Toyota Documents Indicate Knowledge of Accelerator Flaws in 2006

According to timelines issued by the company, Toyota Motor Corporation knew about defects that might cause unintended acceleration over three-and-a-half years prior to recalling the trucks and cars to remedy the flaws.

The largest automaker in the world, Toyota found out that floor mats might entrap gas pedals as early as February 7, 2006 and realized five months later that gas pedals might stick, according to papers dated March 24 that were provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and published Thursday.

The timelines indicate what Toyota has called a laggardly response that resulted in the recall of approximately eight million vehicles globally beginning one year ago to fix the two kinds of acceleration-related flaws.

Preliminary Reports

The first report related to a model year 2005 Toyota Prius Hybrid “regarding floor mat interference with an accelerator pedal,” the documents said, which were delivered by the automaker to the highway safety agency.

A Washington-based spokesperson for Toyota, Martha Voss, offered no immediate comment.

Toyota initiated recalls for the two gas-pedal-related flaws after a Lexus sedan crash on August 28 killed off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor and his three family members when the vehicle’s floor mat trapped the gas pedal.

This week, the United States Transportation Department proposed a historic $16.4 million fine against Toyota after deciding the automaker “knowingly hid a dangerous defect.” Corporations have five days after becoming aware of safety issues to notify the auto safety regulator of them according to United States law.

The timelines were delivered to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, which is dealing with criticism as well from Congress for its part in the vehicle recalls.

Toyota did not respond on the first sticking-pedal report because the “problem was not reproduced and no other similar” reports were made, according to the company’s timeline. “Toyota decided to monitor the situation in the field.”