House committee demands answers from Toyota

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee wants to know why Toyota has yet to extend its recall to pedals made by a second supplier. The committee is set to hold hearings on the issue of February 10.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, has also sent letters to Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration raising questions about the government”s response to the issue, and also citing the fact that there have been reported incidents as early as 2007 regarding the issue of sticking accelerators. Dingell also raised the issue as to whether the NHTSA had sufficient resources and authority to carry out an investigation.

There have also reportedly been over 100 complaints of sudden acceleration documented since 2007 with regard to the Toyota Tacoma, according to the NHTSA, though Toyota says that the Tacoma is equipped with a different pedal assembly that has not been implicated in the recent issues.

Toyota has issued a statement indicating that unless drivers detect pedal problems, they should feel fully confident in driving their vehicles.

It has also been suggested by some, Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak included, that faulty on-board computer systems are to blame for the issues, and not floor mats or gas pedals as has been said.

–By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News