Toyota and Lexus recalling cars due to floor mat - Aircraft of World War II

B-17engineer · 09-30-2009, 06:52 PM

Disturbing phone call of a cars accelerator stuck due to the floor mat.

YouTube - Actual 911 call: Family of 4 killed when car speeds out of control at 120mph

to the CHP officer.

Memorial for CHP Officer & 3 Family Members Killed in Runaway Car - San Diego 6

CHULA VISTA - A Highway Patrol officer, his wife, daughter and brother-in-law -- all killed in a fiery crash in Santee -- will be remembered at a memorial service Saturday in Chula Vista.

Mark Saylor and his wife Cleofe, both 45, their 13-year-old daughter Mahala and 38-year-old brother-in-law Chris Lastrella were killed in the crash at 6:35 p.m. Aug. 28 at the end of state Route 125 at Mission Gorge Road.

The officer was off-duty at the time of the crash.

They were in a 2009 Lexus loaned by Bob Baker Lexus in El Cajon while their vehicle was being serviced, authorities said. One of the occupants, believed to be Cleofe Saylor, called 911 to report the accelerator in the loaner vehicle was stuck.

Witnesses said the car was going more than 100 mph shortly before the crash.

The car collided with an SUV waiting to turn left at the end of Highway125, and continued across Mission Gorge Road, crashed through a fence and ended up on fire in the bed of the San Diego River.

All four victims died at the scene.

A public Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, 1771 E. Palomar St., Chula Vista, CHP Officer Brad Baehr said.

A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m., Baehr said.

The family welcomes participation by the public and CHP, but law enforcement officers are asked to wear civilian clothes, according to Baehr.

Previous story:

SANTEE - The victims of a crash apparently caused by a stuck accelerator in a car loaned by an El Cajon dealership were positively identified Monday as an off-duty CHP officer, his wife, teenage daughter and brother-in-law.

Killed in the fiery collision around 6:35 p.m. Friday, at the end of state Route 125 at Mission Gorge Road, were California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor of Chula Vista; his 45-year-old wife, Cleofe; 13-year-old daughter, Mahala; and 38-year-old brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

The Saylor family was in a Lexus that was going more than 100 mph when it clipped a Ford Explorer, smashed through a fence and hit an embankment, which launched the car into the bed of the San Diego River, where it burst into flames.

The driver of the Explorer, Phillip Pretty, 52, was hospitalized with moderate injuries.

Both vehicles had been going north on SR 125, and the driver of Explorer was trying to turn left when the SUV was struck from behind, according to law enforcement and witness reports.

Someone believed to be Saylor's wife called 911 to report that the car's accelerator was stuck, CHP Officer Brian Pennings said. That downhill stretch of northbound 125 near Grossmont College intersects one of the busiest streets in the county.

Saylors' regular vehicle was being serviced at Bob Baker Lexus, which issued them the loaner car that crashed.

A sales manager for the dealership, Blair Carter, told SignOn San Diego that employees' hearts sunk when they learned about the crash. He said the car was equipped with a system that should have shut off the engine if there was a major malfunction.

Saylor, 45, was a safety officer who inspected school buses, ambulances, tow trucks and armored vehicles.

"He was an outstanding officer who was well-respected by his peers," Pennings said, adding that Saylor was also a "passionate athlete who was very competitive."

Pennings said Saylor would have completed 20 years as a highway patrolman in October, working in offices in western Los Angeles County and El Cajon before settling in the San Diego office in 1995. He began his safety inspection assignment four years ago.

The Sheriff's Department is in charge of the accident investigation, and is being assisted by the CHP.

Toyota Recall September 2009 Concerns 3.8m Cars With Bad Floor Mats – SoftSailor

Recently we’ve seen Toyota recalling almost a million cars because of faulty parts. Not a single weeks goes by without the Japanese car maker recalling cars somewhere in the world and it makes you wonder if these cars are good for anything. However this time is somewhat different as it’s the biggest Toyota recall in history with over 3.8 million cars having problems because of the floor mats. On August 28, four people in a Lexus crashed at over 120mph because of jammed accelerators caused by faulty floor mats.

This is not the first time it happens as the first problem was reported in 2004 with the Prius. Then in September 2007 Toyota
recalled thousands of Toyota Camrys and Lexus ES 250s due to the all-weather mats. So far there were 102 reports and 13 crashes with 5 deaths and 17 injuries caused by Toyota and Lexus floor mats which ham the accelerator pedals.

