’)As far back as 2007, State Farm, one of the country’s largest car insurance companies, started noticing a steady stream of reports of car accidents caused by unwanted acceleration in various models of Toyota brand vehicles. After the rise in reports, State Farm contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to alert them to the trend. While not required by law to do so, the auto insurer studies trends in car insurance claims, and if there is anything alarming, reports it to the appropriate authorities.
NHTSA started receiving similar complaints about Toyota as far back as 2003. NHTSA forwarded reports of crashes caused by the problem to Toyota, who added them to their complaint database.
Now a congressional hearing is scheduled to determine if the government missed early warning signs of the issue. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee plans to hold three hearings on the Toyota recall, which affected 8.5 million vehicles worldwide when sticky gas pedals and slipping floor mats were called into question.
NHTSA may also conduct a formal investigation, but it has not been determined whether it is necessary or not. It is standard procedure to review each and every complaint about a vehicle that the organization receives, so experts are trying to determine whether proper protocol was indeed followed.
Toyota actually did recall 55,000 Camry and ES350 vehicles to replace the sliding floor mats back in 2007, but since then, millions more vehicles have had issues with the mats as well as the gas pedal.
Fortunately, car insurance companies are working with Toyota owners to ensure that they do not see rate increases if they were involved in an accident caused by the faulty gas pedal on selected Toyota models. Insurers are working to accept appeals for those policyholders who did see increases in their car insurance premiums over the past few years, in the cases where the recalled parts were at fault.
On the Recall
Drivers have started receiving letters if their Toyota vehicles qualify for the recall. Instructions have been mailed regarding the steps necessary to receive free replacement of the faulty gas pedal and floor mats through Toyota dealers.
And in Other News…
In a separate instance, federal safety officials are now reviewing complaints from Toyota Corolla drivers who have had difficulty steering. NHTSA has received 80 complaints from owners of 2009 and 2010 Corollas, who said it became difficult to stay in a lane without drifting.
Another major recall for Toyota could all but destroy the reputation of the car manufacturer. The company is scrambling to apologize for the massive recall, and promises due diligence in getting all vehicles affected quickly updated with new and improved equipment.
Only the future will tell whether this will seriously affect one of the world’s largest car manufacturers long term. Will consumers trust that Toyota will use higher quality parts with better manufacturing processes in the future for its vehicles, or will it reduce the value of a Toyota significantly?
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