Hoping to gain better insight into Toyota‘s recent recall announcements and on the role that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) played in the process, the Energy & Commerce Committee has announced plans to open hearings on the matter starting February 25th. In announcing this formal investigation, Chairman Henry A. Waxman said the central focus would be to "help us better understand how quickly and effectively Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration responded to consumer complaints about the safety of the recalled Toyota vehicles."
Both Toyota Motor North America, Inc President Yoshimi Inaba and NHTSA Chairman David Strickland have been sent letters requesting more detailed information and supplemental documentation related to the problems currently under investigation, including when they were first identified and what specific actions were taken to examine and resolve the issues. The committee also requested information regarding NHTSA’s investigation of consumer complaints related to any potential defects that could lead to instances of sudden unintended acceleration — and to Toyota’s response to those complaints.
