2008 Scion Tc

MY ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT INSTEAD OF GETTING A SCION THEY GOT A COROLLA ENGINE, SO NOW MY CAR DRINKS TOO MUCH GAS. THE BRAKES STOPPED BEING STOP CLOSE TO ON THE DIME AFTER THEY FIXED THE ENGINE, AND REPLACED THE TIRES. WHEN THEY CHANGED THE TIRES THEY USED IMPACT STUDS/BOLTS. EVERY TIME I USE CRUISE CONTROL IT GOES FASTER A LITTLE NO MATTER IF IT'S UP OR DOWN HILL. I HAVE TO PUSH DOWN TO SLOW IT DOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE SPUN INTO THE GRASS AND STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

FEBRUARY 15, 2010 AN ORLANDO MOTHER DIED MONDAY AFTERNOON AFTER LOSING CONTROL OF HER CAR AND PLUNGING INTO A RETENTION POND BESIDE STATE ROAD 417. SPARKLE CORINEE POMEROY WAS TRAPPED INSIDE HER SUBMERGED TOYOTA SCION FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE RESCUE CREWS WERE ABLE TO FREE HER. SHE DIED SEVERAL HOURS LATER AT ORLANDO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH, ACCORDING TO FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL. THE 26-YEAR-OLD NEWLYWED LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE JUST SOUTH OF LEE VISTA BOULEVARD IN EAST ORLANDO AROUND 8:55 A.M. TROOPERS AREN'T SURE WHAT CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL, CROSS THE GRASSY MEDIAN, HEAD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN PLUNGE INTO THE MURKY WATERS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SCION TC. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING UP TO 25 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE WALK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 04-15-10 *BF UPDATED 05/05/10. *JB

1) THIS IS NOT A FAILURE DUE TO AN EVENT BUT A DESIGN FLAW ON THE SCION TC WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE "DRIVE-BY-WIRE". THE THROTTLE RESPONSE IS DELAYED BY 1/2 TO 1 FULL SECOND UPON LAYING FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 2) AS A RESULT OF THIS DESIGN FLAW, THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE THE CAR REACTS TOO SLOWLY IN COUNTERACTING ANY HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITION ONE MAY FACE. WHEN THE SITUATION CALLS FOR ACCELERATION, THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE DRIVER STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR BEGINS TO REACT 1/2 TO 1 SECOND LATER WHICH CAN BE CRUCIAL TIME WASTED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LAG IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. FOR INSTANCE, I WAS FORCED TO APPLY MY BRAKES ABRUPTLY DUE TO THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I IMMEDIATELY SAW THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME APPROACH ME AT A FASTER THAN NORMAL PACE BECAUSE THE DRIVER REACTED LATE. I WAS FORCED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO BRAKE AND THEREFORE REDUCING THE IMPACT OF OUR CARS OR TO AVOID IT COMPLETELY. HOWEVER, THIS WAS UNAVOIDABLE BECAUSE MY CAR DID NOT RESPOND FAST ENOUGH TO MY ACCELERATION. LUCKILY, MY REAR BUMPER SUFFERED NO VISIBLE DAMAGES. *JB