As a desperate measure Toyota is urging all Toyota and Lexus drivers to remove the driver’s side floor mats and do not replace it with anything else and the car maker can come up with a solution to the floor mats.

Last month we’ve seen millions of Toyota cars recalled all over the world because of various faulty parts. Toyota recall September 2009? 3.8 million units because of faulty floor mats.

RabidAlien · 09-30-2009, 08:30 PM

My prayers for the families of those involved.

That bein said, I still love my '06 Tacoma.

B-17engineer · 09-30-2009, 08:32 PM

I've always loved the Chevy Avalanche, but the small bed of the truck almost makes it seem ridiculous.

Soren · 10-01-2009, 07:52 PM

Question:

Why did the driver not just:

A. Turn off the engine ?
B. Engage the clutch ?
C. Put the gear in neutral ?

Or...

D. Step on the brakes ?

Butters · 10-01-2009, 08:15 PM

Exactly...So, they have time to make a call to 911 (This after the car has accelerated to 120mph...), but the driver doesn't have time push in the clutch, or shift it into neutral?

Somethin' not right with this story...

JL

muller · 10-01-2009, 08:30 PM

I remember a similar issue with Ford 4X4's in the UK about 15 years ago. There were about 3 fatal crashes and they could never find anything mechanically wrong with the cars when investigating engineers examined them. Finally someone was able to re-create the issue. What happens is the floor mat moves (these 4X4's were fitted with chunky rubber all weather mats) and actually covers the accelerator pedal (but not the brake pedal), when you push down on the brake pedal, the mat is pushed down on the accelerator pedal at the same time, so you are braking and giving it gas at the same time, and when the driver panics because the car isn't slowing down, their instinct is to press harder on the brakes thus pressing down harder on the accelerator. I'm surprised Toyota wasn't aware of this problem already.

vikingBerserker · 10-01-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soren

Question:

Why did the driver not just:

A. Turn off the engine ?
B. Engage the clutch ?
C. Put the gear in neutral ?

Or...

D. Step on the brakes ?

See, there you go again getting all logical and such.....

B-17engineer · 10-01-2009, 09:31 PM

Agreeing with VB.... in the heat of the moment and approaching an intersection (within 10 seconds.... I wouldn't want to stop in the middle.....

