Last November we ran a Toyota recall timeline related to floor mats. Now, thanks to Toyota adding faulty accelerator pedals to their nightmare, we’ve updated the timeline and color-coded it so you can separate one fiery death scenario from another.
As you can see from the timeline (click to enlarge, floor mat issues in green mechanical pedal issues in blue), the first mention of sudden acceleration problems goes back to March of 2007 in connection with the Toyota Tundra and its accelerator pedal, followed by an investigation into the Toyota Tacoma a year later. Given the vehicles recalled it’s assumed this is a possible floor mat issue, but it’s impossible to know for sure.
Various articles appeared in newspapers of unintended acceleration, with Toyota denying it was a mechanical issue. It wasn’t until the death of a CHP officer and his family in a Lexus ES that the stories moved onto the front pages and into everyone’s awareness.
Shortly after the accident the federal government recalled affected vehicles over a concern the floor mats are to blame. Toyota’s short-term solution was to zip-tie the floor mats or remove them altogether.
Then, in December, a family traveling near Dallas was killed when their Toyota Avalon crashed into a pond. The floor mats? In the trunk.
Earlier this month, Toyota announced plans to shift vehicles into neutral if the vehicle sensed a problem. This was followed up nine days later with an announcement that Toyota would recall 2.3 million vehicles for sticking accelerator pedals. This introduced the concept of cars sticking for mechanical reasons even though Toyota initially denied this.
They continued to sell vehicles with the mechanical problem until Tuesday, when they realized (or were made to realize) it’s not possible to sell recalled vehicles until a fix is made.
At the moment, the accelerator issue seems to center around pedals from one of the two parts suppliers. Both Denso and CTS build pedals for Toyota, but only the CTS-manufactured parts are in need of replacement. Those pedals are being replaced but, just when you thought the recall was over, Toyota recalled more vehicles in because a possible floor mat issues.
The different vehicles included in the recall, the different causes, and the different solutions demonstrated in this timeline are confusing even to us and we made the timeline. What it all boils down to is, regardless of the actual cause or risk associated with Toyota products, the company’s reaction seems to have made this problem worse.
@Kuro: Waitaminnit, the transmission computer kept the driver from going into neutral under throttle? So the one thing that could save your ass if the throttle sticks is denied because of the tranny won’t let you? I told you the automatic was the Transmission of Satan!
rev_junkie
@Kuro: What? Neutral is locked out and the brakes are overridden? Seriously? Who the hell thought THAT was a good idea? and where’s the proof?
bacon117
@tomojovic: the car probably won’t stop completely at WOT, the brakes overheat, car goes fast again.
But seriously, Nuetral FTW!
bacon117
I swear to god…
all the Toyota owners in my state are driving slower…
than they were already….
IronicalBalls
@Kuro: I don’t care who you ‘dis’, including me. I’m just saying, if people paid attention to the
ROOT FUCKING CAUSE, the stuck floor mat, the whole neutral/ignition/brake thing is irrelevant.
Granted, not being able to select neutral or turn of the ignition with one move is wrong, but we’re human, we’re supposed to be able to reason…in some cases, quickly.
Baby beater Benz
According to FREEP, this started in 2004.
[www.freep.com]
LBJ’s Love Child
@FromaBuick6: Well every US military asset and commercial airliner is fly-by wire.
At least in a car you can shift it into neutral or pull over. Compared to oh… falling from 40k feet.
IronicalBalls
All post 2000 cars have breaking power somewhere between 1000-1800 hp depending on vehicle weight, power and tire size. with engine power between 120-300 hp I guess some people involved in these accidents weren’t even aware that they are driving. Break pedal anyone?
It’s dangerous to touch ignition or gearbox, so if it happens just slowly stop, turn on warning lights and remove the faulty floor mat.
turn the engine off – you loose hydraulic pressure in your breaking system yo!
put it in neutral or clutch – you can loose stability under certain conditions.
P.S
As somebody mentioned here earlier: common sense- goddamn superpower
tomojovic
@Novaload: By its very nature, to become the largest auto maker you must have mass appeal. To have mass appeal you water down car models. You dull the acceleration/handling.
You make a worse car.
GM and Toyota have made worse cars, because they wanted to cater to worsening drivers or people who didn’t care about motoring.
I hope they both realized that it’s not worth it.
Make your auto company Ford-Honda sized. No larger no smaller.
IronicalBalls
@Novaload: Uhhh, no, of course not. I just made that up. You guys are the only and the best!
skaycøg
These parts are not made by Toyota, but a supplier. CTS Corp. must be sh*tting its collective pants.
Eriamjh
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: That would be toning it down a few notches for Ms. Martin, the hot porn-writin’ B&D minx!
Novaload
@Baby beater Benz: Not a catastrophic problem?! Your car throttles uncontrollably, overriding the brakes and blocking a shift into neutral? And then the company tries to cover it up?
