Not really. The Police could check phone record and when the person was driving. Don't you watch CSI. Hey, another use for On-Star. Maybe Obama should legislate only cars equiped with OnStar are allowed on the road.
Also, I think Ford, GM and Audi have been hammered in the press at least a few times. Remember the GM trucks with expolding gas tanks. I think that one was manufactured. Ford: Pinto, Explorer with Firestone tires, Bronco II tipping over. Dito on Jeep CJ-7. Toyota is having problems. A bunch at the same time. They were trying to keep it in house like usuall. A few dead people latter and the US Gov gets a bit peeved.
Tom

If you gonna blame the Gov, don't forget to include the Japan and Europe as well...Everything with the Prius started FIRST in Japan.

Be aware that the Toyota re-call is GLOBAL, so you cannot blame the local media etc. Almost 50% of this 8.5 Million recalled are outside US.
Just chill out this is not the next conspiracy theory :D

I wonder if any problem can ever be solved if the Government doesn't take an active role?

I find it interesting that the Prius brake problem seems to manifest itself only on bumpy roads, you do realize that when a wheel is bouncing it loses contact with the road surface and when it does the amount of braking force the tire can deliver drops off quite a bit?

I admit to knowing nothing about the specifics of the "problem" but is it possible that the ABS systems in the Prius are just reacting properly to the reduced braking potential of a bouncing tire?

To keep this post semi on topic I agree that the media seems to be blowing Toyota's latest problems way out-of-proportion. There have only been an hand full of accidents that have been attributed to the brake problem and no deaths at all. Of course I'm sure that somebody that gets into a collision with a Prius from here on will blame it on defective brakes.

I've been trying to do some research about the 'sudden-acceleration" gas pedal issue but I can't seem to find any solid leads on what the problem was, what the fix is and how many accidents the problem has caused. Does anybody have any links?

i bought a 2010 camry and when i called the dealership they acted like they didn't know what i was talking about.....so, after i read the guy the prepared message from toyota's web site, he took my name and number (figured they might have that already, but oh well) and said they would get back to me (after several rounds of "helpful" advice about what my pregnant wife should do in case of a problem)....which they did two and half weeks later (what could happen in 2 1/2 weeks, let alone 88 feet). i also called toyota and rec'd same said advice....nice that i could actually talk to someone there, i guess:)
i agree that toyota makes good cars and this problem would not prevent me from buying another one but they DID NOT handle it well at all, in my experience.

And in CSI, they even spend big bucks on Joe Schmoe. You believe that? I don't think that you and I would rate the same attention if we got killed as if Bill Gates got killed. Yes, I know they CAN but whether they DO is a whole different story.

I think its more about expectations than anything else. Toyota has built a reputation based on flawless quality. These two issues have cast aspersions on that belief. GM and Chrysler don't enjoy the same brand identity for quality as Toyota does. Put plainly, a GM or Ford recall doesn't make a compelling news story.

Its kind of like all the coverage around Tiger Woods infidelity. He's the last guy anyone expected to get caught up in something like that, so it gets a lot of ink. If it was Charlie Sheen, it would be a great big WGAS. We expect Charlie Sheen to screw around. Just like we expect GM and Ford to build lower quality cars.

I agree then add in the fact anyone can go buy a number of OTHER cars such as Honda or Nissan or..... instead of a GM or Chrysler.

You said the couldn't. I think it would be cheap to have computer to the internet that could check phone records.
Tom

Agreed fully.

p.s. I read Savage Factory, great read thanks for the recommendation. Did you hear the author died recently? Heart attack.

FROM THE FIRST POST: "So how do we know it’s an administration scheme? Because this just standard operating procedure for the Obama administration.

* The media are urinating all over themselves to get the word out and keep the words “Toyota cars are death-traps” on everybody’s lips.
* It punishes legitimate success.
* It rewards all the unions and other crooks that benefit from artificially inflating the twin Obama blow-up dolls Government Motors and Chrysler.
* It’s dirty and underhanded. Given the choice between doing something honest, and accomplishing the same thing by conniving, cheating, stealing, and destroying innocent people and things, Democrats will always choose the latter. Just because."
What other car companys sell cars here in the USA besides the GM or Chrysler?

Bad choice of words. Mea Culpa.

Actually, it was my interpretation of what you said. So, maybe my bad too. Enforcement might also include Judges. Therefore, it might go to the Supreme court. What a mess. Also, I do understand the CSI and other shows are unrealistic to a large extent. This could be just like corperations as an entity. Anyways back to Toyota.
Why does an MB board care about them anyways?
Tom

You have to buy something for the wife/girlfreind ;)

Boy, that's one pissed off republican. Toyota recall = democrats are commies.

I think Toyota is getting so much attention because the problem of uncontrolled acceleration is scary and makes a great story. I remember when Audi had this type of problem in the 80's and the 60 Minutes story about it. I don't think the treatment of Toyota is much different.

Lol, the good ol' Audi 5000. I remember that, a friend's Dad had one right around the time I started driving.

Hence the slang expression "I'm Audi 5000" or "I'm Audi" saying you're leaving quickly. :D