The Blotter: Brian Ross Investigates
Runaway Toyotas: The Investigation Continues
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Runaway Toyotas: The Investigation Continues
Original ABC News Report From Brian Ross Sparks Recalls, Toyota Apology and Congressional Hearings
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DOT: No Electronic Sudden Acceleration in Toyotas Report: Sudden acceleration only caused by unrelated mechanical defects.
Toyota has been hit with a record $32.425 million in civil penalties because the automaker failed to properly report safety defects to federal regulators. The fines were levied after investigations into Toyota's handling of recalls related to accelerator pedals and steering rods. The steering rod probe was spurred in part by an ABC News report on a Toyota truck crash that killed Idaho teenager Levi Stewart in 2007.
Toyota Pays Maximum $32 Million Fine For Two Safety Defect Recalls NHTSA steering rod probe spurred in part by ABC News investigation of crash.
Two months after prosecutors dropped vehicular manslaughter charges against her, a Los Angeles woman has filed suit against Toyota, claiming that sudden unintended acceleration in her Lexus SUV led to a fatal accident in 2008. Unmi Suk Chung, 62, alleges the crash was caused by a defect in the car's electronic throttle. Chung was behind the wheel of her Lexus RX 330 when it sped out of control and slammed into a Mercedes at an off ramp. Chung's 69-year-old sister-in-law, who was in the back seat of the Lexus, was killed in the crash.
Runaway Lexus Driver In LA Sues Toyota Unmi Suk Chung faced prison after fatal crash she blames on sudden acceleration.
In Milpitas, California, the owner of a 2009 Toyota Tacoma brought his truck into the Piercey Toyota dealership after complaining that the vehicle accelerated without explanation. According to a court filing, a Toyota internal document states that in July 2009 a dealership service manager took the vehicle on an inspection drive on a nearby freeway and experienced sudden acceleration.
Toyota's Own Drivers Were Behind the Wheel in Sudden Acceleration Cases, Court Filing Says Toyota bought cars from owners after allegedly replicating sudden acceleration.
Two months after prosecutors dropped vehicular manslaughter charges against her, a Los Angeles woman has filed suit against Toyota, claiming that sudden unintended acceleration in her Lexus SUV led to a fatal accident in 2008. Unmi Suk Chung, 62, alleges the crash was caused by a defect in the car's electronic throttle. Chung was behind the wheel of her Lexus RX 330 when it sped out of control and slammed into a Mercedes at an off ramp. Chung's 69-year-old sister-in-law, who was in the back seat of the Lexus, was killed in the crash.
Runaway Lexus Driver Vindicated, May Sue Unmi Suk Chung faced prison after fatal crash she blamed on sudden acceleration.
Koua Fong Lee, the Minnesota man jailed after his 1996 Toyota Camry sped out of control and killed three people, speaks to news cameras after being released in August. A judge granted him a new trial and the prosecutor declined to retry him.
Out of Prison, Toyota Driver Will Sue Toyota Murder charge dropped, Koua Fong Lee wants to join lawsuit against automaker.
Koua Fong Lee, the Minnesota man jailed after his 1996 Toyota Camry sped out of control and killed three people, speaks to news cameras after being released in August. A judge granted him a new trial and the prosecutor declined to retry him.
Freed Toyota Driver: My Children Don't Know Me Attorney credits ABC News for helping Koua Fong Lee win release from prison.
Toyota Wants Acceleration Suits Thrown Out Automaker also admits problem with 'black box' data, says glitch has been fixed.
Dimitri Biller
Big Win for Toyota Whistleblower Ruling allows Dimitrios Biller to use secret company documents in court.
Convicted Toyota Driver Freed From Prison Koua Fong Lee, who was in prison for vehicular homicide, is a free man.
ABC's Brian Ross speaks with Koua Fong Lee inside a Minnesota state prison, where the 32-year-old is serving an eight-year sentence for vehicular homicide.
Lawyer Demands New Trial in Toyota Case Prosecutor agrees to new inspection of car; driver blames sudden acceleration.
Toyota Allegedly Able to Recreate Acceleration New court filing claims Toyota technicians confirmed cases of 'Runaway Toyotas.'
Hearing Begins: Fatal Toyota Camry Crash Judge weighing new trial and freedom for Minnesota man.