I don’t like dissing people on here but your desire to criticize people who sue has completely skewed your common sense.
Kuro
@FromaBuick6: Mecanical devices are prone to fail from wear and constantly needs calibration .
and needs metal parts wich is heavy,
Electronic devices are only connected by wires and their inputs can be altered by the computer to make sure it lasts until the warranty ends help you get the best out of your car.
500wishes
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: I’m thinking of getting an MBA after a degree in Mech Engineering.
Deal, but let’s not tell Roy, he’ll charge us for the use of his face. Actually, he’d probably have to cover the disturbance of the peace charges.
Nurburgring
@Novaload: I’ll pay fitty cents for it.
BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded
Toyota said it wanted to be bigger than GM.
Apparent, ruling the world is not so easy.
Novaload
@Nurburgring: You drive a hard bargain, kid.
Oh, what the hell. 65/35 it is!
BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: Some day = “now”
Novaload
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: In that case, how about 35? I’d like a Zonda F Roadster, and some Pelican-away.
Nurburgring
@skaycøg: You have others besides us??
Novaload
@Nurburgring: Once that book becomes known to the Jalopnik commentariat, 30% of sales will still pay for a damn Veyron. Just watch out for pelicans.
BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded
@skaycøg: C&C milled billet technical gear is the bomb. Forget the hot rod bling. For racing apps, it’s super strong, super spendy and super bitchin’.
Kuro
@Shamoononon: I shave my legs.: I still love you.
Novaload
@sxs3200: GM actually had a department of accountants like that in the 50′s and 60′s. Hence, the Corvair debacle.
Kuro
@theeastbaykid: What makes it a “catastrophic failure” or not? Again, there actually seems to be an issue. Sure the odds are remote that you’ll have an issue, but that potential issue is fundamental and catastrophic. Whether or not you are able to get the car into neutral and bring it to a safe stop, you’ve lost control of the car, and not because you’re some awful driver looking for a quick payday.
Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson
@FromaBuick6: Apparently, neutral was electronically locked out during throttle application. A separate ECU also overrides the brakes during full throttle.
If those basic driving skills couldn’t save a CHP officer, I can’t imagine they’d save your mom in her Camry.
Kuro
@skaycøg:
KeyserSöze – Professional Blog Commenter
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: 60%. Don’t rip of a kid, you’re not Roy Wort.
I still need cash for a car…cmon.
Nurburgring
@Dallifornia, @500wishes: Why do manufacturers insist on replacing everything with goddamn electronics these days? I’m an EE, and having everything in my car controlled by electronics designed by idiots like me is scary. Screw infinitesimal MPG improvements, I don’t want drive-by-wire.
One more reason why my next car will be a first-gen Mustang.
FromaBuick6
@Nurburgring: I get 70% of the royalties. Take it or leave it.
BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded
@Baby beater Benz: As a vintage-car enthusiast and LeMons racer, pretty much all of the recent “big recall” items in recent memory have either happened to me or people I know. I’ve learned, amazingly enough, that you CAN get a flat tire and NOT wind up tumbling through the air ejecting your kids across the freeway.
theeastbaykid
@KeyserSöze – Professional Blog Commenter: Ribbet.
skaycøg
@Lost in the age of Aerostar: I think the brakes can overpower the engine for a limited time until heat build up would reduce baking effectiveness.
What I want to know is if unintended acceleration is experienced, wouldn’t the driver (in particular the late CHP officer ie a professional driver) just turn the ignition switch to kill the engine?
LandofMinos, Alan Mulally has a closet full of killer robots.
@skaycøg: when used tastefully, not like street rod stuff and billet grilles and shit. like linkages, suspension components, milled knobs and switches, etc.
KeyserSöze – Professional Blog Commenter
@Dallifornia: that’s why you should read the owner’s manual if you don’t feel comfortable with the commands
One customer wanted me to look at his car saying his dash lights wasn’t functioning about 5 seconds after he starts driving.
A twist of the dimmer switch and he’s saying ” WHOA THANK YOU VERY MUCH! how did you know that?”
I answered it’s in the owner’s manua.l
500wishes
@skaycøg: uh huh…
KeyserSöze – Professional Blog Commenter
08/29/08 Shamoononon sends Jalopnik news resport about it, Jalopnik ignores her.
Shamoononon: I shave my legs.
@FromaBuick6: Have you seen the gear shifter on newish Toyotas? It’s kind of difficult… I can’t imagine I would do it correctly in a rapidly accelerating deathmobile.
Dallifornia
@FromaBuick6: I heard, that if you have an ignition key, you are safe.
But most of these models have push buttons start that you need to push 3 seconds to shut the engine while you are in drive.
Of course since it doesn’t pop up on your glasses when you need it, no body knows about this.
As for the neutral part, it’s also in the instruction manual that only gets out to be passed to he second owner.
500wishes
@500wishes: Pfft, no, I’d hire Ray to give commands. He’s expendable, and cheap.
