Tonight: A Worldwide Exclusive!

I'm certain this must be a true embarrassment to Mr. Toyoda & the entire Toyota co.. It 's too bad they didn't admit problems much sooner . I for one never accepted the saga of the floor mat. With success sometimes profit is more imp't. than safety. The solution is to find the problem & fix it-no further excuses. If only excuses are given even Toyota's die hard fans will become sceptical.

So sorry to hear about these troubles of theirs.

My next car would have been a Toyota as I heard that they were quite reliable. Maybe they have been up until now.

Other manufacturers have had their problems as well from time to time.

Hope Toyota can resolve theirs. It's a shame this has happened.

I know how it fells when a truck did not do what it should have, and I ran over my son in a 2002 dodge ram. They couldn't find any thing wrong with the truck, and my insurance company dropped Chrysler from the
law suit.

I cannot recall a time when Gm, Ford, Chrysler, or any automobile manufacture in the world was called before a Congressional investigation committee to get grilled so hard, as I had witnessed today on CNN.

I 'recall' vividly, tens of millions of U.S. and foreign vehicles being recalled for any number of defects. To the best of my knowledge were they subjected to the scrutiny and the dog and pony show I witnessed today?

I accepted months ago Toyota's commitment to remedy the deficiencies reported and those recently discovered in the brands of autos they produce.

Our Senate has over 290 pieces of legislation, passed by the House of Representatives, waiting for them to pass or deny and send them on to the President.

@Theresa
@ Jessie
Both of you are correct in my opinion. Toyota used too many
excuses at the unset of the problem(which is what most buisiness
will do including banks to cover their butt. ) . In the other hand
I believe that Toyota has agree to compensate the victims of
these scandal. or their families for those who died. Some people
are complaining that Toyota 's owner Mr. Aiko Toyoda did not
show enough remorse. I will not swear to do. We are inside hisw
brain and his mind. He testified, he answered all questions from
the panel and he accepted total responsibility. What else do you
want from the man and his corporation. I believe that he is sincere
now and the trying his best to cooperatie. The company was
negligent but now, the owner and the corporation are acting in good
faith.
I agree with Jessie. Toyota is not the only one that has had bif
problems with defective vehicles. Ford had the mufflers in 72
causing cars to catch fire, and defective tires a few years ago
when tires bowing up when cars were driven at high speeds.

I loved watching the clowns in congress bash Toyota.....If congress were a car company this problem wouldn't have happened.....their car would never even start up.

Welcome to America....

Does Japan know about Americas lemon laws .

I purchased a 2004 toyota matrix xrs, and the clutch went out after 6,000 miles. The dealer replaced the clutch but wouldn't admit it was the fault of the car. A year later that clutch and the toyota dealer in another state said it was driver error. I've never driven anything but a stick shift! I called toyota to complain and they said that it was the 1st time they heard of a problem with the XRS clutches. I gave them the web site info of other xrs owners that had also phoned in complaints, so I was NOT the 1st.

Try driving with the clutch out on the freeway with semi-trucks barreling down your back.

TOYOTA lies, cheats their customers, and blames everything on the driver! When the customer says they have a problem, toyota says, "Driver error". I HATE TOYOTA. Let them buy back their cars! I have one for sale.

The congresspople look neanderthal in comparison to Toyoda. I just hope his very human sincerity is not bashed by excessice litigation.

I own a 2007 Lexus ES350, what kind of restitution will Toyota/Lexus offer to affected models to restore faith back to this brand and as a goodwill effort to insure should any other defects be found after the warranty period runs out? Would they consider extending the warranties to existing customers?

Thank you.

I would buy another Toyota if moving forward quality again becomes Toyota's base aim.

Has it occured to anyone that the Toyota could be sabatogue

The scariest suspect for the issues is pointing toward electronics and the testing methods for those. This is a newish technology used by all manufacturers. Are Toyota's testing methods weak comapred to other manufacturers?. If so, they are negligent, if not then can we expect similar issues from other manufacturers to emerge.?

Yes oh yes Mr Toyota I have questions for you
As a owner of a Avalon I had 2 awful pedal problems 1. I was told at the dealership it was the mats and they removed them 2 .incident I was terrified I took my car into the dealership they replaced the pedal and said there was no damage, alas that was not true I took it to a independent shop and was told there was damage????????? Well Mr Toyota I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WERE IN TRAFFIC DO I TRUST YOU NEVER NEVER WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT MY TOYOTA

America is sorry for Japans misfortune with there loss of there respect for qaunlity before quality but give some full refunds and pay some retubutions for holding out on quick reaction to a deadly problem you guys made this same mistake one time before and that wasnt good .

mr toyoda i purchased a toyota corolla i have had it in to be worked on i am very happy with the results i recieved i knew you would fix it that is why toyota is the number one car in the world, i am sorry you were treated so shameless by our representaves ron and penny fisher lincoln ne

Ford recently had 14 million vehicles recalled because faulty "Cruise Controls" that could cause a "Fire Hazard" and you don't see Congress calling them in. It's obvious that Congress and the media are looking for a story at Toyota's Expense.

I am shocked and amazed at the level of scrutiny CNN has applied to Toyota without acknowledging that these vehicles were made in the United States by American workers-these are AMERICAN cars and AMERICANS needs to start taking responsibility. Why haven't the same problems been noted in Europe or Japan? Is there a possibility that the problems is with an American mentality of producing (low quality) and not the Toyota brand itself. For all we know there is some sort of corporate espionage at hands of Americans who are (or have been) employed by Toyota. Remember the infamous memo that kept being waved about? Who wrote that memo? Is this all just anti-Japan bashing, is that what the US has come to now?

We have full faith in Toyota Brand. Will continue to buy Toyota. Our family met with an high impact collision on a major highway, Resulting in total loss of Toyota Corolla, since car took full impact but all family members were saved without injury this proves the crash quality in Toyota vehicles.

The current incident though regretble for family's impacted, but truth is more accidents happen resulting in deaths than this current Recall.

How ignorant for the woman in congress to suggest he was not remorseful enough. She doesn't know how he feels; should he have cried and gone through a box of tissue. Her comment reminds me of those who, after Tiger's press conference, felt they knew better how he felt than he did because of his body gestures. And how about comments about Tiger's mother not showing emotion or support. Anyone getting the picture here.
If you think this was ridiculous, watch Congress the next time they bring Bernanke in front of them. To use your word, charlie, neanderthal again and again.

