Study: Toyota received most complaints about sudden acceleration

Toyota was the target of 41% of all consumer complaints about the problem in 2008 cars, according to Consumer Reports. Ford received 28% of complaints.

By Ken Bensinger and Ralph Vartabedian
December 8, 2009
Toyota Motor Corp. registered far more complaints about sudden acceleration in its 2008 model-year vehicles than any other automaker, a new study has found.

Toyota and Lexus vehicles received 41% of all consumer complaints to a federal database about runaway acceleration, more than Chrysler, General Motors, Honda and Nissan combined, analysis by Consumer Reports found. Ford was a distant second with 28% of complaints.

Toyota received 52 complaints, Consumer Reports said.

The analysis of acceleration complaints logged by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covered only the 2008 model year. Nonetheless, said Jeff Bartlett, deputy online automotive editor at Consumer Reports, "it says this is a very real problem."

Toyota's share of the U.S. market in 2007 and 2008, when 2008 model-year cars were sold, was roughly 16%.

Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the automaker could not comment until it had studied the report.

Toyota has been the subject of increasing scrutiny over sudden acceleration in the wake of an August accident involving an out-of-control Lexus ES in San Diego County that took four lives including that of an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer.