Owners of Toyota Cars in Rebellion Over Series of Accidents

[tk-421]

Scary stuff...

Refusing to accept the explanation of Toyota and the federal government, hundreds Toyota owners are in rebellion after a series of accidents caused by what they call "runaway cars."
Safety analysts found an estimated 2000 cases in which owners of Toyota cars including Camry, Prius and Lexus, reported that their cars surged without warning up to speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Link to full article...

[CTScott]

I watched a news story about it the other night. They interviewed a guy who had it happen on a Prius and he survived. He swore that he didn't even have floor mats in the car, so it definitely wasn't the jammed floor mat.

I think it is very possible that there is a software bug that can somehow surface with the DBW throttle.

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

ive been with toyota for 6 years now and HAVEN"T seen nor heard of any problems with the drive by wire system....

[Altitude]

It's time to start installing black boxes into cars now. While it's possible there is some obscure problem, I tend to think these people just screwed up. And like PK said there are other ways to stop a car.

Then again there's always SkyNet...

[1NZYaris1]

Originally Posted by Altitude

It's time to start installing black boxes into cars now. While it's possible there is some obscure problem, I tend to think these people just screwed up. And like PK said there are other ways to stop a car.

Then again there's always SkyNet...

Beleave it or not most Toyota's already have them

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by 1NZYaris1

Beleave it or not most Toyota's already have them

That might explain one of the dealership's e-mails to me back when my first service was due...they listed my exact current mileage and asked me to bring the vehicle in for its free complimentary oil change.

[Darb]

I'm also chalking it up to stupidity induced by too much technology.

For example, it used to be quite hilly on my commute to work. One day, it snowed and I find myself stuck behind an SUV that is struggling to get up hill, tires spinning and everything. What to I do? Pop my car into L and go around. In my SATURN. COUPE. The look on her face was priceless.

[SilverBack]

I heard about a guy in a Lexus calling 911 as he was hitting 120 approaching an intersection with his wife in the car. They went through and got killed on impact.

Long story short, there was no throttle problem. The real issue was the floormat getting jammed over the gas pedal. It's such a common problem among many makes that it shouldn't even be considered a recall. Have to agree that this is just a bunch of haters stirring up shit because Toyota's doing better than them.

And I have to agree with PK. Throwing it in Neutral and shutting off the engine solves the stuck throttle issue and keeps you safe as long as you steer and brake towards the side of the road. It's just common sense. The guy in the Lexus was an idiot, so it cost him and his wife their lives

[EleKid]

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

I heard about a guy in a Lexus calling 911 as he was hitting 120 approaching an intersection with his wife in the car. They went through and got killed on impact.

Long story short, there was no throttle problem. The real issue was the floormat getting jammed over the gas pedal. It's such a common problem among many makes that it shouldn't even be considered a recall. Have to agree that this is just a bunch of haters stirring up shit because Toyota's doing better than them.

And I have to agree with PK. Throwing it in Neutral and shutting off the engine solves the stuck throttle issue and keeps you safe as long as you steer and brake towards the side of the road. It's just common sense. The guy in the Lexus was an idiot, so it cost him and his wife their lives

Did you know he was a cop? Highway Patrol, isn't that weird

[Yaris Hilton]

Originally Posted by EleKid

Did you know he was a cop? Highway Patrol, isn't that weird

Sadly, being a cop doesn't necessarily mean someone's an expert driver. There are lots of cops toting guns who barely know how to use them, too.

[why?]

Now an old school throttle can get jammed open, I did it on my Saab once. Pushed the pedal too far down and broke whatever stops it, and the car always revved. Not to something stupid, but always too about 3000 rpm's. But Drive by wire doing that? Maybe the wire broke?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by why?

Now an old school throttle can get jammed open, I did it on my Saab once. Pushed the pedal too far down and broke whatever stops it, and the car always revved. Not to something stupid, but always too about 3000 rpm's. But Drive by wire doing that? Maybe the wire broke?

The DBW system has two separate accelerator position sensors for redundancy. If either sensor fails (or the wire to it becomes a short or open) it uses the other (and throws a DTC) if both fail it brings the engine down to idle.

With millions of these cars on the road running for zillions of miles and 2000 "possible" cases, it is a fairly low risk of occurrence issue. Reading the service manual about how the DBW works and the built in safety checks, in theory it should be as or more safe than a mechanical throttle linkage.

[H3LlIoN]

Originally Posted by CTScott

The DBW system has two separate accelerator position sensors for redundancy. If either sensor fails (or the wire to it becomes a short or open) it uses the other (and throws a DTC) if both fail it brings the engine down to idle.

With millions of these cars on the road running for zillions of miles and 2000 "possible" cases, it is a fairly low risk of occurrence issue. Reading the service manual about how the DBW works and the built in safety checks, in theory it should be as or more safe than a mechanical throttle linkage.

Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.

Seriously though, I'm totally using this as an excuse on my next speeding ticket.

[JBougie]

Originally Posted by H3LlIoN

Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.

Seriously though, I'm totally using this as an excuse on my next speeding ticket.

First rule of recalls ..... we don't talk about recalls ..........

[2+2]

Originally Posted by PK198105

god sometimes i wish euthanasia was legal for reasons of stupidity. you dumb lazy person instead of bitching at Toyota why don't they take proper driving lessons and stop expecting the cars to do everything for them. there is more than one way to stop a car , turn the ignition off , apply the E-Brake (its called an emergency brake for a reason you dumb SOB). I'm sorry but people stupidity is getting to me. I apologize for my outburst

I agree with you except for one thing (and this is assuming that the claims are true - big assumption).

If you win the game of life you're sharp as a tack at 99 and die suddenly without pain when you're 100. For the rest of us becoming a stumbling old folk is the best we can hope for. Brand loyalty is a fine thing but a car shouldn't treat somebody's grandfather like that. Hell I don't even want my car treating me like that!

[DandiDani]

some people dont do well in situations like that and they panic. i can see how it could happen especially if it happens very quickly which it usually does...im pretty sure i would know what to do but not everyone can react that fast

[Darb]

Originally Posted by DandiDani

some people dont do well in situations like that and they panic. i can see how it could happen especially if it happens very quickly which it usually does...im pretty sure i would know what to do but not everyone can react that fast

True, but if you've drilled a plan and options into your head beforehand then you're at an advantage. These others I'm sure never even considered that this could happen, nor had the opportunity to do so like we do.

[DandiDani]

yeah i know. they prolly havent really thought about it before. kind of reminds me of when people have no game plan for disasters like tornados,fires,etc; and end up badly hurt or killed...