Beth was nearly plowing into parked cars attempting to stop the forward motion of the truck! With her foot firmly on the brake, the truck's engine continued to race and the tires dug into the pavement. With only a second to react, she put the vehicle in park and avoided an accident. We can only be grateful there were no injuries - THIS time!
After towing the vehicle to the dealership and having it checked out with the diagnostic computer, the results were as expected (please see article from MotorTrend below). There is nothing the dealership, the manufacturer, or the government can do for us.
We must trade-in this nearly new truck as soon as possible! We cannot trust that it will not happen again. We have experienced a huge financial blow with this situation......but are grateful no one has been hurt.
From MotorTrend:
Recently a wave of owner complaints drove the NHTSA to investigate 2004 - 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickups over a possible problem with sudden, unintended acceleration. All along, the automaker has insisted that, despite hearing of over 431 separate incidents, nothing is mechanically wrong with its truck, and now federal regulators are backing it up -- closing the inquiry, NHTSA says it cannot find a cause for the issue and concludes the acceleration must be from driver error. NOT SO! WE FIND THIS OFFENSIVE! AND IRRESPONSIBLE!
Previously, one Tacoma owner had petitioned NHTSA to look into the Tacoma problems, citing 33 total complaints from fellow drivers. Toyota also admitted it had gotten many more reports of the same issue, including 51 crashes and 12 injuries, OH, THOSE POOR PEOPLE!
while over the past couple years only a few other incidents of sudden acceleration were reported on all other pickup models sold in the U.S. combined. The agency launched an investigation into 775,000 Tacomas built since 2004, but is now concluding no specific defect was behind the problem. Toyota's own examination of the problem found most of the complaints dealt with minor engine-speed changes, which have no impact on the trucks' safety, and that many owners became nervous because of widespread publicity over the issue. That said, the Detroit Free Press previously noted the majority of sudden acceleration reports came before it gained any coverage in the media.
At issue is the Tacoma's drive-by-wire system, which uses a computer to replace the physical connection between the gas pedal and engine throttle. While some owners believe this system is unreliable, Toyota insists it includes a feature that will report an error if the accelerator and throttle ever become mismatched, and so far no Tacoma inspected by technicians or dealers has recorded a problem. THERE WAS NO PROOF - BUT IT WAS REAL!
Now that the NHTSA has ruled the Tacoma to be safe, however, Toyota can turn to more pressing issues like its reduced 2009 sales outlook instead.
From: Detroit Free Press
After 33 different complaints, the NHTSA has launched an investigation into possible sudden acceleration problems on 2006-07 Tacoma pickups. In one such incident Frank Visconi, a retired vehicle theft investigator, was on his way to a Toyota dealer to have his new Tacoma examined for sudden acceleration issues he had been experiencing. As he ran up on another car he tapped the brakes, but instead of slowing down Visconi claims the truck's engine revved suddenly. He lost control of the vehicle and jumped an embankment, causing the Tacoma to roll several times before finally coming to a stop. Miraculously, Visconi was able to walk away from the incident unhurt.
Before this incident Visconi had sent several letters to Toyota chronicling instances where his Tacoma accelerated without warning, but the automaker denied finding any mechanical problems with their truck. The NHTSA has typically ruled that sudden acceleration issues are the result of driver error, but after retired journalist William Kronholm petitioned the agency, it decided to open an investigation.
The owner of a 2006 Tacoma, Kronholm claims his truck had two separate incidents of sudden acceleration in just two hours. He then discovered that compared to the number of complaints about the Tacoma, only four other incidents of sudden acceleration were reported over the same period on all other pickup models combined. The NHTSA investigation has just begun, and if the agency were to suggest a recall it would not happen for some time. For its part Toyota continues to insist their truck is mechanically sound.
Having already been forced to extend warranty coverage for rust on older Tacomas, this could potentially be a damaging blow to Toyota's reputation for quality if proven to be an issue. Hopefully the true cause of the problem will be determined soon, whatever it may be.
17 comments:
Mat causing the stuck Toyota (Lexus) accelerator? Hardly! This is yet another way for Toyota to blame the owner. Is there any major vehicle defect where Toyota will not blame the owner? Take a look at the "Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution: Engine Oil Sludge" online petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html. There are over 3,000 petition signatories already yet Toyota says that only 3,200 people had the sludge problem? Gross underestimation? Of course!
Toyota's major safety issues are being blamed on the drivers of its vehicles! This is a low blow by a company! Talk to the owners who have experienced non-deployment of the Toyota air bags (if they are not DEAD!) and see what they have to say about safety issues in Toyotas!
