Has anyone experienced this Toyota problem?

[superjohn]

So, no politics or ranting or anything like that, but I have been reading about this issue for weeks now and so far I have not heard a single first hand account of this happening to anyone.

Since we have over 6200 people on this board who are relatively familiar with the advanced operation of a motor vehicle, I figured I'd ask the question and satisfy my curiosity.

So tell me. Have you or anyone you know experienced an episode of unintended acceleration on any model of Toyota or Lexus?

[NAKID]

http://www.examiner.com/x-10697-California-Autos-Examiner~y2010m3d8-CHP-assists-Prius-driver-with-stuck-pedal--Reportedly-neutral-and-power-button-did-not-work

[ducatiz]

http://www.examiner.com/x-10697-California-Autos-Examiner~y2010m3d8-CHP-assists-Prius-driver-with-stuck-pedal--Reportedly-neutral-and-power-button-did-not-work

i heard this story and as much as I despise Priuses and Prius drivers, I call bullshit.

the power switch on the Prius is a direct kill switch to the brain.  unless the car is saying "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Dave" I would bet my bar membership that this is a case of a person looking to cash in.

[mitt]

Which problem - floor mat or electronics?

I have experienced floor mat / pedal problems on even non-toyota cars, so I am sure that is real.

The electronic acceleration - the jury is still out IMO.  I could see it happening just knowing how touchy electronics can be in hostile environments over time.  And, even if it is the old cliche - only 1 in a million, with 10 million vehicles on the road, it will show up.

mitt

[Vindingo]

http://www.examiner.com/x-10697-California-Autos-Examiner~y2010m3d8-CHP-assists-Prius-driver-with-stuck-pedal--Reportedly-neutral-and-power-button-did-not-work

That driver is a moron.  Why couldn't they just wedge their foot into the side of the pedal and yank it out?  Those mats aren't that strong, or even bolted down.  I have had it happen to me before and yes it freaked me out for a second, but I didnt need a police escort to figure out what was wrong. 

It doesn't say if it is a man or woman, young or old...  I'm going to take a wild guess and keep it to myself    I also find it VERY hard to belive that it wouldn't go into neutral.

[ducatiz]

It's the "won't go into neutral" part that really gets me.

[Supero100]

I have an '06 Highlander Hybrid. The brake pedal feels a little mushy. I got used to it by my 6th stop.

[ducatiz]

The electronic acceleration - the jury is still out IMO.  I could see it happening just knowing how touchy electronics can be in hostile environments over time.  And, even if it is the old cliche - only 1 in a million, with 10 million vehicles on the road, it will show up.

mitt

i wonder how likely it is someone hacked into Toyota's development group systems and changed the ECU code so a random acceleration problem appears.......

i mean... if the throttle is 100% ecu controlled, then it runs software of some kind.  just 2-3 lines of code and blammo, you have a random # generator and if you roll 5d20 and hit 97 or more, you get eaten by orcs.

[swampduc]

No problems with my Toyota. If I needed another car today, I'd happily buy a Toyota. But I don't, because my Toyota is the most reliable car I've ever owned.

[mitt]

i wonder how likely it is someone hacked into Toyota's development group systems and changed the ECU code so a random acceleration problem appears.......

i mean... if the throttle is 100% ecu controlled, then it runs software of some kind.  just 2-3 lines of code and blammo, you have a random # generator and if you roll 5d20 and hit 97 or more, you get eaten by orcs.

My reasoning is more from an electrical connection, noise, or insulation degradation situation than a software glitch.  That is the approach the Asst Prof at S. IL also took to show it could happen.  From what I understand, his method was pretty extreme and needed a safe guard to fail to make it work, but again, if you have 10 million vehicles out there, if it is even possible, it could happen a hand full of times.

For example, if a throttle position sensor goes bad, it is supposed to fail into a fail safe mode, so it "limps" home - this has happened to me in the past on my honda crv.  But, if that fail safe default fails, then the ecu could see 50% throttle when the accelerator is only at 10%, and cause this sort of unintended.

mitt

[jerryz]

I am certain that the floor mat issue is a red herring, sure mats do get ruffed up under the pedals but , Fly by wire throttles and all the other computer connects to Auto box etc is more likely  a problem and toyota desperately want to cover it up.
they have a history of hiding problems ..the Fortuner is banned for sale in USA,EU and OZ as it rolls over too easily and also poisons its passengers due to exhaust vents exiting into cabin but toyota still happliy sell them in Asia and they kill people here every week .i lost 2 friend in a fortuner rollover recently .Toyota have a lot to answer for.

[CairnsDuc]

We have a Toyota Corolla, and on 1 or 2 occasions, when we have engaged the cruise control it has yanked the throttle open and accelerated well beyond the set speed
but all I did was turn off the cruise control and the throttle returned to normal.

What I don't understand is why can't these people hit the brakes, pull the car out of gear, pull on the E brake, switch off the engine, something......
Surely something will stop the car.

[superjohn]

i wonder how likely it is someone hacked into Toyota's development group systems and changed the ECU code so a random acceleration problem appears.......

i mean... if the throttle is 100% ecu controlled, then it runs software of some kind.  just 2-3 lines of code and blammo, you have a random # generator and if you roll 5d20 and hit 97 or more, you get eaten by orcs.

Can I make a saving throw?


So, this is interesting. I originally asked this question, not because I doubted it could happen. I mean the Woz found a very specific instance where it could happen. But, because all the testimony I heard from the people at the Congressional hearing sounded like BS. Especially the retired gentleman who said he was standing on the brake at a stoplight and the car was trying to get away from him. Now, I have known that to happen to some people because they were hitting both pedals and panicked. But I digress.

[Speedbag]

I'm going with idiots for $500 Alex.

Remember the great Ford Explorer/Firestone tire debacle? Yeah, the tires might have been shitty here and there, but I'd be willing to bet a lot of it boiled down to morons who can't be bothered to check their tire pressures.

Toyota? Yeah, there might be glitches. But despite the cars having drive-by-wire throttles, doesn't cramming your foot under the go pedal and lifting up have the same effect as on a car with conventional linkage?

I get the feeling some of these people wouldn't last a week in some of the junk I used to drive....

[Vindingo]

Especially the retired gentleman who said he was standing on the brake at a stoplight and the car was trying to get away from him. Now, I have known that to happen to some people because they were hitting both pedals and panicked. But I digress.

I have done that before too.  Panic stop, slam on the brake and gas at the same time.  Luckily it was a manual so I just slammed both feet down, the car stopped but the engine red lined.  I wouldn't be suprised if that happend to the old man by accident and he didn't realize it.  I also can't imagine that the prius has enough power to pull away from a stop while on the brakes.