09-30-2009, 06:52 PM	#1
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,697	Toyota and Lexus recalling cars due to floor mat Disturbing phone call of a cars accelerator stuck due to the floor mat. YouTube - Actual 911 call: Family of 4 killed when car speeds out of control at 120mph to the CHP officer. Memorial for CHP Officer & 3 Family Members Killed in Runaway Car - San Diego 6 CHULA VISTA - A Highway Patrol officer, his wife, daughter and brother-in-law -- all killed in a fiery crash in Santee -- will be remembered at a memorial service Saturday in Chula Vista. Mark Saylor and his wife Cleofe, both 45, their 13-year-old daughter Mahala and 38-year-old brother-in-law Chris Lastrella were killed in the crash at 6:35 p.m. Aug. 28 at the end of state Route 125 at Mission Gorge Road. The officer was off-duty at the time of the crash. They were in a 2009 Lexus loaned by Bob Baker Lexus in El Cajon while their vehicle was being serviced, authorities said. One of the occupants, believed to be Cleofe Saylor, called 911 to report the accelerator in the loaner vehicle was stuck. Witnesses said the car was going more than 100 mph shortly before the crash. The car collided with an SUV waiting to turn left at the end of Highway125, and continued across Mission Gorge Road, crashed through a fence and ended up on fire in the bed of the San Diego River. All four victims died at the scene. A public Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, 1771 E. Palomar St., Chula Vista, CHP Officer Brad Baehr said. A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m., Baehr said. The family welcomes participation by the public and CHP, but law enforcement officers are asked to wear civilian clothes, according to Baehr. Previous story: SANTEE - The victims of a crash apparently caused by a stuck accelerator in a car loaned by an El Cajon dealership were positively identified Monday as an off-duty CHP officer, his wife, teenage daughter and brother-in-law. Killed in the fiery collision around 6:35 p.m. Friday, at the end of state Route 125 at Mission Gorge Road, were California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor of Chula Vista; his 45-year-old wife, Cleofe; 13-year-old daughter, Mahala; and 38-year-old brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. The Saylor family was in a Lexus that was going more than 100 mph when it clipped a Ford Explorer, smashed through a fence and hit an embankment, which launched the car into the bed of the San Diego River, where it burst into flames. The driver of the Explorer, Phillip Pretty, 52, was hospitalized with moderate injuries. Both vehicles had been going north on SR 125, and the driver of Explorer was trying to turn left when the SUV was struck from behind, according to law enforcement and witness reports. Someone believed to be Saylor's wife called 911 to report that the car's accelerator was stuck, CHP Officer Brian Pennings said. That downhill stretch of northbound 125 near Grossmont College intersects one of the busiest streets in the county. Saylors' regular vehicle was being serviced at Bob Baker Lexus, which issued them the loaner car that crashed. A sales manager for the dealership, Blair Carter, told SignOn San Diego that employees' hearts sunk when they learned about the crash. He said the car was equipped with a system that should have shut off the engine if there was a major malfunction. Saylor, 45, was a safety officer who inspected school buses, ambulances, tow trucks and armored vehicles. "He was an outstanding officer who was well-respected by his peers," Pennings said, adding that Saylor was also a "passionate athlete who was very competitive." Pennings said Saylor would have completed 20 years as a highway patrolman in October, working in offices in western Los Angeles County and El Cajon before settling in the San Diego office in 1995. He began his safety inspection assignment four years ago. The Sheriff's Department is in charge of the accident investigation, and is being assisted by the CHP. Toyota Recall September 2009 Concerns 3.8m Cars With Bad Floor Mats – SoftSailor Recently we’ve seen Toyota recalling almost a million cars because of faulty parts. Not a single weeks goes by without the Japanese car maker recalling cars somewhere in the world and it makes you wonder if these cars are good for anything. However this time is somewhat different as it’s the biggest Toyota recall in history with over 3.8 million cars having problems because of the floor mats. On August 28, four people in a Lexus crashed at over 120mph because of jammed accelerators caused by faulty floor mats. This is not the first time it happens as the first problem was reported in 2004 with the Prius. Then in September 2007 Toyota recalled thousands of Toyota Camrys and Lexus ES 250s due to the all-weather mats. So far there were 102 reports and 13 crashes with 5 deaths and 17 injuries caused by Toyota and Lexus floor mats which ham the accelerator pedals. As a desperate measure Toyota is urging all Toyota and Lexus drivers to remove the driver’s side floor mats and do not replace it with anything else and the car maker can come up with a solution to the floor mats. Last month we’ve seen millions of Toyota cars recalled all over the world because of various faulty parts. Toyota recall September 2009? 3.8 million units because of faulty floor mats. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

09-30-2009, 08:30 PM	#2
RabidAlien Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas Posts: 2,827	My prayers for the families of those involved. That bein said, I still love my '06 Tacoma. __________________ Pillage, then burn. Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast.

09-30-2009, 08:32 PM	#3
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,697	I've always loved the Chevy Avalanche, but the small bed of the truck almost makes it seem ridiculous. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

10-01-2009, 07:52 PM	#4
Soren Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,116	Question: Why did the driver not just: A. Turn off the engine ? B. Engage the clutch ? C. Put the gear in neutral ? Or... D. Step on the brakes ? __________________ It was like being pushed by an Angel! - Adolf Galland I'm an educated engineer, so I love being technical and appraising of great inventions. So if you think I am being biased about something: Tell me! Then you'll probably find out that I am not Last edited by Soren; 10-01-2009 at 07:56 PM.

10-01-2009, 08:30 PM	#6
muller Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Emerald Isle Posts: 1,498	I remember a similar issue with Ford 4X4's in the UK about 15 years ago. There were about 3 fatal crashes and they could never find anything mechanically wrong with the cars when investigating engineers examined them. Finally someone was able to re-create the issue. What happens is the floor mat moves (these 4X4's were fitted with chunky rubber all weather mats) and actually covers the accelerator pedal (but not the brake pedal), when you push down on the brake pedal, the mat is pushed down on the accelerator pedal at the same time, so you are braking and giving it gas at the same time, and when the driver panics because the car isn't slowing down, their instinct is to press harder on the brakes thus pressing down harder on the accelerator. I'm surprised Toyota wasn't aware of this problem already. __________________

10-01-2009, 08:15 PM	#5
Butters Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Shore of Nova Scotia Posts: 305	Exactly...So, they have time to make a call to 911 (This after the car has accelerated to 120mph...), but the driver doesn't have time push in the clutch, or shift it into neutral? Somethin' not right with this story... JL

10-01-2009, 09:31 PM	#8
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,697	Agreeing with VB.... in the heat of the moment and approaching an intersection (within 10 seconds.... I wouldn't want to stop in the middle..... __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

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