Several years ago we decided not to buy a toyota (after having several for over 20 years) due to their assembly in the United States. Do you think the problems now are due to the fact that the quality control is not up to the standards as was in Japan?

I think its unfair to rake this man over the coals His company has made some of the best vehicles ever I guess they forgot about the pinto from ford or the aries k car from chrysler they were junk toyota cars are top of the line for fuel economy Just look at there hybrid models they make somebody has a short memory

Mr. Toyoda, As an American citizen, I apologize to you for what you had to put up with today in front of that committee. It was apparent to me from watching it that not one of the people who were asking you questions had the first clue about the problems encountered in a manufacturing process. Furthermore, they didn't care to know. All they wanted to do – as do all of our politicians in this country – is to get their face on TV and campaign for their own agenda and re-election.

I agree with Toyota having to explain this, especially since people have died or been injured: but I would also like the same investigations and explanations from drug companies who have knowingly sold bad meds; etc. etc. Also, unfortunately, usa and canadian made vehicles which also had defects which killed people.... "everyone" should be made to face the same scrutiny if they have caused death and illness by poor design, wrong ingredients, etc. etc.

Today's drama with Toyoda further explains the world what kind of hypocrites we are..We have American trucks and cars that are not reliable in their performance or safety compared to Toyota..

Are these Congress men dreaming that by bashing Toyota, the sales of Ford and GM would improve..

Wake up congress men, show us and prove in numbers on the number of people died due to malfunction in the car..

Can you tell us how many people are dying in car accidents daily in American Cars compared to Toyota..

As a former employee of a Japanese co. in Indiana, I can tell you they have the gift of gab. They are like every other manufacturing plant, they want more done with less people.You are working so fast to do 3 or more things in 20 seconds, no wonder they have mistakes. This is more "Corporate Greed".

I'm sorry Toyota is having troubles as all companys do from time to time. I feel that all this media attention has alot more to do with a chance to nail toyota to the cross as the USA now owns GM and needs all the help it can get

Have Mr. Toyoda seen the videos which were broadcast on Nightline and other TV stations about the electronic problems with Toyota. These could be easily recreated for him. Why is that Toyota engineers cannot create such scenarios. The easiest one shown on Nightline WAS SHORTENING THE ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT CAUSING THE UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF THE CAR

Sorry? Should he be doing Hera-Kiri?

Hi Larry- Toyoda San, What about the other side millions of happy Toyota drivers over the last 30YRS surely from the millions of Toyotas sold, accidents are very rare.- no one tells the other side, or the story of other manufacturers . Thank you both

Japan is one of the bravist country in American history with great honer and respect and they are not cowards and they are verry smart but they need to slow down and not out run there technoligy .

The toyota complaint office promised me a refund since july 2009, case # 0907101018 every time i call they lye to me. I am still waiting. Last month because of a sudden acceleration i lost control of my 2007 camry & my F/bumper get damage. I don't trust toyota anymore. What are you going to do to show your customer that you are sincere?

Mr. Toyoda, would you drive randomly selected car by us for next year?

Dear Mr. King
I am an American living in Japan. I am furious over the treatment of Mr. Toyoda. I own a Prius, a Lexus, and several large Toyota buses. Do people not realize that a car is made up of millions of parts? Those parts come from many companies, including USA companies. I can smell those lawyer sharks just rushing to courthouses all over America, filing claims over every accident involving a Toyota vehicle. It doesn:t matter is the driver was on meth or had 10 beers. If the car was a Toyota, it must have been acceleration or the floor mats. What idiot doesn:t fix their floor mats from time to time? All cars have floor mats which change position and need to be fixed. I feel sorry for Mr. Toyoda. He makes a great car. I find my Prius to be the absolute best car which I have ever owned. I have owned many vehicles also. I have owned a Mitsubishi Galant, Pontiac Trans Am, Hondas, Buick, Fords, Japanese Hinos, and Toyota is by far the best. I do not know anybody at Toyota and have never worked there, but I feel sorry for them. You may share my letter. Thank you. I just adore you, Mr. King. You are the best interviewer ever!!!
Sincerely, Judy Itoh

The best car I ever owned was a 1990 Toyota Celica. This car was built in Japan. I bought it new and had to sell it when it was 17 years old. I kept up on maintenance and had few repairs. I wish I could have it back.
I owned the notorious Ford Pinto, I don't think Ford ever corrected the gas tank issue.
I have owned Buick, VW, Ford just to name a few.
I even tried to return a Ford on the Lemon Law. The law was too new. My family has owned Chevy, Honda, Chrysler.
At one time my entire family drove Toyota except one sister, she built GM cars.
I would be hard pressed to buy American even with this current rash of problems facing Toyota. I am currently without "auto".
They look great and sound great. But let me see the car repair bills on a ten year old car. I don't get rid of my cars easily.
My next car will be Toyota. I don't think any of the so called Big Three ever were put under test they way the Government has put the screws to Mr. Toyoda and his company. Is it too late?

Simultaneous interpretation at the UN is done with earphones to the delegates to hear the interpreter.. You had Mr. Toyoda and the interpreter talking over each other and you could not understand what either one was saying. Mr. Toyoda should have answered your questions and then be followed by the translator.

Have most of the defective vehicles been manufactured in the U.S. or in Japan. If so, why?

Ihave driven toyotas for 17 years although I don't find them the most comfortable they are the most reliable and the best on gas I have ever owned.I always get over 150thousand miles on all the toyotas I have owned All I did was change the oil every three or four thousand miles I never had to replace any major parts on any of the toyotas I had acamry station wagon(86) Also I had a1982 pickup truck and a 1991 pickup and now I drive a 2003 tacoma Iwill always buy toyota vehicles because they are so reliable. I think the toyota engineers and all the other people working there will no dought fix this problem.

What kind of a desaster will this cause Toyota with Japans 5000.00 rebate .

Yesterday or maybe the day before, CNN did a piece with an engineer who has been following Toyota's problems, and the engineer said Toyota has been having these kind of problems for years. If this is so, why hasn't Toyota addressed these on-going issues until now?

Has Toyota considered that an enemy of Japan and the US has planted a software virus that can cause the observed acceleration symptom, and then erase itself?

