February 16, 2010
Between the end of September and the end of January, Toyota issued three recalls related to sudden acceleration problems in some of its vehicles. Federal safety regulators want to know if the carmaker acted as quickly as it should have.
The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) today said it is using its "statutory authority" to determine if Toyota announced the recalls in a timely manner or tried to stonewall the problem. Federal law requires all auto manufacturers to notify NHTSA within five days of determining that a safety defect exists and to promptly conduct a recall.
"Safety recalls are very serious matters and automakers are required to quickly report defects," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
The auto safety agency is requiring Toyota to provide documents showing when and how it learned of the defects affecting approximately six million vehicles in the US alone. The probe will examine how the manufacturer learned of these defects, such as through consumer complaints or factory testing. Investigators are also looking into whether Toyota discovered the problems during pre-production or post-production of the affected vehicles.
Officials are checking whether Toyota has covered all affected models in its recent recalls to ensure Toyota did not miss any problems. The agency will obtain information on production data, incidents, complaints, warranty complaints, copies of tests, dates of meetings, timelines, and supplier information.
The three recalls in question involve various Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Two of the recalls are related to the entrapment of gas pedals by floor mats. The first recall was announced on September 26, 2007, and was followed by a subsequent one on October 6, 2009. The October recall was expanded on January 29, 2010, to include additional vehicles. The third recall, involving sticking gas pedals, was announced on January 21, 2010.
"Our top priority is safety and we expect that all manufacturers address automotive safety issues quickly and in a forthright manner," said David Strickland, Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA has the authority to seek civil penalties for a variety of violations by manufacturers, equipment suppliers, registered importers and vehicle customizers. If agency officials determine that an auto manufacturer violated its statutory obligations, the manufacturer could be liable for a maximum of $16.4 million in civil penalties.
Toyota has been under fire from its government at home, too. The Japanese Government last week took the unusual step of scolding Toyota for its delay in dealing with the recalls, saying it has led to "Japan-bashing" in the US and elsewhere. Toyota has thus far recalled about eight million vehicles on five continents.
The latest recall, announced over the weekend, affects 8,000 four-wheel Toyota Tacoma trucks that may have defective front drive shafts.
Recent recalls
Recalls to date include:
February 9, 2010 recall to fix brake problem in certain Prius and Lxus vehicles.
• 2010 Prius
• 2010 Lexus HS 250h
January 28, 2010 recall to fix floor mats on 1.1 million vehicles not covered by an earlier recall of 4.3 million vehicles.
• 2008-10 Highlanders
• 2009-2010 Corollas, Venzas and Matrixes.
January 21, 2010 recall to fix sticking accelerator pedals in another 2.3 million vehicles
• 2007-10 Camrys,
• 2009-10 Corollas,
• 2009-10 RAV4s,
• 2009-10 Matrixes,
• 2005-10 Avalons,
• 2010 Highlanders,
• 2007-10 Tundras and
• 2008-10 Sequoias.
September 30, 2009 recall to fix floor mats on 3.8 million vehicles.
• 2007-2010 Camry,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• 2004-2009 Prius,
• 2005-2010 Tacoma,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2007-2010 ES 350,
• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350
