Driver error may be behind Toyota’s acceleration issues
TOYOTA said yesterday its investigation of nearly 2,000 cases of unintended acceleration had found no problem with its electronic throttle system, and that driver error was to blame in some cases.
The world’s top automaker statement follows reports that early results of the US government’s analysis of dozens of data recorders from Toyota vehicles suggested that some drivers were at fault in cases of sudden acceleration.
Early results of the US Department of Transportation’s tests indicate some drivers who said their Toyotas or Lexus cars surged out of control might have pushed the accelerator when they meant to brake.
The Department of Transportation would not confirm the report. As many as 89 crash deaths have been reported since 2000 as possibly being linked to unintended acceleration.