I don’t care what you drive; HONDA, TOYOTA, MAZDA, KIA, according to the latest list on the NHTSA website, almost every auto make or model seems to have a defect investigation complaint pending.
After all the huffing and puffing over Toyota’s unintended acceleration and brake failures, Congress put the heat on NHTSA for what many felt was a “hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude towards the worlds number 1 automaker.
While NHTSA may have been slow to accelerate their own dutiful inquiry, the public has become increasingly suspicious of all car makers, and with their distrust comes concern about the way their vehicle could leave them stranded or worse, fatally injured.
Here is the most recent list of cars, the complaints and the status of the NHTSA investigation into such complaints.
Note the key is REALLY important when (RQ, DP and RP) on the front of the article tracking number denotes a RECALL PETITION has been enacted. How long it will take NHTSA to actually get the manufacturer to RECALL the CARS in question is another story.
ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)are resolved within one year.EAsSecond and final phase of a NHTSA investigation, an EA is undertaken if data from a PE indicate further examination of a potential safety defect is warranted. The results of an EA determine whether a safety recall should be initiated or the investigation should be closed.
PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) are resolved within four months.PEs Initial phase of a NHTSA investigation, a PE is prompted after a review of consumer complaints and/or manufacturer service bulletins suggest a safety defect may exist. The results of a PE determine whether the investigation will be upgraded to an Engineering Analysis or closed.
RECALL QUERY (RQ)NHTSA monitors recalls to ensure that the scope, completion rate, and remedy are adequate. If recall adequacy comes into question, an RQ is opened to determine if the scope of the recall should be expanded or an adjustment in existing remedies is required.
DEFECT OR RECALL PETITION (DP OR RP) NHTSA may be petitioned to investigate an alleged safety defect or whether a manufacturer has successfully carried out the requirements of a recall. If the petition is granted, NHTSA opens an appropriate investigation. If the petition is denied, the reasons for denial are published in the Federal Register.
HONDA
EA08- 015 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE 08-AUG-2008
RQ09-004 CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 HONDA CIVIC, ACCORD, AND ACURA TL RUPTURING DRIVER’S AIR BAG INFLATORS 02-NOV-09
FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT
This is an on-line form to report a safety-related defect or a problem with a safety recall in your motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here:CAR DEALS
Deep bows aside the Chairman of Toyota gets the opportunity to answer the calls from congress, spurred on by NHTSA, regarding their latest automotive recalls. While crisis management purveyors have lauded Toyota’s performance as textbook perfect thus far, there are many wondering if Japan’s leading CEO will take off the gloves and deliver the response Samurai- style.
Congress: “When did you know there was a problem with the accelerators in your cars?”
Mr. Toyoda: ”We have been in constant contact with your NHTSA agency on all complaints as we receive them directly or through your watch-dog agencies and have been monitoring the situation of the 34 documented circumstances out of millions to determine if this was unique to those specific cars. Different years, models and driving circumstances unlike the 550 deaths of the specific make, model and tire of Firestone and Ford.”
Congress: “ How you explain the delay in recalling the BRAKE problem in the Prius?”
Toyoda: ” No reported deaths made our decision to review the complaints as NHTSA service bulletins while researching the driving experiences reported on bumpy roads, speed bumps. We traced it back immediately to the motor switching from electric to gas in braking under these circumstances, not unlike when you follow an eColi outbreak back to the hamburger or peanut butter packer. Unlike these companies, no lives or US jobs have been lost. In fact, we have re-invested over 100 million in the plants we have here on us soil.”
Congress: “Mr. Toyoda do you think you are protecting the US public by delivering safe cars to our cities and highways?”
Toyoda: “I believe my company employees (Toyota Motor Co.) are doing their best to protect the the US public, our dealers and loyal customers in the same way you are protecting the American car companies and US public investment in those organizations in the way you are handling this investigation.”
