Toyota suffers fresh blow over safety

TOYOTA is considering a recall of its top-selling Corolla model after complaints about power-steering problems, in another blow to a company already reeling from a string of safety problems.

Shinichi Sasaki, the Toyota executive in charge of quality control, said the company was taking seriously the complaints about the apparent problems in the Corolla, the world's best-selling car.

He said drivers may perceive a strange feeling as though they were losing control over the steering, but it was unclear whether the problem was with the braking system or a problem with the tyres.

There have been fewer than 100 complaints. Mr Sasaki said it was still uncertain if a recall would be necessary but the company is considering one. The number of affected vehicles is unclear, but Toyota has vowed to do whatever is necessary if a fix is needed.

Toyota has recalled 8.5 million vehicles globally during the past four months because of problems with sticking accelerator pedals, floor mats trapping accelerators and faulty brake programming.

The US House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is holding a hearing on 24 February on Toyota's pedal problems. President Akio Toyoda has said he will not be attending the hearing, entrusting the job to US-based executives – though he did say he would consider appearing if summoned. He said he wanted to focus his energies on improving quality worldwide.

"I trust that our officials in the US will amply answer the questions," Mr Toyoda said. "We are sending the best people to the hearing, and I hope to back up the efforts from headquarters."

Toyota has also reiterated its promise to put customers first in beefing up quality controls. It promised a brake-override system in all future models worldwide that will add a safety measure against the acceleration problems that are behind the recent massive recalls. The mechanism will override the car if the accelerator and brake pedals are pressed at the same time.

"We are not covering up anything, and we are not running away from anything," Mr Toyoda said.

Toyota has also commissioned an independent research organisation to test its electronic throttle system, and will release the findings as they become available.

Toyota took full-page adverts in major Japanese newspapers yesterday to apologise for the massive recalls, most of which affect cars outside of the country. "We apologise from the bottom of our hearts for the great inconvenience and worries that we have caused you all," the adverts say.

Reports of deaths in the US connected to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles have surged in recent weeks, with the alleged toll reaching 34 since 2000, according to new consumer data gathered by the US government.

Under federal law, car makers must notify the department's national highway traffic safety administration within five days of determining that a safety defect exists and promptly conduct a recall.

TIMETABLE OF TROUBLES

• September 2007: 55,000 Camry and Lexus models are recalled in the US due to floormat-related problems.

• October 2009: 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus models recalled in US over floormats.

• November 2009: Floormat recall is increased to cover 4.2 million vehicles in the US.

• January 2010: 2.3 million Toyotas recalled in the US due to accelerator pedal problems.

• January 2010: 1.1 million Toyotas in the US recalled due to floormat-related problems

• February 2010: 1.8 million Toyotas recalled in Europe due to pedal problems.

• February 2010: 200 reports of brake faults in Japan and the US in the new Prius hybrid cars, leading to recall.

• February 2010: 436,000 hybrid cars involved in brake-related recall.