Tag Archives: toyota unintended acceleration

Toyota Wins Unintended Acceleration Case

Posted on 11 October 2013 by Ken Zino

In the first and by no means the last product liability case concerning the design of Toyota vehicles, the jury rejected the claim of the family of Noriko Uno, who alleged that her accident would not have happened if her vehicle had been equipped with brake override. Continue reading →

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Unintended Acceleration on 730,000 Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute SUVs under NHTSA Scrutiny in New Preliminary Investigation

Posted on 18 July 2012 by Ken Zino

The Center for Auto Safety had petitioned NHTSA last week to open defect investigations on the V6 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute models equipped with cruise control. NHTSA opened its own investigation instead, in a move that was required given the seriousness of the allegations that were about to become public.

In a defensive bureaucratic move, NHTSA also denied a CAS request for potentially embarrassing public hearings about the safety agency’s, as well as Ford Motor’s and Mazda’s lack of corrective action thus far. To make matters more complicated and potentially more image damaging for all involved, it is possible that an earlier safety recall resulted in more unintended acceleration accidents on the models involved. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Prompted Latest Lexus Recall after Web Complaints

Posted on 17 July 2012 by Ken Zino

The latest Lexus floor mat recall is the result of ongoing complaints filed by owners on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. It took another NHTSA inquiry to Toyota back in May to prompt Toyota to action. With virtually instant feedback available at the world’s largest auto safety agency, automakers are increasingly under pressure to fix defects and institute recalls within five business days. NHTSA confirmed this summary in a statement that said in part, “NHTSA requested that Toyota conduct an immediate recall of model year 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450 H vehicles for a serious safety issue involving potential pedal entrapment by the floor mat.” So NHTSA asked Toyota once again to conduct a recall. NHTSA is also requesting additional documentation from Toyota and is considering opening another investigation into whether Toyota met its obligation to notify the agency and conduct a recall in a timely manner.
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NHTSA Closes Volt Battery Fire Investigation with No Recall

Posted on 20 January 2012 by Ken Zino

NHTSA also said it remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle. The world’s most prominent auto safety agency set a precedent back in November by opening a safety defect investigation without any supporting data from real-world incidents. Continue reading →

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NRC Agrees Toyota Unintended Acceleration Mechanical – but NHTSA Didn’t Address Auto Electronics Safety Concerns

Posted on 20 January 2012 by Ken Zino

One simple step – the requirement of electronic data recorders that would show the actual driver or computer inputs immediately before and during an accident – doesn’t appear immanent. While this will end many false accusations used by product liability attorneys to garner huge fees from large lawsuits against automakers, there appears to be little appetite for the reform in lawyer- dominated Washington. Continue reading →

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Toyota Outlines Legal Woes in SEC Filing and Says Amounts Accrued for Defense, Thus Far, Will Not Have a Material Effect

Posted on 27 June 2011 by Ken Zino

However, Toyota also said that it cannot currently estimate its potential liability, damages or range of potential loss, if any, beyond the amounts accrued. This means that the resolution of the lawsuits could have an adverse effect on Toyota’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Ford Motor Company’s attempt to improve its credit rating was recently impeded when a class action suit previously considered by Ford as not material resulted in a $2 billion judgement against it. Continue reading →

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Toyota Wins New York Unintended Acceleration Case

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. has won an unintended acceleration case where it was alleged that an unsecured driver’s side floor mat was the primary cause of the crash of Scion tC vehicle in August 2005. After deliberating for approximately 45 … Continue reading →

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Car Buyers Avoiding Toyota, Edmunds Claims

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Car buyers are avoiding shopping for Toyota brands, according to data provided by Edmunds.com, an online web site covering the automobile business that sells advertising to virtually all automakers. The privately-held Edmunds declined to provide any information to AutoInformed about … Continue reading →

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