Toyota is having as much fun with the recent recalls on its automobiles as Tiger Woods has had trying to control the media frenzy around his "liaisons." Between safety recalls, sticky gas pedals and the general hysteria that has surrounded Toyota, the end of life, our automobile life seems to have ended. Or has it?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA who oversees all things automotive, issues up to 600 safety recalls EVERY YEAR. Since 1966, the NHTSA has recalled more than 390 million cars, trucks, buses, RV's, motorcycles, and mopeds. This does not include the 46 million tires, 66 million auto parts, and 42 million child safety seats. Just so you know, these are major recalls, not paint scratches and loose glove boxes. This is the stuff that can kill you.
So why am I saying that Satan is controlling your Prius? Well, even with the recalls, cars are coming back with issues after they have been "fixed." Many believe, and I am in that camp, that the issue is the onboard computer that controls the electronic throttle. As is the case with many computers, garbage in and garbage out. If Toyota didn't program them right, then they need to go back and look at the software.
However, my point is that it doesn't matter what vehicle you jump in to, there is always going to be a danger. Don't believe me? Take a look at this sample of recent recalls:
* Fatal fires in the Honda Fit. Recalled 500,000 vehicles.
* Passenger airbags not working on 2010 Land Rover Range Rovers, "risk of injury" reported.
* 2010 Dodge Rams, Sebrings, Avenger, Nitro, Jeep Liberty, brake failure without warning.
* Volkswagen Jetta driveshaft screws could loosen and cause a crash.
These are just a few of the "death traps" we get into everyday to our daily commute. So why is Toyota dealing with Satan and his computer issues? Because the news media is having a slow day and if you have a mysterious computer issue with your car, it makes headlines.