Take a look at the YouTube video entitled "Toyota Engine Oil Sludge" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs7WI2s-CVw which has been up for only a couple of months but has gotten almost 3,000 views. Go to the "Toyota Oil Gel" web site at http://www.toyotaoilgel.com to see what one Toyota owner has put together.
Next, read http://www.uc2.blogspot.com to fine out how one Toyota dealership treats an owner who wished to exercise his freedom of speech rights. Name-calling, flattening of tires, threats, and even attempts to run over the protesting Toyota owner are just some of this Toyota dealerships tricks to dealing with a dissatisfied customer!
Toyota---SHAME on you for trying to once again incriminate the Toyota owners---and DEAD ones at that!! You need to confess about your quality issues and resolve the current and former issues that Toyota owners had had to face over the last few years!! Stop the facade---stop the blame game---stop the FRAUD!!
I had no idea there were so many Tacoma owners who have experienced what I now see being called 'Sudden Accelertation'. My story is this; August 2009, I was in cruise control set at 115 kph. I stepped on the brake to disengage as I was nearing traffic. The truck accelerated to 145 kph. Both feet on the brakes slowed it down to 120. I release the pressure on the brakes it accelertated. I decide to take the truck into the ditch before I kill someone. As I head for the ditch I decide to shut the ignition off. It stopped the accelertaton. I immediately turned the ignition back on and everything is normal again. Toyota told me they had not heard of this problem (Canada) and they said it was my aftermarket floormats that caused the problem. My rear brakes had to be replaced from trying to slow down the truck.
On Nov 13, 2009 I was involved in an accident involving my 2006 Tacoma and a telephone pole. When the accident happened, I was pulling out of a parking lot, it felt like I sped up quickly and I told the police officer it felt like my accelerator stuck. On the police report, I traveled a total of 20 feet and he estimated I was doing 20 mph. I was notified today, 12/10/09 that my truck is totaled due to my frame needing to be replaced. There is no way my truck should be totaled after traveling 20 feet unless something mechanically went wrong.
After calling the Toyota customer service number to see if there were any recalls, I found out there was one for floor mats. This had nothing to do with floor mats!! It had to be something mechanical.
I've found on several sites that it may not be the floor mats, but instead, something more serious. I've found where several people have had problems with their mechanical throttles. Please let me know if there is anything, I'm missing.
It just happened to me in my 2007 Tacoma. Dec, 2012.
It just happened to me in my 2007 Tacoma. Dec, 2012.
It happened to me late this afternoon in my 2006 Tacoma. I was stopped in traffic on the interstate. I was approximately 3 car lengths behind a semi pulling a flat bed in the middle of three lanes with nowhere to go. I had my foot on the brake when suddenly the truck shimmied a little and took off like a rocket. I mashed the brake as hard as I could to no avail. I plowed into the rear end of the truck. Thank God, it was a large truck and not a small car in front of me. No injuries and the only damage was to my truck. I will be on my way to the Toyota dealership in the morning. I'm sure they'll say the equivalent of, "Too bad."
I am a new driver and I had the sudden acceleration problem with my fathers Tacoma. Lucky for me it happened while attempting to parallel park and neither the car in front of me or my fathers truck were damaged. My (who has had the same problem) told me he thinks it's because the accelerator and brake are to close together, so that when you think you are stepping on the brake, you may in fact also be stepping on the accelerator. This is certainly what happened to me. As I pushed down on the brake the continued to move forwards slowly. When I pushed down harder there was a sudden rev and the truck jumped forwards.
Toyota and Lexus are #1 in cases of sudden unintended acceleration and FORD is #2. The current unintended acceleration plaguing newer vehicles is the electronically-induced type. The engine throttle control systems depend on computer software to command them. Sometimes glitches occur...like in some of your other electronic devices...which can cause the command to be different than what you desire. The evidence of the glitch is often undetectable after the vehicle is restarted. Unfortunately, the EDR (black box) is not always accurate as shown by expert Dr. Antony Anderson in his analysis of a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The EDR results indicated the driver was not braking when she was doing so. The EDR results are inconsistent.
The key to avoiding a horrific crash during a SUA event is whether or not the vehicle has an effective fail-safe in the event a glitch occurs. If it does not, as in the case of the glitch-prone Toyota ETCS-i, then the vehicle may become a runaway with an ineffective means to stop it. Unfortunately, the safety standards aren't as strict in automobiles as they are in airplanes. Some manufacturers have more effective fail-safes than others. In the case of Toyota, an embedded software expert, Michael Barr (see Oklahoma Bookout vs. Toyota court case involving a 2005 Camry) found that an electronic glitch could induce a SUA event. Another expert, Dr. Henning Leidecker, found that a SUA event could also be triggered by "tin whisker" formation, particularly in 2002-2006 Toyota Camry vehicles.
