Toyota Deaths News Puts Total At 56 Drivers

By: Rob Adams
Staff Writer
Published: Mar 15, 2010

Latest news on the number of Toyota deaths relating to the sudden acceleration recall problems. The automaker has issued 10 million recall notices.

Toyota is doing everything they can to sweep the recall under the rug, but the number of deaths is something frightening. There have been 34 fatalities and 22 alleged lawsuits in connection with the sudden acceleration problems. The total number is 56, which is more than any other car maker.

However, it's still not clear if all complaints are valid. In addition, none of the allegations have been proven in court. Toyota has issued nearly 10 million recall notices on vehicles worldwide.

Automaker President Akio Toyoda Vows Company Will Change Its Ways

Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, says he is changing the way the automaker does business. He also addressed the safety problems that have led to the recall of 8.5 million vehicles. However, Toyota's handling of its recent safety issues is now the subject of a U.S. criminal investigation.

"It is clear to me that in recent years we didn'st listen as carefully as we should, or respond as quickly as we must, to our customers' concerns," Akio Toyoda, who is the grandson of the company's founder, wrote in a statement.

Citing his heritage, Toyoda wrote that the past few months have been humbling and painful. He acknowledged Toyota didn't respond quickly enough to reports about vehicle defects and vowed to impose tougher quality controls. In addition, Toyoda is expected to be grilled by U.S. lawmakers Wednesday when he is scheduled to appear at a congressional hearing.

Lexus Demonstrates Sudden Acceleration That Leads To Crash

Rhonda Smith is one driver that can tell you all about the problems with "sudden acceleration" in vehicles. She experienced six miles of interstate terror when her Lexus accelerated to 100 mph. This story will defiantly set the mood for Tuesday's hearing.

Most experts say to place the vehicle in neutral if it accelerates out of control. However, it didn't help Smith. She shifted to neutral, then tried to throw it into reverse, but nothing happened. Then, for some reasons, the Lexus slowed down before it crashed.

Stories like these are very frightening. Smith's description of her nightmare ride will be told to the committee. Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's investigative panel will be armed with preliminary staff findings that Toyota and the government failed to protect the public.

Problems: 2010 Prius, Rav-4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Tundra, Sequoia, Lexus, and Highlander SUV

The 2010 Toyota Prius has a faulty braking system. A steering problem has been identified in the Corolla. The other vehicles, Rav-4, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Tundra, Sequoia, Lexus, and the Highlander SUV, all have sticky gas pedals or sudden acceleration safety concerns.

More than 8.5 million vehicles are part of the recalls. Toyota has already spent $2.5 billion to fix the problems. They are fixing 50,000 vehicles per day.