Family members of Guadalupe Alberto, who died in a car accident in Flint, Michigan in 2008, speaks at a Washington, D.C. press conference Wednesday urging Congress to pass legislation toughening civil penalties on automakers and requiring fail-safe mechanisms and black boxes in cars. The Alberto family says that Guadalupe Alberto's Toyota Camry accelerated out of control before crashing. Lilia Alberto (at microphone), Doug Alberto (left) and Tom Golen (center) appeared at the press conference with other crash survivors and consumer advocates.
Don't Gut 'Toyota Reform Bill,' Say Survivors Auto industry opposes bill that would raise civil penalties to $200 million.
Toyota has been hit with a record $32.425 million in civil penalties because the automaker failed to properly report safety defects to federal regulators. The fines were levied after investigations into Toyota's handling of recalls related to accelerator pedals and steering rods. The steering rod probe was spurred in part by an ABC News report on a Toyota truck crash that killed Idaho teenager Levi Stewart in 2007.
Toyota Faces Criminal Investigation Over Steering Rods Grand jury probe follows ABC News report on delay in steering rod recall.
Feds Say Book Still Open on Causes of 'Runaway' Toyotas "No conclusions" reached, says NHTSA, despite reports blaming driver error.
Protestors outside prosecutors' offices in St. Paul, Minnesota on Monday afternoon demanded that Koua Fong Lee be set free. Lee is serving eight years in state prison for a collision in which his Toyota Camry killed three people.
Protestors Demand Freedom For Minnesota Man Serving Time For Fatal Toyota Crash Prosecutors oppose new trial for Koua Fong Lee, who says his Camry wouldn't stop
County Attorney's Experts Reject Defense Claim of Camry's Mechanical Flaw Reports say sudden unintended acceleration not cause of fatal accident.
NY Toyota Dealers Pull Ads from ABC Stations Toyota dealers angry over ABC News coverage restrict TV ad buys in New York.
The Toyota Camry that belongs to Koua Fong Lee, who was convicted of vehicular homicide, is being inspected in Minnesota.
Defect Found In Fatal Runaway Camry Lawyers for man in prison say new report strengthens case to release him.
Toyota has been hit with a record $32.425 million in civil penalties because the automaker failed to properly report safety defects to federal regulators. The fines were levied after investigations into Toyota's handling of recalls related to accelerator pedals and steering rods. The steering rod probe was spurred in part by an ABC News report on a Toyota truck crash that killed Idaho teenager Levi Stewart in 2007.
Did Toyota Wait Too Long to Recall U.S. Cars? Levi Stewart's parents say they got recall notice 3 months after fatal crash
Toyota has been hit with a record $32.425 million in civil penalties because the automaker failed to properly report safety defects to federal regulators. The fines were levied after investigations into Toyota's handling of recalls related to accelerator pedals and steering rods. The steering rod probe was spurred in part by an ABC News report on a Toyota truck crash that killed Idaho teenager Levi Stewart in 2007.
NHTSA Launches New Investigation of Toyota Over Steering Rod Recall Agency wants to know why Toyota waited a year for U.S. steering-rod recall.
The Toyota Camry that belongs to Koua Fong Lee, who was convicted of vehicular homicide, is being inspected in Minnesota.
Lawyer: Stuck Throttle in Toyota of Jailed Driver Says Camry of man convicted of vehicular homicide may have cruise control flaw.
Toyota Exec: 'Come Clean' on Pedal Problem Read internal Toyota e-mail exchange about gas pedals and ABC News.
NASA Scientists to Test Toyota Electronics Expert group created after Columbia disaster will study sudden acceleration.
A 56-year-old woman in Harrison, N.Y., drove this 2005 Toyota Prius into a stone wall on March 9, 2010. She says the car began accelerating and would not stop accelerating.
NY Runaway Prius: Case of Driver Error? NHTSA: Vehicle data shows throttle was open, brakes not applied during incident.
Prius Driver: Thought He Was Going to Die California Highway Patrol report offers harrowing narrative of James Sikes' ride
Brake pads, shoes, and axle from the Toyota Prius James Sikes was driving, clearly showing evidence of burning. Sikes claims his Prius accelerated without warning to 94 miles-per-hour and wouldn?t stop, despite ?standing? on his brake pedal.Toyota and government investigators say they have been unable to recreate the incident and can?t explain Sikes? account of the events.