I would really like to know in the event of a throttle becoming stuck open and the vehicle "running away" can you either shift the transmission into "N" or even shut off the ignition with the key to stop the vehicle? Such as on a motorcycle there is an ignition "kill" switch for just such a purpose.

hi larry this is minh pham and i had lost a cousin that was very close to me and he had passed about almost two year ago... to this day i still have of question about 2006 toyota scion..... he was driving home and till this day we don't understand if his car stall or not. but the car was in the center lane in the arizona highway and a tow truck struck him and none of the air bags deployed... and we had research on the internet about that model car and they had few of problems like electronic.... thankyou...

Why are we pillorying Mr. Toyoda? He didn't do anything that any other conscientious corporate company head wouldn't do. He hid things that could be bad for the bottom line. To tell the truth when nobody else knew about the defect or problem would be irresponsible in the extreme. I would expect any CEO who didn't withhold information detrimental to the company to be fired for incompetence.

So, let's stop excoriating Mr. Toyoda and trying to shame him. It's hypocritical as hell, considering our own dismal record of corporate malfeasance and greed.

Will Japan add on American made cars to Japans cash for clunkers now .

Has Toyota taken possession of any of the Lexus vehicles that have exhibited the sudden acceleration to top speed?

GM's former CEO Wagner would have never put up with this inquisition. Akio Toyoda shows a lot of personal integrity and courage coming forward to voice his support and confidence in going forward. Toyota makes one of the finest lines of autos in the world.

My fahter drives a Toyota Camry. I am not entirely comfortable with him driving it now because I feel that Toyota was not completely up front about the full extent of issues. I have lost confidence in the brand, although I DO hope that they recover from this.

Did anyone see the interview yesterday on Diane Sawyer where the reporter was in a Toyota (in a controlled environment) and they re-created the acceleration issue AND that they presented their findings to Toyota and no response was given.

Autos were recalled in EU in 2000 and in Canada in 2003. First US complaint was 2001. Toyota hired frmr NITSA folks . Email from toyota bragging about the minimal cost of NITSA s assesment. In 2009 email complaining that reg were getting tough now that Bush was gone. Americans can be eaten in view of the world since EVERYONE is paid not to see it including the media! As was heard by journalist on CSPAN that exec meet w/ media so media can promote their interest. BBC is only one clean..

HI LARRY, WATCHING YOUR SHOW RIGHT NOW. HAVE
NEVER COMMENTED, BUT FEEL THE NEED TO RE:
TOYOTA'S PROBLEMS.

I own a Toyota, 2006. My father always drove Toyota, and
also my brother, for last 20 years anyway. Toyota, I am
convinced is being sabatoged {sp}, as is the opinion of many
people I have talked to recently. I am incined to trust Mr.
Toyoda at his word. If he came out late with this, he came
forth humbly, and contrite,- a virtue many business
tycoons in our country do not seem to have. Most people
I have talked to do not think that this will hurt the Toyota
reputation.

45,000 people dying annually due to lack of health care and the Congress is grilling Toyota over a handful of accidents. Ha Ha. More people dyed because of our health care system during the Congressional grilling then have died in Toyota's inthe past 5 years.

Japan was taken under our wing and we promised things that we are obligated to inforce this is one person one company the heart beat of Japan we cannot let one company dishoner our friend Japan .

There was a time when square windows on airplanes were the norm. Only after several disasters, was it realised that rounded windows were safer structurally.
Electronic Ignitions are relatively new technology and getting more complex all the time. The real question here should be about how those systems are tested, and not just for Toyota.
That is the job of the manufacturers and needs to be verified by safety agencies.

The whale is pissed off he wants you turn him loose .

Good!! point, Rick! I am an RN for 28 yrs. Point well made,
and, unfortunatly holds alot of truth.

Is the problem with the Toyota vehicles related to the increased use of computers in vehicles? Whether this is true or not, shouldn't some controls in vehicles be "off limits" to computer controls? Such as the accelerator and braking mechanisms. Case in point, I do not want my vehicle's computer to lock up while I need to apply the brakes!

Where were the Congressional hearings when the Ford Explorers were built? I owned 2 of them spending nearly $50,000 on them, and they had every problem that you could have ever imagined; both had major transmission problems, oil leaks, electronic failures, and you name it! I own 2 Toyota products now based on my failures with the Explorers! Toyota knows quality better than no other! It is a shame for this current setback, but this is only 1 out of the many failures that the American car companies have had! I personally will never loose faith in my Toyota product! At least I have 2 cars that I know won't fall apart on the highway!

How can a killer whale be held accountable when it is being inhumanely treated? To begin with it's a massive mammal held in the equivalent of a swimming pool...taught to perform ridiculous tricks on a daily basis and all for the supposed edification of the people who visit Sea World? I don't think so. It's nothing but exploitation for profit and is not the whale's faujlt! Frankly, the fact that they knew this whale had killed before and still kept it as a tourist attraction is their fault. Tragic that someone had to die...but...

@Tammy
@Rick,
Point taken but somewhat apples and oranges. I think the comparison would need to be a medical malpractice case, not lack of coverage.

Please turn that poor whale loos let him go .

Oregon did the right thing, at great expense it rescued Wille the Orcha from a Mexican swimming pool that permantely deformed his upright Dorsal Fin, rehabbed him and after many months released him back in the Ocean near another Pod of Orchas.

These huge sea mammals shouldn't be kept in bathtubs, ordered to perform tricks like jump, splash, roll over, don't eat the trainer to a ungracious audience. See them in the wild, best experience for all concerned!

Larry,
Simultaneous interpretation at the UN is done with earphones to the delegates to hear the interpreter.. You had Mr. Toyoda and the interpreter talking over each other and you could not understand what either one was saying. Mr. Toyoda should have answered your questions and then be followed by the translator.

@ michael armstrong sr. TX

They are as intelligent as us... captivity is a real problem

I am sorry for the families who have loss love ones due to the recall issues. I have been a Toyota owner for 13 years and have been satisfied with my investment. My 2007 Avalon is at the dealership currently for the recall corrections and I have confidence that the service team will correct the issue. Diane G., Columbus, OH

When will humans finally get it....you can't domesticate a wild creature
its pathetic this story of the Killer Whale. It is going against nature to
have these whales in a show at Seaworld. They don't belong as dancing trained fish . When will we stop the cruelty and honor these wild creatures as wild. How sad , we humans are so damn selfish no respect and we will pay for it.

