The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into the possibility that the root of the gas pedal problem in Toyota cars is in the electronic throttle control system (ETCS) which is found in many models.
Toyota recently claimed that it “rigorously tested” its ETCS under a variety of circumstances, including subjecting the ETCS to various forms of electromagnetic radiation while in use and the car manufacturer has been unable to find any problems, according to CNN.com.
Toyota’s proposed solution to the gas pedal problem is a steel rod that would reduce friction within the pedal system. However, this fix may not actually solve the problem. According to thetruthaboutcars.com , the fix “will profoundly reduce the likelihood or possibility of the pedal being stuck or slow to return. But the trade-off may not be immaterial. Undoubtedly, Toyota’s intended degree of friction will be compromised by this fix, to one degree or another. And drivers may find the fix unpleasant or uncomfortable, also to some degree or another. Clearly, this fix is a band aid to fix the intrinsic limitations of this design.”
If it’s discovered the actual problem is within the ETCS, Toyota may be forced to issue another major recall (their most recent recall involved over four million cars). Class action lawsuits have been filed against Toyota and one of the suits alleges that gas pedal problems were arising in 2002 and the ETCS is the culprit.
Here’s a video discussing the suspicion of ETCS problems with the sudden acceleration issue…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ847n_UsYc&feature=related
The NHTSA is considering issuing civil penalties against Toyota over their handling of the recall, according to the CNN article . Toyota initially claimed the problem was with their floor mats , then claimed it was due to the gas pedal being too long , and now they claim the steel rod fix will solve the problem. All the while, Toyota drivers were on the road at risk of a potential sudden acceleration which could lead to a major car wreck and serious injuries.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently stated Toyota drivers should stop driving their cars in the hopes of preventing a serious car accident , but then changed his statements and encouraged Toyota drivers to take their car to a dealership so they can get the steel rod “fix.”
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm (VA-NC law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers.
Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
One Comment
Mike Bryant
This story continues to grow and seems to be clear they either have no idea or they really know and they have been hiding the truth. The depth of this investigation will hopefully get us the answers.
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