The NHTSA has released to Congress its preliminary report concerning sudden unintented acceleration of Toyota vehicles. After reviewing 58 of the more than 3,000 complaints, the NHTSA has found no instances where the electronic throttle system was to blame. The NHTSA cites other causes, including driver error, for the incidents.

Toyota is quick to point out that this reflects their own findings. Toyota states that it has conducted over 4,000 on-site vehicle inspections with essentially the same results.

Of the 58 cases thus far investigated by the NHTSA, vehicle on-board computers record that the brakes were never depressed in 35 of the cases. In other cases, brakes were partially depressed or pressed at the last second. In other words, the overwhelming majority of the cases indicate the probability of driver error.

The NHTSA refused to comment directly on its report, except to state that the investigation of the onboard computers is only a small part of a many-layered investigation set to be completed in 2011.

Toyota intends to conduct a recall involving approximately 373,000 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons because the steering lock bar could break under certain conditions. Once broken, the bar may cause the steering wheel to lock while the vehicle is in motion.

Because of improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, the bar could break over time. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.

If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash.

As part of the recall, Toyota will replace the steering column bracket on involved vehicles, a procedure that takes about two hours to complete depending on the dealer’s schedule. Toyota will notify owners by first class mail beginning in late August 2010 to bring their vehicles to their local Toyota dealer for replacement of the steering column bracket at no charge to the customer.

The “unnamed source” has been used by journalists to expose important news stories (“Deep Throat” helped Bob Woodward uncover Watergate) but has also been used to mask ineffective coverage. Conflicting reports concerning Toyota and the NHTSA investigation of its “sudden acceleration” recalls have both relied on “unnamed sources” at the NHTSA.

The Wall Street Journal cited an unnamed source that claimed that results of NHTSA tests indicate that “driver error” is the leading cause of unintended acceleration in Toyota. According to the article, no new defects (beyond the sticky accelerator and the floor mat interference issues previously addressed by Toyota) have been found.

However, an automotive web site has made the claim that Toyota “planted” the story with the Wall Street Journal, again citing “unnamed sources” at the NHTSA. The article, which first appeared in just-auto.com, has been picked up internationally.

Since there is no NHTSA report as yet, the NHTSA has not officially commented, one way or the other. In the meantime, the question is being elevated to “he said, he said” status. But is this entirely fair?

First, the Wall Street Journal article appears to be true. Whether it was instigated by Toyota or by “unnamed sources” at the NHTSA aside, it appears to accurately describe the NHTSA investigation.

Second, it is logical to conclude that a writer at the Wall Street Journal might have access to sources at the NHTSA. Less likely is that just-auto.com has access to those sources. Just-auto is a UK-based web site. The author of the article, Simon Warburton, has been covering the automotive industry as a web journalist for only about six months now. It seems unlikely that he has uncovered a source at the NHTSA who is willing to attack the credibility of Toyota and the Wall Street Journal while no other media outlet in the world has uncovered such a source.

Still, in the world of instant news, somehow the just-auto story has been elevated to the same status as the Wall Street Journal story. It’s just easier to repeat the sensational headline than to do a little research.

Lexus Announces Intention to Recall Certain U.S. Market Vehicles to Replace Engine Valve Springs
TORRANCE, Calif. (July 2, 2010) — Lexus intends to file a Defect Information Report (DIR) regarding approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles, powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 GS, IS and LS models in the U.S. The formal report will be filed this week.

In the covered vehicles, a small number of the valve springs may be contaminated. If a vehicle is affected, the contamination could potentially result in abnormal engine noise or idling. In rare instances, the engine may stop while the vehicle is in operation.

Lexus estimates that the likelihood of a customer vehicle experiencing this condition is two-tenths of one percent (0.2 %). Lexus has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition. No vehicles from the current 2010 model year nor 2009 are affected.

Lexus will send owners of the involved vehicles a recall notification via first class mail. Owners are requested to contact their local Lexus dealer for diagnosis and repair after receiving their notification. The repair will involve replacement of the engine’s valve springs at no charge.

Owners can continue to drive their vehicles. If symptoms are noticed, such as vibration, rough idling, unusual engine sounds or poor performance, the vehicle should be brought to a Lexus dealer for service.

Certain Lexus vehicles produced among the following models and years are covered:
2007 and 2008 GS 350
2007 and 2008 GS 450h
2008 GS 460
2006, 2007 and 2008 IS 350
2007 and 2008 LS 460
2007 and 2008 LS 460 L
2008 LS 600h L

Toyota reported June sales in the US of 140,604 units, up 6.8% over June 2009. The Toyota Division sold 123,272 vehicles, 7.4% more than the same month in 2009, while Lexus sold 17,332, an increase of 2.7%.

Year to date, Toyota sold 846,542 cars, trucks, and vans, a 10.6% increase (adjusting for selling days) or 9.9% (not adjusting). Toyota remains America’s leading retail brand in sales.

Toyota cars registered a sales decline of 2% which was compensated for by a 26% hike in truck sales. Camry and Camry Hybrid had a combined sales hike of 8%, and Corolla went up 10%. The new Avalon hit 2,833 cars, up 33%.

Light truck sales were led by the RAV4, which recorded sales of 12,573 units, up 25% percent over the same month last year. Tundra had a sales hike of 49% and the new Sienna minivan went 72% over June 2009. Sienna sold 9,357 minivans, narrowly losing out to the Chrysler Town & Country (which posted a 34% increase to hit 9,595) but beating the Dodge Caravan (at 8,658 units, a 49% increase).

Scion posted June sales of 3,745 units. Lexus reported car sales of 8,149 units, down 7%, and light trucks sales of 9,183 units, up 13%.

June sales included of 14,639 hybrid vehicles.

June and Half Year Sales Chart by Vehicle

Lexus has announced a new round of recalls for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. During NHTSA crash tests, the car spilled fuel sparking Toyota to stop delivery and announce the pending recall of 17,000 vehicles.

The test, performed by an independent contractor, replicated “extreme conditions” and resulted in a “very small amount” of fuel to spill, according to Toyota.

In the test, the vehicle was struck from behind at 50 mph then mounted on a device that spun it around to simulate a rollover. The spill occurred while the vehicle was on its side.

Toyota has not announced a fix for the problem, stating that they will have to replicate the conditions to find out what went wrong before they can address the problem.

Toyota will announce a solution to owners when it becomes available. Owners can continue to drive the car, says Toyota, citing the extreme nature of the test.