A killer whale has a bad day and doesn't feel like roll over and leap thru a hoop, what is he/she going to do? Elephants sometimes do the very same acts of defiance after years of being locked behind huge barred cages.

Orcas have the largest brain per body weight of any species in the world. There has been much controversy of who is more intelligent, man or Orca. John Lilly spent 40 years research with dolphins and Orcas. Any captivity will cause behavioral problems.

RickFromDetroit AMEN!!! And while every poll shows the public O. is popular Cnn pretends its the plague and against the will of Americans. And reconciliation is TABOO. Never heard boo when Republicants used it to pass a million dollar bill for only a portion of us, the drug bill. MANDATED and PENALTIES. They also can change the meds via urging the Dr to cheaper drugs. And many are limited. Oh yeah tha1mil tax break for the mil was also via reconciliation.

Dodie these creatures should be let loos back into the sea if there violent thats there nature condeming them to death because of fear of them sercomming to preditors and starvation is selfish to the animal.

@ A. Smith, Oregon

You are absolutely correct! Because these beings are intelligent, captivity is a real problem... You can see their dorsal fin turned because of the stress

Larry King, ask your guests if they think it is alright for the US Navy to train Dolphins to be suicide bombers with mines attached to their body's and to be killers for anyone in the water around their warships.

Seaworld and other corporate animal abusers exploit wild animals for profit. These whales are held prisoner. Does anyone believe they would hang around if they were given the opportunity to be free? Being confined, immobilized, kept in an enclosure that prevents them from moving forward, separated from their pods, harassed all day and made to perform stupid tricks for crowds of mostly ignorant people, who only care about being entertained is criminal really. No wonder the animals lose their minds.

@ michael armstrong sr. TX.

They are very intelligent. They will join with ocean pods in the ocean and find their original pod before captured....

Yes I would buy a Toyota. I have a tendency to prefer European Cars but I bought my wife a 2004 Toyota Sequioa and it has been one of the most comfortable riding and reliable cars we have ever owned. My wife, who is a very small woman, feels much safer in her Sequoia and is constantly being asked by friends and relations to sell her car to them and buy a smaller one. That will never happen. As for me, I prefer my BMW or my dream car an E Class Mercedes but that is just my preference and my wife's preference for her Toyota has equal validity in my mind.

So let me get this straight we tourture the animal and then we kill them .

Oregon released Willie the Orcha into the Wild. What happened to these guests education on their own expertise?

Michael... Deep water ocean pods

I would just like to thank Mr. Toyoda for appearing on the show, and for leading the company that made a car that I truly enjoy. I have owned many brands over my 30 years of driving, and my 2007 Avalon is my first Toyota. It is an outstanding car. Every day I enjoy the quality and refinement that the employees of Toyota have put into it. Please keep up the excellent work. Thank you.

TY comedy network for not posting my informative post. I videotaped the pre and poist so pple can wonder why.. Kinda like the day long ins. com on the 2 days of anti ins. reform. ON ALL 3 networks.

Cool, Pavel Chekov is on Larry King Live! I wish it was under a more happier circumstance!

I waited 25 years to buy my wife of 25 years the perfect anniversary gift and because she loved her 2003 toyota corolla I knew she would love to have another toyota after giving our daughter the toyota corolla for graduation so I thought the 2010 toyota camry would be the perfect gift and she really loved it, but now knowing all that has came out about that camry she loved so dearly I can't trust what could possible happen to her in vehicle knowing now what I know, searching for the right answer, please give me your comment.

@ A. Smith, Oregon

You are right on target! They will survive ocean life. They maybe more intelligent than us! There are bachelor pods in the open ocean they can join easily. Its not a problem...

Man some one needs to report Sea World to the Human Sociaty .

Portland, Ore. – Joshua Records, LLC in association with the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation announced today the release of a twelve-minute short film commemorating the 10th anniversary of Keiko’s release into his home waters in the North Atlantic where he thrived before his death in 2003.

Set free all the sea life there different from land creatures .

@ Michael Baker, if any auto suddenly accelerates, simply stomp on the brakes to stop it. I've never experienced that in any Toyota, I've had 4 of them including a new Camry which has not been to the recall stall and run's just fine, never any problems with any of the Toyota's.

You know, all we do in America these days is complain and point fingers. Conservatives are pointing at Liberals, Republicans complaining about Democrats, and everybody's complaining about Congress and Toyota. "When did Toyota know they had these problems?" How about when did WE know? You better believe, Toyota paid somebody who was supposed to be representing “we the people.” And, I bet many of the people who got paid are still on Capitol Hill "pointing!"

We allowed big business to take over this country. We sold
out for a percentage or sat idly by and watched as Uncle Sam carved up the whole cake and passed it out to special interest and big business. Now we have the audacity to complain about having crumbs. We weren't having Tea Parties when the bureaucrats were allowing big business to rape America.

That was all of “US,” collectively. Rome is burning to the ground and
instead of helping to douse the flames people are complaining about who started it. So, unless you're doing something to help extinguish the flames like "compromising,” shut your pie-hole already!

Just dont turne loose shrimp and lobster .

The Congress never ceases to amaze me. They allow vehicles from the factory on the public highways with top speeds of 180 MPH, then the summon the head of Toyota over a engineering mistake. If safety is their reason for grilling Toyota, then why not Grill all manufactures building high performance cars?

The woman directing 'The Hurt Locker' really did a outstanding feature on what is undoubtedly is the most dangerous job on planet Earth.
Kudos to Director Kathryn Bigelow, really a outstanding and powerful film, well done! And the Oscar for best director goes to... Kathryn Bigelow!

if toyota changes the cars program to shut off if both accelerator and brake are pressed at the same time how does help those of us using 2 feet driving – 1 on accelerator – 1 fot braking. often both are on together.

