Toyota has been keeping secret information stores in black box data recorder that could explain sudden unintended acceleration that has led to crashes, reports the Associated Press. The news organization looked at records and documents generated from lawsuits and finds that Toyota has been less than forthcoming about what data is even contained in the recorders. Sometimes the automaker is even contradictory in revealing what data is recorded. Other automakers are much more transparent in what information is contained in the data recorders, also known as EDRs.
During litigation, Toyota has been forced to provide documentation, but AP finds that Toyota has frequently refused to provide information needed to make a case go forward. Toyota uses proprietary software in its data recorders and in the U.S. there is only one laptop that has the software that can read the data. Toyota has also blacked out vital information that is, supposed to be provided to the other side in litigation. With 52 people dead from crashes linked to defective Toyota automobiles, that information is vital to determine what happens from five seconds before the crash until two seconds after the air bag deploys- that is reportedly what’s contained in the crash data.
It is time for NHTSA to stop playing nice with this automaker, which is taking advantage of the fact that NHTSA is not funded adequately to do the job of a watchdog over the automobile industry.