Did 'Runaway' Prius Driver Hit the Gas? Automaker says driver hit brake, gas pedals at least 250 times.
Questions Raised in 'Runaway Toyota' Story Toyota and the feds Test James Sikes' Prius, can't recreate sudden acceleration.
A 56-year-old woman in Harrison, N.Y., drove this 2005 Toyota Prius into a stone wall on March 9, 2010. She says the car began accelerating and would not stop accelerating.
Sen. Schumer to Toyota: Cooperate with Investigators of New York Prius Accident Toyota says it will provide black box info in Harrison incident.
Former NHTSA Head Blasts Coziness Between Watchdog Agency and Auto Industry Regulators went to work for Toyota - and a half-dozen other carmakers.
Runaway Toyotas: Listen to the 911 Tape in 94 MPH San Diego Incident Meanwhile, in New York, another Prius allegedly accelerates suddenly and crashes
On Monday, March 8, 2010, the driver of a Toyota Prius heading east on Interstate 8 outside San Diego began experiencing problems with his accelerator. With the help of the California Highway Patrol he was able to bring his car to a stop after reaching speeds of 90 MPH.
Toyota With 'Stuck' Accelerator Hits 94 MPH, Driver Rescued by California Highway Patrol Driver brings Prius to stop with officer's aid; car not covered by pedal recall.
Matthew Schwall, managing engineer of Exponent?s Vehicle Engineering, shows a rewired accelerator pedal in a video posted Mar 8, 2010 on Toyota?s website.
Toyota Slams Sudden Acceleration Research of Auto Expert Toyota says prof's research into electronic throttle doesn't reflect real world.
Toyota Giving Drivers "False Reassurances" Congressman Says 60+ drivers tell NHTSA cars keep surging out of control after being fixed.
Former ABC News producer Stewart Stogel said his 2009 Toyota Camry continues to surge, even though a Toyota dealer performed all the recall procedures.
Drivers to Toyota: Recall Fix Not Working As Toyota execs say problem solved, NHTSA receives 10 new complaints.
Bitter Battle Breaks Out Between Congressmen Over 'Secret' Toyota Docs Darrell Issa accuses Ed Towns of 'manipulating' whistleblower evidence.
NHTSA Defends its Performance on Toyota David Strickland defends NHTSA, calls Camry complaints 'unremarkable.'
Toyota Chief Bows Before the Chinese In Beijing, Akio Toyoda apologizes to the world's largest car market.
Dimitri Biller
Congress Blasts Toyota for Withholding Key Evidence, Secret 'Books of Knowledge' Committee: Whistleblower's documents show 'systematic disregard for the law.'
More Toyota Testimony Lost in Translation Toyota says Jim Lentz didn't mean acceleration fix was incomplete.
Lobbyist Michael Frazier, a top transportation official under President Clinton who has also worked closely with a number of Obama administration officials.
Investigating Toyota -- and Taking its Money Lawmakers investigating Toyota get money from Toyota dealers and PAC.
Cuomo to Toyota: Provide Rentals for Customers New York attorney general hammers out deal with Toyota for alternative rides.
Deaths from Runaway Toyotas Put at 39 by Investigators 'If the Camry and the Prius were airplanes, they would be grounded.'
Akio Toyoda Testifies in Front of Congress
Toyota President: 'I Take Full Responsibility' No bowing, but humble approach contrasts with charge Toyota was 'safety deaf'
Gov't to Inspect Suspected Toyota Glitch Transportation Secy. promises feds will explore possible throttle problem.
UPDATED: Electronic Design Flaw in Runaway Toyotas Professor says defect in Toyota's 'fail safe' for acceleration creates danger.
Congress: Federal Watchdogs Failed to Properly Investigate Toyota Drivers' Complaints NHTSA lacked expertise, say Congressional investigators.
ABC's Brian Ross speaks with Koua Fong Lee inside a Minnesota state prison, where the 32-year-old is serving an eight-year sentence for vehicular homicide.
Toyota Woes Could Free Imprisoned Driver Jury didn't believe driver who claimed he couldn't stop car that killed three.