THEN i GUESS YOU HAVE NEVER HAD IT HAPPEN TO YOU WHEN THE PEDDLE STICKS THE CAR TAKES OFF AND BELIEVE ME UNLESS YOU ARE ABLE TO YES HIT THE BRAKES PUT INTO NU AND TURN OFF THIS ALL HAPPENS IN SECONDS IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE TALKING TO YOU NOW

I can't believe the allegiance given to Toyota & such disdain for N.American cars. I've had a Dodge with 200,000 miles ,no problems but that doesn't mean all Dodge cars are great–it means I was fortunate. I'm certainly not going to thank the CEO –I expect the vehicle should run properly & not have to worry about my safety. Just because the majority of Toyota owners have had no problems does not mean they don't exist. And yes,the co. should have to answer. How many problems have come out in the past few months.

this is funny and sad at the same time...funny how the americans try to point fingers at a foreign brand and sad how stupid typical americans can be.

i will still support toyota because they, i think, doesnt deserve the negative sensationalism that it gets in the US. Its ridiculous how americans, when they get into something bad/accident they will just automatically point fingers and blame everything on the product they are using which cased their accident....when in fact they also need to think..and i say, thing really hard (if they are capable of doing so) whether they might be a part of the blame or just simple the only one to be blamed for such. definitely the user is a big factor in a products performance..i mean, who do i only hear about these toyota accidents happening mainly in the US? are we looking at Toyota dumping ytheir defective cars in the US or Toyota's US manufacturing/factory lines workers (who are americans themselves) stupidly assembled everything together? or was it a case of inside industry manipulations? knowing that the big 3 US car makers who arent big now and gasping for air to survive needs something like this in order to level the playing field..at least in the eyes of these US carmakers...no matter what they will have to do whatever it takes to kill their competitiors. since they cant outrun and outpace asian and european car technology, they have to resort to something more drastic...mud slingign thru this.

Or maybe this is also a chance of some typical american to cash in on the windfall...imagine they can always lay claim for damages of anything only stupid americans can think of...only in america..:) i can just misuse the product, discreetly, and well, i can address the issue of me, being a materialistic american, being a penniless american caught in an economic crisis at home, and me being an american hating being outpaced by a foreign brand/company, by just doing whatever it takes to bring down the competitior..:)

now, a killer whale killed its trainer in orlando florida...is this a case of error on the user or the whale has its defects? shall we recall the whale and blame its maker?

cmon stupid americans, let that mind and your dignity (whatever is left of it) do the work.

neat loyalty. Japans cash for clunkers exluded US autos. They have also kicked our forces of the isle to a diff. location costing millions

@jippi,
Just to be clear, there has never been a positive comment posted on this blog about a a CEO of an American company. Perhaps you have missed that. I support Mr Toyoda and hope that he resolves the problems soon. I was just wondering if you thought we were stupid the many times we raked our companies and CEOs over the coals or did you by chance think that was just fine.

While I believe his sincerity, I blame him and Toyota executives, including the US head of the operation for not stepping in and correcting the issues at hand. Lets face it folks, its all about money (GREED). When someone dies due to your fault sorry is just NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Time to take the blame and clean up the mess not in April when the readers come, but now. Most of these cars where made in the US and by American workers. UAW is just as much to blame as Toyota because they dictate ridiculous wages for their workers. If it is a software problem, lets find the guy who wrote the software, correct it. If it was a assembly line issue, lets find the people responsible from the top down. But the first thing is Toyota and Toyoda must make the people whole and regain confidence.

@ Brit Taylor, if it takes you longer than one full second to stomp on your vehicles BRAKES, you shouldn't be driving.

If it takes you longer than three seconds to shift into Neutral without looking where the gear shift knob is, you should familiarize yourself with the controls so you do not endanger fellow drivers.

I've attended plenty of people that STOMPED on their gas pedal instead of their BRAKES accidentally. They thought they were stomping on the brakes and in reality it was the gas pedal and the accidents they caused were considerable.

i KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS OR BRAKES WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS YOUR CAR SLOWS DOWN RIGHT WHEN THE PEDAL IS STUCK IT JUST TAKES OFF I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU

for James31

The fact that this Toyota news has been blown out of proportion is obviously the machinations of a dying america..:) it wants to hide its own faults, dress up its own mistakes and take advantage of other's disadvantages....not knowing that in its own backyard it has its hands full of things to correct...and maybe this blog isnt even enough to list all those down..:) and i do agree with the others who mentioned here as to why there wasnt any one time that the big 3 were grilled like how toyota's CEO was grilled....is this a case of hometown advantage...hmm...very typical american..:)

@jippi–is it necessary to describe people as stupid. Maybe you should get a dictionary & find a better substitution. Thank you. If there is a legitimate reason then you have every right to complain & maybe it'a concern for safety.

@jippi,
Apparently you and others did not see how the 3 American CEOs were grilled by Congress. I thought they were treated worse than Mr. Toyoda. America fully knows the laundry list of things it needs to correct. If you follow this blog, you surely know that. You say "typical American" and to you I say, "Typical anti-American."

@Judu Itoh, Japan
I understand your frustration defending your country's best
car company reputation but you also have to understand that
innocent people died due Toyota's negligence. The panel
has to save face and show the public that they mean business.
Other times NFHTA(National Federal Highway Transportation
Agency) has gone to easy on other tragedies involving
unsafe vehicles. We have to clamp down on irresponsible
deficiencies because like you said," I feel safe when I'm a
Toyota." It is frightening to be driving alone and the car accelerates
or cannot be stopped-imagine that off-duty police officer who
traveling with his family and all died in the accident. I'm
sure that nobody wants to hang Mr Toyoda but like some blogger
said customers and the panel want to make sure that Mr Toyoda
and his corporate office have the best engineers and technicians
trying their best to resolve this issue. The sooner it is fixed , the
sooner customer confidence will increase and Toyota wil survive
the onslaught. Japan is our friend.

james31

if you get struck by what i said then youre in that basket..:)

theresa,

if that term will be the best to use, then thats the reason why i used it..:)

I think Freyre and Freya.I think overbuy.

@Jippi,
And where does that place you 🙂

james31

that place me beyond your anti typical american and typical american labelling..:) cmon you can think of other possibilities than this...or is this how you were raised..:)

About Whales
Killer whales is like "killer Kowaski (spelling?) the late former
heavyweight wrestler. The name says it all. Trainers know that
they are taking a chance handling these giant warm-blooded
mammal. They are calling her a " serial killer whale" but she is
just a whale in captivity. Who knows what went wrong. Maybe she
was in heat, she had a headache, she had a cold(flu), or an
unknown injury. These are great but they cannot talk. For this
reason they are almost like a domestic animal(horse, dog
cat) that may suddenly get irritated. It is just an animal's
unknown reaction to unknown factors. It can happen to a human.

