key Factors in the Scandal
1. Floor Mat Entrapment
Floor mats in some Toyota and Lexus vehicles were found to be improperly secured, allowing them to slide forward and trap the accelerator pedal.

2. Sticky Accelerator Pedals
Some models experienced wear-and-tear in the accelerator pedal assembly, causing the pedal to become stuck or slow to return to its idle position.

3. Perception of Electronic Issues
Many victims claimed that unintended acceleration was caused by electronic throttle control system malfunctions, though Toyota and NASA investigations found no evidence to support these claims.

4. Corporate Culture
Toyota was criticized for being slow to acknowledge and address the problem. Some believed its rapid growth and cost-cutting measures compromised safety.

[johnmccullough]

My 2007 Toyota Hybrid was recalled for that issue. The dealer trimmed the gas pedal down a bit and checked that the carpet protector was anchored properly. Also, I learned how to turn off the engine if it runs away- depress the start button for 5 seconds. Unfortunately, this also disables the power steering, so expect it to be really hard to steer or impossible. I tried it at 5 mph in a vacant parking lot. Might be safer to shift to neutral and let the engine rev up (and blow up probably) rather than turning off the engine and losing steering. And, on the Hybrid models, in neutral the car won't rev above idle speed even if the pedal is to the floor.

[algini]

My Dad drove a 2005 Camry back in 2007. He was parked head-in, facing the back of a Thrift store. When leaving, he started the car, and it ramped up the curb from 3 feet away. Yes, 3 feet. And put a hole in the back wall of the Thrift store. The car also was totaled. I was mystified. How could any acceleration from my Dad have done such mutual damage? From such a short distance? I had been called on the phone to the scene to take my parents home. I asked one of the Cops who had been called to the scene, how this could have happened? I can't remember her exact reply, but it was along the lines of elder error of hitting the gas instead of the brake. My brother, due to smaller accidents recently, was on my brother's insurance. He was very angry at my Dad. My Dad was 84 at the time. Flash forward 2 and a half years later to 2009, and I saw a news story about tragic accidents and the recall as shown in the above video. My Dad had passed away of unrelated issues, just 3 or 4 months before. But as I said, the car was totaled and trashed long before, and my Dad was now gone. Among many other things that I wish I could have spoken to him about, this is just one of them. He had taken the blame stoically as most WWII vets tend to do. He had been quiet during this ordeal. I can only surmise that he himself though he was at fault. I just wish I could have told him that he was innocent of blame for this. But by just a few short months, it was too late.... 😐😒😮‍💨😪

[ricksaccount]

Toyota was investigated and their systems studied by NHTSA, NASA and Exponent Failure Analysis Associates. All concluded the same that Toyota's redundancy systems make it impossible for their vehicles to accelerate on their own through any electronic malfunction as some have claimed. The "black box" installed in every vehicle that monitors all the vehicle systems much like an airplane was reviewed after each accident and confirmed pedal misapplication. The root cause in every case was driver error due to pedal misapplication or stacking floor mats on top of each other that caused the accelerator to get stuck under the mat. The fix was to shave the pedal, intall floor mats with anchors to keep them in place and educate owners to not stack mats on top of each other.