Toyota Boss Agrees to Come to Washington to Testify Akio Toyoda accepts invite to testify next week about sudden acceleration cases.
Another Toyota Recall? Feds Eye Corolla NHTSA concerned about accidents, injuries tied to runaway steering systems.
77-year-old Guadalupe Alberto of Flint, Mich. died when her 2005 Toyota Camry (above) accelerated out of control on April 19, 2008.
Toyota Recall: NHTSA Demands Documents from Automaker Government questions whether Toyota acted quickly enough in recent recalls.
Dimitri Biller
Toyota Wins A Round; Whistleblower Attorney Can't Divulge Secret Docs But Texas case may let Dimitrios Biller spill inside information anyway.
Toyota to Congress: No Problems With Electronics in Our Cars In letter, Toyota denies acceleration problems are caused by throttle.
Toyota Recall: Issa Says He's Willing to Subpoena Akio Toyoda After Toyota CEO delays U.S. trip, Issa suggests he reconsider.
U.S. Lawmaker Wants Toyota Exec to Testify Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda set to visit the U.S. in the coming weeks.
About 7,300 four-cylinder Toyota Camry sedans produced early in the 2010 model year are also being recalled because of a possible brake fluid leak.
Another Toyota Recall: Now It's The Camry – Maybe Corolla Too Toyota notifies the government of a brake defect in the 2010 Camry.
Toyota Gives $100K to Political Groups Donations a sign of increased activity in Washington.
'Ashamed' Toyota CEO Asks For More Time to Fix Cars With Prius brake recall, almost nine million cars need repairs.
Toyota Recalls 437,000 Priuses, Hybrids Worldwide Toyota says: Problem with the antibrake locking system is cause for the recall.
After speaking about his runaway Toyota experience on ABC News, Kevin Haggerty of Pittstown, NJ says his local Hyundai dealership called him with an offer: weâ??ll give you a free car and take that 2007 Avalon off your hands.
New Jersey Hyundai Dealer Gives 'Runaway' Toyota Owner a Free Car 'I saw Nightline and thought, you know, I could help this guy.'
A 2010 Toyota Prius is seen in this undated handout photo.
Toyota Dealers Pull ABC TV Ads Over Reporting Southeast Toyota dealers shift commercial money to non-ABC stations.
Japan: Culture of Shame Drives Many Executives to Resign, Suicide Culture of shame drives many Japanese business executives to suicide.
Toyota President Denies Hiding Safety Problems From U.S. Regulators Akio Toyoda apologizes for recalls, promises to improve quality.
NHTSA Looked at Sudden Acceleration Two Years Ago Government ruled out electronics as cause in Lexus.
ABC News has learned that federal safety investigators agreed to exclude reports of the most serious cases of alleged runaway Toyotas from their investigations after the intervention of two former safety officials hired to be Washington, D.C. representatives of Toyota, including Chris Santucci (above).
Revolving Door: From US Safety Agency to Toyota Representative Federal investigations of Toyotas excluded most serious cases.
Toyota Admits It Has a Software Problem Toyota officials deny withholding information, will expand probe to all hybrids.
Four people were killed on December 26th last year when a 2008 Toyota Avalon crashed through a fence and landed upside down in a pond in Southlake, TX.
Did Toyota Hide Life-Saving Information? A former top company lawyer says Toyota can't be trusted.
'Stop Driving' Advice Sends Owners into Panic, Drives Stock Down Transportation Secretary tones down advice later, claiming 'misstatement.'
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Toyota Recall: New Questions About What the Motor Company Knew and When Congressman says Toyota telling different stories in public and private.
Waxman: Toyota Told Us Gas Pedals Were Not the Problem Waxman and Stupak suggest Toyota is telling a different story in private.
The same day Toyota insisted problems with random acceleration in its cars had been fixed by a recall that will replace gas-pedal assemblies, Apple computers co-founder Steve Wozniak said that the problem was software, not gas pedals. He said that he could replicate the problem in his Prius, a car not covered by the recall, and that he was having trouble getting the attention of Toyota or the government?s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Apple Founder: Toyota Problem is Software Wozniak says problem with his runaway Prius is not the gas pedal.
Now It's the Brakes on the Prius, as Toyota's Problems Spread to Japan The Japanese government asks the car maker to investigate brakes on 2010 Prius.