@Jippi,
You are too funny. And you cannot think of any possibilities other than "stupid."

Mr. Toyoda seems like a very decent, respectable man. I bet he was raised with great dignity and integrity.

Why don't you consider him for a role model, little boy? Then perhaps you can grow up to be someone of his ilk.

Have a good evening :-).

James31

oh well, for somebody who like Mr Toyoda to be making a to your circus ring is a feat in itself and trully commendable. perhaps you may want to aspire to be at least a fraction of what he is...just try harder, maybe you may succedd..:)

I think stubbornness.I think common sense and a cross.

I've enjoyed owning 4 Toyotas, including 3 Priuses, and feel that Toyota is one of the global heros, because of their efforts to provide quality, low-cost, fuel-efficient vehicles. Their engineering is been amazing and their cars are very comfortable. I would buy American cars, if they had not been so complacent about their competition, failing to produce fuel-efficient models.
I'm ashamed of the American press attacks on Toyota. They remind me of a pack of hyenas stealing a lone lion's kill. What car manufacturer hasn't faced manufacturing defects? I have experienced the unintended acceleration with my '07 Prius, and was frightened the first time, especially, but figured out what to do in the half dozen or so times it happened. You just have to lift up the accelerator with your toes, and then brake. The people who died may have panicked when this happened, with fatal consequences. I do think this problem needs to be corrected, but let's appreciate the green contribution of Toyota. Japan is probably the foremost global citizen in terms of their energy and manufacturing leadership, and the wonderful quality of a wide range of products, especially electronics. Thank you, Japan!

why does toyota take all the blame for the gas peddal? the plastic piece that is behind the gas peddal is made in USA by a company in Ohaio and its the same piece that is in GM models and other Japanies or Domestic cars.

Kudos to Mr. Toyoda for coming on LKL. I have tremendous respect that he came on now during all of this crisis – rather than waiting or sending lawyers or others....More than I can say for other CEOs......(can you say bank bailout?)

Larry do a talk show with Representative Stephen King of Iowa. Ask him how he could blame an everyday two time serving Vietnam vet not the victim of that terrorist in Austin, Tx. Since that criminal killed this law abiding citizen Rep King sympathizes and understands his hate for the IRS. By his beleif, it is alright to kill someone in this country (the little guy) if you donot beleive government is correct in collecting taxes. This was a working man, not the decision maker as he is in Congress.

Toyota Forever.... still the best car in the world, Mr Toyoda made one big mistake in this mistakes was: let the american people build and touch toyota cars...Drive a Toyota shoud be enough for then... but build Toyota is not for american that way toyota have so many problem . of course I will keep buy toyota I just did last year I purchaser a 2009 Toyota Rav-4 and recentily the 2010 Prius V this come summer we going to trade-in all old 2004 4runner and get the 2010 4runner Limited but all our toyota is be made in Japan... We love Toyota , we have about 31 toyotas in my big family (8 brothers & sisters) in my house we have 3 toyotas so... only stuppid people don`t see this as politcal issue agaist the best cars makers of the world... keep in mind that: 54% of the GM is belong to American Goverment, who just closed Saturn now Hummer and soon they have to close some others. That why they go after Toyota so dipping and look for a diffect, because they can not sell the frickin american cars because all have diffects like the ford with this firestone tires, now with the fire issues more than 14 millons of ford be recall recentely more probrem have ford and chevrolett but the stuppid american keep thouse car in the road, die with the problem because they get scare to report... I recommend the American to fixed the own cars first and stop make toyota with diffect like the build the ford and chevrolett helooo can you american do sothing correct? we have no problem with a japan cars here why you have problem there? your american can not make if one suppid pedal right? oh come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Dear Mr. Toyoda:

I am very upset and extremly disapointed in you and your Company for waiting so long to address the very dangerous problems concerning many toyota Lexus, etc...etc... I am also from San Diego California where an innocent family was killed from safety problems with a Lexus Vehicle. I was also involved in a terrible accident when my Lexus gs300 would not stop due to the rapid excelleration problem and the brakes could not stop the vehicle. The innocent family involved and myself are still alive to speak about it thank GOD!!!
Maybe now you will consider humane life more important than making huge profits???

Sincerely

Ron

@ Ron, you stated your Brakes couldn't stop the vehicle? Don't doesn't make any sense at all. The breaking power far exceeds the maximum power of the Lexus and any other vehicle Toyota sells in America.

The breaking power off 4 disk brakes greatly exceeds the maximum power any of Toyota's vehicle's are capable of producing. You stomp on the brakes and you'll immediately slow down and stop even if the engine is wide open.

Whatever imagined or rare a throttle issue is with any Toyota vehicle, it would have no effect whatsoever with the vehicles transmission. The driver would always be able to quickly place that vehicle in NEUTRAL.

Drivers 'claiming' their throttles were wide open and were unable to place the transmission into NEUTRAL are either LYING or not willing to state they were not aware of a need to do that and didn't even try.

Fabbian,

Grow up and get educated, the electronic harness and much of the electronics in the Toyota come from all over the world including Italy.

Fly by wire solutions require global sourcing. Purchase a ticket to Expoelettronica and view the industrial displays for car manufacturers in Italy. You will be suprised which components go straight to Toyota.

I do at some level agree that some of this may be politicized – but your attacks on America or its citizens is grossly misdirected just b/c you like Toyota cars. The personal comments only make you look immature. Of course, most Americans love the Italians and respect them – emails like yours only makes you look uneducated and stupid.....which may be the case – but I will still give you the benefit of the doubt b/c you write as if you are 14 years old – maybe 16....but nothing more.

Also, why bother watching American tv? If you hate dumb Americans so much – Grow up and channel your anger and hate towards America to a more productive cause like donating to the education foundation set up for the Sayler family who were tragically killed a few months ago in CA. Then I will have more respect for you.

Signed,
Friends in Italy

@A, Smith–are you ever wrong???????

@jippi–I'm curious–what country do you live in?

@ Theresa if you wish to discuss the topics and opinions, feel free.

If an automotive manufacturer produces a automobile which cannot stop at full speed and full acceleration using the production brakes on that vehicle, they are inadequate and wouldn't be sold to the public market.

