Unintended acceleration issue requires attention

(February 2010) Despite all of the questions asked during this week's Congressional hearings on Toyota's recalls, the point is being glossed over: There is a level of complaints for unintended acceleration that is not covered by any current recall: What is the cause?

Toyota is under the microscope and does have more unintended acceleration complaints than its competitors. (Most complaints were filed after the first safety advisory announcement last year). But our review of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that unintended acceleration is an industry-wide problem. Every car company has unresolved complaints for unintended acceleration. Because the problem is pervasive and a comprehensive fix remains elusive, a fresh approach is appropriate.

"The emphasis of the recent Congressional hearings seems to have been who learned about what and when they learned it. The core issue of what's really causing the unresolved cases of unintended acceleration in the industry has been skirted," said Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl. "The truth is that no one can say for sure."

"What's called for is an unprecedented, cross-industry and government safety agency collaboration to pool data and resources that gets to the bottom of unintended acceleration once and for all," added Anwyl.

A new Edmunds.com analysis shows every one of the Big Six automakers — Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota — have consumer complaints of unintended acceleration filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Edmunds.com analyzed NHTSA databases for those complaints filed against them before Sept. 30, 2009 and after that date. On Sept. 29, 2009, Toyota announced a consumer safety advisory regarding potential floor mat interference with the accelerator pedal.

The analysis, which looked at 2005 to 2010 models, showed after the safety advisory was issued and received intense media attention, 601 unintended acceleration complaints were filed against Toyota Motor Corp. from October 1, 2009 to February 3, 2010. In the nearly five years prior to the advisory, Toyota had 532 such complaints. In total, Toyota's complaints exceeded the number filed against the rest of the Big Six automakers combined.

While a flurry of new complaints were filed since the safety advisory was issued, Toyota still had the highest number of unintended acceleration complaints of any of the Big Six before Sept. 30, 2009.

Toyota Motor Corporation's rate of complaints was the highest of the six at 4.81 per 100,000 vehicles sold. Ford Motor Company ranked just behind Toyota with 339 total complaints for a rate of 3.12 complaints per 100,000 vehicles sold. General Motors Co.' was the lowest at 0.81 complaints per 100,000 vehicles sold.

Manufacturer
Complaints
Complaints per 100,000 Vehicles Sold
Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep)
156
1.72
Ford Motor Corporation (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo)
339
3.12
General Motors (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn)
134
0.81
Honda (Honda, Acura)
89
1.26
Nissan (Infiniti, Nissan)
50
1.07
Toyota Motor Corporation (Lexus, Scion, Toyota)
532
4.81

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Edmunds.com