Toyota Recall – New Figures Reveal an Increase in Related Deaths
The number of deaths as a result unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles has risen to 52. Revised figures released by The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prior to a hearing in the Senate on Tuesday March 2, 2010 represent a significant increase on previous estimates of up to 34 deaths. NHTSA also reports that of the 43 complaints it has received, regarding alleged accelerator defects with Toyota models, almost 75% have been received in the last four months – no doubt as a result of increased public awareness of the potential safety issues. Despite recalling more than six million vehicles in the United States since September 2009, Toyota remains under intense pressure to provide a better explanation for its slow response to the “crisis”, as well as robust assurances to consumers and law makers that design flaws leading to instances of involuntary acceleration have been fixed. With falling sales figures and details of an alleged breaking problem with some Prius models beginning to emerge, there seems no let up in the bad news facing Toyota.
