Electronic flaws did not play a role in Toyota’s sudden, unintended acceleration problems that led to a massive recall, according to a government study.
The 10 month investigation by Transportation officials and engineers with NASA found no electronic-based cause of unintended high-speed acceleration in Toyotas. They attributed the acceleration problems to sticking accelerator pedals and gas pedals that can become trapped in floor mats, which were previously identified problems, as the only known causes for the reports of runaway Toyotas.
“NHTSA Deputy Administrator Ron Medford said that in many cases when a driver complained that the brakes were ineffective, the most likely cause was “pedal misapplication,” in which the driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes,” according to news reports .
Toyota recalled about 12 million vehicles worldwide since fall 2009, including about 11 million in the United States. The company has denied that electronics are to blame. Seven insurers are relating Toyota’s manufacturing problems to 725 crashes caused by a defect resulting in uncontrolled acceleration to speeds of up to 100 mph or more.
As a North Charleston personal injury lawyer , I’m glad the government is making progress on this investigation. My condolences go out to all the victims of Toyota vehicle problems, as well as their friends and families affected by car accidents that occurred as a result of the safety recalls.
If you have been injured by a recalled vehicle, contact a personal injury lawyer in North Charleston .