US files charge against Toyota, $1.2B penalty

As of January 28, 2010, Toyota had announced recalls of approximately 5.2 million vehicles for the pedal entrapment/floor mat problem, and an additional 23 million vehicles for the accelerator pedal problem. Approximately 1.7 million vehicles are subject to both. Certain related Lexus and Pontiac models were also affected. The next day, Toyota widened the recall to include 1.8 million vehicles in Europe and 75,000 in China. By then, the worldwide total number of cars recalled by Toyota stood at 9 million. Sales of multiple recalled models were suspended for several weeks as a result of the accelerator pedal recall, with the vehicles awaiting replacement parts. As of January 2010, 21 deaths were alleged due to the pedal problem since 2000, but following the January 28 recall, additional NHTSA complaints brought the alleged total to 37. The number of alleged victims and reported problems sharply increased following the recall announcements, which were heavily covered by U.S. media, although the causes of individual reports were difficult to verify. Government officials, automotive experts, Toyota, and members of the general public contested the scope of the sudden acceleration issue and the veracity of victim and problem reports. Various parties attributed sudden unintended acceleration reports to mechanical, electric, and driver error causes. Some US owners that had their recalled vehicles repaired still reported accelerator pedal issues, leading to investigations and the finding of improper repairs. The recalls further led to additional NHTSA and Toyota investigations, along with multiple lawsuits.Look a LINK unlike some people.

So let me get this right......it's our Australian friends contention that it was a Nort American issue only right? My link seems to disprove that theory. He and others also whould want us to believe that this was blown way out of proportion. I bet the people that lost their lives may disagree with you...if they could. Still others in a round about way blame the drivers still holding on to their theory that ALL of the crashes are floor mat issues not something else. Talk about blinders good God people.

Toyota is a for profit company and has been cought liying and cheating their customers many times. I think the Toyota fans are even more loyal the the blue oval fan club!

Don