Toyota recall probe turns to NASA

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Reuters

Washington • Toyota’s accelerator flaws and electronic vehicle controls will be examined by NASA as the federal government expands its probe into incidents linked to at least 51 deaths.

The government also recruited the National Research Council, part of the congressionally chartered National Academy of Sciences, to investigate unintended acceleration and electronics in vehicles from all automakers, said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The research will cost $3 million, he said.

The studies will focus more attention on the reliability of computers that help run today’s cars and trucks. Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, has said it found no evidence that the systems are at fault for sudden bursts of speed that led to the recall of more than 8 million cars and trucks worldwide. Consumer advocates and lawmakers have urged an investigation of vehicle electronics.

Congress “thought there was more to these issues, more to these problems with automobiles than just floor mats and sticky pedals,” LaHood said. “Even though our review does not show that and Toyota’s review does not show that, we felt we needed to address what Congress’s concerns are.”

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