SUA events have been DEADLY for vehicle occupants as well as pedestrians and people in storefronts, buildings, and even homes. The numbers of such crashes are ever-increasing with the advent of the very complex ELECTRONIC throttle control systems.
With the increase in such serious vehicle crashes, there is a concerted effort to show driver "pedal misapplication" or a "medical condition" or some other reason for the incident...anything other than a vehicle defect. Investigators aren't scrutinizing the buggy electronic throttle control software or other conditions that can elicit a terrifying sudden unintended acceleration incident. They usually just examine the *mechanical* causes which tend to be just red herrings in these cases. Investigators simply don't have the expertise to find such electronic glitches. In fact, the staff at the NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, do not have this very specialized training!
Think of it...the next step in electronically-controlled vehicles seems to be so-called "self-driving cars." Do YOU want to be in a such a vehicle when there is no evidence that strict safety standards, particularly in the throttle control system's software, have been adhered to? Will you just BLINDLY trust the automaker (criminally-investigated and nearly-prosecuted Toyota and soon-to-be GM and others?) to come through for you and your family's safety *on its own*?
A recently published Huffington Post article by Jonathan Handel,
How Do We Know Driverless Cars Are Safe? Google Says 'Trust Us'
Posted: 07/01/2014 7:23 pm EDT Updated: 07/02/2014 1:48 pm EDT speaks to these very issues and poses tough questions about Google's "driverless" vehicles. Educate yourself carefully before you put your faith in automakers who have knowingly lied to their customers and the government for decades. Study the issue of vehicle electronic sudden unintended acceleration and ask WHY we aren't seeing it addressed publicly. WHY is blame placed on the driver with little more than speculation about which pedal was used or with little more than an assumption on medical condition. This is being done *even when the drivers steadfastly cite a VEHICLE PROBLEM as the cause of the crash. Absence of proof is not proof of absence of a serious ELECTRONIC computer glitch or other electronically-caused SUA.
Charlene Blake
Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution Online
toyotaownersuniteforresolutiononline.blogspot.com
Oh, your mean like NHTSA's "dual pedal application" theory.
No! This isn't what we are referring to. Sorry.
PR spin by automaker, law enforcement, and media in full force? Do they desperately desire the final report to say "pedal misapplication" in order to deflect from the ELECTRONICS of the computer-controlled throttle control system?
Let's see if the driver is hung out to dry publicly as so many have been in these crashes into storefronts, buildings, and homes. Jail time for drivers has been levied with nothing more than ruling out the mechanical causes. In cases of Toyota and Lexus, inconsistent and inaccurate EDR information has been used to falsely incriminate SUA crash victims. Character assassinations in the media prior to concrete evidence presentation seem to be the norm.
Are automakers nervous that the truth will be revealed publicly? Why are so many of the articles about such SUA events lacking in pertinent details, like make, model, and model year? Why aren't the exact words of the driver stated? Why is there usually immediate speculation that the driver pressed the wrong pedal? These late model vehicles are *computer-controlled*. Glitches occur often. Critical safety standards aren't strictly regulated and fail-safes have been found to be ineffective by experts in the embedded software field.
Think about how often you reboot your electronic devices. Have you considered that an electronically-driven vehicle has many of the same "glitch" issues? Are you erroneously assuming that your safety has been ensured by the auto manufacturer? Just know, the auto industry is not regulated like the airline industry. Educate yourself on this critical safety matter.
The Car Wash Association knows the truth about sudden unintended acceleration in late model vehicles, particularly Chryslers. A FastStop Car Wash just admitted that there is a list of the most common vehicles to suddenly accelerate. After an employee was thrown from a Ford Expedition as it careened out-of-control from a car wash and into a power box on the side of a building, this information was revealed by the media. In addition, Honda has just become the first automaker to address electronic throttle control software problems.
Why doesn't the public have access to the most-often-to-suddenly-accelerate vehicle list? How hard are the automakers trying to keep such information hidden? Will what you do not know ultimately put you or your family in unnecessary jeopardy? Will the PR agenda of the automakers continue to push for a "pedal misapplication" final report in these crash events?
How long will the flawed study into Toyota and Lexus sudden unintended acceleration by NASA/NHTSA be touted as a reason to blame the vehicle owners? How often will the old Audi SUA investigation be cited by online PR trolls in an effort to justify immediate incrimination of the driver victims? More importantly, how long will the public be deceived?
