Feds Clear Toyota After Finding No Ghosts In Electronics - But Is Anyone Celebrating?

The test you refer to was basically rigged.

I did however believe they might find something in the electronics.

But I was wrong (yeah I said that).

In the end a lot of the issues were due to a variety of factors.

1. Toyota denied the issues at hand rather than listen.
2. Took too long to respond when it was obvious.
3. Covered up details (some proven, many not)
4. Bragged behind the scenes if the consciously hold off fixing issues they save millions.
5. Then after stepping forward they recalled more cars in one year than in their entire history for defects that were as old as two to three years. Leaving million to wonder what is next.

This is complicated and all automakers gamble on recalls vs holding off. This time they went double down and busted in one of the most important markets in the world. If China sales weren't in there to save them last year, they would be going through the same issues as GM and begging for money.

Semper, you are so funny. Took a while before we all caught on...

You forgot #6 people put their foot on the wrong pedal and blamed the car. (2/3rds of "unintended acceleration" complaints don't involve toyotas)

This is interesting. However, during the whole fiasco, in the back of my mind I was always wondering how the number of unintended deaths from guns compares to how many people have died from Toyota accidents cause by unintended acceleration.

The US Government Machine AKA the owners and operators of GM did exactly what they intended and dented the image of Toyota but it still remains to be seen what they actually did. It slowed Toyota sales as much as possible but in the long term it will force all manufacturers including GM to be so tight in production to keep pace with Toyota that it will be very hard to keep pace and my effect GM sales dramatically. Toyota and Lexus will continue to “recall” vehicles when any small adjustment or issue is found so that eventually customers will see it as a proactive step to secure a solution rather than being forced to take steps. Recall will no longer be a dirty word.

So True. I think this will only hurt domestic cars image, as they will not be able to live up to the example they are creating after tarnishing the image of Toyota. When they screw up people are going to expect the same type of investigation, and lets face it, over the years, domestic makers have far more recalls especially over safety issues.

So basically

1 - dude dies when he gets his pedal stuck under a mis-installed floor mat on a Camry.
2 - US Governemnt massively fines Toyota and media goes nuts calling the cars living death traps due to hay wire electronics.
3 - US government bails out Detroit car companies
4 - A year later ... woops carpets all along, my bad Toyota

Did we find those WMDs yet ?

Where is that Joe Limon fellow?

Where are all a-holes now.....

This is a huge vindication of Toyota engineering. Still they could benefit from better software engineering expertise based on what we've seen from the latest autoshows. Hire better designers and streamline the number of vehicles. The next Camry needs to compete with Sonata.

So the lady that said "shame on Toyota" in front of Congress was basically lying. If she was under oath, isn't that perjury ?

I think Toyota should now focus on hiring designers.

Joe Limon... WE NEED YOU

And in the end....as has been obvious to anybody who watches....Toyexus drivers are among the worst on the road. Period.

I knew it! I knew it! Theres no way that could have happened. the throttles are electronic, so I doubt they stick. Also the ECU needs a signal from the throttle (which is a potentiometer, like the volume knob on your stereo) to actuate the throttle butterfly motor. Your computer speakers don't just blast loud when the volume is on 0.

It was the floor mats. The car just accelerating would be like your computer speakers just playing full blast with the volume knob on 0.