Nurburgring
@KeyserSöze – Professional Blog Commenter: Billet…..sexy?
skaycøg
@FromaBuick6: Lots of folks don’t know what neutral is. Seriously.
detroit9000
@Nurburgring: Then gets ran over by his Corollas and Camrys as they wouldn’t stop after Nurburgring said TEN HUT!
500wishes
Can someone please explain to me why no one thought to put the car in neutral or shut it off when this happens?
Yeah, Toyota screwed up royally with this, but basic driving skills should have avoided the fatalities.
FromaBuick6
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: Oh. My. God.
You are a genius, and we absolutely NEED to write this and sell it. Hell, I’ll give it away.
Dude, are you with me?!?
Nurburgring
I asked my wife what she’d do in case of sudden, uncontrolled acceleration and in a few seconds she answered shifting into neutral. I asked the same question to my children drivers and they answered the question in less than half a minute. But this just goes to say that those deaths could have been avoided.
Regardless, mechanical or by-wire pedals must not stick to WOT unless the driver is having some fun. Toyota shot itself in the foot with a bazooka by not acknowledging the issue. Hubris got the serpent to crawl on its belly and to eat dust.
I’m sure that the competition will be glad to explore this issue to their advantage. Good for them.
Bueller
@Nurburgring: I’d also like to see this one on Amazon.com, just for the hilarity:
“Enter the Dragon: The Jalop’s Guide to Love Making”
Written by Ray Wert, with a foreword by Murilee Martin
BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the recall still voluntary? This is a major safety problem, but most of the ‘tards driving Toyotas don’t even change their oil on time, so how do you expect them to act on this?
I talked to a woman the other day who drives a Camry and she hadn’t heard of the recall yet. The next thing she did was go to her dealership to get it fixed.
Most of the people out there in their Camrys and Avalons don’t even know there is a recall, and are liable to cause fiery death not only for themselves, but for others on the road.
If they’re not allowed to sell the cars affected, there should be a mandatory recall.
TheCarspotterist
@Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson:
Human behavior = follow the money
A problem? Sure. A catastrophic problem? Nope.
Baby beater Benz
@Uncle Bo: 神のブタ
VeeArrrSix
@skaycøg: especially the sexy billet pedal… mmmm. billet…
KeyserSöze – Professional Blog Commenter
This makes me want to watch Fight Club: “Are there a lot of these kinds of accidents?”
“You wouldn’t believe”
“Which manufacturer do you work for?”
“A major one”
sxs3200
That was a good piece, Matt, and an excellent graphic. I enjoy being irreverent, but there is a time and a place and this is neither.
Toyota seems to have dug themselves quite a hole. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
doug-g
@BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded: Hell, for the irony that’s a collectors item now.
I’d love to see a book called “British Leyland: The Secrets to Build Quality”. That’d fetch top dollar.
Nurburgring
@Lost in the age of Aerostar: I’m gonna suggest it’s because people are pumping the brakes instead of just standing on them, which is using up the power assist.
buffcoat and beaver
Needs more porco dio, or however the Japanese say that, which won’t be as nice sounding as it is in Italian but will get the point across just the same, not that the point needs to be made again, what with Lexus fireballs and submerged Avalon’s and the sadness of people losing their lives over a floormat and gas pedal malfunction,
Uncle Bo
@Baby beater Benz: Your comments are so last week considering the recall has gone global. America may be the land of litigation but that doesn’t change that there is an actual problem here.
Jimal is a non-attorney spokesperson
Incredible graphic! I’m sending it to my car guy friends.
skaycøg
@BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ: That’ll be a collector’s item someday…
BullittFan_Førds4Life: Reløaded
The bright side is that this might be the end of drive-by-wire throttles for a while. Hopefully next we’ll find out that slushboxes driving the front wheels have been exploding and killing people too.
buffcoat and beaver
I can’t say I’ve read every comment on every posting on this issue….. but can someone (who’s knowledgeable) explain why the brakes can’t overpower the engine? I thought this was a design requirement, no?
Lost in the age of Aerostar
@VeeArrrSix: Lancia’d
Optixtruf
//Audi’d
VeeArrrSix
Simple solution, buy an Oldsmobile! (uh, wait a second – out of production) How about an Audi 5000 instead!
brad442
Ooops.
BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ
Golf clap on the graphic, guys! Love the zip tie timeline. Pure win.
Brian
Toyota’s 4/29/2009 statement covered it pretty well.
This is a very pleasant way of saying, “HEY, dumbasses…pay attention!”
Unfortunately, in America, land of litigation, people think they’ve hit the lottery when they’re merely commonly stupid yet can blame it on something else.
Make it more idiot-proof and a less-intelligent idiot will defeat the fix.
Baby beater Benz
1.29.10: Jalopnik Commenter Nurburgring takes over Germany with an army of exploding Corollas and Venzas and then storms the Hockenheim to claim his rightful place as King of the Track.
Nurburgring