Why was Toyota whistleblower Betsy Benjaminson recently issued a subpoena by Toyota Motor Corporation? Is this an on-going effort by the automaker to silence the exposure of Toyota internal documents related to the electronic sudden unintended acceleration? Why hasn't Ms. Benjaminson's information been covered by the U.S. media as it has been overseas? More importantly, why hasn't the U.S. Department of Justice made reference to this information in its recent criminal investigation of Toyota? Why have we only heard about *mechanical* causes of SUA?
Something is amiss. Doesn't the public deserve to know the truth? After all, electronic sudden unintended acceleration affects everyone, not just vehicle drivers. Pedestrians and storefront occupants have been killed or maimed. Even residents in homes have been impacted. SUA events are not just occurring on the highways; they are happening in parking lots and from a standstill at traffic stops, too.
This serious problem isn't just about elderly drivers, drivers with medical conditions, or impaired drivers as a seemingly pervasive PR effort might have you believe. This is about vehicles out-of-control because of electronic glitches and ineffective fail-safes. This is about unregulated critical safety standards in complex electronically-controlled vehicles.
Charlene McCarthy Blake
Jeep vehicles are WELL-KNOWN in terms of sudden unintended acceleration. Ask ANY car wash business. As a matter of fact, the Car Wash Association has a formal LIST of most likely vehicles to do this. Jeeps often TAKE OFF while inside these car washes.
However, there is also a BIG hidden secret in the auto industry...it's called ELECTRONIC sudden unintended acceleration! I know...you thought that was just about FLOOR MATS and sticky pedals, or "driver error," right? That's certainly what TOYOTA would like you to continue to believe, BUT DON'T!
These ultra-complex new engines are completely computer driven. Software is needed to control the throttle system. You THINK you are giving gas when you press the accelerator, but you are only SUGGESTING this to the computer. In electronic SUA cases, the throttle software may be glitch-prone and NOT do as you wish.
What happens then? Well, the glitch may (and has for countless SUA victims) result in an OPEN THROTTLE situation. The brakes become INEFFECTIVE in these situations and crashes into storefronts, buildings, and homes have resulted.
What does the automaker say? They hook the vehicles up to the computer and declare NOTHING WRONG! They cite the EDR which has erroneous data and say YOU were NOT braking. They point the finger at you based on AGE, GENDER, MEDICAL history, prescription meds, etc. YOU name it, they've TRIED it!
Get the picture? And you THOUGHT the GM issue was big? Think again! This cover-up of ELECTRONIC SUA is scandalous and very well-orchestrated.
Why even a WHISTLEBLOWER has been legally harassed by Toyota as it does NOT want her Toyota internal docs posted online anymore. The automaker wants to intimidate and SILENCE her. It doesn't want the PUBLIC involved, for goodness sake!
Charlene McCarthy Blake
CLASSIC *parking lot* sudden unintended acceleration in this case.
1) driver pulls into or out of a parking space/spot with braking
2) engine revs loudly...ROARING...
3) open throttle vehicle TAKES OFF, often jumping curbs, climbing embankments, crossing medians
4) CRASHES into storefront, building, or homes with bulldozer-like power
5) wheels continue spinning AFTER impact, squealing and burning rubber until smoke fills space
6) driver in a state of shock about what just happened
7) IF death or injury to others, driver's reputation slammed and charges filed
THEN...police and automaker rule DRIVER ERROR (or "medical condition" or "elderly" or "impaired") because we must NOT blame the highly-complex, computer-driven, electronic glitch-prone vehicle!!
BEWARE of auto industry-known initial low-speed or no-speed ELECTRONIC sudden unintended acceleration! This type of #SUA is far more common than you think!
Charlene McCarthy Blake
Most Toyota SUA victims use the word "terrifying" in their description of the crashes or even in the event without a crash, IF they are lucky enough to stop the vehicle before it crashes! The witness said "horrific" and that word is also used a lot to describe these frightening events of unintended ELECTRONIC acceleration.
These accidents are described as a "freak" or "bizarre" because of the erratic behavior of the vehicles at the time of the incidents. Drivers are "shocked" or "dazed" or "confused" afterwards as you can imagine ANYONE would be!
This isn't about age, medical condition, or any other cause superficial to the ACTUAL no-speed or low-speed to AIRBORNE speed in seconds electronic cause of such accidents.