Congress: “What would you suggest we do to make sure this type of massive recall never happens again?”
Toyoda: “With all due respect gentlemen,ladies. I suggest you look at all the deaths caused by faulty US automakers, food and drug manufacturers, and physical infrastructure, not to mention the millions of dollars in US funds given to US carmakers for plants and jobs now created in other countries and focus on the job the US taxpayer elected you to do.”
Listen to this radio interview with Sarah Lee and Radio host Lars Larson. LARSON asks… “WHAT is Ray LaHood trying to do to Toyota? Does GOV. MOTORS have a dog in the fight?”
Ralph Nadar accuses Toyota of complacency.
Will GM and Chrysler sell more cars as a result of the TOYOTA scare?
Honda, Nissan and Mazda dealers see significant showroom traffic upsurge.
Meanwhile Toyota increases rebates $500.00 on their best-selling models: Camry, Corolla and Tundra, offers 0% financing for 60 mos. on Toyota Tundra.
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com or by calling 702-898-1465.
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
Feb.4,2010– I had the opportunity to watch as Mike, (my certified Toyota technician) showed me how quickly, easily and thoroughly he addresses the fix for the recall on accelerator (gas) pedals on the various Toyota models. Noting he has not had one car come in exhibiting the problem, customers are flocking to get the pedal altered, and a FREE car wash(which takes longer than the fix!)
In this video Mike describes the pedal or “foot” feel you would experience if you had a suspect accelerator. To date only 16 complaints have been fielded by NHTSA for this recall. No deaths have been reported.
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
Many people are asking, including national radio show host LARS LARSON, (listen to my interview here); “Is this non-stop berating of Toyota nothing more than the current administration trying to deflect consumers to BUY AMERICAN?” I start to wonder why Transportation Secretary and NHTSA head, Ray LaHood felt it was necessary to say anything more than; “Toyota is well on their way to treating every car,” when asked by the investigating committee. A committee quickly assembled by…politicians in an election year.
Is it fair for OUR government to denounce a company that makes a product similar to the one the US TAXPAYERS just spent $70 BILLION buying? I know Chrysler and GM still owe us (the US taxpayers) money, but is this the way we want our government “marketing” the automotive industry.
Is this what we want them spending their time on?
I think astute Americans know two things for sure…
#1. If their car isn’t operating correctly they should take it to the dealership to be fixed.
#2. If the government tells them to do something, they need to ask more questions.
The truth behind the recall. Less than 1% of 1% (16) of all the cars sold last year (11 million) are involved in this recall. No deaths reported. The Toyota company has been out in front of this issue before NHTSA investigated any complaints. Toyota has done everything to maintain calm and even refrained from responding to the hyperbole caused by the government’s assault on their integrity.
LaHood says he MIS-SPOKE during the committee hearing. I learned, “Think before you speak,” in 3rd grade. What LaHood should have said was; “If YOU own one of these vehicles with this problem, take it to the dealer.” Yet when asked specifically by a Senator, “how HE would stop a car experiencing this problem, i.e. put it in neutral and press on the brake hard,” LaHood couldn’t explain what to do, and dismissed the point with “I believe that information has been disseminated”.
Of the thousands of Toyota’s sold in LAS VEGAS in the past three years, not one customer has reported an issue to his/her dealership. REALLY? Yup. As a matter of fact, the local Toyota dealers in Las Vegas have more parts available for this 15 min. fix than they have customers asking for it! Not to mention that all the affected models that were “no sale” last week are already fixed and available for immediate delivery. I am still selling Prius’ and all the other models as if nothing was happening, which is exactly my point…
Except that Toyota stock dropped huge today. Thanks Ray, I may make more money on Toyota stock than on my car deals this week.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
I don’t care what you drive; HONDA, TOYOTA, MAZDA, KIA, according to the latest list on the NHTSA website, almost every auto make or model seems to have a defect investigation complaint pending.
Many people are asking, including
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