Toyota recommends customers remove these floor mats from certain models. (Toyota U.S.A.)
However, an independent auto safety firm in Massachusetts would be the salt in the cult of Toyota's eye.
Safety, Research & Strategies, Inc., has taken a very harsh look at Toyota's recent recalls involving sudden unintended acceleration, which apparently is such a common problem among cars of various brands that it has an acronym, SUA.
The agency, which is headed by Sean Kane, who got his start working with Ralph Nader, commented on the timing last week of Toyota's recall related to sticking accelerator pedals.
"The timing is suspiciously pre-emptive - the company's feet were about to be singed an hour later by ABC World News Tonight, followed by a Toyota SUA story on ABC Nightline," according to the SRS safety blog.
SRS noted that Toyota's recall involved accelerator pedals that were worn, despite the fact most of the recalled models were less than two years old.
"How does one wear out the accelerator pedal on a model so new that many are still sitting on showroom floors? (That's gotta hurt Toyota's reputation for building a durable product.)," wrote SRS.
SRS also took Toyota down a notch by writing that the automaker had no choice but to halt sales and production of the recalled models.
Apparently, recall regulations in the U.S. prohibit the sale of defective new vehicles and components.
"Part 573.11: Prohibition on sale or lease of new defective and noncompliant motor vehicles and items of replacement equipment. This section expressly forbids selling a new defective vehicle or component until it is remedied."
Then there are the harrowing stories posted on SRS's website of people's experiences with SUA.
Reading these posts and watching these stories sheds a bit of light on just what Toyota is up against.
