Safety regulators slap Toyota

Normally, automakers and federal safety regulators say nice things about each other, or as little as possible.

But regulators are annoyed with Toyota Motor (TM), No. 2 in U.S. auto sales and tops in the world.

• Read more about recalls involving Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rebuked Toyota for issuing "inaccurate and misleading" statements asserting that no defect exists in the 3.8 million vehicles it recalled after a Lexus sedan accelerated out of control in suburban San Diego, Calif., killing four people.

The NHTSA pointed noted that the recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles do have an "underlying defect" that involves the design of the accelerator pedal and the driver's foot well.

Toyota officials have said they believe the Aug. 28 accident, and other uncontrolled-acceleration incidents across the country, occurred after the gas pedal became entrapped in an improperly installed floor mat.

In formal recall notices being mailed out this week, Toyota asks customers to remove the driver's-side mats.

Separately, the company issued a statement Monday saying its recall letter "confirms that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured."

Toyota also posted a video statement disputing news reports that unintended acceleration may be related to other factors, such as electronic throttle control systems.

That prompted the NHTSA to issue a clarification.

"Safety is the No. 1 priority for NHTSA, and this is why officials are working with Toyota to find the right way to fix this very dangerous problem," the statement said.

"This matter is not closed until Toyota has effectively addressed the defect by providing a suitable vehicle-based solution."

The statement is unusual and threatens to dent Toyota's credibility just as it seeks to assure customers that its vehicles are safe.

In response to the NHTSA statement, Toyota said it was "never our intention to mislead or provide inaccurate information."

The Toyota statement added that it was still developing "vehicle-based" remedies to prevent unintended acceleration events, in which motorists say their vehicles suddenly speed out of control.

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons suggested last month that these remedies might include changes in the placement of the pedals, or a change to the engine control software in the vehicles' onboard computers.

On Wednesday, however, Lyons declined to comment on any specific fixes.

Toyota announced the voluntary recall Sept. 29, one month after a 2009 Lexus ES 350 sped out of control on a suburban San Diego highway, killing California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, his wife, Cleofe Lastrella, their daughter Mahala and Chris Lastrella, Cleofe's brother.

The incident drew widespread public attention because the final moments were captured as Chris Lastrella made a frantic 911 call describing Saylor's futile efforts to stop the car, which crashed through an embankment and burned.

The accident and recall prompted Toyota President Akio Toyoda to publicly express remorse.

The recall affects the 2007-10 model year Toyota Camry, the 2004-09 Toyota Prius, the 2005-10 Toyota Avalon, the 2005-10 Tacoma, the 2007-10 Toyota Tundra, the 2007-10 Lexus ES 350 and the 2006-10 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350.

The NHTSA has investigated allegations of unwanted acceleration in Toyota vehicles eight times since 2003. Two probes, involving carpet panels in 2004 Toyota Sienna minivans, and floor mats in 2007 Lexus ES350 and 2007 Toyota Camry sedans, led to small recalls.

Toyota shares were up 1.3% in New York after the company reported that it had returned to profitability in its fiscal second quarter.