A scientific panel has backed a US government finding that electronic software played no role in the sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles which caused massive recalls two years ago.
However, the group questioned the ability of regulators to investigate similar, complex cases in the future without improving their own technical expertise.
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Some 8m Toyota and Lexus models were recalled in 2009 and 2010. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood sought the independent report from academic, industry, scientific and regulatory experts as a follow-up to the investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which received help from technical experts at NASA.
The NHTSA came under fire in 2010 from Congress and consumer and safety groups which complained that it under-reacted to complaints about sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
NHTSA investigators blamed the sudden acceleration on loose floormats that could jam the accelerator. However, questions persisted about whether potential faults in Toyota electronic throttles were also a factor.
With the help of NASA it was determined jointly a year ago that throttles played no role and NHTSA said driver error would likely explain most sudden acceleration incidents beyond the already identified equipment and mechanical flaws.
The Research Council review supported the conclusions of the joint agency investigation but did not dismiss the possibility of safety related glitches occurring in electronic systems now ubiquitous in car design industrywide, saying such events would leave no evidence that they occurred.
Researchers added that it was troubling that NHTSA could not answer questions about sudden acceleration without outside help and said it was crucial it develop the expertise to do so on its own.
The group recommended that NHTSA convene a standing technical committee to advise on issues involving electronics and review its technological needs for new resources.
Toyota said it would work with regulators and Congress to address the report’s recommendations to strengthen NHTSA understanding of vehicle systems and its oversight of the industry.
The panel also supported NHTSA’s efforts to make electronic recording devices mandatory on all new cars and trucks and its research on new accelerator pedal designs and keyless ignitions. All were factors in the Toyota investigation.
Toyota still faces hundreds of lawsuits in the recall cases.
