The problems at Toyota are serious, to be sure. But is it time to panic?

There was a great article in the Los Angeles Times today, by Michael Fumento. Fumento is the director of the Independent Journalism Project. According to his website, he’s “an investigative reporter, author, attorney and photographer specializing in science and health issues.” He’s also a very smart cookie, to judge from this article about Toyota.

Fumento recounts his experience in 1991 with his Toyota MR2. Though the vehicle wasn’t recalled, it was a deeply flawed design that was subject to severe handling problems. Fumento drove his MR2 off a cliff with his wife in the passenger seat, and she still suffers physical ailments as a result of the accident. But Fumento doesn’t condemn Toyota — in fact, he bought another, and his wife owns one today. Fumento urges perspective on the current “sudden acceleration” issue, stating that:

… when compared with the vast number of cars Toyota sells, the current reaction is wholly out of proportion.

Sudden acceleration in Toyotas over the last decade has been linked with — which doesn’t mean “caused” — 52 deaths, according to NHTSA. It was just 19 before the current publicity. A Los Angeles Times investigation brought it up to 56, including those culled from lawsuits. Whatever the count and cause, that’s too many. But it’s also out of 20 million Toyotas sold, and out of the 420,000 Americans NHTSA says died in motor vehicle accidents that decade.

And although Toyota had almost 17% of total U.S. car sales in 2008, it accounted for merely 8% of total claims for deaths and injuries in the first quarter of that year, according to NHTSA. Edmunds.com found that while Toyota was third in U.S. car sales from 2001 through 2010, it was 17th in NHTSA complaints. Thus, even if every sudden-acceleration complaint proved valid, Toyotas are among the safest cars made.

Moreover, some of those reports surely could have been driver fault. To err is human; to blame errors on external factors is even more so.

All I can do is echo Fumento’s words, and to warn you — just because you don’t own a Toyota, don’t get complacent. Don’t be surprised to find that more recalls are on their way, and not just for Toyotas. Just an opinion. The best thing you can do as a driver is to know how to control your vehicle, pay attention when you drive, and be sure to keep in touch with your manufacturer. I’ve compiled a list of contact information for SUV manufacturers. Don’t delay, get in touch today.

Photo © Jason Fogelson

Toyota panic originally appeared on About.com SUVs on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 18:06:49.

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