Electronics, Electromagnetic Interference and Prius Fall Under Scrutiny

Within the halls of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Congress, officials are apparently unconvinced Toyota has solved its sudden acceleration problems.  NHTSA sources are telling the L.A. Times it will initiate a “fresh review” of the electronic throttle control systems we have profiled in these reports.  The throttles were introduced in 2004 and complaints of runaway cars increased 5-fold afterward.  Toyota officials insist they have thoroughly examined the electronic systems on board the recalled vehicles and have found no defect responsible for unintended acceleration.  The company is focussing its attention on pedals entrapment in floor mats, and accelerators that over time may stick.  It will mount notification nationwide for 2.3 million owners who may have the accelerators in question.   The company is shipping replacement parts to dealers and factories for installation.  But there is growing concern it is an incomplete cure.

Meantime, another federal official close to safety regulators says NHTSA is investigating whether electromagnetic interference (EMI) could be causing glitches with vehicle speed controls in all cars and trucks, including Toyota products.   A Wayne State University engineering professor who consults with the industry believes cell phone signals, radar pulses, and other ambient electrical static, could be causing the problem.   USA Today reports a British expert on EMI believes the pulses are a “likely cause” of some of Toyota’s acceleration problems.   It is the basis of two class action lawsuits against the automaker.

Toyota dismisses the allegations, saying late Tuesday: “After many years of exhaustive testing — by us and other outside agencies — we have found no evidence of a problem with our electronic throttle control system that could have caused unwanted acceleration. Our vehicles go through extensive electromagnetic radiation testing dynamically.”   Engineers have studied this since the 1970′s but have never conclusively linked the issue to a specific problem.

Nevertheless, a guy who knows a little about computers, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, says his Prius is having runaway acceleration problems.  Wozniak made the comments at a Discovery

 The Prius, the top-selling Hybrid in the U.S., has also been hit with more than 100 complaints of brake problems over the past year in the U.S.  and 14 complaints in Japan.    The Japanese Trade Ministry has ordered the automaker to investigate the issue.   The complaints involve the newly re-designed Prius, with drivers say the brakes do not work, or suffer reduced effectiveness.  There are no recalls.