Good Morning America aired Toyota acceleration issue

Thanks Chris. I was going to try it in a parking lot but now I guess I don't have to. I think I'll practice putting it into neutral, I do that anyway sometimes when I'm trying for high MPG on the Scanguage. I'm going to try the Accs thing too. I don't panic much but practice make perfect if it happens. Thanks again.

 

Wasn't the driver a CHiP officer?

That makes this whole thing imponderable. Definitely a factor in the amount of media coverage and regulatory attention.

But geez, grabbing a cellphone is the LAST thing to try in that situation. What the heck could a 911 dispatcher do???

 

That's what I didn't get. He should have known what to do. As for the cell that was someone in the back seat.

 

NHTSA to Toyota: Stop Lying About Floormatgate
By Robert Farago
November 5, 2009

The Brits have an expression for this situation: “When you’re in a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging.”

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement today correcting inaccurate and misleading information put out by Toyota concerning a safety recall involving 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles:
A press release put out by Toyota earlier this week about their recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles inaccurately stated NHTSA had reached a conclusion “that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver’s floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured.” NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck. But it is simply an interim measure. This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator by floor mats, which is related to accelerator and floor pan design. Safety is the number one priority for NHTSA and this is why officials are working with Toyota to find the right way to fix this very dangerous problem. This matter is not closed until Toyota has effectively addressed the defect by providing a suitable vehicle based solution.

NHTSA constantly monitors consumer complaints and other data. This comprehensive recall focuses on pedal entrapment by floor mats, but NHTSA will fully investigate any possible defect trends in these vehicles.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS

• <LI itxtvisited="1">On September 29, 2009, NHTSA issued a Consumer Alert warning owners of Toyota and Lexus vehicles about “conditions that could cause the accelerator to get stuck open.” As an interim measure, NHTSA “strongly encouraged” owners of specific models to take out the removable driver’s side floor mats and not to replace them any other type of mat. NHTSA warned consumers “a stuck accelerator may result in very high vehicle speeds and a crash, which could cause serious injury or death.” <LI itxtvisited="1">On the same day, Toyota issued a voluntary recall of 3.8 million vehicles to address problems caused when removable floor mats push the accelerator pedal to the floor.
• NHTSA officials are meeting with Toyota to hear their action plan for redesigning the vehicles and correcting this very serious defect.

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Two months ago I was driving my Tacoma'06 auto around 35-40 mph when I pressed the gas pedal to past the front car. After I released the gas pedal the truck suddenly started accelerating without my control. The gas pedal got stuck but not with the floor mat. Even I pressed the brake pedal to stop the truck I can not stopped it. I have to switch the transmission from drive(D) to neutral and return to drive again in just 1 or 2 seconds to avoid to damage or kill the engine. After that my tuck come back to normal operation. TOYOTA blame the floor mat or the drivers but that is a bullshit. In my case, there is not floor mat involved in the gas pedal at all. I blame the gas pedal mechanism with the computer. That was the most scaring moment of my life.

 

I've had my 2010 PreRunner for 6 months now, and have experienced "sudden acceleration" 3 times now, once while parking in a lot, and twice pulling into my garage. I've been trying to convince myself that my big feet are simultaneously pushing both pedals...... but I'm not sure. The last time it revved high enough to chirp the rear tires in the garage while I was pushing the brake and shifting to neutral. It didn't race anywhere's near to WOT, but enough to get my undivided attention.

One interesting thing I noted (especially for those of us with big feet). I also own a 2006 Highlander Hybrid, and measure the gas pedal is 3.5" (gap) from the brake pedal. This same distance is only about 2.25 inches on the Taco.

I sure hope this is nothing. When I'm thinking about it while driving and moving my foot carefully between the pedals, I have no problems. I've owned Toyota's for 18 yrs now (Camry, Highlander, Sequoia, Tundra, Tacoma), never had issues before, and will continue to own Toyota's.