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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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'Runaway Car' Owners Don't Believe Toyota's Explanation

They fault electronics, not recalled floor mats

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(Newser) – Many Toyota owners don’t buy the company’s claim that floor mats are behind an accelerator malfunction, ABC reports. Toyota has ordered a 3.8 million-car recall for a problem that has vehicles suddenly and uncontrollably accelerating to high speeds, offering the explanation that an oversize floor mat pins down the accelerator pedal. Safety analysts have looked at 2,000 incidents in models including Camry, Lexus, and Prius.

"I'm absolutely certain that in my situation, it was not the floor mats," says one Prius owner who had an accident. Many of the victims blame a bug in the cars’ electronic control systems—an explanation Toyota denied in a statement, saying there was “no evidence” to support the theory. The federal Department of Transportation has been investigating and says its inquiry remains open.

In this photo taken on May 18, 2009, a couple study about Toyota's revamped Prius at a Toyota showroom in Tokyo, Japan.
In this photo taken on May 18, 2009, a couple study about Toyota's revamped Prius at a Toyota showroom in Tokyo, Japan.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
A Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is seen on the first press day of the Frankfurt Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. The car fair run through Sept. 27.
A Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is seen on the first press day of the Frankfurt Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. The car fair run through Sept. 27.   (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle)
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