Example, upon full acceleration you switch lanes and then suddenly see your freeway exit and stomp on the brakes, you'll definitely slow down and stop if you continued stomping on the brakes.

The throttle control is not part of the transmission. If the accelerator is wide open, you can shift the transmission into neutral and you will no longer continue to accelerate.

The throttle control is not part of the ignition switch. If the accelerator is wide open, you can turn the ignition switch to the accessory position instantly killing the engine, however without power steering you have to aggressively pull your vehicle over to the side of the road.

What someone is describing is ALL THREE of these separate non-connected systems failing. The odds of that being a fact are extremely small if not entirely impossible.

Now factor in the 50 or more people reporting the same thing happened to them and you push the odds of ALL THREE separate non-connected systems also failing for them into the near impossible range.

Have you or any other blogger heard of the SWOOP and SCOOP? Some bored gang-bangers in California decided to make some quick cash on out of State tourists. They would swoop past an expensive looking out of State licensed auto, then suddenly scoop in front of them with the brakes locked up. If the out of Stater hit them from behind, they would be extorted for repair funds, as would their insurance company. If the person in the out of State car was really quick on the brakes and didn't hit the Swoop and Scooper, they would just circle the block looking for another victim.

In a very short period of time, word of mouth go out and gang-bangers up and down California were using the Swoop and Scoop to extort drivers and their insurance company's.

My opinion, someone originally had a problem with the throttle linkage sticking in their Toyota which was televised in California's Police Chase media. And some copycats have extended that into urban myth status. Either to explain their own accident, reckless driving or for compensation money from Toyota.

To those who drive a properly functioning Toyota: Please consider yourselves lucky. I was not so fortunate and took out a portion of my house pulling into garage. Do not question my ability to find my brakes, because people nearby heard the screeching of my tires on garage floor as brakes valiantly attempted to stop hurtling vehicle. I was standing on the brakes, but there's no contest against an open throttle. Please don't tell me to shift to neutral or shut car off, when I'm halfway in garage, slowing to stop and the thing takes off like a "bat out of hell" for no reason. I did not touch the gas pedal; no evil floor mats were involved. It's an electronic glitch. This was a second ocurrence, and much more destructive than the first.

Then after that, what you get is the dirty treatment from Toyota Corporate and their dealers. You get treated like s___, laughed at, called a liar, called stupid, told it happens to women and their high heels, (but I had tennis shoes on). They won't return your calls, and make you sit in waiting room of dealer over an hour before you give up. No one will even talk to you or look at you while you sit. You are invisible. They kept my car to "inspect", then tried to charge me storage fees.

They're sneaky liars, too. Had an appointment to have vehicle inspected by Techs from Toyota Corporate. They snuck down 2 days early, without notifying me, (or even the dealer) prior to appointment, took my keys from Toyota body shop and disconnected my battery against my expressed written instructions to leave battery alone. This is done to erase error codes in ECU. Then they cancel "inspection" of vehicle, 'cuz now they kno they have you. This a routine pattern that others have experienced, so don't let your car out of sight if it happens to u.

Enuf of their "Tom Foolery". Toyota and NHTSA have blood on their hands and should come clean. What part will they blame next... the radio?

I am happy for those of you who own vehicles that function properly. To those of you who do not.... You have been warned....watch out!

According to several international automobil clubs Toyota was year after year the most dependable car with the least visits to the repairshops, according to their owners. This good name was not earned by shoddy workman ship or by hiding faults!

Mr. Toyoda was handled rudely by the congressmen, he did not have to come if he did not want to.
Just compare this humble CEO to the houghty appearance of the bosses of GM and Chrysler just a few months ago who came begging to be saved, but still tried to run the show.

There is no perfect human being or machine, we can only expect a good car, not a perfect one.
I personally feel you are still much safer in a Toyota then in many other ones, including the US made GM and Chrysler.

I must second the opinion of A. Smith, if your car is accelerating and you do not know how to stop it, it is you who should be sent back for driving lessons!

Mr. Toyoda should have never been call in front of congress. But sence he was I think he missed an opertunity. If I were him I would have told the medaling congressman that I was closing all US production until such time as all the problems were solved. And stop inportation until such time as everything was fixed.
This would have set them back on their heels as the unemployment in the US would increace to 15% overnight. This is what they want . This is what you get. Stupid politions.

I feel those problem will not only be in Toyota but other car makers, but what I really want to know is whether those issues have in GM, Ford, Chrisler.

Please CNN investigate other car makers claim or quality, and compare with TOYOTA.
Does US automakers have no claim about acceleration? Toyota's sticky pedal is made by CTS, which is US made, US automakers would use CTS pedal. No claim in Denso's pedal which is made in Japan.
Most of recent vehicles are controlled by wire and computers, not only TOYOTA, but other carmakers.

If US media never investigate other US carmekers, people in other country feels America is disclosed market to other countries. And Americans will never suggest to open the market like in China.

@michael armstrong sr.

You often go off point, many time's with soured opinion, between automobiles and fish stories. However, your observation's and comment spark validity, just keep the brighter fire's burning,

No need to bed down with other stiff male attitude's and not contribute constructive comment to this forum. I see, beneath your sometimes rough exterior, an intelligence willing to anxiously join human society.

Your will succeed and prosper from truth and wisdom, whereas, you'll be bankrupt from invalidity and ill will. Be encouraged by this, okay?

I see you support Toyota in their efforts to correct a wrong, even though too many ignore our own auto industry's failure's from the past and present. That is admirable of you.

Toyota has manufactured, for many years, top quality automobiles and in doing so, made a splendid reputation for the name “Toyota”

The issue here is not the quality of the cars in the past or future. The issue is right here and now in which these autos due to malfunctions caused death and irrevocable hardships for those family members.

My concern is Toyota minimized the issue and tried short cuts to find a solution instead of taking complete responsibility and assess the full extent of the situation.

There is no electronics on any Toyota auto nor truck that tells the automatic transmission to not be manually shifted into NEUTRAL.

There is absolutely no foundation thru electronics that would prevent anyone with their foot planted on the gas pedal from shifting that car or truck into neutral.

Folks are welcomed to try, you'll find that you can indeed always at any time the engine is running, manually shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL.

February 25th, 2010 6:02 pm ET
@A.Smith

Not everyone is of the caliber of expertise you possess. But the fact is there is MALFUNCTION'S CAUSING DEATH'S.