Toyota Declares Its Acceleration Problem Fixed Federal investigators still examining possible electronic cause.
During an interview on a Manhattan street, Toyota's U.S. president Jim Lentz denied that the international car company had hidden problems with acceleration in its vehicles, or was trying to blame sticky gas pedals for a problem that may originate in the car?s electrical system instead.
WATCH: Toyota President Denies Cover-Up In an ABC News interview, U.S. chief insists Toyota didn't hide problem.
Toyota Announces Fix For Sudden Acceleration President denies company grew too fast to spot issues.
Akio Toyoda, Toyota's president and CEO, apologized to his customers for causing them so much worry in a brief interview with the Japanese network NHK as he left his hotel in Davos, Switzerland.
Toyota CEO Apologizes Akio Toyoda apologizes for safety problems, then drives away in a black Audi.
Toyota: Some Cars on Recall List Can Still be Sold in U.S. Vehicles made in Japan not affected by sudden acceleration pedal problem.
Toyota Supplier: Sticky Pedals Not the Problem CTS is shipping new pedals, but says Toyota admits they caused no deaths.
Toyota Says New Gas Pedals Are Being Shipped, Fix Is Near Safety expert says the new fix still won't end runaway cars.
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Toyota Recall: Did the Motor Giant Drag Its Feet While Drivers Died? U.S. says it had to ask Toyota to recall cars; Toyota knew of problem in 2007.
Toyota: Owners Should Keep Driving Cars 'Stop sales does not mean stop driving,' says spokesman.
Toyota Suspends Sales of 8 Models After Accelerator Pedals Keep Sticking ABC News reports highlighted deaths, hundreds of accidents linked to hazard.
Four people were killed on December 26th last year when a 2008 Toyota Avalon crashed through a fence and landed upside down in a pond in Southlake, TX.
Toyota Recall: New Reports of Runaway Toyotas as 2.3 Million Cars Recalled Four dead in Dallas crash where problem floor mats were found in trunk.
On December 28, Kevin Haggerty?s 2007 Toyota Avalon began to accelerate uncontrollably on a New Jersey highway. Using what he?d learned from an ABC News report, and a Blotter video about how to control your accelerating Toyota, Haggerty was able to regain control of the car and take it directly to a Toyota dealership.
Toyota Driver: ABC News Videos Helped Save My Life Kevin Haggerty says he stopped his Runaway Toyota using what he'd learned.
Four people were killed on December 26th last year when a 2008 Toyota Avalon crashed through a fence and landed upside down in a pond in Southlake, TX. Although local and federal investigators are still trying to determine why the car went out of control, one possible cause has been definitively ruled out ? the floor mats. The floor mats were found in the car?s trunk, leading police to speculate that they were removed when the driver was notified by Toyota of the floor mat recall in November, 2009.
TOYOTA RECALL: Reports of Runaway Cars Four dead in Dallas crash where problem floor mats were found in trunk.
First They Wouldn't Stop, Now Toyotas Won't Go After acceleration problem, the feds now probe Toyota for random stalling.
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Toyota Recall Fails to Address 'Root Cause' of Many Sudden Acceleration Cases, Safety Expert Says ABC News investigation revealed over 2,000 complaints of 'runaway Toyotas.'
Toyota Executive Denies "Cover Up" In Probe of Runaway Cars Federal officials' rebuke of Toyota fuels owners' concern.
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In Their Own Words: Runaway Car Owners Speak Out Toyota drivers' harrowing accounts of sudden acceleration.
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Safety Officials: Runaway Toyota Matter 'Is Not Closed' Removing floor mats 'not a remedy for underlying defect.'
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Owners of Toyota Cars in Rebellion Over Series of Accidents ABC News investigation finds over 200 accidents; Toyota owners want answers.
PHOTOS: Cases Across the Country
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PHOTOS: Cases Across the Country
Some accidents across the country have been fatal; Others leave scarred survivors.
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  • Chief Investigative Correspondent: Brian Ross
  • Producer: Joseph Rhee
  • Field Producers: Angela Hill and Asa Eslocker
  • Digital Producer: Megan Chuchmach
  • Chief Investigative Producer: Rhonda Schwartz
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