Toyota’s reputation for quality tainted

Toyota dealers across the country were swamped with calls Wednesday from concerned drivers but had few answers after the company announced that it would stop selling and building eight models because of faulty gas pedals.

Toyota insisted that the problem -- sudden, uncontrolled acceleration -- was "rare and infrequent" and said dealers should deal with customers "on a case-by-case basis." But drivers of Toyotas and those who share the road with them were left with uncertainty.

In an unprecedented move, the company halted sales for the eight models -- which make up more than half of Toyota's U.S. sales volume -- until it comes up with a way to fix the gas pedals. Last week, Toyota issued a recall for the same eight models, affecting 2.3 million vehicles.

A private firm said it has identified 275 crashes and 18 deaths because of sudden, uncontrollable acceleration in Toyotas since 1999.

"We're kind of in a holding pattern right now," said Doug Sprinthall, director of new vehicle operations for the Bloomington-based Walser Automotive Group. "What we're waiting for as a dealer is guidance from Toyota about what the people who own the vehicles should do."

So far, customers aren't panicked, and he's been telling customers to "sit tight," Sprinthall said. "It's frustrating -- we want to give them the right information," he said.

One common question: Does the recall apply to all those vehicles, regardless of mileage or condition? Yes, it does, he said.

Sprinthall said he's trying to be optimistic, saying the safety net worked. On the other hand, he said, "It's never a good thing to be a retailer who has paid a lot of money for a product and you can't sell it."

Toyota has said the problem appears to be related to the buildup of condensation on sliding surfaces in the accelerator system that help drivers push down or release the gas pedal. The gas pedal mechanism can wear down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to spring back -- or stuck.

Outside safety experts say the problem also could have to do with the complex electronic sensors that relay the message from the gas pedal to the engine, the design and location of the sensor system and a lack of an override mechanism.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in Chicago that the government had urged Toyota to stop making the vehicles while the carmaker investigates the problem.

The sales and production halt involves some of Toyota's best-known lines, including Camry and Corolla sedans and the RAV4 crossover, a blend of an SUV and a car. RAV4's sales had surged last month.

Car rental companies are pulling thousands of Toyotas from their fleets and rival brands are taking advantage of Toyota's woes. General Motors is offering interest-free loans and other incentives to Toyota owners who may want to get rid of their cars due to fears about the faulty gas pedals. The Detroit automaker is offering zero-interest financing for 60 months on most models. It also will offer $1,000 to Toyota owners toward a down payment on a GM vehicle and up to $1,000 to help pay off current leases early. The offers run through the end of February.

Toyota had little to say about how common the problem is.

"It's rare," Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said. "I'd like to say even more than that but right now I'm held to rare -- rare and infrequent."

Asked whether the problem is worse for older cars, he said: "There's so many factors involved. That's why we're a little careful with our words. We are finding it in some lower mileage vehicles depending on the environmental conditions."

Sean Kane, director of Safety Research and Strategies, which conducts research into motor vehicle safety issues, said his firm has identified 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles leading to at least 275 crashes and 18 deaths since 1999. The firm cites as sources the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, direct reports from drivers and incidents mentioned in lawsuits. Toyota would not confirm the numbers.

Star Tribune staff writer Suzanne Ziegler and the Wall Street Journal contributed to this report.