Toyota used a “game plan” in 2007 to escape issuing a major recall of vehicles for problems with unintended acceleration. Instead, The Washington Post reports, Toyota was able to get away with a much more limited floor mat recall.

According to the Post, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened the floor mat inquiry in March 2007 after five complaints concerning Toyota’s 2007 Lexus ES350. Three involved crashes. That summer, the agency broadened its probe to include the 2007 Camry after one of those vehicles had gone speeding out of control in San Jose, killing the driver of another vehicle. According to the Post, a floor mat had appeared to be involved in that crash. At the same time, insurance statistics and consumer complaints were also showing a rise in unintended-acceleration events in Toyotas, something the NHTSA had been investigating on and off for several years. More Toyota Avoided Major Recall in 2007

Toyota has acknowledged that the engines on more 1 million Corolla and Matrix vehicles may be prone to stall, but insists that the problem does not pose “an unreasonable risk” to safety. According to the Detroit Free Press, the stalling problems are the result of computer flaws.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating stalling problems with 2006 Corolla and Matrix models since last November. According to the Free Press, at that time the agency had received 26 reports of engine stalls. In some, owners reported that stalls happened without warning and in some cases the engine was hard to restart or kept stalling. None of those reports were linked to any injuries or crashes. More Some Toyota Corolla, Matrix Vehicles May Stall

Honda is adding another recall to the recent and ongoing stream of automotive recalls making headlines. This follows recalls from Toyota Motor Corporation and the Ford Motor Company, reported BizJournals.

Honda just announced it will be issuing a massive recall of over 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Elements due to braking problems that could create stopping problems, said BizJournals. The recall included 2007 and 2008 model year Odyssey minivans and Elements, noted BizJournals. In 2009, said BizJournals, the Odyssey was rated as the best-selling minivan in California, citing the California New Car Dealers Association in Sacramento. Honda is only second to Toyota in California, added BizJournals. More Honda Recalls 400,000 Vehicles for Faulty Brakes

Canadian officials are now investigating the timeliness of Toyota’s recent recalls over speed control problems. According to The Globe and Mail, at a hearing in Ottawa yesterday, Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned a three-month delay between the time that Toyota Canada first learned of sticky accelerator problems and when it notified consumers and federal safety officials. Canadian law requires companies to alert federal officials immediately when they discover a safety defect.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration. More Toyota Faces Canadian Probe

Toyota is facing more fallout over its recent recalls for problems involving unintended acceleration. According to The Chicago Tribune, a U.S Attorney, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Los Angeles city attorney have all opened probes into Toyota’s handling of the crisis.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration. More Toyota Faces Investigations on Several Fronts

Orange County, California is filing a civil lawsuit against Toyota over its recent safety problems and recalls. According to The Associated Press, the Orange County District Attorney says that Toyota continues to endanger the public through the sale of defective vehicles and deceptive business practices.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration. More Toyota to Be Named in Orange County, California Lawsuit

There is a chance Toyota could face criminal charges in the U.S. over its handling of recent recalls for unintended acceleration. According to a report in USA Today, a federal law adopted in 2000 could make such charges possible.

The law in question is known as the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act. According to USA Today, TREAD was enacted in response to rollover recalls involving Ford Explorers and Firestone tires. It makes individuals who intentionally mislead federal regulators about safety defects subject to possible criminal fines and even prison. More Could Toyota Face Criminal Charges?

Yesterday, we wrote that the California Highway Patrol rescued the driver of an out-of-control 2008 Toyota Prius after his vehicle accelerated suddenly. The car reached speeds as high as 94 mph, according to a report on ABC News. Now, the Associated Press (AP) is saying a 2005 Prius was the culprit in another Toyota sudden acceleration accident in Harrison, New York.

The AP said that the female driver, 56, hit a stone wall after her car accelerated wildly as she was pulling out of her driveway. Although no serious injures were sustained, there was considerable damage, added the AP. Police Chief Anthony Marraccini told WNBC that boulders were decimated and the accident could have been “devastating” if the car shot into oncoming traffic, reported the AP. More Another Out-Of-Control Prius Reported, This Time in NY

In 2006, some Toyota workers were concerned that the automaker’s efforts to ramp up production to meet booming U.S. demand was being done at the expense of safety. According to The Los Angeles Times, the workers put their concerns in a memo even though they feared it would hurt their careers.

Anyone who reads this blog is well-acquainted with Toyota’s recent safety problems. The automaker has recalled millions of vehicles worldwide over the past several months for issues involving unintended acceleration and faulty brakes. The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. More Toyota Warned in 2006 That Safety Was at Risk

The driver of a 2008 Toyota Prius was rescued by the California Highway Patrol on Monday, after his vehicle accelerated suddenly, reaching speeds as high as 94 mph, according to a report on ABC News.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled 6 million vehicles in the U.S. for problems involving sudden acceleration. The recalls started in September, when Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. More Prius Driver Rescued After Speed-up