UltimateX

Isn't any acceleration unintended? Several of the older model Prii seemed to have suffered from the unintended acceleration. There is a very good picture on the web of one in a creek. Honestly Toyota is not look for the root cause of the problem at this point, they are look for a plausible root cause (right or wrong) so they can start making cars again. They have laid blame on CTS, and any incident that does not fit the mold will be ignored until they are making money again. They will then quietly have another recall. Could you imagine if they had to go months without selling cars.

Honestly it is probably all of the above. You have a poorly designed pedal with insufficient clearance that is prone to interference then throw in poorly designed floor mats. These factors probably were masking an computer/electrical glitch that may be the root cause. If it weren't for the twenty something deaths as a result of this problem, I would call this a comedy of errors.

What does this say to existing customers. Our cars are so deadly that we stopped selling them, but you have already made your purchased, I hope it doesn't kill you and your family. Good luck and remember to put it in neutral. Great message Toyota.

I believe that there are people at Toyota that know exactly what is happening with these runaway cars. Lets assume that there is a substantial design problem with the throttle assembly that requires a new throttle pedal assembly and perhaps as a knock on effect a new computer with an improved redundant interface to the throttle pedal assembly. First you have engineer these parts, manufacture 4 million of them and then schedule 4 million customers to have these parts replaced. This effort could easily take a year before they start replacing parts and several years before they have completed the process. Now imagine if they were to come clean on this bearing in mind that this probably affects all the cars currently sitting on Toyota lots and probably cars that will be manufactured for the next year. Every Toyota dealership in the country would become a ghost town and the only people who would dare enter them are the angry existing customers who are demanding a refund on their cars. This happened 40 years ago to Ford with the Pinto and exploding gas tank and it was not pretty. Compared to the Ford cruise control issue, this is huge. The solution for Ford was to install a fusible link in-line connector that took 5 minutes to install and cost probably about a dollar.

all Ford has to do is offer the MKZ hybrid and they could kill this.

It is illegal for a manufacturer to void a warranty if routine maintenance was performed by a 3rd party. You can go any where for an oil change.

The Taurus and the Taurus X were not crash tested, all the results are carry overs from the Five Hundred and the Freestyle which had optional side airbags in 2005. Notice the results below for the Five Hundred were without side air bags. 2005 Five Hundred Crash Result

I own a 08 Taurus X, which is basically the wagon version of the Taurus. It is a wide car but the doors are very thick reducing the interior width substantially. I just took a look and would guess the doors are a good 8 to 9 inches thick, the window sill is wide enough that you could put a soda can on it and it wouldn't fall off. It was however the first and possible the only car to get a 5 side impact rating without side air bags. My previous car was a Sable Wagon and on the interior the width felt the same even though the exterior was narrower.

This web site had some great videos. http://www.BFTRules.com It now links to the Ford F-150 site, did someone in corporate think that the videos might offend someone?

A lot of the parts still come from the US. The engine is from the US and I believe that the transmission is the new Ford 6 speed which is also from the US. See the link below for a US Jobs per car rating. http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/scorecards.html

This crash was at the Paris Airshow in the late 80 or early 90's. This was planes debut, and fortunately there were only a handful of people on board. The plane came in on an approach and was suppose to do a flyby over the runway but it got within the specified proximity of the ground that triggered landing mode. When the pilot advanced the throttle the plane did not respond because it was counter to the mode it was in. Just before the crash the engines can finally be heard spooling up, because the pilot jammed the throttle all the way forward and activated the go around mode, but unfortunately by that point the engines where eating tree branches.

I believe it was attributed to a software design problem. The plane was in landing mode and did not believe that the pilots actions were appropriate, so it ignored the pilots attempts to go to full thottle and climb. "I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that"

Any body remember the crazy locks on the early 1980's Toyotas like the Celica. The driver had to lean over and lock the passenger door because the door would mechanically unlock itself when closed by the passenger. Then the driver would lock the door and have to hold the outside handle up while closing the door lest it unlock itself too. I guess then figured people were too stupid, and would accidentally locked their keys in the car unless this complex ritual was performed just right. This obviously pre-dates power locks and key fobs.

That is really impressive considering that the A380 had it maiden flight in 2005 and has only been in service a little over a year. FYI, the A380 is the largest commercial airliner and is about 20% bigger than the 747, you are probably thinking of a different Airbus.

I have seen this before.

Comsumer Reports also has a very incestuous data source, there subscribers. People read CR, CR tells them to buy Toyota, they buy a Toyota, CR asks them how they like their Toyota. It is a little like justifying a position against a gun law by taking a poll at a gun show.

The Audiophile has 2 way speakers in each door and a six inch sub in the back, even with the Nav. I just took a look at my window sticker, I have a loaded 2008 Limited AWD with Sync and with everything but Sirius, DVD Entertainment and the extra wood trim package (The steering wheel and shifter) These are my options: - Limited Convenience Package (mem adj pedals, univ garage opener, cargo net) - Limited Ultimate Package (Heated 2nd row captains chairs, power fold 2nd row and power liftgate) - Sunroof - Aux climate control (Tri-zone HVAC) - Nav - Chrome wheels So it looks like you can get a Limited without adjustable pedals. I have to say, The Taurus X is a great vehicle, it has a lot of room yet still handles like a car. The only complaint that my wife has about the vehicle is the firm suspension, we have this one twisty road near my house with an inconsistent level to road that tends to rock the car as you are going down into a valley. I think it is fun, but my wife says the ride is too rough. On the highway, the ride is quiet and smooth. Good luck, I hope you get the car, you won't regret it.

This is for the 09, but the 09 is barely different than the 08. Be aware that some of the early 08 did not have Sync. The memory seats/mirrors and the upgraded stereo are very worth while as is the reversing sensors. I also prefer the monochromatic paint job. This is the upgrades listed from the Eddie Bauer to the Limited Crossover comfort and utility with top-of-the-line luxury. Listed below are some of the key features included in the Taurus X Limited, in addition to or in place of those in the Taurus X Eddie Bauer: # Perforated leather-trimmed 1st- and 2nd-row seats # 8-way power driver seat with memory settings # 2nd-row center console (with standard 40/40 split seats) # Premium Sound System with AM/FM stereo/clock/in-dash 6-disc CD changer/MP3 capability, eight speakers and a subwoofer # Reverse Sensing System # Power-adjustable brake/accelerator pedals with memory # Universal garage door opener # Power heated exterior mirrors with memory; security approach lamps and chrome accents # Cargo net # Painted monochromatic cladding with chrome accents (mirrors and door handles) http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/Tau...dels/index.asp#

As I recall it was more of a technology swap, they licensed software from Toyota in exchange some emissions control technology. Specifically I believe that it was the software that manages blending the regenerative brakes with the friction brakes.

Don't forget Cerberus (parent company of Chrysler) owns about half (49% or 51%) of GMAC. Failure of GMAC would have a double whammy on the big three.

How many cars aren't made in the USA? Fusion (Which has a US built engine and the 2010 I believe has the new US built Ford 6 speed transmission). The big three also employ 24,000 US engineers, all the imports only employ 3,500 US engineers.

My 40th birthday is next month and I am due for a mid life crisis soon. This car has been calling out to me, and I am very tempted to answer. Any word on pricing and availability.

Will the factories ever reopen, or will Chrysler peacefully pass away in its sleep.

Nine out of ten times it seems to be a Toyota. People who buy these appliance cars need all the help they can get.

I've noticed that a lot too. I think that automatic headlights should be required on car with the electroluminescent gauges. Without the dark gauges and lots of surrounding light, they just don't realize that there headlights are off.