Toyota is being criticized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for releasing inaccurate and misleading statements saying no defects exist in the more than three-million vehicles it recalled recently.

   The September 29th recall occurred after an August 28th accident in San Diego County, California killed four people when a Lexus sedan accelerated out of control and crashed.

   Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the federal regulator said Lexus vehicles do have underlying defects centered around the accelerator pedal and the vehicle's foot well.

   Toyota contends the accident occurred when the pedal simply became stuck under the floor mat and not from other factors.
   In recall notices sent out this week, Toyota instructs people to remove the driver-side floor mat.

   The company also released a web video statement denying news reports that the vehicles could experience unintended acceleration.

   The NHTSA sharply shot back.
   In the statement, the regulator said they were working with Toyota on the "very dangerous problem" and called on the automaker to immediately address the defect and find a suitable solution.


   (Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)