Feds May Have Known of Toyota Accelerator Pedal Problems in 2004

Washington, DCAn American insurance company is reporting that many of its field agents have been contacting safety regulators since 2004 about problems stemming from Toyota accelerator pedals.

According to a new set of documents subpoenaed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received claims relating to acceleration problems in Toyota's Lexus ES 300 vehicles some six years prior to the recent automotive recall.

The Japanese automaker initiated a recall of approximately 8.5 million automobiles after discovering acceleration problems stemming from faulty electrical systems and improperly sized floor mats.

"There are significant questions surrounding when defects were first reported to regulators by Toyota and whether regulators did their due diligence once they were brought into the process," Kurt Bardella, a spokesman for the Oversight committee, told the Hill. "We are going to examine and scrutinize everyone's role, industry and government's alike, to ensure that moving forward the safety of America's drivers is not compromised in anyway."

In the coming weeks, the oversight committee is preparing to hear testimony from Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda and members of the Transportation Department that served during the Bush administration.