Make no mistake about it...there is a Big PR push to make sure the driver is found to be at fault...even if it means conjuring up the most "handy" excuse possible. A real Toyota Corolla victim tells all about Toyota's coercion (a.k.a. BULLY) techniques on Twitter. It is NOT funny what the automaker is doing to their own customers when the customers come to them to report this serious safety issue happening in their vehicles!
If you read comment sections on these articles, you see a lot of inappropriate joking going on at the car crash victim's expense. It happens time and time again if you take the time to track the articles about these horrific crashes. Think that's innocent? Think again.
Charlene Blake
Who knew that driving a Toyota or Lexus could result in jail time and worse if a sudden unintended acceleration accident occurred? Toyota said all this is over because the recall has been done and it has paid its $1.2 billion fine. THINK again if you believe that claim! The real problem currently is ELECTRONIC SUA and accidents are happening daily. Many of these involve vehicles in parking lots when braking is initiated. Storefront crashes and crashes-into-buildings/homes are reported. Toyota finds the vehicle faultless...no code stored and EDR (black box) shows no braking. However, Toyota and Lexus drivers report the vehicle "taking off" or "having a mind of its own." These same vehicles have been reported going airborne from a standstill starting point in a parking lot!
Here are the critical issues:
Sloppily-designed Toyota electronic throttle system software (see Michael Barr's findings) equals RUNAWAY---a.k.a. sudden unintended acceleration----Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
Worse? The electronic fail-safe---a.k.a. the way to stop the runaway---is also rendered ineffective at the time of the SUA glitch (Michael Barr, embedded software expert).
Translation? Your runaway Toyota or Lexus is not going to stop until something stops it!
Even worse? Your Toyota or Lexus EDR---a.k.a black box---is going to record inconsistent, unreliable data (see Dr. Antony Anderson's findings).
Problem? You will be CHARGED for any deaths or injuries to others as a result of an accident your runaway vehicle causes based on the faulty EDR results and an assumption of "driver pedal misapplication."
More of a problem? You may go to JAIL or prison if the EDR erroneously shows that you are not braking---which it has for others more often than not. Essentially, you will be deemed not telling the truth or confused in media coverage because Toyota will say its EDR is accurate---even though it admitted this data was unreliable previously.
Even a bigger problem? If there is any chance a detail comes out that supports the driver, the media will take sides with the automaker and support your character assassination publicly. Are you on prescription meds or any medications? Are you an older citizen? Are you a woman and older? Bingo! Elderly pedal misapplication, according to media and Toyota.
Don't worry...all your skeletons will be dug up as Toyota goes full steam ahead to escape blame for faulty electronics! Just keep track of all these mysterious vehicles-into-homes and storefront crashes and read the headlines. Read the PR propaganda supporting driver error.
Toyota's $$ goes far and wide...even to the heart of the very agency commissioned to protect your SAFETY! The DOJ and NHTSA are still looking the other way---a.k.a. protecting corporate interests. They do not want to open up the ELECTRONIC sudden unintended acceleration issue as then there will be a public cover-up scandal which rivals the best---or worst---of them.
All the above doesn't factor in the so far little-known in the U.S. whistleblower, Betsy Benjaminson. She's has copies of hundreds of internal Toyota documents. Many of these show clear evidence of concern over an electronic throttle system problem---a.k.a. "ghost in the engine"---and the lack of fix for it. Betsy has a blog where she has posted some of the evidence. She's been the feature of several articles and a podcast interview outside the U.S. Google her name to find.
Toyota, the media, and the government seem to be handling each new suspicious runaway vehicle accident---a.k.a. driver states pressing brake when the vehicle takes off, becomes airborne, has a mind of its own, etc.---on a case-by-case basis. Apparently, there is the hope that each case will blow over with little public attention. There is hope, too, that the public buys into the PR machine working overtime with law enforcement and media to BLAME the vehicle driver. SUA victim = SCAPEGOAT.
As far as Toyota is concerned, it is DONE with the topic of sudden unintended acceleration. Period. It got the free pass with a huge U.S. Government fine---a.k.a. permission not to face the music regarding ELECTRONIC SUA. Floor mats, pedals, driver error...done DEAL.
Toyota's well-orchestrated smoke screen continues aided and abetted by our very own safety regulatory agency. Can't beat that! The sky's the limit now...think of all the untoward consequences for Toyota owners, not to mention the driving public.
Toyota is #1 in numbers of sudden unintended acceleration events. BUT...it is not alone! This is an industry-wide phenomenon and not one automaker wants the public knowledgeable about ELECTRONIC sudden unintended acceleration.
suddenunintendedacceleration@gmail.com
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