How people encountering those malfunction's REACT is rather mute to the condition. isn't it? The condition's, not denied by Toyota, exist's and they accept liability. I see little intellectual banter saying Toyota is incompetent to remedy the MALFUNCTION'S.

Most aircraft accidents are determined to be PILOT ERROR. That is often an effect to a condition. The FAA does not ignore the cause of the condition to the EFFECT!

@ Cajazz, people can claim anything including a malfunction with the gas pedal or sudden acceleration of their vehicle.

The people that were interviewed and also those posting of that problem here have stated 'they couldn't shift the car into NEUTRAL' and 'the brakes did not stop the car' and 'they couldn't turn the ignition key off'.

You have multiple unrelated malfunctions being claimed.

NONE have demonstrated that you cannot simply shift to NEUTRAL anytime the engine is running.

NONE have stated their brakes failed nor they suspected their brakes were inadequate prior to their claim.

NONE have demonstrated that you cannot simply turn the ignition key to accessory and kill the engine anytime the entire is running.

The Toyota recall put in a shortened accelerator mechanism that brings the gas pedal further off the floor and out of the ten's of thousands of gas pedal mechanism replacements, how many of those same Toyota owners have since reported a problem?

NONE!

Remember these cars are made in America so all the blame can't be on Japan and all of the American car makers are going to have a field day on this they will blow this up.

If you are traveling at more than 60 miles an hour and the accelerator
gets stuck you cannot pump the brakes-push the brake pedal to metal and release-if you punch the brakes to the metal, most likely
the vehicle may lock out of control doing a 360 and it may roll over.
With accelarator stuck the car will not stop just by hitting the brakes.
If you kill the engine you will lose control of the car. It is a good
idea but if someone is behind you, you will get rear ended at
60-70 miles and hour mostly causing fatalities. The advice
is to press the break to metal , release the break, switch to
neutral, turn off the ignition key and coast to safety as best as
you can. Note: throwing the car into reverse it will crack the
transmission-it cannot guarateen a roll over but the car will stop
. at about 100 feet from the original action at 60 miles an hour. Good
idea if there is nobody behind you and if you don't have time to coast
A stuck accelerator at 60, 70 miles and more will burn the brakes
and the tires. If you are alone on a straight, level road, let them
burn but usually accidents happen when there is little time to plan,
like it happened to the motorist approaching the intersection
in California with the accelerator stuck @100 miles per hour.
Four (4) people died when he strucdk the SUV, a fence and
rolled over. He had time to call 911 but apparently did not know
what to do, r panick and the adrenalin overtook his brain.
Probably if had switch to neutral, kill the endgine attempt to
coast. Who knows. I don't know how far he was from the
intersection but if he had time to use the cell phone to call 911,
he had time to try to do something desperate but he probably
panicked.

Larry King knows as much about Toyotas and the car industry in general as he does about staying married. All of these "so called" media types work off of soundbites. And these are generally stolen from other media "experts". If you stop and look at the statistics and facts rather than the here say from junk scientiists and people looking for their 15 minutes of fame (and probably cash for the pain and suffering), you would see that GM and Ford have made the two worst cars in the indusrty. 990 Fords caught on fire in recent years due to cruise controls and 1 millon cobalts were recalled just last month for power steering. 34 deaths reported to NTSHA by Toyota owners in past 10 years. 1136 deaths reported to NHTSA on GM products. Get an expert on this, not Larry King. Isn't he too old to drive?

y'all I don,t need you to remind me I live in such a hell hole and you sued not use such a good name of a country to suet your freak show you get that I can care less what you say but what I say is what I meant so take a freak show sum were sum one what to see it have your funny wile it last and you may tell the people of the house what to do to there country but you do not tell me how to vote four you get what I mean I,M telling the true Donald L Allen hop you like it PS see you good day

if your such good people way do you keep hacking my database you no what I,M saying what you think I,M tube eight to let you still what event I do have I no way you crash computer so the info well no longer be there I no what I,M saying is the only true you have problem herd to day and don't tell me you got the right to brake the low we all no that is what you do every day but I can take my business to a nutter country if I please to and that is nun yours you get that see you have a bad life it all you drive just a few word the with house need to here from me and I hop that they like it cas it what is need PS see you Donald L Allen they do nutting I do a lot more and the most of what you see

@ Amy
I respectfully disagree with your opinion about Larry King.
He is a very wise man and the master of journalism. I have
seen him bring people of classes (kings and villain) to his show.
What you say about cars is true. Every company has produced
great, good and lemon cars. Everyone in my family and my
friends own both foreign and American Cars. I have had
Toyotas for 15 years. I also own Ford for 40 years. Ford is one
of the best car maker of heavy duty trucks and vans in the world.
So is GM . I owned a brand new Ford Pinto in 1972 . That
model had a defective muffler responsible for bad fires. I sold
the car wtih 34,000 miles for $600.00 to the father of a college
student. The car was fixed by Ford and she drove it for 36.000
more miles and sold it for it for $700.00 after she finished her
4 year college. So, just because a car is a recall it don't mean
that it cannot be fixed. I had an Aerostar van for 5 years and sold
it with 260,000 miles . My mechanic told me that I bought a lemon
from Ford. It proved him wrong. The buyer is still driving it .
I only replaced the transmission twice under warranty-the
6 cyl engine was and chasis was stronger than my Toyota Tundra.
I also own a 96 Lincoln Mark V111. No better enigine and
transmission than this one. ( Shock absorver suspension
airbags was the worst idea ever conceived on these cars- I
replaced them with regualr shock absorvers and springs).

" Cars are like women. They are great .Once in a
while you may get a lemon.") lol

@Daniel 2/2510 @ 1:56 hrs
It does not matter where the parts for a vehicle. aircraft, boat,,etc.,
are made. The manufactturer (company corp) assumes
responsibility for their product . The warranty is offered by Toyota
not by the car parts manufacturer(s). It is only fair. It don't think
that nobody is trying to put Toyota out bsuiness but the defects
have to be corrected and penalties will apply. Toyota can at their
discretion can seek redress against servers, in America or abroad.

@Dodie
2/2/4/10
I agree with you 100 percent. We appreciate Toyota's business
but safety and quality control for consumers has no boundaries.