Toyota has been examined by U.S. lawmakers and auto-safety regulators after a series of recalls, most tied to unintended acceleration. Last week, the company halted sales of a new hybrid Lexus sedan because too much fuel spilled in government crash tests, posing a fire risk.
Now House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Representative Bart Stupak, chairman of the oversight and investigations panel have demanded that Toyota “turn over information about brake-override technology in older model vehicles and describe the role a consulting firm plays in the investigation of unintended acceleration.” Toyota “was asked to discuss the override systems in cars such as the 2005 Camry.”
The lawmakers “also asked Toyota, based in Toyota City, Japan, for information about the work that engineering and research firm Exponent Inc. is performing on unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.”
Toyota has promised, including in testimony this year before Waxman’s committee, to equip all new vehicles with brake- override software by model year 2011.
