more toyota recalls (brakes)

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http://www.cnbc.com/id/35208812

A two-front U.S. government investigation of unintended acceleration in Toyota [TM 78.06 -1.88 (-2.35%) ] vehicles intensified on Tuesday, even as the automaker warned of possible brake problems in its latest Prius model.


Source: toyota.com
2010 Prius

"We're not finished with Toyota," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in an e-mailed statement to Reuters about the response by the Japanese automaker and the government to consumer complaints that led to two recalls of 5.6 million cars and trucks in the United States in 2009 and in January.

LaHood's comments referred to renewed efforts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recheck files from past investigations that found no problems with Toyota's electronic throttle control system. That technology was introduced more widely in the automaker's products several years ago.

Toyota said it would cooperate fully with the NHTSA investigation.

Meanwhile, the automaker's U.S. unit released a statement late Tuesday detailing possible faults with its latest Prius model.

"In certain 2010 model year Prius vehicles, Toyota has received reports that some customers have experienced inconsistent brake feel when the vehicle is driven over potholes, bumps or slippery road surfaces," the statement read.

Toyota is in the process of confimring reports and said it was premature to comment until investigations are completed.


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An Obama administration official, who commented on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said safety regulators are continuing to look at the "possibility that electromagnetic interference" might somehow be causing problems with Toyota's throttle control systems.

"NHTSA has not seen evidence to support that yet," the official said.

Such a finding could mean more serious problems for Toyota than it has experienced over the past several weeks.

"It becomes a whole other ball game if it turns out to be an electronics issue," said Autoconomy analyst Erich Merkle. "Not only does it get more expensive to fix, but there's a trust factor between Toyota and its consumer."

The first Toyota recall last fall involved floor mats that could loosen and jam under the accelerator pedal. The second, imposed on Jan. 21, involved accelerator pedals that would not spring back as designed.

Toyota is modifying gas pedals, redesigning floor mats and taking other steps to address the first recall. On Monday, it announced a mechanical fix for the "sticky pedal," which had resulted in a suspension of sales and production involving eight models, including big selling Camry and Corollas.

Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales USA, told Reuters television on Monday that the company could have moved more quickly on floor mats. But he stressed Toyota is convinced the accelerator problems have nothing to do with electronics.

"That system has been tested. It has been tested by us. It has been tested by outside agencies. There are a number of fail-safe systems within that system that it is not an electronics issue. We are convinced," Lentz said.

Congressional investigators separately questioned Lentz's conclusions on Tuesday.

Rep Bart Stupak, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's investigations subcommittee, sought a clarification from Lentz, who said on NBC's "Today" show on Monday that Toyota believes action to address the two recalls would "stop what's going on" with accelerators.

Committee investigators said Lentz's comments differ from less convincing statements Toyota officials made to committee investigators about the matter last week. Stupak's committee has requested documents on acceleration matters dating to 2000.

Stupak, whose home state of Michigan is headquarters for U.S. automakers, has scheduled a hearing for Feb. 25. The House Government and Oversight Committee will also hold a hearing on Toyota on Feb. 10.


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A government official also said the Transportation Department is considering imposing a civil penalty against Toyota over the matter.

Fines can be imposed against transportation companies that knowingly stray from federal rules or policies or fail to promptly remedy a problem. The fine for automakers cannot exceed $16 million per recall, according to federal law.

LaHood said regulators pressed Toyota at the end of 2009 and again the beginning of 2010 on a recall of accelerator assemblies.

"While Toyota is taking responsible action now, it unfortunately took an enormous effort to get to this point," LaHood said.

In an unusual move, LaHood said U.S. officials traveled to Japan in December to "remind Toyota management" about its "legal obligations." They insisted in a second meeting in Washington in January that the company address faulty accelerator pedals.

Because it identified a defect, Toyota was obligated to halt sales of affected vehicles until a remedy for the "sticky pedal" recall was in place.

On floor mats, Toyota did not identify a defect, but nevertheless opted for a recall.