Congress Blasts DOT On Toyota Recall On Being Slow To React

By Phillip Williams on February 25, 2010, 8:25 am Posted in Business News

Members of Congress harshly criticized the Department of Transportation for failing to protect the public given continued complaints about problems with Toyotas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the Department of Transportation agency responsible for auto safety oversight. During testimony about the Toyota recall, lawmakers came down hard on the NHTSA, saying it had failed to do its job.

NHTSA Failed In Its Duty

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee had harsh words both for Toyota and for the NHTSA. During the proceedings, the committee’s Chairman said that the agency had failed the American taxpayers. Next week, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold two hearings about the failure of federal regulators to quickly address the problem. In testimony witnesses said that NHTSA investigators held preconceived notions about the cause of Toyota failures, that they didn’t have open minds, delaying recognition of the pattern. The NHTSA allowed dangerous Toyotas on the road for years after they’d received complaints. The DOT only demanded a recall a few weeks ago after continued reports of casualties and more than two years of registered problems.

 

Close Ties Between Industry And Regulators

Republicans accused the NHTSA of having too cozy a relationship with the auto industry. Several former NHTSA members left the agency to work for Toyota, leading some to suggest the company got special treatment. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood passionately defended the agency, saying ethics standards have never been higher. But questions remain about how regulators could be so slow to act. Lawmakers are pondering future protocols and how to create standards that are applied to all companies equally. LaHood vowed to conduct a thorough review of the NHTSA’s role, but firmly denied that the agency came down harder on Toyota because of the government’s stake in GM and Chrysler.

Related posts:

1. Toyota Exec Erv Miller Warned Mgmt “Need To Come Clean” About Recall
2. Toyota Recall: Lawyers Could Be Busy With Gas Pedal Class Action Suits
3. Ford Motor Company Can Now Take A Bite Out Of Toyota’s Market Share
4. Toyota’s Recall Tops Millions Of Vehicles Worldwide – Now Corolla
5. Feds Will Investigate Potential Problems With GM’s Pickups & SUVs

One Response to “Congress Blasts DOT On Toyota Recall On Being Slow To React”

1. Linda Wilson says:

   February 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm

   I took my 2010 Camary into the dealer for the recall they only thing that was done was they cut my gas peddle down. Now when I drive my vehicle it feels like I am driving on a small piece of plastic, because I am. They literally cut the gas peddle down. Instead of designing a peddle. What is going to be done about this, I understand that things happen but this is crazy.